There is nothing better than camping out at night with those close to you. Camping has long been one of the most cherished pastimes. Although there are a lot of positives associated with camping, you do need to be prepared. This article will prepare you for a wonderful camping experience with some tried and true advice!

Pick out your sleeping bag according to what season it is. You are going to be really hot and uncomfortable camping in the summertime if your sleeping bag is rated for sub-zero temperatures. The reverse is also true. Using a light, cool sleeping bag in the middle of winter will keep you very cold. You might even contract hypothermia.

Remember that everything you bring along, including you and your family, will more than likely get dirty. If you are mentally prepared for this experience ahead of time, you can relieve the cause for a lot of stress when it does happen. Have fun in nature and don’t be afraid to get dirty! You can return to being clean and civilized when you’re at home.

If you have a new tent, practice setting it up at home before your trip. That way, you can make sure you have everything you need to set up the tent, including knowledge of how to do it properly. It also helps with the frustration of putting a tent up.

Preparation and organization are chief factors to facilitate a great camping trip. That is why it’s important to prepare in advance and prepare well. If you are camping in a new location, research the local wildlife, geography and the climate before leaving home.

A ‘jungle breakfast’ can be a great activity for the kids. Take smaller boxes of cereal, small cups of fruit and juice boxes away from your site and tie them up to treas. The kids can go on a treasure hunt for their breakfast when they wake up. The kids will love it.

To start your fires at camp, use dryer lint as kindling. In order to have enough lint to start a fire, begin collecting it a month prior to your trip. Simply hang a plastic bag near the dryer and stash the lint in the bag as it collects. This allows you to just get your kindling and leave when you’re ready.

Bring oranges. Not only are they nutritious, but the peels can be used for mosquito repellant. Use the discarded peels to rub your exposed skin, and the insects will stay away from you.

Before you camp in a new location, you should familiarize yourself with the local dangers and risks. You should know if there are deadly spiders found there, or if sheer cliffs or flash floods occur there. Each camping spot poses its own dangers.

Camping is fun for children, but make sure to plan out some extra activities they will like. If you’re settled among the trees, they may become bored. Children may not have an idea of how to fish or set up a tent. Get them used to it prior to leaving on the trip.

If you are new to camping, you should camp near your home. That way, if problems arise, you won’t be too far from help. You may run out of supplies early. There could be a lot of reasons why you need to end your trip early, so keeping your first trip close to home can save a lot of headaches.

Remember the old scout motto – be prepared! Often times, even the best plans go awry. There can be changes in the weather or circumstances, and illness and injury can also occur. Don’t take risks, think ahead before doing anything and be careful.

As mentioned earlier, anytime you plan to head into the wilderness, you need to keep several things in mind. Use these great tips so that you have a safe, enjoyable camping trip with your family.