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If camping is something that you have never done, you have no idea what you are missing out on. Mother Nature has a way of relaxing even the most stressed soul. Everyone was a little hesitant of their first camping experience, but this article should help calm some of those fears.
If you are camping at a public campground, make sure you pack shower shoes for everyone in your party. Not only will they protect your feet from the bacteria on the shower floor, but they are great for those nighttime runs to the bushes when you need to use the restroom. They can be old flip flops, Crocs, or even slip-ons.
Let people know where your group is headed. Just in case anything happens to any of you, you want to know that there are people who know where you are at. This is a good precautionary measure to take if something were to happen to your camping group, because help will be on the way soon.
As a courtesy to other campers, don't leave your lighting on overnight, if you are close to others. Pack a timer that you can attach to your lights that will automatically shut them off after a certain time. Leaving lights on overnight is a popular complaint among most American campers!
Let your loved ones help you pick a campsite. Think about where it is you want to go. The many options may make it difficult to settle on one. It may be easier to choose a few front runners and have family members vote.
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.
Keep a kerchief or bandanna close at hand. You can use these as hand towels, cleanup towels, pot holders or anything you need cloth for. It does not take much space in your bag and can save the day in many different situations.
To avoid blistered and chapped feet on your camping trip, bring a bar of soap along! Prior to any lengthy walk, rub the soap into the heals of your socks and this will minimize friction, thus reducing soreness. Keep the soap in your pocket for a quick dose when your feet start feeling beat-up or blistered.
Make sure that the cooler you are taking with you is air tight. You do not want your food to spoil because the cooler was allowing the cool air to get out. Store your cooler in a shaded area where the sun will not work against it. This could save your food and your stomach.
Take along a specialized pillow or two for camping. If you take along a regular bedroom pillow, it can get hot and sticky when it is humid outside. As they absorb moisture from the air, they can become covered in mildew rather quickly. Camping pillows are made with a protective, moisture-proof coating to prevent these issues.
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.
A large number of camping related injuries are due directly to carelessness with fire, so be sure to use fire with caution. First, make sure that fires are permissible in the area of your camp site. Set a ring of stones around the fire to keep it contained. Never leave children unsupervised near an open fire.
If you are on a camping trip and forgot the bowls for stew, make your own from large plastic soda bottles that have been emptied. Just rinse the bottle and cut down the plastic to the depth you need. Lightly sand the edges to smooth out any rough spots and prepare to scoop up dinner!
When you are going camping, do your best to get as early of a start as possible. It will be your job to pitch your tent so you have somewhere to rest comfortably, and that will be much harder for you to do once it starts to get dark outside.
Try to refrain from draining your flashlight when camping. It's possible to accidentally hit the "on" button on your flashlight. To avoid this, store the batteries backwards in your flashlights. It will keep the power from draining from the batteries and have them easily installed when you need it.
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.
Make sure you pack a utility knife when going camping. These types of knives are the key to success when you need tools at a campsite. Carry an extra one in your bags in the event that your main one gets lost.
Bring a few Frisbees with you next time you go camping. Not only will they give you something to do, but they bell tent carpet are helpful, too. Use a Frisbee to help you hold your paper plate. It will give it the structure that it needs, and it will be a lot stronger.
When you go camping, you are really doing a lot of things. You are being equal parts explorer, nature enthusiast and reveler. Use the tips in this article to make sure you make the most of every role you assume when you go camping, and have a great time out there!