Can you live on a campsite?
If you love the great outdoors, mother nature, and the smell of fresh air, nothing will please you more than a nice camping trip. But, there are some things you need to know about camping before going on your trip. This article will give you the best camping tips around.
You don't have to be a boy scout to be prepared, if you plan to go camping. One of the first rules is to be sure to tell somebody where you will be. If there isn't an exact location to give, then give a general idea of major roads nearby or even GPS coordinates if you know them and give a timeframe of when you plan to return.
Find your shelter before it gets dark. Once darkness falls, it is very difficult to set up camp. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. Do whatever you can to make sure that you find a safe location for your tent and pitch it before you find yourself in this sticky situation.
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.
If you have special drinks that you like, take them with you camping. It is easy to forget things like green tea, hot cocoa or your special blend of coffee. You can even take wine if it is a romantic camping adventure. Just don't forget to pack a corkscrew.
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.
Clean up thoroughly when leaving a campsite. Try your best not to leave any trace of you at the campsite you stayed in. This is important, not just in terms of being considerate of other people. There are animals and insects that continue to live in the woods after you have left, so think of them as well.
Camping often sounds like a great deal of fun, and it is; however it does require some special preparation. Before going camping for the first time, make sure you have done some research on tents, food and wildlife survival. It can make the difference between a great trip and a dangerous one.
Camping is hard work, but it's also very much fun. Once you figure out what you're doing, the rewards are numerous. You get to experience nature and the outdoors; picnics are always fun, and you get a chance to sleep under the stars. Nothing beats some of the experiences you can have camping.
If you are taking your children camping with you, don't forget to take walkie talkies along with you. Although each of you may own a cell phone, the area where you are camping may not have adequate coverage. It is best to invest in walkie talkies that have a range of several miles. By having walkie talkies or Family Radio Service (FRS) radio, you can remain in contact with all members of your family.
If you have special drinks that you like, take them with you camping. It is easy to forget things like green tea, hot cocoa or your special blend of coffee. You can even take wine if it is a romantic camping adventure. Just don't forget to pack a corkscrew.
When preparing for a camping trip, people often fail to bring enough clothes. Remember that there will be no washing facilities, and you also need to think about how the weather can call for certain specific attire as well at best tent stoves times. You always want to be prepared, so pack accordingly.
If camping with children, place each set of their clothing in a zippered plastic bag or a tied plastic grocery bag. By sorting and packing their clothes in this manner, each morning your child can grab a package and have an entire outfit of clothing for the day. When it is time to go to bed at night, each child can stuff the soiled clothing back into the plastic bag and place it back into their suitcase and not soil unworn clothing.
Charge all of your electronic equipment such as your cell phones and gaming equipment for the children to the max before you go to a camping trip. You want to get the most out of their charge when you do decide to use them, so make sure they are charged.
Ensure that you clean your campsite up whenever you finish using it. Pick up any piece of trash you can find. This is just common courtesy for the people who will be using it whenever you finish. You would want and expect the same thing in return from other people.
Never force anyone to go camping with you, including family or girlfriends. Some people just don't enjoy being in nature, and they will be miserable and in turn, make you miserable as well. If your children are simply not interested, find a babysitter for the weekend and relax alone!
Make sure that you only pack the food that is absolutely necessary during your camping trip. Excess food that is packed will likely end up being spoiled. If your trip only has 2 people, you should not bring along numerous servings of food, especially meat, that can feed 4 or 5 people.
A fun meal to try on your next camping trip is baked potatoes. Prepare toppings at home, and pack in zip-lock bags. Try crumbled bacon, shredded cheese and sour cream. Double-wrap them in aluminum foil, and place them in the coals of your campfire. Check after an hour or so, and when soft, have a baked potato buffet!
Camping offers just about anyone the opportunity to peacefully commune with nature. But, in order to have the type of experience you truly desire, it is necessary to possess a certain degree of understanding and know-how. With any luck, the guidance contained above has provided the foundation every camper needs to have a wonderful outdoor experience.