Are you going camping? Stay tuned for some information about a few of the challenges you may encounter. Although most aspects of camping are basic, being prepared can make the difference between a great trip and a disastrous one. Read the tips below to help you make the most of your trip.

It’s imperative that you pitch your tent before the sun goes down. Once blackness falls out there in the woods, it can be extremely difficult to pitch a tent, find good firewood and prepare food. This is really important for people who live in the city. Don’t let this happen to you. Look for adequate shelter before it gets this dark.

Bring along a sleeping bag appropriate for the season. You don’t want to sweat all night because you brought a sleeping bag that is suitable for winter in the middle of the summer. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. Using a lighter sleeping bag in the winter could actually lead to you developing hypothermia.

Have everyone give their opinion on where you should camp. Talk about the state you would like to go to. With the many parks and preserves in the world, deciding where to go can be a task into itself. If it simplifies things, pick four or five favorites and then give everyone a vote.

Take along a survival kit and carry it at all times. You should have a bandanna (to use as a sling or tourniquet), wound coverings, something to use for sprains, matches, a knife, tablets to purify water and a compass in your kit. You may find that this kit makes the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Be sure to bring it with you whenever you leave your campsite.

Try to add an activity having to do with swimming to your camping trip if at all possible. While camping, you might really miss the luxury of showering. The coolness of the water when you swim will help you feel clean and refreshed, so you may not miss your home shower as much.

Prior to camping in a brand new area, you must understand its dangers. You need to know about the local insect population, wild animals, natural dangers like water or steep locations and weather conditions. Any place you go has its own unique challenges.

Camping is a very kid-friendly activity, but you should keep kids busy by planning activities. Many of today’s children are not used to downtime away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and the quiet outdoors can cause boredom for them. They may not have any experience with things such as fishing or setting up a tent. Expose them to these activities prior to embarking on your trip.

If your dog goes with you, always keep up with him. Many people fear dogs. You must show respect for others when you camp. Furthermore, dogs could cause a lot of damage to your campsite, or someone else’s, if they are not properly supervised.

You should always have some duct tape along on any camping adventure. The tape that does it all at home, also does it all while camping. You may need to patch up a punctured air mattress. It can also be used on your tarp or tent. Before embarking on an arduous hike, put it on each foot to stave off blisters. You can also use it to bandage injuries.

The whole point behind camping is to be one with nature, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared for it. Though a sleeping bag is great, extra blankets can also be useful. They can be used as padding or for warmth.

After reading the article you are better prepared to start your camping adventure. Camping is not exactly complicated on the surface, but you have to be ready for some things that can happen. Take this advice with you and enjoy the campy road ahead.