Say the word, "camping" and what do you think? Bugs? Cold weather? Being uncomfortable? Rain? Which of those things do you automatically connect with the word, "camping"? If you chose any of those as the reason for not camping out, you might want to rethink that.
Any and all of those can be changed for you, in a few minutes, after you finish reading this article. Take, "bugs", for instance. Just because you decide to go camping, that doesn't mean that you will see a bug or any bug, for that matter. Yes, indeed, you can probably go camping for a day or even a couple of days without seeing any bugs. New idea, correct? How does one go camping and not see bugs? Don't look! Just kidding. Seriously, I have been on hundreds of camping trips and I have taken many camping adventures without seeing even one bug. And I was looking for the bugs. Even though I believe that bugs belong outdoors, I never want to see any bugs while I am out camping. The way you solve the bug problem is first, by knowing your camp ground. It is by experience that one gains knowledge. And it is by experience that one avoids bugs while camping out. So, here are a few suggestions if you are the type that wants to avoid bugs while camping out.
- If you are camping out with children or teenagers, you want to visit the campground before your actual camping trip date. That's right. Go, by yourself, to the campgrounds to feel the place out. In this way, only one person has the 'first' experience and then can either put the "gold" stamp mark on the camping place or put the "let's avoid" stamp on the campground. So, go first, alone to the camping place. From my own experience, I visited Hecksher State Park in the afternoon, at the camping area. Within less than ten minutes, every limb of mine was covered in mosquito bites. This was my first experience with bugs at a campsite. Though I had been, already, to many other campsites, none of them had mosquitos. So, go first alone, to really know what the campsite is like.
- Always carry some form of anti-bug cream or application, or wear mosquito-proof clothing.
- Read the safety notices on all chemicals that you apply to your skin or to your clothing.
- Always prepare to be lyme-disease free. Wear white sox. Tuck your pants into your sox, and be careful. Always check yourself and your children for any stray ticks. You probably won't find any but always keep on checking. Better safe than sorry. Lyme disease is out there and lyme -disease carrying insects are out there also. But never let that keep you from camping out.
- Most important! Whenever you enter or leave your tent, always make sure that door is zippered up securely. That is your defense against those insects that might want to get out of the outdoors and into your tent.
- Set up a small tent for your 'equipment' or games or toys. This will give the insects less access to your actual sleeping quarters.
Cold Weather Camping?
- Have a good tent with good wind-breaking qualities. Wear clothing that is not cotton. Other synthetics are better for drying. Cotton never dries out so you will be colder if it rains. You don't want to feel like an snowflake when camping out.
- Do not ever use candles indoors -- inside of tents.
- Always watch that campfire. If you leave the campfire even for a moment, you need to put that fire out. Forest fires are not good!
- Buy the very best sleeping bags. This will make the difference between being comfy and being a popsicle when camping out in cold weather.
- Camp at sites that are near the city, near a mall. This is a great convenience in the event of an unforseen thunderstorm.
Need more helpful hints? Come on back to our site here and we will tell you all we know about camping.
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