Camping can be as simple as pitching a tent in the middle of the wilderness or as elaborate as setting up an RV in a campground fully equipped with electrical hook-ups and showers. Whatever your camping experience, make it stress-free and enjoyable by preparing ahead of time, staying safe and eating great food while you camp.
Packing
Packing the right equipment for your camping trip is one of the keys to a successful trip. Make some phone calls or search the Internet to determine what types of amenities your campground offers. Then, make a detailed list and break the list down into categories, like essentials, clothing, food, clean-up, personal hygiene, gear, emergency items and luxuries. In the essential category, include non-camping items like medical insurance cards, prescription medications, credit cards and cash. For clothing, prepare for any weather situation by bringing rain gear and extra changes of clothing for everyone. Gear includes items such as your tent, sleeping bags, ground covers, stove and backpacks.
Food
As you plan for food, consider how many people are going, how long you are staying and what types of food you enjoy. Count the number of meals you will need, and make your list. Breakfast is your most important meal of the day because it provides you the fuel for all your day's activities. Eat granola, cereal and milk, pancakes and sausage or a breakfast burrito. For snacks, make a trail mix from granola, raisins, peanuts and dried bananas. Bring energy bars and plenty of water while you are hiking on a trail. Make dinner special and quick by cooking your meals in foil packets on a camp stove or fire. You can use dehydrated food packs, but it is easy to make soups, baked potatoes and grilled meat or foil-wrapped salmon packs. Save room for a dessert of s'mores.
Safety
Be prepared to handle any emergency situation. You or someone in your party could be injured or become ill. You could have an encounter with a wild animal, feel unsafe in your surroundings or get lost. Make sure you know how to use a compass, provide first aid and erect an emergency shelter. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends leaving a copy of where you will be each day with a family member and practicing your lifesaving skills before you leave on the trip. When you arrive at the campground, write down the number of the nearest ranger station and know exactly where you are in relation to the station.
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