As more people watch reality TV shows that focus on the joys of outdoor life, it’s easy to understand why more people are becoming interested in camping. If camping is something that you have been considering for some time, but you are not sure where to begin, you can find the information you need in the article below.

Always find your shelter before it gets dark when you go camping. Once it is dark in the woods, pitching a tent can be next to impossible, finding firewood can be difficult and preparing food hard. This is particularly true for those city-dwellers that are not used to pitch-black darkness. Don’t let this happen to you. Look for adequate shelter before it gets this dark.

Read up on your medical insurance. When you travel to camp, you may need to have this updated or add an additional policy. That can be even more important when you plan to travel across international borders. It is important to always be prepared.

A “jungle breakfast” is something that could be enjoyed when camping with children. Portable foods, such as boxed cereal, juice, and fruit, can be tied to trees. Once the kids are awake, they can go search for their food. This activity adds a bit more fun to camping.

Emergency kits are one of the most important things to bring on a camping trip. There are certain things you’ll need to include at certain locations (i.e. a snake bite kit.) However, there some basics you should always have with you. Some extra emergency supplies like anti-venom may be included, too, depending on the types of wildlife you may encounter.

Bring oranges. Not only are they nutritious, but the peels can be used for mosquito repellant. Enjoy the oranges and then rub the inside of the peel on any exposed skin to keep insects at bay.

Talk with your children about the dangers associated with camping before you leave home. You can show them some pictures of poisonous plants on the Internet, for example, so they are aware of what to look out for.

Pack plenty of food of the proper variety. Also, you will want to keep food that does not spoil to put yourself in the safest position. Food poisoning will put a damper on your trip and force you to end it quickly. Learn the right type of food preparations meant for camping before you go.

Are you new to camping and now have a brand new tent in your possession? You should try pitching your tent before you head out for the first time. You should know what you need and how to do it before you actually have to do it. With this practice under your belt, your tent will go up much quicker and have you sheltered before night falls.

When you are camping, choose flat, soft ground to pitch your tent on. Spots that are rocky, steep or wet mean an uncomfortable sleeping experience for you. Always lay a tarp down first to prevent water from entering or damaging the tent.

Make it a point to properly prepare your flashlight when you pack for your trip. While searching your backpack or bag, it is not too hard to accidentally hit the power button on your flashlight. To prevent draining the batteries, place them in your flashlight backwards. That way, the flashlight cannot possibly drain the batteries if the ON button is bumped.

Write down a list of your necessary items before heading out on a camping excursion. This will be key, particularly if you are camping far away from home. Start packing a couple of days in advance of camping, making sure to follow a checklist.

There are many things to take into consideration before camping. However, after reading this, you should be able to handle the basic stuff. You can have more fun since you know what you are getting yourself into.