You Too Can Enjoy Camping In The Wild

Aug 15, 2012 by opegis03

Ask a park ranger or a tour guide to let you know about all the places to check out while you are camping. This is a good idea so that you know you are getting the most out of your camping experience, you don’t want to take a camping trip and miss out on a fun experience.

If you are camping near a lake and will be swimming and boating, include life vests for anyone going out on the boat. Young children and any child who does not know now to swim should wear a life vest even while playing around the shore or on the boat docks.

Do your research on the area you are camping in. If camping at a campground, you are going to want to know where the designated bathrooms and running water is. You should also get to know where the trails, beaches and other activities you will enjoy are for the best experience.

Unless you plan on sitting cross-legged or in other uncomfortable positions all during your camping trip, make sure you pack some comfortable folding camping chairs with you. Although you may think you do not need these chairs, you will likely soon realize that you do. Be smart and pack them, even if you do not use them.

Do not dump any type of food waste on the ground. This is a great way to attract unwanted bugs and animals. The best way to get rid of excess food waste is to dump all of it into the fire pit. It is also not a good idea to bury them.

Prior to leaving, take a few minutes to make a check list of everything that you need. There is nothing worse than getting to a campsite and then finding out that you don’t have what you need to be comfortable. A check list is a great aid as you are packing. Try to start getting things together several days before you leave so you have plenty of time.

On your next fishing trip, go fishing. Fishing is a great way to enjoy yourself while you’re out in nature, but it also helps you pack more lightly because you catch your food on the trip instead of having to bring it with you. Learn to de-bone a fish before leaving home and you’ll have easy fish dinners on your camping trip.

A good multi-purpose tool needs to be part of your camping gear. There are two kinds to bring. First is the saw/hammer/axe 3-in-1 tool to use for firewood and other chores. The other is the standard multi-purpose tool with a variety of tools on it like a can opener, tweezers, scissors, and a knife.

Before you bring your dog along for a camping trip, get him used to the idea with a little practice run in the back yard. Pitch the tent in an already familiar area, and let him sleep or play in it for a while. Bringing a dog can really add to the fun of camping, so long as the animal has been adequately prepared for the event.

If you are using a tent for camping, put a great deal of thought into buying your tent. Consider the climate. Consider your price range. How often will you be using this tent? You don’t want to buy a tent that won’t be able to stand up to the elements. At the same time, you don’t need to pay a fortune for a tent you plan to only use once.

When camping, periodically do a tick check. Look for any brown or black spots that have just appeared on your skin. Ticks attach themselves to the skin without causing too much of a disturbance, so be sure to check yourself and your companions for ticks after spending time camping outdoors.

When you plan a camping trip with your family, take along extra clothing and bedding in case the weather turns cold or rainy. Check the weather forecast of the area you intend to travel to before you plan your trip, and make sure you have a weather radio along so you know of any alerts.

When you are camping, a necessity for your gear is a survival knife. This is the most important part of your camping gear. Buy a high quality survival knife, not just the cheapest you can find, your life may depend on it. These knives are all very similar; they have a long blade serrated on one side and a hollow handle. Inside the handle you can carry fishing line, hooks, a compass, and matches as a small survival kit.

Make sure that your tent is ready before dark if you don’t plan to sleep under the stars. Some camping locations get very dark and this can make setting up your campsite nearly impossible. You also never know when something could go wrong during set-up, such as a broken pole or a sudden tear in your tent.

As previously mentioned, more and more families are now having to forego traditional family vacations due to monetary constraints and instead opt for basic camping trips to the great outdoors. Hopefully, after reading this article, you feel ready to plan the ultimate camping adventure that you and your family will be able to remember for a lifetime.

Eldon Kunin features a column about cornhole boards