Not much beats spending a couple of nights under the stars with your loved ones. There are many reasons why camping is one of the favorite pastimes of many people. That said, in order to ensure that your camping trip is fun and enjoyable, you do need to take a few things into consideration when planing such a trip. In this article, we are going to provide you with some tips and advice that should come in useful during your next camping adventure.

Make sure to find your shelter before it gets dark. Once blackness falls out there in the woods, it can be extremely difficult to pitch a tent, find good firewood and prepare food. That can be especially true for someone who live in the suburbs and is not used to total darkness. Don’t let this happen to you. Look for adequate shelter before it gets this dark.

Always keep a close eye on yourself, your family, and your possessions; as they will all get a little dirty. Preparing for this in advance can help reduce the stress when it does happen. Have fun on your trip and don’t worry about getting messy; it happens. You can get clean when you return home.

When you purchase a new tent for camping, take it home and completely set the tent up before going on a camping trip. That way, you will know that the tent is complete and will understand the assembly process. This also helps you not to be frustrated when you’re trying to pitch your tent.

Pack in excess for your kids when you are going camping. Camping can be messy. Children, in particular, love to get their hands in the dirt. Because of this, your children will likely be filthy by the end of the day. While you can’t do much to prevent that, you can at least provide clean clothing, so long as you brought extra. Don’t be caught without something you need!

Before you set out on your camping trip take the time to check the weather forecast for the area that you will be visiting. There are countless websites that contain information about what sort of weather you should expect at the area you are going camping at. When you know what to expect, you will have the right clothes packed.

Double check your medical insurance. You may need additional coverage in case you have an accident in a different state. This can be even more important if you’re leaving to another country when you are camping, such as Canada. Make sure that you that you are prepared, just in case!

Always have an emergency kit on hand when camping with family, or even staying alone. You may need different supplies, depending on where you will be, but there are certain things that you should always have. For example, if you are camping in an area that may have poison ivy, make sure you pack hydro-cortisone.

Bring oranges not only to eat but also to deter mosquitoes. Save the peels when you’re done eating and gently rub them on your face, arms, legs or any other exposed areas, and you keep the pesky bugs away with no harsh chemicals and for a great price!

Double check that you have all of your necessary equipment prior to your camping trip. You can not afford to forget an important item like your sleeping bag or your tent. Verify all the things that you need or should take and write out a list of all of them. Then, check your final packing according to the list to be sure.

If you are a camping amateur, keep your camping adventure near your home. You don’t want to be far away if you decide you’ve had enough of camping, or if you have problems with your equipment. You might find that you do not have enough clothes or food. Many problems may occur for novice campers, so be sure to camp near home.

You have just learned of some of the things that need consideration when planning to spend time camping. Use the advice you have just read so that your next camping trip will be safe and enjoyable.