Camping Tips

Consider taking advantage of mother nature and using the bathroom, where appropriate, in the great outdoors. I prefer it to public restrooms. Have a roll of toilet paper under your seat at all times.

Pet

Plan ahead before you or your dog is desparate. When you see a wild area that looks like a good place for your dog to his business, take advantage of it. A place where you don't have to pick up after your dog. Of course, bring doggie bags, just in case.

Though it's better than nothing, some dogs don't do well attached to one of those poles you screw in the ground.

Many times I just put the car temporarily in the car. For example, when I want to put up the tent, or take it down. Keep the car windows a bit open, sun or not, warm or not.

When going to take a shower, I would bring 2 bags (one carrying new clothes and the other for your old clothes). I would try to bring the least necessary stuff. For example, have shower gel that you wash both body and hair with, rather than having a separate bottle of shampoo.

Before you go somewhere, tell people where you are going.

Familiarize yourself with the area you will hike in. Look at a map. How far are you from civilization? What's North, South, West, East?

Bedding down in the open.

Clear a path of leaves and rocks and set up in the middle.. A clear path discourages snakes, etc. (as they don't like to be exposed like that). Use a stick, NOT your hands.

A better option is to sleep off the ground. Consider setting up a hammock.

Sharpening a knife. A clean shave piece of wood (strip the bark off if need be). Than wet and put on small, grainy pebbles. Glide your knife over (both sides and the sharp edge).

Canned heat is a great little tool. Just light it and voila you have a stove. It's so much safer and convenient than lugging gas around. And, takes up little space. No leakage problems as with other things.

Pat Reynolds is a camping and travel expert who has traveled the world.
She and her staff camp around the world in an effort to generate methods
to enhance the travel and camping experience. Get survival tips, safety tips,
checklists and more. Discover ideas and resources relating to income generation and discount travel. Visit: http://ComfortCamping.com