You can use an Android device to track your route, speed, distance, and altitude by downloading a compass app. At its most basic, a compass

If you frequently go on outdoor adventures, you should download these Android apps to help you navigate, deal with emergencies, and more.

As appealing as camping may appear, it is critical to recognize all of the efforts that go into planning a successful camping trip. You must plan ahead of time for everything (including food and entertainment) and contend with potential bad weather. That only scratches the surface.

Smart devices are widely used in the 21st century. Although we have technology in our homes, workplaces, cars, and even on our wrists, it hasn’t made its way properly into the great outdoors just yet.

There are a lot of tips to go camping for the first time, but I venture to summarize them, because, if you are an amateur in this activity, you are not for many sermons. In my case, it took me several years to take the step. I thought that camping was synonymous with a tiring vacation, where work outweighed the amount and ability to relax. How wrong I was! Camping is synonymous with health (you breathe fresh air and in the daytime, you expose yourself to the sun, a wonderful source of vitamin D), entertainment, and peace. There is nothing like enjoying nature in full action! If you do venture out, consider these 7 first-time camping tips.

1. The place

I once read that when camping for the first time, one should not select a place too far away, because in case one did not like the experience, one could return home soon. I live in Miami, and I selected Ginnie Springs, a park with beautiful springs about five hours from Miami. The park offers many activities that all members of the family can do, such as going on the floats to navigate the river, rowing boats, kayaks, fishing areas, snorkeling, and even diving. In addition to volleyball courts, soccer … Anyway! Since we arrived we had plenty of things to do.

2. The team

When camping, the ideal is not to pack so much, to the point that loading and unloading the car becomes torture, but you should not go through necessities either. Generally, parks in the United States have grills for cooking. So why load a steakhouse? If there is a supply store in the park that you stay, why take firewood from home? In my case, the two best things I packed were a sleeping tent and an eating tent. Both were very easy to put together and comfortable. Although we were only going to sleep six in my tent, I took one for ten people and it was a good decision because I discovered that in the box of the tents they put the capacity of people who will sleep, but “close together.” The tent that I chose also had a small porch at the entrance, which gave us even more space.

3. The preparation

Research everything you can. Although we did, we were missing some details. For example 1) we did not set up the tent at home, to practice how it was done; and 2) we did not spray a waterproof liquid on it because we were sure it would not rain. It turned out that, just as we were putting it together, it rained! And we lost valuable time because we had no practice. The friends who were with us, put up their tent in less time because they had already rehearsed how it was done before the trip.

4. The company

Choose pampering rather than pampering friends, in short friendly and considerate. That was one of the best hits of my camp! My friend Ziomara Belete, who was my tent neighbor, was the best company: we lent each other pans, we shared food. And since she is a much better cook than I am, I ended up winning.

5. The food

As it is already known that on holidays there will always be trinkets, we decided to counteract the temptations by including healthy and easy-to-prepare foods. We prepare a “healthy” menu beforehand: churrasco for the first day, turkey burgers for the second, sandwiches afterward… and lots of salad! A good, family-size freezer with ice that we renewed thanks to the park’s grocery store allowed us to eat vegetables daily.

6. The attitude

One of the main obstacles I had to overcome before embarking on the camping adventure was my attitude. I thought it was uncomfortable, and — most of all — I wondered where would we find a bathroom if we are in an open field? It turned out that we camped near a bathroom and the park kept it perfectly clean.

7. Prepare to be amazed

The prints that nature gives us when we have it up close are priceless (as the credit card advertising says). I still have in my mind the glare of the eyes of my mother, my husband, and my nephew in front of the bonfire, or how perfectly illuminated the sky looked in the middle of nature. One night, while we were chatting after dinner, I saw the current of the river in front of us begin to glow. It was like dragging a stream of stars. “They are electric fish!” Someone exclaimed. It looked like a scene from a Disney movie. From experiences like this, I tell you: If you go camping, prepare to be amazed.

You may also love to read this article, Summer camps special: tips for choosing well

Here is how to choose the best center for the first experiences of holidays without parents.

School’s out. It’s time for holidays: sun, sea, lake, mountains, countryside. Everything is perfect, except that, too often, mum and dad do not have more than two months of vacation to spend with their children. And the social organization in our country provide unsatisfactory answers. So? You can turn to structures that organize activities for the summer and you can offer your children a summer campus, perhaps themed, in the mountains. At the sea or in the hills, in places where the air is different from that of the city and the contact with nature assured.

But how do choose the best?

The first step is to start with the child’s interest. Do you love nature? Do you love a sport in particular?

A stay away from the family is still a little stressful for children so if you can have a high motivation by addressing the child based on a passion, the detachment will be less difficult and less heavy.

Second: get information, read, search on the internet, talk to mothers who have already had experiences. But this is just to collect basic information. After a first screening, it is in fact imperative to call, try to talk to a manager. An educator not with the secretariat but with someone who will then really stay with the children. The thing to totally avoid is going to a center that “occasionally” assembles young children to entertain the children. In this case, the risk of not feeling well is very high: for the organizers. It is a business and they aim for maximum profit with minimum effort. A young and inexperienced boy who takes care of children? It may happen that the boy is loving and your child is happy but it will only be thanks to luck. So no, it’s not an acceptable solution.

