How about some time under the stars? Camping isn’t just a favorite pastime for no reason. For the most pleasant and safest trip possible, however, it is best to keep some basics in mind. The piece that follows offers terrific tips on how to get ready for a camping trip.

While it may be that there’s enough wood around to keep a fire going for a long time, some of the wood may be wet and cannot burn no matter what you try. To prevent this problem, bring along a few pieces of your own wood. Make sure to keep that wood dry in your car or another secure location.

Take along a survival kit and carry it at all times. You need to pack a flare gun, utility knife, matches and a first aid kit. This kit may just be what helps you to stay alive in case you get lost or something bad happens and you’re stuck outside for longer than planned. Remember to take it everywhere you go when you’re away from your campsite.

Make sure you know what the weather will be before going on your trip. There are numerous websites that can provide you with this information. Armed with the forecast, you can prepare yourself with appropriate clothing and camping gear.

If possible, incorporate swimming into your camping trip. Many people miss a nice warm shower while camping. Swimming can help you feel a little cleaner.

You can use dryer lint to kindle your campfire. Several weeks prior to your trip, start gathering up everything that collects in your lint trap. Collecting lint in a bag will allow you to have a fire building tool for your trip. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.

Bring oranges not only to eat but also to deter mosquitoes. After you’ve eaten the flesh of the fruit, save all the peels. When you need bug repellant, rub the peels on your skin to repel mosquitos naturally and on the cheap!

Don’t forget to include special pillows made just for camping on your adventure. Standard bed pillows can become hot and sticky in humid weather. The will also pull moisture from the air and mildew will form quickly. Camping pillows have a protective coating on them to prevent the absorption of moisture.

Food is one of the most important items to bring while camping. Depending on the length of your stay, you will want food that is not very perishable. A bout of food poisoning can end a wonderful trip very quickly. Always prepare food the right way and take extra precautions.

As you can see by now, there are many things you should do to plan for your camping trip. Remember to use some of the suggestions offered in order to have a safe and enjoyable time camping with your family and friends.