We all love camping and being in the outdoors, but nothing will ruin a trip so fast as forgetting to bring essential gear or not being prepared. To have the best camping trip possible it’s important we don’t make mistakes that will leave our tents flapping in the wind…literally!

There are three common camping mistakes that can lead to a lot of regret; missing tent poles and stakes, missing correct cooking gear and utensils, and being unprepared for rain. Each of these common camping mistakes can ruin a perfectly good camping trip in a hurry.

1. Missing Tent Poles/Stakes
There is nothing worse then getting off work early on Friday and driving as fast as you can to meet friends and family at your campsite, only to struggle to erect your camping tent in the dark and find out there are missing tent poles or stakes.

Missing tent poles can easily leave you shacking up with friends or sleeping in your car, not exactly the fun camping trip you had envisioned! It’s important to always check to make sure camping stakes and poles are in your car and with your tent before you leave home.

Having the correct number of camping tent stakes is critical. As you know, a camping tent is just not the same without them. The sides will often lean in and the structure of the tent in wind and rain is compromised without them. If you find yourself stuck without stakes or poles, remember to think outside of the box. You can use sturdy and thin pieces of wood or gear in a pinch.

A great way to make sure they are all present is to number them yourself. That way you can quickly count and check to see all tent poles and stakes are accounted for, before it’s too late.

2. Missing Correct Cooking Utensils
The second most important part of camping is often cooking and preparing the food. It’s tough enough to cook a big meal when you are in your own kitchen, but move the party to the campsite and you can be in for some trouble.

Missing the correct cooking gear and utensils is another big area of frustration for campers everywhere. Not finding something simple like a can opener can ruin a night of cooking and leave anyone without an idea of where to turn next.

Making your camping meal list up before hand and writing the corresponding cooking utensils down next to each meal will save you time and trouble. This idea of listing out each utensil needed to prepare and consume a camping meal will insure you have what you need. Then you won?t have to use a stick to stir that soup.

Another great idea to help with problem of forgetting the correct cooking utensils is to have a box or bag specifically for these items. Having a dedicated camping cooking set that includes all the items you may need will ensure you have what you need to get the job done right!

3. Unprepared For Rain
Who likes being cold and wet on a camping trip? Nothing will make you head home from a weekend camping trip quicker then getting soaked in a hard rain. Camping in the rain can be one of the most challenging things for anyone, so being prepared for wet weather is of the up-most importance. Bring the right rain gear includes everything from a good rain suit, a rain fly for your tent, to extra shoes and clothes.

Having a few tarps to cover gear and keep the bottom of your tent off the mud will always pay dividends when the rain starts falling. Extra clothes and towels will allow you to clean and dry up quickly when you are faced with a sudden rain shower. Preparation is key when it comes to staying dry!

The three most common camping mistakes are things that everyone can relate to. It could be frustration with missing tent poles or stakes, missing cooking supplies, or sudden rain showers that can put our camping trips in jeopardy. Being prepared and organized is the key to success!

Check and Prevent for Ticks

Most camping settings are loaded with ticks just dying to latch onto your dog as a host. Ticks can cause life-threatening diseases for your dog. You should be applying a tick and flea preventative medicine on your dog, such as Frontline Plus, on a monthly basis anyway. This is especially important if you are taking your dog into an outdoor, woodsy setting. Check for tigs regularly on your trip and have a pair of tweezers on hand to remove the entire tick (head included) from your dog.

Bring a Reminder of Home

While dogs love being outdoors, camping can also be anxiety-inducing for them if they do not feel a sense of home or “den” (remember, they evolved from wolves). Bring a special blanket or dog-bed along. Help adjust the dog to the campsite by taking him or her on a leashed walk around the premises before returning to the site of their familiar bed/blanket. This will help build a sense of normalcy for the dog and allow him or her to have a more enjoyable time with you while camping.

Bring Toys

Camping is a great chance for a real rowdy game of a tug-of-war or fetch with your dog. Let them get out all of that inner canine energy with their favorite toys and games in the great outdoors.

Store Food Safely

A loose, open container of dog food is an invitation to whatever animals may be nearby to come inspect. Keep your dog’s food sealed until he or she is ready to eat. If your dog can subsist solely on “wet” dog food for a few days, just bring along a few packages of that and feed him or her at their appropriate feeding time. Just be aware that if your dog is considerably more active while camping than they are normally that their appetite may increase.

Use Common Sense Precautions

Don’t take your dog camping and insist that he or she sleep with you in the tent when it’s 100 degrees with humidity outdoors. Dogs are very prone to heat-related sickness, moreso than humans. Be aware of this and always provide ample water, shade, and resting time for your dog.

Bring poop-scoop bags to clean up your dog’s waste.

Bring a brush and brush him or her nightly to remove various burrs, twigs, etc from their coat.

Make sure your dog has an identification tag.

Bring a leash and stake to tie him or her to, especially if part of your camping itinerary is involves getting rowdy at night; you don’t want your dog wandering off while you’re not paying attention.

Be aware that not all fellow campers and woodland critters are especially fond of your dog. Be responsible and sympathetic to this, especially if your dog is prone to barking or biting at strangers.

