Here's some tips that are great for any time of the year. Little short cuts are what can make a camping trip more enjoyable. Check out, and try, a few of these simple tips.
There's a couple of ways to make your own fire starters. You can take small wood scraps and soak them in a bit of wax and they become a bit flammable; just enough to help light that fire. Use a porous wood so the wax can soak in and place in cupcake papers. The wax will harden and can be stored, when cool, in a ziploc plastic.
Another great little DIY fire starter is even simpler, and so inexpensive. Take cotton pads and soak in wax. Lay them out in a piece of foil to cool and place in a plastic storage bag or container. Easy to make and easy to use. Check out this past blog for easy and safe instructions on melting wax. Safety is super important when working with wax. Simple is always a good thing.
Here's a little tip for keeping your first aid creams in a safe and sealed container. It may be a little awkward at first but once you do a few, it will become easier.
Here's what you need to make these handy little storage packets.
All you need is straws, a hot nail and a wood cutting board, and a heat source like a stove top or a hot candle. Cut the straws into the appropriate length and seal one end. It is better to cut them a bit long at first so you have plenty of room. You can always cut extra off when done. Hold a medium size nail with pliers over the heat source until hot. Lay the nail across the open end of the straw piece until it is sealed shut. Don't hold too long or it will melt completely through. When the straw piece is cool, fill the open end with a bit of cream and seal the last end. Use a sharie to label the contents and if you think it may not be used for a while, date it also.
This little task may take a bit of practice but once you get the hang of it, it will be simple. I have an old curling iron that I use to do the sealing and it goes pretty fast. May be worth purchasing an iron just for this kind of purchase.
Another thing to think about - you can use this same method to tote your tooth paste, dish soap, salad dressing and more.
When you go hiking, you want to have a little bit of first aid with you but you certainly don't want to carry the entire kit with you. This is a simple and easy way to send the bare essentials out with hikers and not leave anyone without back at camp.
The items that you have sealed in your straw pieces will work perfect for this. Especially if you are hiking in areas with poison ivy or oak. You will want to get some anti-itch cream on that asap.
Match storage is simple and easy, especially if you know someone with a baby. Baby food comes in these neat little plastic containers with lids. These are not water proof if you drop them in a pool of water but if this container gets stuck out in a rain, it will be sealed well enough. Check this out.
Cut a piece of sand paper to a size that will fit the lid and secure with glue. I actually put one on the bottom also so this contain will have plenty of striking use. You can always refill this container with new matches.
Camp showers can be tricky. If you are around a stream it is super simple. If you are around a water fall, it is even easier. Sometimes the biggest problem can be the soap. We know that we want to use an environmentally safe soap. Liquid soaps will tend to leak when in transport. And who wants to pass around the bottle. Here is a simple little solution.
Shredded bar soap. You can use any kitchen grater to slice the soap and store in a water tight container. A single sliver is probably all you need for a quick wash up.
How many times have you gone for the toilet paper on a camping trip only to find it all unrolled and a mess or even worse, damp from a spill or a little sky water gift from Mother Nature? There is just no way to carry around TP that is simple and easy. Right? Ummmm - wrong. Check this little idea out. The photo pretty much tells the whole story.
I wish I would have come up with this idea myself, but I am not to proud to use a stranger's idea.
One more item - a clean up station - that I have to think would be wonderful if you have children, fisherman or hunters in the group. Obviously, it is great for everyone. Simple - I think it would be with just a few purchases. A paper towel holder, a couple of bungee cords, a sturdy water jug and i think the liquid soap is a great idea too. I believe I would add a bottle of antibacterial also.
That's it for the moment. If you check back in a few days, there will be more great camping tips, but they will deal with the food side of the trip. My favorite.
Remember - all of these tips are great for your Prepping Supply closet.
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