25 Top Camping Tips I Learned From My Old Man

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October 16, 2023 / Comments (12)

Camping Do It Yourself

Growing up, I learned a lot from my old man but nothing beats these 25 camping tips. Use these to make your next trip a little more enjoyable.

RELATED: 14 Unique Camping Tricks | Camp Like A Redneck

Camping Tips and Hacks I Learned From My “Old Man”

The Lessons I Learned from My Dad

This article was originally posted at OutdoorWarrior.com and is shared with full permission.

My dad taught me a few camping tips and hacks that made our lives easier back then, and to this day, I apply what I learned from my hunting excursions and camping trips with my family.

Now, I know there are a lot of modern equipment and camping gear that already make our camping trips a lot easier, but they can never make it easier compared to these hacks.

For example, what happens when I forget my matches? What happens when I forget to bring anti-itch cream?

I used to think of other ways to create fire or how to keep away pesky mosquitoes. These camping tips, as primitive as they may be, still work, and I am glad I learned them from my father.

Camping Tip #1: Burn Sage to Keep Mosquitoes Away

You don't want to have the company of mosquitoes on your camping trip. The best way to keep them away is by burning sages in your campsite because it is a natural mosquito repellent.

Sage herbs | Top Camping Tips I Learned From My Old Man

What is sage? It is an evergreen perennial shrub that belongs to the mint family. Besides being a mosquito repellant, sage has many other uses such as creating savory dishes and improving oral health.

Avoid pesky bites and annoying buzzes but more so, avoid them so you can't have possible diseases.

Camping Tip #2: Learn to Distinguish Poisonous Plants

Learn to tell which plants are poisonous in order to avoid getting in contact with them. One common example of poisonous plants often encountered when camping is poison ivy.

Poison ivy can cause bad itching, irritation, and sometimes even painful rashes.

Camping Tip #3: Use Doritos as Tinder for Your Fire

Ready for an interesting camping checklist? A bag of Doritos can really keep your fire going and strong because this snack pack is flammable.

Read the label at the back because it might just reveal its secret to you. It's such a waste to just use Doritos for fire, and I'm not advocating the burning of plastic, but when SHTF, this might come in handy.

Camping Tip #4: Or if You Don't Want to Sacrifice Your Snacks, Use Cotton Pads Dipped in Wax

A more practical approach to camping tip #4 is cotton dipped in wax. Much like a candle wick, they're quick to start a fire and keep it going.

Camping Tip #5: Have your Paper Egg Tray as the Ultimate Fire Starter

That, and match light charcoal. What you do is fill the paper egg tray with the match light charcoal and light the whole thing up!

Paper egg tray | Top Camping Tips I Learned From My Old Man

The Doritos and the cotton pads can serve you well, but this is for when you need a faster and bigger fire for a bigger bunch of people when camping.

RELATED: Clean Camping Gear and Tips | Campsite Hygiene Hacks

Camping Tip #6: Use a Vegetable Peeler for Hygienic Purposes

You don't peel dirt, that's not how it works. When camping, your hygienic routine may not be like it was at home, with all the items you conveniently use.

Your bar of soap can be maximized by a vegetable peeler. How? Peel a portion of your soap when you need it.

This will prevent you from losing the entire bar but still having enough to yourself.

Camping Tip #7: Hide Your Money in a Soap Bar

It's one of those old Boy Scout tricks that just doesn't fail. It's one of the most unsuspecting areas to stash a valuable.

Who would ever find the time to rob a place and examine every bit of item, including soap? That's why it works.

Your soap bar isn't just for washing alone, then.

Camping Tip #8: Always Have Aluminum Foil Handy

As food preparation is an inseparable part of every camping trip, aluminum foil should be found in every camper's pack. Wrap your meat and other food items and place them over a fire.

Aluminum foil barbecue in Grill | Top Camping Tips I Learned From My Old Man

It will come out nice, soft, and juicy. It will also help you create and maintain portions of food for cooking, eating, and storing.

Camping Tip #9: Try Roasting Starbursts

I love roasting marshmallows on an open fire, and back then, we used sticks! Now my nephews and nieces discovered something else: starbursts.

Have you ever thought of roasting Starbursts over the campfire? It's as good as it could get, really.

Flavors playing in your mouth is something marshmallows can do, but Starbursts is on a different level.

Camping Tip #10: Roast Hotdogs on a Rake

If you ever need to grill those tasty hotdogs all at once, a rake can do that for you. Utilize the several stands on the rake and save time cooking.

Just make sure somebody's holding the rake well and looking into what you are grilling in there.

Camping Tip #11: Have Aromatic Herbs with You

Forego bottled marinades because it's just added baggage. Instead, use aromatic herbs.

Have aromatic herbs such as rosemary burned directly into the fire to easily smoke your steaks or other dishes in flavor. Go natural while camping, and have fun while you're at it too.

Want to see the full article?

25 Top Camping Tips I Learned From My Old Man

This summer, don't forget these tips on your camping trip, whether you're camping alone, with your friends, or with your family. These are easy to remember and are perfect for outdoor warriors with all kinds of experience.

Got more camping tips to share? Don't forget to comment and share your experiences and tips.

Do you have more camping tips to add to this post? Share your camping knowledge with us in the comments section below!

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Top Camping Tips I Learned From My Old Man

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on November 2, 2018, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

12 Responses to :
25 Top Camping Tips I Learned From My Old Man

  1. Mike says:

    A Zippy Lighter has many uses . The part that opens can be used as a handle, making it a small lantern. Put on a flat surface ,a candle. So rope doesn’t unravel after being cut, burn the cut ends. Works for lighting fires.

  2. marc felix says:

    love all these tips””’;;;;;;;

  3. Wally says:

    These “tips” are “inventive” and interesting reading. One tip that I see over & over is the use of aluminum foil for cooking over a fire. When this is done, the aluminum foil “off-gasses” into the food you eat. This BAD for your health. While harder to find, try using stainless steel foil-about .007″ — .010″ thickness. It is reusable —
    but the edges are sharp—needing emery cloth preparation or crimping of the edges.

    1. Lori west says:

      My family has been cooking with aluminum foil for generations. Now all of a sudden it’s bad for you? Scare tactics is all that is. If it were indeed bad for you, you don’t think that the USDA folks would have pulled it off the shelves by now?

  4. Just cindee says:

    Foil can also be used as a signaling device in case of emergency

    1. Richard1941 says:

      Depends what you mean by “signal”. I bet you have never actually done it. Even signal mirrors are marginal for sending a simple text message.

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