Camping has become a popular choice for many families in quest of a reasonably inexpensive way of taking a vacation. Camping is quite a fun retreat that usually involves experiencing wildlife through activities such as fishing, hiking, swimming and boating.
But it is not until you experience your very first camping trip that you truly can recognize the importance of having all the vital camping gear such as camping tents during your camping holiday. These essentials can range from basic necessities like matches to other important details that can sometimes be overlooked. When going to your camping trip, it is crucial to prepare everything correctly especially if you are planning to camp in the middle of nowhere twenty kilometers away from the nearest gas station.Here are the top 10 tips you can keep in mind to start your excursion the right way.
1. Plan ahead and do your research
You should make sure the camping site you have chosen is a safe one. Ensure that there are no fire dangers of any kind and check out the camping conditions. You can also inquire about other health issues such as outbreak of any rodent-carrying viruses. Safety concerns like these should be your number one priority especially if you are planning to take your children in your camping trip.
2. Choosing the right tent
Making the right choice of tent is an important factor for a successful camping trip. This can be a very personal process so it is vital you learn some basic guidelines that might help you make a selection. There are many types of tent designs available such as coleman tents that comes in canopy, screen and backpacker tents. Do some research on the different types and find one that can work well for you without sacrificing the quality. When making your choice, look for products that give a lifetime or at least five years guarantee for their tents.
3. Pack an emergency kit
When going into the wild, you should always be prepared for accidents and inevitable circumstances such as cuts, bee stings and allergic reactions. Your emergency kit should consist of anti-histamine medications, antiseptic, bug sprays and insect repellants. Some materials which can prove to be useful that can be included in your kit are flashlights, compass, razor blades, tweezers, emergency blankets, thermometer, mirror and cold packs.
4. Learn how to properly pitch your tent and build it in a safe spot
You should familiarize yourself on how your tent poles, pegs loops, zips and flyscreens go together. Practice putting up your tent in the backyard to acquaint yourself on how it is done properly. One of these is to avoid selecting an area in hollow ground where you are likely to end up in a puddle when it rains. It is also a good idea to use a coleman tent that is flame resistant and keep this at a safe distance from the campfire. Always close your tent immediately upon leaving and entering it to keep the bugs out.
5. Arrive at the campsite early
Arriving early on the campsite will allow you to inspect it and set up while there is still light. Eliminate areas that can possibly be a hazard for the whole family such as huge ant beds, poison ivy and broken branches.
6. Be fire safe
Ensure that there are no fire restrictions in the camping site you selected. You should also build fire with caution and never create one if the conditions does not permit it. As a fire safety precaution, you should also remember to never use flammable items inside the tent.
7. Learn to organize and care for your tent appropriately
It is important to keep your inner tent dry so you should never go inside your tent with wet waterproofs on. You can opt for a tent with a very large awning vestibule that can allow you to take your waterproofs on and off keeping the inner tent dry. It is also recommended to have a torch in a regular place that can be easily found at night. There are available LED torches that can be left hanging on top of the inner camping tent. You can also try to be organized and neat within your tent by placing items inside in a usual place to lessen clutter.
8. Be aware of wild animals
Safety against wild animals should also be taken into account when camping in the wild. Eliminate situations that can attract them to your campsite such as garbage and strong-smelling food. Keep your sleeping bag free from food and food odors. It is also advisable not to go to sleep with the clothes you cooked in because even cooking smells can attract bears and other wild animals.
9. Food and cooking tips
Cooking equipment such as stoves should be shielded from the wind and placed in an area as far as possible from your tent. Make sure this is placed on a stable surface to prevent cooking and burning accidents. Keep your food sealed to avoid ants and other insects from munching on them. You should also make sure to clean up cooking and dining utensils to avoid attracting nocturnal visitors like foxes.
10. How to have a good night’ sleep
Invest in good quality self-insulating mat that can protect you from the cold while you are sleeping. Select one that is comfortable at the same time provides good insulation. You should also remember to go to bed warm, otherwise if you go to bed cold, it will take you ages for you to warm up. Warm yourself up with a hot drink or soup.
All campers need to take note of these guidelines to minimize the stress they will be experiencing in the outdoors. These tips may take a little more time and effort from you but by doing these tips you will be able to ensure your camping vacation to be a more fun time for the whole family.
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June 11th, 2009 at 5:12 am
there are some really great tips in your article here. Thanks very much for posting them