How much is a small tent?
Would you like to go camping, but lack the available funds to do so? If you answered yes, then don't worry. You cans till go camping without spending a lot of money. All you need to go camping is affordable equipment, and this article can help you find that equipment.
Pre-cool your ice chest by filling it with loads of ice, at least six hours prior to departure. When you are about to leave, pack up your refrigerated cooled drinks and block ice, not cubed. Popping room temp beverages will take up valuable ice-life, and the cubes will melt much quicker than a block!
Prior to leaving, take a few minutes to make a checklist of everything that you need. There is nothing worse than getting to a campsite and then finding out that you don't have what you need to be comfortable. A checklist is a great aid as you are packing. Try to start getting thing's together several days before you leave so you have plenty of time.
You can make tasty meals even when you are camping. You do not necessarily need to eat just franks and beans or hamburgers. Pack a box with herbs and spices, olive oil, brown sugar or whatever else you like. You can fix meals that have flavor even when you are "roughing" it.
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.
Giving yourself enough time to enjoy your camping trip is key. Plan out your trip far in advance and get a couple of days off from work if possible. You want to enjoy yourself camping for at least a few days, that way you feel like you got the full experience out of it.
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.
Use separate coolers for perishables, ice and drinks. While it does not matter if the perishables and drinks go into the same one, make sure to pack your ice separately. This will keep the temperature down so that you will have ice for much longer than you would have otherwise.
If you are new to camping and you are going without a more practiced friend, you should consider staying in a campground rather than camping in the wilderness. This will help you to learn the basics of camping while still having basic infrastructure and friendly people around you in case of emergency.
Camping is fun, and camping with kids can be even more fun, but certain precautions need to be made for these little campers. Take plenty of extra clothes for them, because they will get dirty and wet. It's important they don't stay in wet clothes, because it's possible, it could result in hypothermia. This goes for adults, too.
If you are camping outdoors instead of in a travel trailer or RV, it is important to dress in (or carry with you) layers of clothing. While on a camping trip, temperatures can fluctuate widely. The easiest and most effective method to control your body temperature is through adding and removing layers of clothing. Having layers of clothing also protects you from bug bites.
Some of the best food options to bring camping with you are things that come in cans. While this may not be the tastiest, it is great for two reasons. It is very convenient and easy to prepare, but more importantly; wildlife will be unable to smell the food inside of the cans.
Take a roll or two of duct tape on your next camping trip. Tents can get torn and they are hard to fix without having the right material. Having some duct tape can help you repair many things that unexpectedly tear or break.
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.
Be mindful of where exactly you put up your camp. You should avoid setting up near any insect breeding grounds like wasp's nest and beehives. If the campsite has a lot of vegetation, protect exposed skin by wearing long pants and sleeves. It may be wise to take along bug spray too.
Zip-lock bags can be very handy in a camper's tool chest. Don't worry about hauling mixing bowls in your gear. A gallon size zip-lock bag is great for mixing foods together and is much easier to carry in your pack. Just secure the top of the bag very carefully, then squeeze, knead or shake the ingredients together. Then discard for super-easy cleanup too!
Study what kinds of wild animals can be found in your camping area. Many campers have been attacked in the outdoors because of their lack of knowledge of wild animals. Some of the animals you may encounter are whitetail deer, feral hogs, black bears, mountain lions or snakes. Use the Internet to help you research your climate and area for an accurate list!
A great tip for anyone who is planning a camping trip is to bring along some hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is great for keeping your hands germ free, but it can also act as a disinfectant if you get a cut somewhere on your body and don't have access to first aid.
Many people associate camping with misery; bug bites, sunburns and poor food. While this can be a reality, it can also be avoided by preparing about one week ahead of time. Try to think of all the possible situations that could go wrong, and find a product to help you avoid that situation.
You can relax when you're camping, glamoing tents and when you're enjoying yourself you can get a bit more in tune with yourself. Use the tips in this article to make sure you really enjoy all there is to enjoy on your camping trip. Look for ways to make your experience one you will remember.