1. Find or build a residence before dark
One of the most important camping skills is to camp before dark. You need to decide the type of camp according to your own ideas, whether it is a tent, a camper or a hut. Some adventurers sleep on simple hammocks under the sky. If this is too hard for you, you can consider taking a tent when camping. Although the tent is the most basic shelter in camping, it is also very comfortable if properly prepared. It is best to ask the salesperson at the outdoor sports store for a tent that best suits your needs. The suitability depends on the size, shape, and weight of the tent. Remember: The bigger the tent is, the better it is - after all, you need to take it to the camp. At home, you must try the tent first to see if there is a problem so that you won't have trouble camping. Take spare tent posts in case they break down. Open the window or open two small openings at night to prevent the tent from being too wet. Take an old bathroom curtain (slightly smaller than the area of the tent floor), so that if it rains, it can be spread on the ground to keep the ground dry.
2. Choose a sleeping bag according to the time
The most important technique related to sleeping bags is to choose a sleeping bag suitable for the season. In warm months, you can choose a light sleeping bag, but in winter, you need a sleeping bag that can resist low temperatures. Choose a sleeping bag that can be used within a certain temperature range and ensure your warmth and comfort. The rated temperature should be less than the temperature in your camping plan to prevent cooling. If you spend the night in a tent, choose a mummy-shaped sleeping bag. This sleeping bag can tightly wrap your feet, keep your body warm, and is easy to carry. In terms of material, man-made fiber sleeping bags are easier to dry than down sleeping bags, and will not cause allergies. But the goose-down sleeping bag is easy to carry because it is very light.
In order to improve the sleep quality of your sleeping bag, you can put a cushion under the sleeping bag so that you can sleep more comfortably. You don't need to take a pillow. You can use a sturdy and durable plastic bag to cushion your head instead of a pillow after inflation.
3. Take only essential food
Camping skills that do not involve food and water are incomplete. Whether your camping trip is risky or not, such as hiking and kayaking, or just resting in a camper, you need food. The rule of thumb is to bring only the food that is expected to be necessary for each meal. For example, if your team is small, bring two cups of instant cereal instead of a whole can of oatmeal. Mix food in sealed plastic bags. If you are camping next to a camper or car, you can use a cooler to store perishable food such as meat so that it will not deteriorate.
Ensuring clean water is one of the most basic skills of camping. Unless you can get clean drinking water yourself, or you know that there is spring water that can be safely drunk somewhere, you'd better take bottled drinking water with you. Or you can take a small bag of iodine so that you can disinfect the water taken from the wilderness or possibly unclean water. You can also filter the cleanest water you can find, or boil it for at least ten minutes. In addition, wrap the cup with aluminum foil to cool the water as soon as possible.
4. Don't leave traces
Because you are camping in an open place, you must remember the next camping skill: it will help protect and maintain the natural environment so that we and future generations can share the beauty of nature. No trace means that the camp should be cleaned up before leaving so that the ecological environment will not be disturbed. Clean up thoroughly after meals and keep food away from the ground.
Although this seems like common sense, you may not be able to leave a trace as above. If you plan and prepare to travel in a small group, make sure your range of activities is at least 60 meters away from rivers and lakes. Travel and camp according to the predetermined route and camp. Bury solid waste 15 to 20 cm below the surface. Bathing or washing dishes should also be 60 meters away from rivers and lakes. The used water shall be filtered, and the filtrate shall be put into an appropriate waste receptacle, and then the water shall be sprinkled around. Don't destroy the relics and natural landscapes you find. The area of the camp shall be as small as possible, and the built fire shall be used for cooking. Keep away from wild animals and plants, and do not feed animals casually.
5. Wear suitable clothes
Even if you are not a fashion person, it is as important to prepare a suit for outdoor adventure as other skills. Wear loose and tidy clothes. Of course, in cold months, you need to wear more clothes than in warm seasons - such as hats, gloves, jackets, and thermal underwear. The secret is to take off several layers of clothing before you sweat, so you can keep your body dry. If your clothes are soaked with sweat, you will feel uncomfortable.
Then, choose shoes. Protect your feet when camping. Wear shoes that do not expose your toes, so the lining can absorb some sweat more or less. Mountaineering shoes are ideal. One way to prevent blisters during hiking is to apply a layer of soap under your ankles and toes before starting. Take soap with you. If your feet are about to wear out, you can put soap on those places where there may be problems.
