Many people have preconceived notions about camping such as how boring it is and the potential insect bites. This is not the case! By taking the time to properly plan, you can avoid nasty bugs, eat well and have a wonderful time. Continue reading to learn more about ensuring the trip is a fun success.

Let everyone know they have a say in the campsite and should help pick a favorite spot. Discuss which state you wish to visit. The options are plenty, so do your research! To make your decision easier, pick a few favorites and then vote on the final choice.

Try out your tent before going camping by testing it out at home. It will help you make sure that all of the parts are included and learn how to set it up right. This can eliminate the frustration of trying to set up your tent in a hurry.

Try to find a campsite that is closer to your house for your convenience when on your first trip. That way, if problems arise, you won’t be too far from help. You may run out of supplies early. Lots of calamities can befall new campers, so sticking close to home at first is wise.

Duct Tape

Did you know that a roll of high-quality duct tape is a great item to take camping with you? Duct tape is very useful camping, the same as it is at home. It is perfect for fixing an air mattress. It is also useful for taping up tears in tents, tarps or sleeping bags. If someone’s shoe falls apart while out and about, it can hold shoes together quite nicely. Applied to the foot itself can prevent blisters. In a pinch, it can even serve as a bandage for injuries.

Packing all the essentials is vital to the success of your camping venture. Omitting just an item or two can be calamitous. It may be helpful to make a list of everything you need and cross it off the list when you pack it. Don’t forget to include your sleeping bag, water, knives, prepared food, hand gel, soap, and your tent.

Flashlights are imperative to bring while camping as there is minimal light in the wilderness. Once the sun has set it is nice to have a source of light. Light can also help to illuminate the wildlife that is around you. If you have kids with you on your camping trip, hand each of them a flashlight.

Find a great location to set up your camper. Don’t set up camp near wasps or other insect homes. If you are by plants or flowers, bring pants to block insects. This way you ensure your safety as much as possible.

Every camper should possess a basic utility knife. This knife is a must-have for campers, and you should have a spare in case something happens to the first one.

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. This allows you to help someone should they become injured.

Learn how to read a map or use a compass ahead of time. Even if you are returning to a campsite you know well, the area could have changed and you could become lost. Knowing how to use them can save you from a disaster.

So many people suffer from food poisoning because food is not stored and prepared correctly. If your food is not preserved, canned or vacuum sealed, you run the risk of getting food poisoning from spoiled food. Pack a lot of ice with you to keep any food that needs to be cold as cold as it can be, and drain your cooler out frequently to avoid wet food.

By now you can see that camping can be quite entertaining. Utilize the advice found here to help you plan a terrific camping excursion. That way, you’ll be able to avoid the camping pitfalls and enjoy all the good things about it.