Camping advice to make the trip better is always a welcome thing for any camper.
Especially those campers who struggle preparing before the arriving at the campground.
Make sure you involve all your family and friends when choosing the camping site.
One of the things you will want to discuss is which province or state you would like to visit.
There are millions of options just in the United States, and it can sometimes be difficult to choose the perfect one!
And just as many exist in Canada so you have loads of options to choose from.
You can select a few places to have the family vote on and make it easier.
Once you choose the camping area, designate duties in the preparation process to those who tag along.
This makes the planning process less stressful if everyone is helping share the responsibilities.
Create a checklist to give it to those helping to ensure nothing is missed.
Update this checklist after every camping trip to include items forgotten or out of stock.
If the camping area you choose allows it, make your reservation ahead of time to ensure your spot(s) is available.
Clothing Advice When Camping Outdoors
Pack additional clothes when going camping.
Try to stay away from cotton materials when in the woods.
Cotton when wet, stays wet and you feel cold when the air is colder than your body temperature.
Choose moisture-wicking clothes to help keep you dry and warm.
Synthetic or wool socks keep your feet dry and sweat free.
Dress in layers such as:
- Inner Layers (breathable underwear and socks)
- Outer Layers (Moisture-wicking pants, shorts or t-shirts)
- Head Wear (Light weight hats or visors)
Dressing in layers allows for removing them when needed for comfort or adding one for cold.
Try wearing long sleeved shirts and pants for extra protection from mosquitos, ticks and irritating plants.
If you find long sleeved clothing uncomfortable, look for light weight thinner materials with venting (ie: sleeves or back).
If you choose a cooler season like fall, spring or winter to camp layering is your friend here also.
Again if you find yourself too warm take off some of the layers.
However, don’t forget the coldest time of the day is between 5-8 am, so keep those removed layers handy.
Look for clothing materials like fleece, nylon, pile or wool as they hold warmth better than other materials.
Don’t forget to pack the extras like:
- hiking boots
- rain gear
- sunhat
- swimwear
Some Helpful Advice For Camping With Kids
Camping can be a sloppy but fun family time.
Kids love the dirt.
This means that your kids will get dirty during the day.
Be sure to pack some extra clothes for your kids in case this happens.
Kids become bored quite easily and this usually leads to cranky behavior.
Plan some games and treasure hunts before you leave home.
Have an adult take the kids on a hike or to the beach while the rest of you set up the treasure hunt.
Keeping kids active while camping is key to their happiness and yours.
Advice For Choosing And Preparing Your Shelter
Depending on your budget, choosing a shelter and sleeping items within it is important.
If camping in a Motorhome, RV, Travel Trailer or Truck Camper, your bedding items include blankets, pillows and sheets.
Because you control the heat inside these shelters bedding items from home work just fine.
However, if camping in a car, suv, tent, tent trailer or on the ground outdoors moisture is your enemy.
Look into pillows made specifically for camping.
If you bring a standard pillow for the bedroom, they become sticky and hot when the weather is humid.
The will also pull moisture from the air and mildew will form quickly.
Camping pillows, on the other hand, possess a protective coating that prevents that from happening.
If you cannot afford to buy bedding specifically designed to eliminate or mitigate moisture, buy a portable fan.
Air circulation helps keep the dampness away.
Portable rechargeable fans provide an excellent option for tents that eliminates using a 12 volt system.
These fans come in a variety of sizes and colors, some with led lights and charged via a USB port.
Buy portable flexible solar panels to provide power for recharging when backpacking or sleeping outdoors.
Purchase some DryZAir containers and place inside your shelter to help absorb moisture.
Drain them regularly to ensure no spills occur inside your shelter.
Sometimes choosing the right sleeping bag is all you need to keep moisture at bay.
This is especially true when sleeping outdoors under the clear sky.
Advice On Choosing The Right Tent
When choosing a tent to sleep in outdoors make sure there is ample room inside.