Take a poncho in case of rain; The last thing you want to happen is wet clothes. Wearing wet clothes may cause hypothermia.
6. Avoid insects, animals, and poisonous plants
This technique is about insects, bears, and poisonous plants. When you set up a tent or other residence, you should pay attention to whether there are wasp nests, other insects, and insects. If you often go to plants, you'd better wear a long-sleeved coat and trousers. Spraying insect repellents can also protect against insects. Always check whether you are bitten by lice.
You may know to avoid poison ivy and how to distinguish its three leaf clusters. We should also be more careful with poison ivy and poison sumac trees, which are more than those plants without three leaves. When you are close to plants, shrubs, and woods, wrap your clothes from head to foot to reduce the chance of a rash. It is better to take calamine lotion and antihistamines or anti-allergic agents with you to avoid encountering some irritants.
As we learned earlier, proper storage and handling of food can prevent animals from entering your picnic. Put food away from the ground, such as hanging on a rope or on the branches of tall trees.
7. Avoid getting lost
Experienced campers know this technique, so it's important to keep it in mind: avoid getting lost. This is the main mistake that campers make, but as long as they always carry some simple tools, they can avoid getting lost because they are too far away from the camp. Compass, map, and GPS devices can prevent loss. Of course, if you don't know how to use these tools, they won't work at all. Therefore, before your camping trip starts, please learn how to read the map, and use the compass and GPS (in addition, when you read the whole article, you can learn more camping skills to avoid accidents during your trip.
8. Carrying a life-saving backpack
When you are camping, nothing is more correct than being prepared. It is an absolutely necessary skill to carry a life-saving backpack when you leave the camp for adventure. So what's in this backpack? First of all, there should be medicine for purifying water, a water purifier, and a metal cup. Then, take a life-saving knife, which can be used to hunt, protect yourself and send distress signals. It is more useful than ordinary blades and is worth buying from camping and outdoor goods stores.
The other thing that must be put into the life-saving backpack is a waterproof match in a sealed container. Waterproof matches can be made by dipping ordinary matches in nail polish or paraffin wax. The plastic medicine bottle and the packaging box of 35mm film can be used to hold waterproof matches, and it is very convenient. The lifesaving backpack also needs a flashlight, with some spare batteries in a sealed container like a waterproof match. It is also a good choice to bring a signal gun and LED illuminator.
In addition to carrying a life-saving backpack, you also need to take a first-aid kit with you. There should be bandages, wound cleaners, medical gloves, and ice bags inside.
9. Pay attention to hygiene
We mentioned the importance of cleanliness in our dressing skills above. There is no doubt that keeping your body clean is equally important. But you may want to know how to maintain hygiene under less-than-ideal conditions. Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket. Wash your hands before eating, drinking, or wiping your face with your hands. Wipe the insensitive parts of the body with a cotton ball dipped in external alcohol. Take a bird bath. Use a sponge, a basin of water, and biodegradable soap to take a bath once or twice a day. Brush your teeth with purified water and toothpaste or baking soda, then floss. During camping, your feet will be very dirty, so when encountering rivers, take off your shoes and soak your feet in water for a few minutes. Do not use cologne, spices, or scented lotions because they attract insects.
When packing, wrap sanitary appliances, such as towels, toothbrushes, and soap, separately in aluminum foil, so as not to wet other things in the backpack.
10. Take additional precautions when camping with children or pets
Camping with children or pets can take a lot of energy, but it can also be a pleasant experience. As we have learned, the secret of a successful camping trip is to plan ahead. It determines whether you can stick to camping with your children and furry friends. You must wear appropriate clothes to protect your children. In summer and hot days, you must have sun hats. If the temperature drops suddenly, you must have long-sleeved clothes for children to wear. Then, just like a fire drill, help your child learn how to prevent getting lost and what to do if he gets lost. Bring flashlights or fluorescent sticks to each child to remind them of the rules of camping several times a day, and remind them what to do to ensure safety.
If you take your dog on a camping trip, you can make a simple residence feel like home. But you need to consider whether you are ready and willing to control your pet when there are wild animals or domestic animals passing by. In addition, make sure that pets are vaccinated and that the license is within the validity period. Of course, you should also take the dog's leash so that you can restrain it at any time. A clean bowl should be prepared for dogs to hold food and fresh and clean drinking water. In addition, the waste excreted by pets should be properly cleaned and treated.