How much is a canvas tent?
Camping is a pastime that can be fun and educational for the entire family. In order to get the most out of your time communing with nature, you must take the time to learn as much about camping as possible. Read the tips that follow and you will be able to plan an adventure you will never forget.
Those big, colorful plastic storage bins make excellent places to store and organize all of your camping gear. While at home, keep it in a closet or the garage and right before you leave for your camping trip, pop it in the trunk. It should keep everything air-tight, dry and easily accessible.
Did you know that a simple mirror can save your life? If you are camping and end up in a survival situation, a simple hand held mirror can be used to signal for help many miles away. Do not buy the standard glass mirror, many camping supply stores sell mirrors made of Lexan that will float and are practically unbreakable.
Navigation is the key when it comes to camping. It is important to know where you are, and how to get back to civilization if you become lost. Always bring a map of the area, and a compass to help you. You can also use an outdoor GPS that will give you navigation information, as well as additional information such as altitude.
Make sure that all of your friends and family are involved in choosing the camping site. Talk over what your destination state should be. Try to keep a small list, as there is such an abundance of spots to choose from, it can be hard to pick one. Throw out your ideas to see if they stick with members of your family.
With camping, comes the campfire. Make sure your campfire is in an open space and far enough away from brush or trees so you don't run the risk of a stray spark catching them on fire. Surround the fire with stones to help keep it contained. Most importantly, never leave any campfire unattended. If you need to leave for any reason, make sure the campfire is extinguished completely.
Bring a survival kit with you and be sure to always have it on you. A survival kit should include items like a flare gun, matches that are waterproof, a knife and other items you think you may need. If you were to get lost or were put in an emergency situation, the survival kit will be of great help. Always carry it on your person when you venture away from your campsite, or it won't do you much good.
Bring supplies for 'Smores. 'Smores are an integral part of any camping trip. Simply pack graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. Toast the marshmallows, then make it the filling to a graham cracker/chocolate sandwich. When you have a 'Smore, you will want 'some more'--bring enough for everyone to have at least two of them!
Consider purchasing inexpensive walkie-talkies to take with you on your next camping trip to provide a way to keep in touch with everyone in your party in areas where cell phone reception may not be available. This can be especially important if you are camping with children and need to keep track of their whereabouts.
If you're new to camping, you're going to want to arrive early to the campground. The reason for this is you will be new to the campground site and rules, and this will slow you down. You don't want to be stuck setting up camp after dark, so just arrive a little earlier than you usually would.
Before setting out on your next camping trip, check out your first aid kit. If there are any items that are missing, replace them. If any of the ointments or medications are low in quantity, remove them and replace them will a new package. Check the expiration date on topical ointments and medications and replaced any that are outdated.
It is generally a smart idea to leave your basecamp or car with a fully charged cell phone. Bring extra batteries in case the first one dies. A cellphone is a great way to get in touch with someone in case of an emergency so be sure yours isn't going to die.
If you have never been camping before, then be sure to bring extra of everything. This is most important for things like food and drinks. Since you are inexperienced you may underestimate how much food you actually need. Remember, you will probably be very active, and therefore need more food than normal.
If you are a novice at camping, don't stray far from home. You may run into problems that will require you to shorten your trip, like problems with equipment. Maybe you will find out that there isn't enough food or clean clothes to continue. A lot of issues can happen to those camping the first time, so camp not too far away on your initial adventure.
A great tip for those of you planning a camping trip would be to bring along flashlights that are LED and run on lithium batteries. These types of flashlights last much longer than traditional flashlight and the last thing you want when out in the wilderness is a broken flashlight.
When you are at your campsite, pitch your tent on the softest and most level ground you are able to find. If you pick a spot that is rocky or has a slope to it, you will be uncomfortable when you are inside your tent. Make sure you place a tarp underneath your tent to keep water out, also.
Create a list of the items you must bring before you go camping. This is particularly helpful if you have to travel quite far to get where you are going. Make sure you have everything you need and pack a couple days before leaving.
If you plan on camping, you should bring along shoes that can get wet. Shower shoes, slip-ons, water shoes, or flip-flops that you don't mind getting wet work best. These can easily be used to walk around a shared shower facility, go to the bathroom at night, go bell tent flooring to a swimming hole, or even a pool. They're easy to put on and take off anytime you need.
As you have read, there is plenty of advice that can help you improve the quality of your camping trip. Millions of people go camping each year, may it be in their own back yards or in an exotic location. Use what you have learned from this article in order to ensure a safe and fun camping trip!