Some people associate camping with mosquitoes, hunger and boredom. This is not how it has to be. You can have a great time, eat great food and avoid those pesky bugs if you plan properly. You can learn more about how to have a good camping trip by reading this article.

When camping, be sure to locate a shelter before dark. Once blackness falls out there in the woods, it can be extremely difficult to pitch a tent, find good firewood and prepare food. Those that live in urban areas find this to be the case even more than those that are used to pitch black darkness. To prevent this from happening to you, you should set up your camp immediately when you arrive.

Bring along an emergency survival kit, and keep it on you for the duration of your camping trip. Must haves include, but aren’t limited to, a knife, matches, a flare gun, and a first aid pack. These are essential items for your survival if you ever get lost. Never leave the kit behind, even for a short excursion.

If you’re going to be taking your children camping, attend a first-aid course. Camping can be very remote, so it is best to be able to deal with emergencies on your own, until help can be reached. Also remember to research other dangers near your camping location. It is also best to know what exists in the area you will be in so that you can prepare for that as well.

Bring a hankerchief or a bandanna with you. It can be used as a hand towel, potholder or even a gag in a pinch. It has a multitude of uses and should be an essential part of your camping gear.

Oranges are good things to bring for your camping trip, and not only as a healthy snack option. Use the discarded peels to rub your exposed skin, and the insects will stay away from you.

Although you want to live on as little as possible while camping, you need to prepare yourself for your trip. Blankets are essential, in addition to a sleeping bag, to maximize comfort. This will allow you to stay warm, no matter how cold it gets, and it also serves as extra padding.

Make it a point to properly prepare your flashlight when you pack for your trip. It’s possible to accidentally hit the “on” button on your flashlight. To prevent this from draining the batteries, store the batteries in the flashlight backwards until you need to use it. That way, there is no way to turn the flashlight on until you switch the batteries around.

Pack lanterns, flashlights and extra batteries when you go camping. There will be times when you will need to see clearly after the sun goes down. Having ample light sources can prevent falls or surprise encounters with local wildlife. Make sure you have at least enough flashlights for each person to have their own.

Pay close attention to where your kids are when camping. There are many dangers associated with camping, from campers entering and leaving the campground to children getting lost. Something bad can occur in a split second, so it is necessary to watch children constantly.

If you go out camping with kids, have a photo of them on hand. If you lose a child at any point, having a picture to show rescuers or search parties could be very useful. Be sure that you have one on hand if you are far from home so that you are fully prepared.

You should now be able to see that you can have lots of fun when you’re camping. Use the tips here as a guide to assist you in planning your next outdoor adventure. They are great for helping you steer clear of camping pitfalls so that you can enjoy nothing but the benefits.