Are canvas tents any good?
It was not that long ago that camping was the vacation of choice among families. Packing up the tent, the cooking utensils and the car full of food and heading off to a natural spot to enjoy lots of fresh air, non-electronic games and sometimes a spot of fishing. If this is not a treat you have yet enjoyed, read on for some great ideas for your next camping trip.
When it comes to food, bring only what you need on a camping trip. Extra food out in the wilderness is a calling card for wild animals to come visiting your campground. If you do find that you have additional food, tie it up in cloth and handg it as high as you can in a tree away from your immediate campground. This will help keep you from unwanted animal introductions.
If you have little ones camping with you, pack a few art supplies. When you get to your site, show them how to do leaf rubbings. There are always a variety of leaves in all shapes and sizes, so trying them all out will take a while. The kids will be happy and you will have some peace and quiet while you relax and watch them.
If you have a toddler, pack a blanket. You can lay it out on the ground and use it as a makeshift play area. Bring cars, dolls, or whatever items your child is into. They can play without getting too dirty and you can instruct them that they need to keep their toys on the blanket for safekeeping. This will help to keep things from getting too spread out.
Be sure that you have a big enough tent for everyone that's going to need it for shelter at night. This will ensure you are able to comfortably move around without disturbing people you are sharing your tent with.
When it is time for you to go to sleep, it is a good idea to put the coolers that you brought along into your vehicle. Bears have become quite savvy these days and have figured out that these coolers usually carry food items and this will attract them to your campsite.
Clean up thoroughly when leaving a campsite. Try your best not to leave any trace of you at the campsite you stayed in. This is important, not just in terms of being considerate of other people. There are animals and insects that continue to live in the woods after you have left, so think of them as well.
Before you leave on your trip, use your backyard to help you work out the kinks in your camping equipment. Put up your tent to make sure you know (or remember!) how to put it up. This will also allow you to see if anything needs to be patched up. It will make it that much easier for you when you get to the campsite.
You can use dryer lint to kindle your campfire. A month prior to your trip, start saving the lint you pull from the lint screen in your dryer. Place the lint you normally throw in the trash in a plastic bag to take with you. This is a good way to have kindling ready when it is time to go.
Camping in the wilderness alone is one of the most dangerous things that you can do. It is essential that you always bring at least one friend with you unless you are incredibly knowledgeable about the wilderness. Additionally, bringing several friends with multiple tents is the ideal situation, but this is not always possible.
Pack a bandana. In a pinch, that single piece of fabric can serve as a potholder, carrying bag, blotter, hand towel and paper towel. As you can see, a handkerchief can serve many different purposes on a camping trip.
Never park your vehicle under a single tree when you are at a campsite. If there is a storm, it will attract lightning. This also means that you should avoid sleeping under any trees that are in a particular area by themselves. Try to be in an area that is free of trees or one that has many.
Write down a list of all the essentials that are required before embarking on your trip. This is especially important if you must travel a while to get to the campgrounds. Start packing a couple of tent platform plans days in advance of camping, making sure to follow a checklist.
If you are sleeping in a tent bring a rug or welcome mat. It is easy to track dirt and debris into your tent. This can be very unpleasant and uncomfortable to sleep on at night. To combat this, put a rug outside the entrance and wipe your feet before you enter.
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 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.
Clean your campsite at the end of your stay. Trash bags must be packed for use when cleaning up the site. Remove any traces of food from the campsite. The main rule when you're leaving a campsite is that you should only leave your footprints behind.
Many people don't realize that it is necessary to make a shelter before it gets dark. It's hard and frustrating to set up a tent in the dark. You need to make a fire or use a flashlight. It is easier if you do it while it is still daylight.
Pack an emergency repair kit for your tent. You can get them at any camping supply shop. These kits will make it easy for you to repair rips, broken poles and failing zippers. The last thing you want while camping is to have your tent fail and not have the tools and supplies to fix it.
Many new campers make the mistake of setting up camp near the bathrooms. While this might be convenient, you'll soon find out differently. Bathrooms provide constant light, and people are always going to and from them. Because of that, they aren't really as convenient as one might think.
A camping trip is much less intimidating when you are properly prepared. These tips will help you to enjoy your next trip in safety.