It is never too late to start camping with your family members or even friends. In fact, it is an amazing way to bring them together and celebrate what life has to offer. Otherwise what else can get a whole family or a group of friends active in a fun way? Camping or hiking are two activities that create a perfect way to enjoy some quality time with the people that matter to you. At the end of the day, you will feel more connected to these people and that can create a very strong bond between you.
For the nature lovers, hiking and camping is the way to go. With a well-organized plan, your trip can be very comfortable, enjoyable and memorable. You don’t have to worry though, with the information contained in this post, your adventure will be superb.
Things you need to know about camping and hiking
Did you know there is maximum fun in leaving the comfort of your home to go camping? It is actually very fulfilling to sleep in a tent or even under the stars. This is something you can never experience if you are always inside your home or hotel room at night. Therefore, this is the time to organize for some fun with a circle of friends and have some thrilling fun.
To ensure your trip is one of a kind, here are a few things you need to consider.
Pick the right campsite
Choosing a campsite that suits your needs as a family is very crucial. It determines how your experience will be like. Hence, when doing your research, ensure you select the one with amenities that suit your family’s needs. Campgrounds are unique in various ways. For instance, there are some with beaches, streams, playgrounds, rivers, swimming areas or even ball fields. Besides, there are others which offer hot showers, flushing toilets and picnic tables just to ensure your stay there is comfortable.
If this is the time you are doing this as a family, it is important to take precautionary measures such as choosing more developed campsites with amenities, staying close to home and starting small. This is especially useful if you are going with kids. As you continue to gain experience, you can advance to more adventurous campgrounds.
Research activities to do
Now that you have selected your ideal destination, find out the available activities you can participate with your loved ones. Know the day hikes take place and organize your group. If you are going to have kids, ensure you involve them in your program to avoid them feeling out of place. In more developed campsites, you can get bulletin boards showing off easy nature trails.
Dress in layers
It is important to dress in layers for the outdoor weather conditions. Dressing in layers is the best way to deal with the weather changes. Remember it can be sunny and hot during the day but when night falls, things becomes the opposite. You need to be prepared for both situations. When you are dressed in layers, it will be easier to take off clothing or add more layers depending with temperature changes. It is also important to bring along some rain jackets. They will be of great help in case it rains.
Prepare for possible challenges
When going to camp with your family members or a group of friends it is important to anticipate possible challenges. This will help you organize for possible solutions before things get out of hands. It is important to appreciate the fact that, even though you are prepared, things may not turn out as you have anticipated. To be on the safe side, it is better to troubleshoot potential challenges before the D-day. Like there are children who will be scared with the idea of using the bathroom at night. You can bring along a little travel toilet and place it next your tent for your child to use. If you know one of you is a light sleeper and a late riser, you can carry some earplugs to help them continue enjoying their sleep even when others have woken up and are enjoying an early breakfast.
Consider safety
Your safety is vital in any camping ground. Therefore, make sure you set ground rules especially to kids in your midst. Set some boundaries such as no going near the water alone or no wondering into other people’s campsites. Also remember to give them a whistle and teach them how to use appropriately. It can help them get help in case they get lost. If the kids are well-organized, it won’t be hard for adults to have some quality time.
Must-have items when camping or hiking
To stay out of harm and create some memorable moments with nature, here are items you shouldn’t forget to bring along.
1. Sleep aids
Never forget to carry the items you will need to use when sleeping if you are planning to go for camping. These includes a sleeping bag, tent, sleeping pad and a pillow. It is important you get quality sleep to enjoy other camping activities the next day. Ensure the tent is big enough to accommodate the number of people you had intended. It should also be weather-resistant to keep people dry during the rainy and snowy seasons while at the same time keeping the bugs out. If you are camping in harsher weather conditions such as during winter, then a mountaineering tent will be of great help.
2. Useful gadgets
Remember to pack important gadgets to make your camping experience safer, comfortable and fun. Of course you need light. Therefore, make sure you carry a flashlight or a lantern, some extra batteries and a phone charger. Most probably you will need them more than once during your stay there. For more thrilling activities, bring along a paracord. It will help you in your camping and hiking activities. More so, you can also it if you will also be doing fishing. You can also add some extras such as a camera, a set of binoculars and some maps. In fact, carry anything you are sure you will need so long as it is not too bulky.
3. Personal effects
The fact that you are going to spend sometimes in a remote area doesn’t mean you stay dirty and unkempt. Pack some soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and a tissue paper. These items will help you keep dirt at bay. Some baby wipes and hand sanitizer can also be very useful. Don’t forget to carry a garbage bag to put the dirty clothes.
