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Whether you know it or not, camping is a great way to get in touch with yourself. It is also a way to have a relaxing time away from the stresses of everyday life. There are some things you need to keep in mind though, so here are a few tips to make your camping trip work out great.
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.
Keep an eye on the weather. Rain or other conditions may impact your travel time and your experience at the campsite. Make sure that you have gear that is appropriate for the weather conditions that you may face. Adjust your departure time as necessary to try and avoid the bulk of the bad weather, if possible.
While a campfire gives off enough light in the general area around it, you want to be sure you take along a flashlight on your camping trip if you plan to venture outside of the campfire's glow. This is a definite safety precaution you don't want to ignore. It can be quite dark out there in the woods at nighttime.
If you are interested in camping, and you are new to the activity, then you should never start out alone. It can be quite dangerous if you don't know what you are doing, so it is important to bring along an experienced friend to help you learn the ropes.
You can make tasty meals even when you are camping. You do not necessarily need to eat just franks and beans or hamburgers. Pack a box with herbs and spices, olive oil, brown sugar or whatever else you like. You can fix meals that have flavor even when you are "roughing" it.
If you have a young child with you, do the math in advance with respect to how much baby food or formula they will need. Make sure you have supplies for them that will last the entire length of your trip. There are no guarantees that a store near your campsite will have these items or will have the type of items that you want.
When you reach your campsite, the first thing, you should do is to start collecting wood for your fire. You won't feel like it later on, and if you wait until dark you will have a harder time finding the kind of wood you need to keep a fire going. Do it right away.
Let people know where your group is headed. Just in case anything happens to any of you, you want to know that there are people who know where you are at. This is a good precautionary measure to take if something were to happen to your camping group, because help will be on the way soon.
Bugs do not like fire at all, so it is a good idea to keep your fire burning all night while you are sleeping. If you find that there is a huge bug problem during the day, it would help to keep a fire burning at that time as well.
Know the climate of your camping area. You will want to have the proper clothing packed for the trip. Knowing how cold the best camping portable toilet nights get or how hot the days are will help you dress best. You will not want to get caught in the great outdoors with inadequate protection.
Even if you are roughing it, your camping experience can be brightened by bringing along a small token piece of luxury. For example, bring a bar of chocolate or a small container of cream to put in your coffee. Small luxuries can make enduring a camping trip easier.
Bugs and mosquitoes are a common camping annoyance. You could buy a commercial repellent with chemicals, but a good natural way to keep bugs away from your body is by using an orange peel. Rub the inside of the peel on your arms and legs. This is a inexpensive, responsible way to repel annoying pests.
Think carefully on your next trip to prevent the drainage of your flashlight batteries. It's easy for the flashlight to accidentally get turned on. Keep the batteries for the flashlight in backwards. This way, if the button is turned on, the flashlight will not light and your batteries remain full.
Don't let your kids out of your sight. There are always cars arriving and leaving from campsites, and it is easy for little kids to get lost easily in wooded areas. Things happen very quickly and your kids should be supervised.
Plan your camping trips ahead of time if you are bringing children. Make sure to carry proper clothing for the weather and climate and be sure to practice safety drills with them frequently before the trip. They need to learn what to do if they get lost and they should have their own glowstick or flashlight.
If you're sleeping outside, pick a suitable place to sleep. The area should be stable and safe. It should not be near any animals or where any animals are hiding. Avoid sleeping on a path and avoid sleeping on areas where there are lots of pebbles and rocks. If you want to sleep near your campfire, plan out your positioning carefully.
Stick with food safety when you camp. Pack food and drinks in airtight pouches and containers. Other foods should be kept in insulated coolers when appropriate. Store raw food apart from cooked food to avoid contamination. Keep your hands and preparation surfaces clean when handling your food, either with soap or hand sanitizer. Make sure that you cook foods throughout so that you do not risk any sickness.
You can have a great time when camping, as previously advised. If you do not take the time to plan ahead, it can be disastrous. Follow the advice in this article to prepare for your next camping adventure. And remember, have fun!