We need to find an organization that has been doing its job for years and has dedicated and adequately trained staff.

My dispassionate advice first of all from a mother and then from a person who has been taking care of children’s holidays for years? Make an appointment and go in person to speak and see the facility.

Seeing the structure is essential, on paper everything is beautiful then if you go to see it in detail it happens that the bathrooms are not comfortable. Do you think that a friend of mine, in France, on the Cote d’Azur, happened that the 8-year-old boy was on a campus with shared bathrooms (and so far ok) with showers without hot water (just there was no tap of hot water)? And to his perplexing question about water, the animator replied: “yes the water is only cold but it is summer, a cool shower is very pleasant”.

Another thing to make sure is that the child if under 10, does not sleep alone. But that the bedrooms are at least for two, a companion alleviates the sense of loneliness that in the evening a little assails even the most daring.

If you visit ask to have a look at the canteen or ask for a sample menu.

Let me tell you that how to “equip” the child in terms of clothing, backpack, small personal items to carry, etc.

Check the relationship between young people/animators. The ideal would be to have an assistant for every six children. Therefore, centers that organize children for small groups should be favored.

In most cases, the guests of the summer camps are between 6/8 and 15 years old and activities, programs. And proposals are calibrated according to age groups in order to offer an optimal mix that combines interest, fun, and, why not, even personal growth. “In this way, the holiday becomes an opportunity.

Among the things to take note of, there is the “curriculum” of the center. Thanks to which it is possible to have an evaluation of experiences, mission, organization, staff.

Summer camps are a pleasant moment of vacation for children, who see the playful side, feel the company of their peers. And experience the positive feeling of being part of a group. But, for mum and dad, at least the first time, this coincides with a feeling of detachment that involves the more than reasonable desire (and need). To make sure that the organization that your child is entrusting with has an established profile of competence and professionalism.

In short, here are the 10 steps to follow to choose the camp:

1- Choose the most pleasant and most suitable environmental context for the child (sea, countryside, mountains)

2- Identify a field with a specific theme according to the interests of the child (sport, foreign languages, environmental education)

3- Call the center several times before choosing and booking the center and speak to an educator

4- Request a “curriculum” of the center, which allows evaluating “experience” in the sector

5- Ask for the opportunity to speak with other families who have already “tried” the center’s proposals (basically it is the classic and precious word of mouth)

6- Check that there is an adequate ratio between the number of educators and that of children

7- Request a detailed description/tour of the facility and, if possible, see it in person

8- Attend the presentation day of the center to get to know the project representatives

9- View the program of the camp and the organization of the day

10- Expect clear indications on what will be needed (clothing, equipment, accessories) during the camp.

You may also like to read: Types of Campfires and how to make a campfire?

What type of fire is necessary for the utensils we use in the field? We cannot and should not make the same type of fire if we have a frying pan as if they have a pot. Adapting the type of fire to the object we have is important to cook the products well and avoid accidents while cooking in the field.

Types of Campfires

Fire in a Pot

Let’s start with the pot. It should be placed over a fire that is lit between two parallel rows of stones. Due to its dimensions and weight, the pot is important that it is on a flat, fire-resistant base.

Fire in the frying pan

On the other hand, the frying pan should be placed on three stones placed triangularly and a fourth that serves as protection against the wind.

Fire in the coffee pot

Place stones forming a circumference and with a stick resting on another and attached to the ground. You can heat the kettle or coffee maker by placing it about 20 or 30 centimeters from the fire above the ground.

Casserole in field

You must put the casserole a few centimeters from the fire and for this, a good way is to take a stick and hold it to a stone and to the ground. This stick must be large enough to support the weight of the casserole.

How to make a campfire?

If you are thinking of having a beach party or going camping, it is essential that you learn to make a fire. Remember that you must check that a fire can be made in the area before making a bonfire and that you are not endangering anyone, nor the flora or fauna of the place. If necessary, also ask for permission.

Dig a hole. Think that it should be large enough to span the campfire and remember that the hole should be away from trees, camping areas, buildings, etc.

To make sure the fire is safe, surround the fire pit with rocks.

In the center of the hole, put two logs or pieces of firewood in parallel. This will be the base of the structure that we will form to light the fire.

Then place a pile of tinder: wood chips, logs, and newspaper … With all these materials you will be able to light the fire.

On top of the tinder, put dry chips, that is, small sticks. Have them lean against the wood at an angle, then layout another bundle of chips, leaving room to light the fire. You should repeat the process until you notice that the pile reaches your knees, more or less.

Around the fireplace, large pieces of wood vertically and make a kind of tent with the logs. With this structure, you will enclose the pile of tinder and chips that you have created.

Light the fire. Try not to throw away the structure. To fan the flame, we recommend that you blow gently. Enjoy the heat of your campfire safely!

