12+ Top Secrets to a Successful Camping Trip. Your Must Have Guide to Camping Fun versus Camping Fiasco

Transcription

1 12+ Top Secrets to a Successful Camping Trip Your Must Have Guide to Camping Fun versus Camping Fiasco

2 Written by: Anita Agers Brooks Copyright, 2015 For the express use of Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort

3 #1: Make a Proper Bed for Tent Camping or Kids Staying Outside Instead of Inside the RV Inflate your air bed Place an egg crate mattress on top of the bed Tuck a sheet over both Awake refreshed from a five star sleeping experience, versus a grumpy ground start

4 #2: Protect Feet from Things that Make You Tumble in the Dark Purchase a few inexpensive solar lights Place them near tent lines, grill perimeters, and other areas that people might trip over in the dark At nightfall, your solar lights will illuminate problem areas, guiding friends and family away from danger Pull them up, pack, and store for quick, easy use next time

5 #3: Cook in Advance to Save Time and Energy Cook foods like bacon, sausage, pancakes, chicken, and taco meat at home before you leave Place in plastic bags for convenience Take out of plastic and warm over the fire Clean up is a breeze, and you can spend more time relaxing with less time cooking

6 #4: Have Mid-Day Refreshers on the Ready Store wipes in the cooler to whisk the sweat off your face and neck Popsicles are a sweet way to cool off from the inside out Freeze soda, Crystal Light, or flavored water for an afternoon slushy Pour water from your cooler in your misting fan for a truly refreshing boost

7 #5: Prepare in Advance for a Better Night's Sleep Don't forget the earplugs The whirring of a box or battery operated fan can block outside noise Bring an eye mask to keep outside light from frustrating your sleep Bring fresh, clean bedding, and spray lightly with a lavender or chamomile scent to help your body relax quickly

8 #6: The Little Things Mean A Lot Bring Sharpies, (assigning cups can save money and arguments) Duct Tape is another camping staple that can be a miraclemaker in a crisis A table tent to keep pests off food is a comforting touch Large binder clips make great clothes pins, trash holders, and tarp ties

9 #7: Plan Meals Before You Go Wasting time trying to figure out what to cook is no fun Pinterest offers some great boards on campsite cooking BoyScout and GirlScout websites have huge lists of ideas and recipes for outdoor foods The campground you're staying in likely has a camping cookbook for sale in its store

10 #8: Creative and Easy Fire Starters Take an empty cardboard egg carton. Fill each cup with old dryer lint. Pour enough melted wax to cover each cup At campsite, break carton apart to make 12 individual fire starters Rub petroleum jelly into cotton balls or cotton rounds When camping, fluff cotton balls or rounds to allow oxygen to penetrate before lighting as a fire starter

11 #9: Don't Forget Your Staples Aluminum foil is a staple for every trip, check the roll to make sure you aren't low Trash bags make great dirty clothes hampers too, so take plenty for trash and clothes The First-Aid kit is a must, but you can make your own inexpensive one by Googling First-Aid checklists Add extra insulation for your cooler by packing a heavy blanket or sleeping bag around it

12 #10: DIY and Save a Few Bucks Make your own steak rub: 2 tsp. espresso powder, 1 tsp. garlic salt, 1 tsp. ground cumin, 1 tsp. dried oregano, 1 tsp. chili powder, and 1 tsp. ground black pepper. Store in airtight container Easy pancake batter: Make prepared mix according to package directions, pour into a large ziplock, carefully pushing most into a corner. Then tie off the end, so you end up with a cake decorating funnel shape. Then freeze. You can take it out when ready to camp, snip off the end, and make mess-free flapjacks Take a plastic baby food container, or empty glass jar and place Strike Anywhere matches inside. Cut black sandpaper to fit top of lid, and hot glue on. Voila, instant match kit Make a water-resistant toilet paper holder by placing roll inside an empty coffee can with a lid

13 #11: Make a Bucket List for a Stress-Less Experience Make Bucket #1 for your kitchen needs. Spatulas, serving utensils, kitchen knife, can opener, mini cutting board, pot holders, ziplock bags, spices, etc. are just a few items to place there Make Bucket #2 your cleaning kit. Sponges, steel wool, dish soap, scrub brush, clothesline, mini broom and dustpan, paper towels, trash bags, and Lysol wipes are good additions Make Bucket #3 for fire and light. Matches, lighters, solar lights, fire starters, charcoal lighter, charcoal, fuel funnel, extra mantles for lanterns, small propane canisters, LED lanterns, flashlights, extra batteries, extension cords just to name a few Make Bucket #4 survival gear. Air pump, first aid kit, tarp, hammer or mallet, duct tape, large binding clips, toilet paper, extra blankets, water bottles, personal hygiene kit, sunscreen, games to keep the kids busy are some faves

14 #12: Don't Forget the Essentials Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, dish detergent, and soap to keep dishes and bodies clean Bug spray, citronella, or home brewed repellents, because nothing ruins a camping trip like pesky pests Can opener, spices, propane, matches or lighter, knives, paper towels, and cutting boards are commonly forgotten Burn it where you buy it, because most folks don't realize many invasive species are transported via firewood

15 Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort is proud to serve Campers from All Over the World. Ask your friendly River Fun Guide for more helpful hints while you're there! If you'd like to offer your own tips, (maybe making our Camper's Own Success Secrets edition), visit our website for more info.

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