People often think of escaping from the stress and worries of regular life by planning a fun camping trip. If you don’t prepare correctly your trip can end up being a disaster. You can make your next trip ‘smooth sailing’ by applying the tips from the article below.

You might think that you can find all of the wood that you need to keep the fire going, but there is a good chance that the wood will be wet. It’s always recommended that you bring extra wood and keep it where it won’t get wet.

When you buy a new tent, always set it up at home once before taking it camping. This will prevent you from having a tent with missing pieces and then you can set it up properly. This will also eliminate some of the frustration associated with setting up a tent.

If you are going camping with children, eat a “jungle breakfast”. Bring some packaged foods, beverage boxes and even fruits, then tie them to trees near the campsite. When your kids get up, have them hunt down their breakfast. This is a fun way to bring excitement to the morning.

Dryer lint is a great item to bring if you are trying to start a campfire. Start collecting the lint about a month prior to your trip from the filter in your dryer. An easy way to remember to save up your lint is to keep a plastic bag near your dryer as a reminder. As such, you’ll have kindling ready whenever you are.

Pack things like oranges when you go camping. They are nutritious, and they also keep mosquitoes away. After enjoying the sweet juicy fruit, use the inside of the peel to rub on skin for a chemical free insect repellant.

If you are a camping amateur, keep your camping adventure near your home. You might have gear problems, or you might figure that you want to cut your camping trip short. You may come to realize that you should have packed different clothing, or need more food. So many things can go awry for the newbie camper; it’s definitely best to find a campground near to home.

Keep a close eye on your dog while you are camping and always keep him on a leash. Many people are fearful of pets – especially large dogs. It is important that you respect others while you are camping. Furthermore, dogs could cause a lot of damage to your campsite, or someone else’s, if they are not properly supervised.

One handy piece of equipment to take with you when you head out on your next camping trip is a roll of duct tape. The tape that does it all at home, also does it all while camping. You can slap a piece of it on a leaking air mattress. It works well for repairing tears in tent material, sleeping bags or tarps. Putting some on your feet before hiking can prevent blisters. This can also be used for injuries when you do not have a regular doctor around.

Find the softest, flattest ground possible to set up your tent. An area that is sloped or rugged won’t make for the best place to put your tent. Make sure to put a tarp down so that water cannot penetrate your tent.

Select your campsite carefully. Refrain from setting your camper up next to bees nests or breeding grounds for safety. If you must erect your tent near dense areas of vegetation, make sure that you wear tops with long sleeves and full length pants in order to protect your body’s skin from insect bites. It may be wise to take along bug spray too.

As previously mentioned, camping can be pretty fun. It can be the opposite of fun if you are not prepared. Use the tips you have been provided with in the above article to ensure your next camping trip goes off without a hitch. Enjoy yourself!