Camping tips
Don't you just hate it when the power goes out, and you get out your flashlight only to find out the batteries are dead? Or when you're halfway through making your favorite dish and suddenly you realize you've run out of one of the main ingredients? It happens to us all but with a little preparation beforehand, you can eliminate many of life's little speed bumps and make your life simpler, safer, and more enjoyable. To help you get the most out of your time with us, we've scoured the internet to provide some helpful information so that your stay can be as hassle-free as possible.
Safety first
There's absolutely nothing worse than an injury when you're trying to enjoy some downtime. All outdoor activities have some level of inherent danger and camping is no exception. Being prepared is a great thing, but avoiding dangerous situations in the first place should always be your plan. Here's a few ideas that can help:
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Always keep a first aid kit handy and well-stocked. Make sure everyone knows where it is.
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Know where the closest emergency room is and have at least a good idea of how to get there.
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Research the local plants and animals where you're staying and become familiar with any dangers they may pose.
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Make sure everybody has their own flashlight. Even a small pocket light can be a lifesaver at times.
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Use high-visability or glow-in-the-dark tape to mark tent lines and other objects so that nobody trips on them in the dark.
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Always keep a bucket of water or a hose close by when you have a fire going.
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Never go to bed or leave your campsite with a fire burning unattended.
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If you're going into unfamiliar places, try not to go alone. If you have to go alone, bring a cell phone or two-way radio.
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Always tell somebody where you're going and when you expect to return.
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Dress in layers. Take clothes off as you get too warm and put them back on when you get cold.
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Wear appropriate footwear. Choose a shoe or boot with good support and traction.
Be prepared for inclement weather
Nobody likes to go on vacation and have terrible weather. Unfortunately that's the hand we are sometimes dealt. The good news is that if you're prepared for it, your vacation doesn't have to be a washout. Here's some ideas to help you when mother nature decides to make things interesting:
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If you know bad weather is probable, make sure your cell phone is charged up in the event that you lose power.
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Keep your cell phone in a sealed sandwich bag in your pocket. (It won't be 100% waterproof but it will help keep it dry.)
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Pack important things in waterproof totes. (Clothes, food, bedding, etc.)
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Always pack a battery powered radio so that you can hear important weather related announcements.
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Pack a roll of quarters in case you need to visit a laundromat to dry things out.
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Avoid wearing wet clothes, as your body temperature will lower more quickly.
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Bring something to pass the time. (Books/magazines, deck of cards, etc.)
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Have alternative menu items on hand. You can't cook over a fire in the rain!
Don't forget the important stuff
You know that feeling - the one you get when you think you're finally done packing for a getaway, but something keeps nagging you in the back of your mind. This isn't your first rodeo, though. You're confident that you've got everything you need (and probably a dozen or so things you won't.) And then it hits you. Halfway to your destination, you suddenly realize that that one thing you told yourself you couldn't forget got left behind. Chances are you can get by without it, but that doesn't seem to make it any better, right? We've compiled a list of things here to help make packing for camp a little easier for you. Don't forget to bring:
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A fully stocked first aid kit including sunscreen, insect repellent, and sunburn/bug bite relief products.
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Any routine medicines that you or your family members need to take
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Other medicines you may need for headaches, indigestion, etc.
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Toilet paper and paper towels, hand soap, cleaning supplies, and personal hygeine items
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A broom and dust pan (A small whisk broom is great if you are camping in a tent.)
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Enough food, water and clothes to cover everyone for changes in weather or extra/unplanned days away
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Flashlights and spare batteries
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Trash/recyclables can and trash bags
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Matches, dry paper, and a small hatchet for splitting wood
Passed down to us from friends
"Buy some 2x4s at home depot for $3 each, cut em a foot long, put them in a cardboard box & you have a nice bundle of clean, inexpensive pest free firewood! Use dryer lint, newspaper, & the cardboard box to light it! Lanterns & lamps only attract bugs. Just wear a good headlamp & use it only when needed. I only pack aluminum foil & wooden skewers for cooking! Keep it simple. Less work = more fun!"
Sent in by Fletch
Share your wisdom with us!
Do you have a great tip for us? Know a handy trick that isn't listed here? Well then we'd love to hear from you!
Use this form to let us in on what you know, and we'd be happy to share it here so that others can see it as well!
Arkwright Hills Campground