What you need to enjoy a bonfire

For any campfire, you need 3 basic elements:

• Tinder, which is the extra stuff like twigs, grass, and leaves.
• Firewood to light, the thin sticks that will serve to start the fire and give the fire time to gain strength.
• Fuel which are the logs that keep the fire alive and take longer to burn.
• When it comes to getting a successful fire pit ready, a few elements make the job easier and safer. We offer you these tips on how to start a campfire:
• Have barbecue salt on hand: If the flames are getting out of control, you can rely on this type of salt, as it controls the flames depending on how much you use. You can also take advantage of it to marinate meat if you want to prepare roast meat.
• Don’t forget the food to grill: A campfire is not complete if you don’t have some food to grill in the heat of the flames. The classic options with marshmallows and sausage for roasting. But you can even choose some healthy variants, like small bell peppers or cover sweet potatoes with aluminum foil and put them near the fire, so they cook to perfection.
• Choose the firewood pieces well: In this case, you must select thick logs to make the fire last and dry branches to start the fire.
• Remember the lighter: There are ways to start a fire without a lighter, but it is extra time and survival knowledge that takes time to develop. You can opt for some matches, only in this case you should always wait for it to be cold to throw it into the fire and thus avoid accidents.

Going camping is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable experiences you can experience. Good weather, vacations, or the need to spend more time in the middle of nature are all very good reasons to go camping. It is essential to know the safety measures for camping and thus spend some fantastic days. Still, if you’re not careful when choosing the place, it can turn into the opposite, so here are some tips for selecting the ideal place.

How to choose the best camping place?

1. Find regular, clear terrain where you can easily pitch your tent.
2. Avoid low-lying areas or those that may be natural watercourses in case of rain, such as dry channels. You could wake up drenched or, in heavy rain, be in danger.
3. Similarly, a grassy area is preferable to a dry, sandy one because the latter has a higher risk of becoming swampy or unstable in the event of rain and would not be an excellent place to camp.
4. If you are camping on the beach, be aware of the tides. In some areas, the height of the sea varies significantly between high and low tides. If the sand is wet, stay away from that area. We recommend that you consult our article How to know the free camping areas in Spain to discover various places enabled for camping.
5. Always look for an area that has a water source more or less nearby. It would be safe if you always carry drinking water with you, along with the rest of the essential elements that you can see in our article. What should I bring when camping.
6. If you are in an area where there are toilets, showers, and other common areas, it is best not to camp next. Although it may seem like the best area, because you will not have to go far to shower or go to the bathroom, it is not a good place to camp because you are exposed to noise and bad smells.
7. Take into account the elements: you should avoid both the tent being in the sun all day, as it will overheat it, and in the shade because you could be very cold at night, as the wind blows head-on at the entrance of the store.
8. Trees are good at stopping the wind’s impact, but if not, you can always use artificial windbreaks.
9. Likewise, do not light fires or barbecues unless there is an area equipped for it and never, under any circumstances, leave the fire unattended.

Find regular, clear terrain

In these places, you can easily pitch your tent. Clean the branches or stones that may be in the area to create a suitable surface. Avoid low-lying areas or those that may be natural watercourses in case of rain, such as dry channels. You could wake up drenched or, in heavy rain, be in danger.

Similarly, a grassy area is preferable to a dry, sandy one because the latter has a higher risk of becoming swampy or unstable in the event of rain and would not be an excellent place to camp. If you are camping on the beach, be aware of the tides. For example, in some areas in the north of Spain, the sea’s height varies significantly between high and low tide. If the sand is wet, do not go to that area.

Always look for a camping area that has a source of drinking water more or less nearby

Even so, it would be good if you always carry water for consumption, along with the rest of the essential elements. If you are in a camping area where there are toilets, showers, and other common areas, it is best not to camp next.

Although it may seem like the best area since you will not have to shower or go to the bathroom, it is not a good place to camp because you are exposed to noise and bad smells. You should avoid both the tent being in the sun all day since it will overheat it and in the shade because you could be very cold at night, as the wind blows head-on at the entrance of the tent.

Wind direction is important for camping

The wind can be a great inconvenience to have good camping, so secure the stakes well and confirm that you have elements in your environment that work as good windbreaks. Trees are good at stopping the wind’s impact, but if not, you can always use artificial windbreaks.

Likewise, do not light fires or barbecues unless there is an area equipped for it and never, under any circumstances, leave the fire unattended.

Tips for setting up the tent

It is convenient to mount the stored e-campaign between two or three people, although it is not essential to do it yourself. The next step is to stretch the tent and place the floor secured with the pegs, placing the four sides first. The pegs should be placed smoothly, not perpendicular to the ground, as they would come loose, but at a small angle.

Never drive a peg with your foot. It will most likely bend and break. If it gets stuck, it may be because you tripped over a small stone or root. Move it to try to avoid it. If it still does not enter, try to nail it into other sites. To better hold the tent’s cables, you can put a stick and bury it in the ground. Another trick to support the tent is to put a stone on top of the pegs. We hope these basic tips are useful to you, have a great camping trip!