What do you call a campsite without a tent?
Reality television offers many outdoors and nature-related shows that are making camping a more desirable activity to many. Keep reading to find out more about how to have an enjoyable experience that your family will remember for years.
A great item to put in your camping backpack when going in the back country is a Ziploc bag filled with dryer lint. There is no better fire starting material than dryer lint. It will hold a spark and get your fire going quickly and efficiently. Dryer lint takes up almost no space in your pack and is very light weight.
Do plenty of research on your camping site and ensure that it offers everything that your group will need. Consider the individual needs of each camper to ensure that everyone is taken care of. This alleviates the need to make supply runs, or worst case, have to end the trip too soon.
Did you know that dryer lint can make great kindling to get a campfire started? Start storing your lint in a bag a couple weeks before your trip. Place a bag near your tumble dryer and just stuff lint from the dryer's filter into the bag every time it is full. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.
Research any potential campground well. They all have different amenities. Some may have showers and bathrooms, while others may not. There are even a few campgrounds that are quite fancy, with onsite miniature golf games or water parks. You may not need or want all that, so figure it out ahead of time so that you are not disappointed when you get there.
If you are traveling with children, consider staying at a campground that is specifically designated for families. Campers in these areas know what to expect and will not have an issue if you have a cranky toddler or your children want to run around, scream and play. You will probably be more relaxed as a result and have a better time.
Pack in excess for your kids when you are going camping. There is a lot of mess that goes along with camping. Dirt and dust are like magnets for children. As the day moves along, your children are going to get really messy. To prepare, bring additional clothing for your children. Be prepared!
Take along some things to entertain yourself and your family. Fishing poles, decks of cards and games will be fun campsite entertainment. If kids are coming along for the trip, take even more entertainment with you to keep them from getting bored without their electronics.
Be sure to choose the right site for your camping experience. The camping site can make or break your trip. Try to choose a site that is not too far away from help should you need it. Choose a site that is flat and somewhat apart from trees. You want a location that is far from critters and close to aid.
To avoid blistered and chapped feet on your camping trip, bring a bar of soap along! Prior to any lengthy walk, rub the soap into the heals of your socks and this will minimize friction, thus reducing soreness. Keep the soap in your pocket for a quick dose when your feet start feeling beat-up or blistered.
Pack plenty of jerky and trail mix when planning for a camping trip. These snacks are nutritious enough to eat in the event you don't feel like cooking. They are also convenient because they keep well and don't need to be refrigerated.
If you're bringing your dog along for the camping trip, make sure it's 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.
Pack glow sticks. It gets dark out in nature. If you're just waking up in the middle of the middle of the night, the light from a flashlight or lantern can be too harsh. Bring glow sticks and keep them in an easily accessible location. These will provide a softer light.
Before you head out for your camping trip, be sure that you take the time to practice setting up your tent. You do not want to get yourself frustrated at the site. Setting the tent up the second time will be much easier than it was the first time around.
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.
When you're done with your trip, be sure to leave behind a clean campsite. Include trash bags in your supplies to make cleanup easy. Pack up any leftover food and take it with you. One big camping rule is that only your footprints should remain when you go home.
Bring along plenty of zip-lock bags on your camping trip, for a great mixing tool with foods as well as great storage. Always make sure the bag is living in a wall tent completely sealed, then pop in any foods you need to combine, like chicken and batter or steak with marinade! Zip-lock bags are the best at keeping anything you need water-proofed too.
Plan your whole entire trip and add some fun activities for the whole family. There is a lot more to do than just roasting marshmallows over the campfire. Try to be creative and do some activities that every family member can have fun with. This is especially true if you are bringing children or older family members along for the trip.
After reading this article, your mind should be full of great camping trip ideas. Take your time and get familiar with this advice for the next time you go camping. The tips will help you avoid forgetting, and you can have the most enjoyable time of your life.