How To Plan A Safe Camping Trip: Have The Right Tools and Camp Gear

It's getting to be that time of year again! The birds are chirping, the flowers are budding and you are starting to get Spring Fever.

It's time to start thinking about Planning Your Camping Vacation and this Guide will help you to have a Safe and Enjoyable Camping Trip!

Whether you are a seasoned camping and outdoor enthusiast or planning your first camping experience, this guide will get you started in the right direction for planning your outing.

Always remember that safety is the key to having a good time and creating memories for a lifetime.

Here are some helpful safety guidelines for staying safe while camping in the wild:

• Know Your Territory! Before embarking on any outdoor adventure you should be familiar with the area and terrain of the places you plan to camp. Pre-Plan your trip by consulting maps and informational brochures or do research on the web.
• Be Prepared! Most accidents and outdoor mishaps are caused by lack of preparation and planning. Weather can change very quickly in remote areas, particularly at higher altitudes. It can be 90°F at the bottom of a mountain and 30° at the top. Always bring warm clothing just in case!
• Bring a First Aid Kit. Although we hope to never have to use it, packing a First Aid Kit could save your life. Reference the chart to the right to see what items should be in your First Aid Kit. Make sure you pack these goods in a waterproof container.
• Outline Your Entire Trip In Writing and Share It With Someone at Home. In the event that you get lost, stranded or injured, help can be sent quicker if someone not on the trip has your trip information. Include where you plan to stay, for how long, and whatever hiking trips you plan to go on. Many hikers run into trouble when they get lost because they do not have the proper clothing and they didn't tell anyone where they are going!
• Be Aware of Wildlife in the Area. Wild animals behave according to seasons and often move around a large area when mating or looking for food. You should be aware of the population of moose and bears and familiarize yourself with how to deal with an encounter. You should never taunt a bear! If you see one, do not run away or it may chase you. You may desire to carry a loud foghorn to scare them away. You can make loud noises or play dead if the bear is walking towards you. Never approach a bear, particularly a mother bear with cubs. They can be extremely aggressive when protecting their young! Always be careful when storing food in bear country. Never eat in your sleeping quarters or you might get an uninvited visitor during the night! If you are in bear country, hang your food high in a tree (at least 25') so the bears can't get it and are less likely to smell it.
• Be Familiar with Camping Tools. If you have never set up a tent before you should consider practicing at home before you go on your trip. Some tents can be complicated to set up and it would be horrible to start your camping trip by trying to set-up your tent in the dark! If you plan to use and Ax or Hatchet make sure you are familiar with safety and use of these tools. Make sure you understand how camping stoves work and never use a stove inside a tent!
• Only Pack What You Need! Whether you are going low-impact camping or camping at a luxurious campground, don't pack everything but the kitchen sink! Just bring what you need and leave the rest behind. If you bring too much stuff from the real world then your camping trip will be like any other day in your life with the exception of sleeping outside. Consider leaving computers and other electronics at home so that you can really enjoy the outdoor experience.

Being prepared is the most important thing to consider when preparing for a camping trip. Remember to be safe and make sure that you are fully ready and prepared for the unexpected. Nature follows it's own set of rules and weather can change in an instant. Use your head when encountering wildlife and when using potentially dangerous camping tools. If you do, you can have many enjoyable camping memories for years to come!

The checklist below is a list of just about anything you may need while camping. You may add things to the list or leave things that are not important to you at home. Feel free to bookmark this page or print out the checklist for later use!

So you have planned your trip, let people know where you are going and for how long. You have packed your first aid kit, maps and everything else you need to be safe. What happens when you get to camp? Here are some suggestions for making the most of your camping trip:

• Do Some Fishing!
• Go For Hikes
• Go Swimming in Ponds and Lakes
• Have Campfire at night and tell Scary Stories and sing songs! Got an Acoustic Guitar? Brink it along!
• Roast Marshmallows and Hot Dogs over the Fire!
• Build A Lean-To Shelter
• Carve Something out of Wood
• Go Bird Watching
• Meet Other Campers!

There are plenty of fun things to do while camping. Relax, enjoy yourself and above all, be cautious. Camping is a great activity for families and friends. Escaping to the outdoors is a great way to relieve stress and forget about work and everyday life. So start planning your trip and get outside this summer!