If two of you sleep in the tent buy a 3 person tent and so on.
Set your tent up before arriving at the campsite to confirm the presence of all parts and no damage exists.
A tarp is handy to have when sleeping outdoors under an open sky in case of a weather change.
Types of tents include:
- A frame tents
- Dome tents
- Multiple room tents
- Pop up tents
Currently pop up tents seem the most popular as they set up very fast and easily.
They also fold down easily and store without taking up too much space.
A frame style tents still provide great protection from the elements especially under a tarp.
Dome style tents still out sell all other tent styles because of the room they provide and ease of set up.
Camping Advice When Traveling To A New Area
Camping advice to make the trip better when selecting a new area helps the decision making process easier.
Prior to camping in a brand new area, you must understand its potential dangers.
This means, research what types of animals and insects are dangerous or which weather patterns you need to watch for.
Most campgrounds have dangers associated with them and you want to ensure you pick a spot that you’re comfortable with.
Drowning is the leading cause of death in North American parks followed by car related accidents.
Wear a life jacket always when near a body of water and stay pedestrian aware.
Wildlife related deaths are few but nevertheless knowing what to prepare for mitigates the chances tremendously.
Another cause of deaths while backpacking, camping or hiking is a lightening strike.
During the intense summer months, lighting strikes about every 3 seconds across Canada alone.
In the US, about 25 million lightning strikes happen each year.
Always check the weather patterns in the area where you go camping to ensure your safety.
Camping Advice To Make The Trip Better When In Wildlife Country
Pack a first aid kit.
This should be a priority and re-stocked after every usage.
Certain locations in both Canada and the US require special supplies (i.e. a snake bite kit.)
If you plan to visit an area where poisonous snakes live, plan for it.
Learn all you can about the snakes in question and remedies in case a snake bite occurs.
However, most provinces and states don’t have poisonous snakes.
Therefore if you plan to visit those areas where poisonous snakes don’t exist your worries cease.
Bear spray provides some comfort if other wild animals concern you in the area you camp at.
Remember bear spray is nothing to play around with so ensure you follow proper protocols when carrying or using it.
A very small amount released into the air burns the eyes of anyone in close range.
Ideally only one responsible adult should in charge of carrying the can of bear spray.
Camping Advice For Your Gear Or Transportation
Make sure you become familiar with setting up your tent or parking your RV before arriving at the campsite.
Practice at home with help a few times before leaving to ensure all goes well when you arrive.
Do a check of all your camping gear to ensure nothing is missing, damaged or broken.
Go through your rv, motorhome, truck camper, tent trailer and water craft ensure all is in working condition.
Camping Advice To Make The Trip Better Summary
Safety is the first priority for anyone planning a camping trip.
Always research the area you plan to visit especially if it is your first time there.
Include things like cliffs, closest emergency center, creeks, insects, lakes, rivers, water quality, weather and wildlife in your research.
In addition to the research buy or bring along a map of the area to use when needed.
Preferably a topographic map to provide a more detailed description of the area.
Bringing along a hand held gps unit and/or cell phone when service is available provides extra security.
Make sure to include the amount of room, mode of transportation and time away from home into your planning process.
Make reservations a head of time to ensure a campsite is available and there when you arrive.
Create a checklist including all items you need for the camping trip and update it regularly.
Pack the right clothing for the season you camp in.
Prepare a head of time when bringing along kids so you don’t have to wing it.
Pack the right bedding for the shelter you plan to use.
Choose the proper shelter for the season and area you camp in.
Double check all your gear including cooking utensils, first aid kit, propane tanks, sleeping bags, shelter and transportation.
Check the gear for damage, fuel volumes, mildew, mold, missing parts etc. to save a headache later on.
There are lots of things you need to take into consideration when you are planning on camping.
Camping advice to make the trip better should have equipped you to handle basic things that come your way.
Thanks to this information, you can sit back and relax a bit more while at your camping destination!
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