Many people have the misconception that camping is a miserable experience that involves nothing but bug bites, bad food and boredom. This, however, is not really the truth. You can enjoy a great camping trip with preparation. Read on to find out more.

Let all of your family members have a chance to contribute to picking a campsite. Discuss what state you want to visit. The options are plenty, so do your research! If it simplifies things, pick four or five favorites and then give everyone a vote.

A tent needs to be the proper size for all people staying in it. This will allow everyone in your tent to be comfortable at night and to easily get up if they need to use the bathroom.

Attend a class in first aid; this is a really good idea if you are camping with children. Camping can be very remote, so it is best to be able to deal with emergencies on your own, until help can be reached. In addition, make sure you do enough research on the area. Look into snake species, poisonous plants, spiders, bugs, and other animals.

An emergency kit is a very important component to have while camping. You want to bring a kit for any situation that might arise during your camping trip. Take into consideration all the possibilities that nature has to offer, and take precautions for them.

Not only are oranges a great snack for camping, but they also serve as a natural mosquito repellant. Keep the peels when you are finished eating them. Rub the peels on your body and mosquitoes will stay away.

Bring along some interesting activities when planning a camping trip with kids. They might get antsy once you start to get deeper in the forest. In today’s techno society, children may not be accustomed to the great outdoors. This a great way for them to experience the great outdoors.

Always be prepared when on a camping trip. It is important to be prepared for certain situations. However, your plans never unfold exactly how you want them. Injuries, illnesses and the weather can change suddenly. Do what you can to prevent any accidents or illnesses and bring what you need to treat it if it does happen.

Bring along extra flashlights, lanterns and spare batteries when you go camping. Even after the sun is gone, you may need to see. Having ample light sources can prevent falls or surprise encounters with local wildlife. You may want to get each child a flashlight of his or her own if you’re taking kids on your camping trip.

Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags can be purchased for a variety of camping conditions. So bring a lighter sleeping bag for the hotter months out of the year, and a thicker one for the colder months out of the year. You also want to get a sleeping bag that is comfortable to sleep in as well, so test them out.

Be conscious of where you set up camp. You want to avoid erecting your tent near a wasp’s nest or other insect habitats. If you are next to a lot of vegetation, it is a good idea to wear longer sleeves to protect you from insects. It is also a good idea to carry insect repellent.

It is recommended you bring lots of beef jerky and/or trail mix when you go camping. When the sun sets and you get too exhausted to cook that night’s meal, you can cheat once or twice and eat some of those tasty, filling snacks you’ve now decided to pack. They are also convenient because they keep well and don’t need to be refrigerated.

A utility knife is the perfect camping accessory. A utility knife is one of the most versatile and important pieces of equipment that no camper should be without.

When you are putting up your tent, make sure that you find a way to seal all of the seams. You can purchase a tube of tent seam sealer at all good sporting goods stores. This helps to prevent bugs, as well as rainwater, from coming in your tent.

This article has hopefully helped you see that camping can provide hours of enjoyment for everyone. Apply the ideas presented here as a roadmap to planning your next time in the great outdoors. This will allow you to stay away from the bad things so you can enjoy the good things about camping.