Camping is a great activity that allows you to get away. Without proper planning and preparation, your trip can turn into a disaster. Prepare in advance to avoid this and keep your “must have” list handy when preparing for your trip.

If you’re camping with kids, try a “jungle breakfast”. Bring several, small boxes of easy-to-fix foods, such as cereals, fruits, snacks, and other quick, yet healthy, meals. When they wake up, they’ll have to search the “jungle” for breakfast. This is a great alternative way to keep your kids happy while camping.

Try to add an activity having to do with swimming to your camping trip if at all possible. You may miss the shower at your home when you are camping. Swimming can help you feel a little cleaner.

Make sure you arrive at the campground before it gets dark. If you have an RV, find a secure place to park. Locate a flat area of dry ground if you plan to pitch a tent. Doing this during daylight hours will save you hassle and frustration. By setting up camp during the daylight, you can avoid the frustration associated with setting up camp.

Duct Tape

Pack the duct tape. Duct tape is good for so many things. You can use it to repair holes in tents, inflatables, shoes and just about anything else you can think of.

Buy some camping pillows. Regular pillows do not hold up well in the outdoor air. The moisture in the air can also cause mildew. Specialized pillows for campers feature protective fabric that resists moisture absorption.

Always pack enough food and the right kind. Depending on the length of time of your outing, you need to have plenty of non-perishable food. Food poisoning can ruin your trip in no time. This will make it easier to avoid food poisoning.

Camping is about being one with nature and living off the basics, but it is important to go prepared. A sleeping bag is a must, and extra blankets should also be considered. This helps to make sure that you are comfortable at night when it is chilly.

Camping Trip

Pack extra flashlights and plenty of batteries for your camping trip. It is important to see clearly at night, especially if you are venturing away from your site. Having ample light sources can prevent falls or surprise encounters with local wildlife. If you have children with you on your camping trip, a smart thing to do is to give each of them a flashlight.

Make sure you choose a sleeping bag that is appropriate for where you will be camping. 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. If you are spending the night in a tent in cold weather, a bag that hugs your body and traps your body heat is essential.

When camping with kids, have a photo of them at hand. If you lose them at some point, a picture will be very helpful to local authorities. When camping far away from your house, remember to bring one in case of an emergency.

Beef Jerky

It is always a good idea to bring plenty of trail mix and/or beef jerky when you are planning a camping trip. After a long day of outdoor activities, you will often feel too drained of energy to prepare a hot meal, so the availability of nutrient-filled snacks, such as trail mix an beef jerky, can be a real lifesaver. As an added benefit these snacks have a long shelf life, so if you do not eat them while camping you can enjoy them for months to come.

First aid and survival kits are essential to bring while camping. Without such kits, you may have to end your camping trip early if an unfortunate incident occurs. Also, you can prevent dire situations and help you to get a sick person some help.

As previously mentioned in this article’s introduction, in general, camping is fun. Unfortunately, it can also be miserable if you are not prepared for what may come your way. The great thing is that if you use the information above fully, you will almost surely have a wonderful time. Most important of all, make sure you have a great time.