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Nothing is quite like the experience of camping. There is nothing like breathing fresh air and seeing the beauty of nature first hand. If you want to start camping and seeing nature for yourself, then use following tips to give you a little guidance.
When packing for your camping adventure, make sure you pack only what you need for mealtimes. If you are at the campground, your food will have to stay cold so it does not spoil. If you are on the trail, any additional or excess food can be a burden. If you pack just enough food for the time you are on the trail, you will not be weighed down by excess weight.
Know what is available in the area around your campsite. You may get lucky and have beautiful weather the entire time. However, you may also face inclement weather, too. Have a backup plan in case you need a diversion. This is particularly crucial if you have kids, but adults need a little entertainment as well!
Make sure you buy a tent that is big enough for your needs. Many people find themselves crowded in a tent for no reason. Tents are lightweight and very compact, so there is no reason not to have enough space when you buy a tent. Make sure you're buying for comfort.
While camping, cook easy dinners like "hobo stew". Simply bring potatoes, ground meat, and veggies. Cut the veggies and potatoes at your campsite. Using tinfoil like a bowl, put the ingredients inside and fold the foil over until the food is covered. Place foil on hot rocks or the coals of the campfire, and eventually you will have a tasty "stew".
If you are going camping with your pets or children, you need to take a few extra precautions. Try to teach your kids the basics of camping safety. They need to know what to do if they get lost and should each have a small survival kit. Make sure you have leashes for any pets and make sure they are current with all vaccinations.
Before you start out on that relaxing camping trip, it is essential for your safety to make sure to let someone know you are going. Give a friend or neighbor the name of the campsite if you are using one. If you are headed out on a less structured trip, give your contact a general idea of where you are headed and a timeline for your return. If something goes wrong, there will be someone to know where to look for you.
A large number of camping related injuries are due directly to carelessness with fire, so be sure to use fire with caution. First, make sure that fires are permissible in the area of your camp site. Set a ring of stones around the fire to keep it contained. Never leave children unsupervised near an open fire.
Don't go far from home during your first couple of camping trips. This is so you can easily get home if you don't enjoy your camping experience. Others may find that they have a shortage of food or their clothing isn't appropriate. So many things can go awry for the newbie camper; it's definitely best to find a campground near to home.
If you're bringing your dog along for the camping trip, make sure it's glamping furniture wearing its tags. Losing track of a pet can be heartbreaking. Make sure your dog is wearing its dog license and an ID with contact information before you leave on your trip. Neglecting to do so can have tragic consequences.
Choose your campsite carefully. The location in which you're camping can make all the difference. Do plenty of research before you make any plans. What is the weather like? Does the campsite have specific rules? How crowded will the campsite be? Poor planning can make for a miserable camping experience.
Part of the fun of camping is cooking over an open fire or on a camp stove. To make sure you don't forget to pack any key ingredients, make a list of the meals you plan on preparing. Don't forget to take a small cutting board along with you so you have a clean surface for food preparation. Also remember to pack a couple of potholder or oven mitts to handle hot utensils, such as marshmallow forks.
Bringing everything you need for your trip is important. Your trip will not be as fun if you forget imperative items. Make an all-inclusive list, and check each item off as you pack. Be sure your list includes the tent and sleeping bags, as well as food items and personal hygiene items.
While it may seem silly, make sure that you pack some toilet paper before you go camping. If you don't happen to have toilets at your site, your only option will be to go in the woods. Avoid using leaves to wipe, as you may not be able to recognize poisonous plants such as poison ivy.
Take a lot of water for everyone to drink for your trip. This will make sure that everyone is hydrated properly throughout the trip, and that you all have access to clean drinking water on your trip. This is always a good idea because you don't want to dehydrate while you're out camping.
After your trip, be certain you leave the campsite cleaner than it was when you found it. Pack trash bags to help the clean up efforts go smoothly. Be certain to take your leftover food with you too. The best practice to follow when camping is to clean the campsite well, and leave only your footprints behind.
Know how to use a compass and map before you head into the woods. Even if you know what your campsite is like, you may still get lost because a lot of areas look similar around where you are. Avoid problems by learning to use these items that can save your life.
As you leave for home, clean up your space. Be sure to bring plenty of garbage bags to put your trash in when you cleanup. Do not leave any left over food behind. The best practice to follow when camping is to clean the campsite well, and leave only your footprints behind.
Camping is an educational and rewarding adventure for kids, and equally so for adults. As you can see, making the most of your camping outing does not have to be difficult. This article has offered some ideas to help you prepare for some situations you may encounter and leave worries behind.