What is the life expectancy of a tent?
Whether you pitch a tent or roll up in a motor home, choosing to spend your vacation time camping can be a blast! Make sure you plan and prepare for all of the little hazards that living with nature can present, by reading the following tips and adhering to their advice!
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.
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.
Set up a "jungle breakfast" when you are camping with your kids. Pack breakfasts of cereal, juice and fruit in bags and hide them somewhere on the campsite. Then, when the kids wake up, have them go and "hunt" for their breakfast. This will add some adventure and fun to their day.
Did you know that a simple mirror can save your life? If you are camping and end up in a survival situation, a simple hand held mirror can be used to signal for help many miles away. Do not buy the standard glass mirror, many camping supply stores sell mirrors made of Lexan that will float and are practically unbreakable.
Introduce yourselves to other families camping in your immediate area, as a means of being social and more apt to help each other out. If another crew arrives after you've set up, offer to help with their tent or equipment. If something goes awry during the trip for anyone, it's much easier to ask for help from somebody who was courteous enough to introduce themselves.
If your canteen is beginning to smell musty, you can give it a good cleaning with baking soda. Place a little bit of water in your canteen, and then add three tablespoons of baking soda. Shake gently, let it sit for sixty minutes, and then rinse with water. Your canteen will be refreshingly clean!
Any time you go camping, do not forget to bring a first-aid kit along with you. Since accidents can happen at any time, a first-aid kit is a very valuable asset to possess. Be sure to include topical creams for bug bites, sun burns and poison ivy when putting your kit together.
If camping is new for you, start somewhere nearby. You could have gear issues or you might want to shorten your trip. Novice campers sometimes don't pack enough food or clothing, which is a problem if they are far away. Many problems may occur for novice campers, so be sure to camp near home.
One of the most important things to remember when camping is to keep yourself relaxed. The entire point of a camping trip is to get away, so if you are finding yourself stressed by something, leave it alone and go enjoy nature until you are able to calm down. This will keep you happy and safe.
Keep the environment in mind when you are at your campsite. Enjoying nature is one of the main benefits of camping, so it is important to respect the Earth. Throw away all your trash, and don't get too rowdy. You can even bring along a solar-powered device if you have one to use.
Orange peels can help manage mosquitoes. Don't worry if you forgot mosquito repellant. Experts say to rub your exposed body parts with a inside layer of a ripe orange peel. This will keep the mosquitoes away for long periods of time.
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.
One tip that is very useful to anyone who is planning to go camping is to practice finding as well as purifying water prior to your camping trip. You don't want to start this process when you are already thirsty as it could lead to a very dangerous situation.
Are you a novice at camping, having just bought your tent? Spend time practicing pitching a tent prior to leaving for your trip. When you do this, you'll know exactly what it takes to get your tent set up in a timely manner. This is ideal, as even if you end up at your campsite while the sunlight is fading you will be able to quickly set up your camp.
Recreational camping is not just for warm weather. If you are feeling especially adventurous, you can go camping in early spring and late fall at most camping grounds. You can even camp in the snow if you have the right gear. Make sure your sleeping bags are suitable for whatever weather you are camping in.
Never park your vehicle under a single tree when you are at a campsite. If there is a storm, it will attract lightning. This also means that you should avoid sleeping under any trees that are in a particular area by themselves. Try to be in an area that is free of trees or one that has many.
Never hike alone. It may sound juvenile, but always use the buddy system. It can be easy to get lost or turned around in nature. You could slip and hurt yourself. In instances like these, it is best to have someone along. Even if you have your cellphone handy, you may find it doesn't get reception in the woods.
If you are trying to camp on a budget, make sure that you do not skimp when it comes to tents or sleeping bags. It is necessary for you to have top quality versions of these two items. Buying generic food and off-brand clothing would be a better way to save a few bucks.
What better way to spend your hard earned vacation time than a stay in the woods by a campfire? Hopefully this article has shown you new and better ways of dealing with all the little challenges posed by roughing it, and will make your burning man glamping next outing all the more fun.