Are canvas tents any good?
Camping is fun for people of all ages. Familiarizing yourself with all the best information will help you get more enjoyment out of it. Use these ideas to prepare for your outdoor adventure.
One of the most important parts of your camping gear is your tent. The tent you buy should suit your needs and the size of your camping party. If you have young children, you probably want to purchase a large tent so they can sleep in the same tent with you. If your children are old, buy them their own tent so they don't have to bunk with the adults.
When going camping, make sure that you bring the right sleeping bag with you. Some sleeping bags will not keep you warm when the temperature dips below 40 degrees, while others will have you sweating all night long because they are too hot. The label on the bag usually will tell you what kinds of temperatures are appropriate for each sleeping bag.
Avoid any wildlife you may come into contact with. Bears have become a fairly large problem with campers. In some parks they have been known to rip open the trunk of a car to gain access to food. Raccoons are also a big problem in many campgrounds. Not only are they smart and can gain access to your food supplies easily, but they can carry disease as well.
Bring along a sleeping bag appropriate for the season. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all night. On the other hand, you don't want a lightweight summer sleeping bag if you're going to be out in the frigid temperatures of wintertime. You might even contract hypothermia.
Carry a survival kit on your person. Don't forget things like knives, waterproof matches, flares, first aid, and a water purifier. Your kit may be all that stands between you and certain death if you become lost, as the items within it are essential to survival. Never let it leave your side.
Collect more wood than you think you are going ot need. Unless you go camping every day, you probably don't have an accurate idea of what "enough wood" actually looks like. You can always leave the extra wood in a pile as a gift for anyone that uses the campsite after you.
Make sure you have a first aid kit with you. As an alternative, you could pack some supplies in a plastic bag. While hopefully your trip will be free of injuries, you never know. It is best to be prepared so that you can handle anything that happens in the best way possible.
If you are camping in uncharted territory, make sure that you understand potential dangers lurking there. That include deadly spiders, sheer drops, and flash flood areas. Every camping trip has different dangers.
While camping seems synonymous with a campfire, that campfire doesn't necessarily have to be made from wood. In fact, it might be safer and easier to use a portable campfire unit powered by propane. For the most part, these units are permitted unless there is a fire ban in place. Marshmallows taste just as good from these units as they do over an open, wood-burning fire, too.
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.
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.
If you're going camping with a pet, take them for a vet visit beforehand. Inform your veterinarian of where you plan to go camping. Get your pet updated on all their vaccinations and be sure they have protection against ticks, mites, and fleas. You can never be too careful when it comes to the safety of a pet.
Plan ahead to avoid draining flashlight batteries on your next camping trip. You can easily turn on the flashlight while searching through bags and equipment. To avoid drained batteries, store your flashlights with the batteries backwards. Your batteries will remain fully charged until you turn them around the right direction, and you won't be able to accidentally turn the flashlight on.
Pick out your clothing attire ahead of time. You will need an adequate supply of clean clothes to last the entirety of your trip. Also, check the weather so that you can dress accordingly. Shoes need to be closed and durable, especially for hiking.
When siting your tent at your campsite, be sure to place a waterproof tarp on the ground before erecting your tent. In this situation, size really does matter. Use a large canvas tents tarp that is about 2 inches smaller than the tent floor, or cut a larger one down if need be. It should never extend beyond the edge of your tent floor. A tarp that is too large can collect water that will be channeled right back into your tent.
A lot of people forget to put up shelter before it gets dark. It is much more difficult to pitch your tent after dark. You will need to make a fire or have flashlight to do this. It's much easier to pitch your tent while it's light out.
Whenever you are camping, be sure to adhere to proper safety protocol. Make sure to avoid all bears and larger wildlife in the wilderness. Even small animals, such as squirrels, can pose a dangerous hazard. Bears should never be fed in the wild under any circumstances.
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.