Are tents waterproof?
When you go camping, you need the proper equipment to be fully prepared. There are many companies and stores that will try to sell you the most expensive equipment for your camping needs, but you shouldn't listen to them. There is affordable camping equipment out there, and this article will show you what it is and how to find it.
Although it is not an essential part of your back country camping gear, a machete is something that you may consider packing depending on where you are going. It is a very versatile tool in the wilderness. You can cut a trail, hack bamboo and vines for shelter, cut coconuts for water, chop firewood, and even use it as protection against wild animals.
Pre-cool your ice chest by filling it with loads of ice, at least six hours prior to departure. When you are about to leave, pack up your refrigerated cooled drinks and block ice, not cubed. Popping room temp beverages will take up valuable ice-life, and the cubes will melt much quicker than a block!
Pack a few shovels if there are children with you on your trip. Kids love nothing better than digging in the dirt, and having the right accessories is crucial. If you have room, bring a bucket too. The children will happily entertain themselves in the dirt while you unpack, set up camp and do everything that you need to do.
Bring enough food and snack items to last you throughout the whole trip. You don't want to spend your time going to get food every meal, enjoy yourself while you are camping. Bring cereal, hot dogs, and all of your other favorite food items that will fuel you throughout your trip.
Let those you are camping with help pick the site. Engage in conversation about what state and location they would like to visit. Since the are so many great options to choose from across the U.S., it might be hard to select only one! If it is the simpler option, try picking a few you favor and letting your whole family vote on them.
As a courtesy to other campers, don't leave your lighting on overnight, if you are close to others. Pack a timer that you can attach to your lights that will automatically shut them off after a certain time. Leaving lights on overnight is a popular complaint among most American campers!
Any time you go camping, do not forget to bring a first-aid kit along with you. Since accidents can happen at any time, a first-aid kit is a very valuable asset to possess. Be sure to include topical creams for bug bites, sun burns and poison ivy when putting your kit together.
Giving yourself enough time to enjoy your camping trip is key. Plan out your trip far in advance and get a couple of days off from work if possible. You want to enjoy yourself camping for at least a few days, that way you feel like you got the full experience out of it.
Make sure that the cooler you are taking with you is air tight. You do not want your food to spoil because the cooler was allowing the glamoing tents cool air to get out. Store your cooler in a shaded area where the sun will not work against it. This could save your food and your stomach.
When kids are in your camping party, it is important to let them know what the rules are as soon as you get there. They must have strict guidelines to follow, or they could get hurt or annoy others. For example, talk to them about screaming and how their voices could disturb others. It is much harder to enforce rules after you have been there for a few days, so get going early.
Plan out your clothing prior to a camping trip. Make sure that you pack enough clothes to last you for the whole trip. Pack clothes that will allow you to dress properly for whatever weather is expected in the area where you will be camping. Even if you don't plan to do any hiking, you should wear study shoes or boots meant for hiking, in case your vehicle breaks down or you get lost.
When you are purchasing your camping supplies, spend a little extra on the better supplies. If you buy the better quality products, you will only have to buy these things once. After you have them bought, camping can be a very affordable way to get away from home for a weekend.
When camping, most people enjoy relaxing around a campfire. To prevent your fire from becoming out of control, you should incorporate a few safety practices. First of all, build your fire away from bushes and trees so that sparks from your fire will not start a forest fire. You will also want to use a circle of rocks to contain your campfire. Do not ever leave your fire unattended. Before leaving your campsite, make sure your campfire has been totally extinguished and that there are no remaining hot embers.
Make sure you bring the right things when you go camping. Omitting just an item or two can be calamitous. Take the time to create a list that can be checked off while you pack. You need to include things like; hand sanitizer, fire starters, utility knife, water, tarps, sleeping bags, tents and prepared foods.
If you are on a camping trip and forgot the bowls for stew, make your own from large plastic soda bottles that have been emptied. Just rinse the bottle and cut down the plastic to the depth you need. Lightly sand the edges to smooth out any rough spots and prepare to scoop up dinner!
Start your camping trip off the easy way with a precooked meal that can be kept in a cooler. There are many things that must be done on the first day and knowing that you have a delicious meal already prepared can make the end of the day relaxing and more enjoyable.
Keep the environment in mind when you are at your campsite. Enjoying nature is one of the main benefits of camping, so it is important to respect the Earth. Throw away all your trash, and don't get too rowdy. You can even bring along a solar-powered device if you have one to use.
By doing some planning and some research, you can take an ordinary camping trip and turn it into something truly special. Take the time to use these tips to plan your next family camping trip and everyone will have a great time. Create the memories that last a lifetime this year!