But as any experienced camper knows, camping is a great activity that is usually free from such horrors when proper planning and preparation have occurred.

So suppose you want to go camping but are having a hard time convincing a friend or significant other to go with you. You know perfectly well that if you can just get them in the woods, they’ll have a great time. But how do you get them in the woods? Well, here are a few approaches that may yield success:

Compromise

As with all things in life, sometimes you have to give a little to get something you want in return. Offer some type of compromise whether it’s a willingness to try something they want to do that you don’t want to do, telling them you’ll pay for the trip so there is no financial burden on their end, or even just remind them about all of the great things you’ve done for them and how it would mean a lot to you if they tried it out.

Prepare for Success

Remember, when camping with someone, you’re also auditioning to get them to camp with you again. Make it a great experience for them! Camping can be a great time for everyone, so figure out different ways to tweak your camping experience to keep everyone happy. This way, next time you want to go camping you won’t have to twist arms as hard. A good tip is to pinpoint some of the reasons why your companion doesn’t want to go camping and then do what you can to remedy those excuses. For example, if they say they don’t like sleeping on the ground, bring an air mattress with a foam cover. You can usually always make camping fun for anyone.

Know the Fears

Here are the common reasons people don’t want to camp:

• Fear of bugs
• Fear of animal attack
• No showers
• Sleeping on the ground
• Food quality/availability
• Climate discomfort
• Fear of being disconnected from the modern world

By knowing the typical reasons why some people don’t want to go camping, you can adequately prepare your sales pitch to dispel these concerns. Most people who are reluctant to camp can be talked into it as long as they feel like they are in good hands. Just reassure them that you (or a fellow camping companion) do this all the time and that everything will go smoothly. Throw in a little begging and whining and you should be all set.

A good rule of thumb to follow which indicates you are drinking enough water is the color of your urine. The lighter the color, the better. If you notice your urine is a bold, dark yellow, you are not drinking enough water. You should always have water on hand when camping outdoors. Do not embark on a camping or hiking trip without first securing an adequate water source. You may also avoid drinking caffeinated sodas. These are not a water replacement. Caffeine is a diuretic which removes water from your body. It should be avoided on hot summer days when your body needs every bit of water it can get.

Alcohol and camping go hand in hand for many people. That’s perfectly fine, but be aware that alcohol dehydrates the body and heightens the chance of heat stroke. Alcohol should be avoided in the heat with the sun blistering down. But if you insist on drinking, alternate a large serving of water in between every alcoholic beverage to remain hydrated. A better idea, if you insist on drinking, is to do so in the evening when it’s cooler out. Remember, not only is alcohol not a replacement for water, but it actually necessitates even more water. So if you would normally drink 6 glasses of water on a typical day, you probably need to increase that number to 10-12 on a day that includes drinking alcohol. Be prepared to urinate frequently!

The next thing to consider for preparing for the summer heat is clothing. Layers are your friend when it comes to clothing on a summer camping trip. Pack lots of light-weight garments that are light in color and breathable. You’ll need several changes of clothes to help you stay dry throughout the day. In the evening as the temperature cools off, it’s helpful to have several thin layers you can add to stay comfortable. Thin fleece jackets and lightweight sweatshirts are helpful in this regard. A hat is another crucial piece of camping clothing. Protect yourself from sun exposure and decrease heat stroke likelihood by wearing a hat.

Finally, don’t forget to pack sunscreen and bug protection. SPF protection is a must for everyone spending significant time outdoors. The sun’s UV rays do not discriminate and will ruin anyone’s camping trip by giving them a bad sunburn. For bug protection, you can use topical sprays and/or bug repellent candles. Long sleeved clothing will help protect you from being bitten by mosquitoes at night. Apply bug repellent to all exposed skin except the face.

Be prepared and your camping trip will be a blast!

Canadian Rocky Mountains

If you want to camp in one of the most scenic settings in the world, head to the Canadian Rocky Mountains! You will likely find yourself in either British Columbia or Alberta when planning a Canadian Rocky Mountains trip. There are opportunities for more organized, formal camping including tours complete with canoe trips, hikes, rafting, and mountain biking included. Of course, there is always the option to rough-it and be self-sufficient out in the woods among the bears, deer, and elk. Stay in a provincial or national park and enjoy easy access to nearby villages and other amenities like helicopter shuttle to the glaciers. The Canadian Rocky Mountains are a camper’s paradise where just about everyone’s ideal camping trip is ready to be planned and enjoyed!

Alaska

Head north to America’s great treasure waiting to be discovered: Alaska. There are 663,000 almost entirely uninhabited square miles of Alaskan wilderness to discover. That’s more than twice the size of Texas for some perspective! Fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks which are both serviced by many major airlines or make the long drive through Canada - it’s some 48 hours from Seattle to Anchorage - to start your Alaskan camping excursion. The real jewel of the Last Frontier is Denali National Park. The word Denali means “the high one” in the native Athabaskan language. Denali refers to what we know better as Mount McKinley, the tallest peak in all of North America.

Enjoy breath-taking views when staying in Denali. To give some perspective on this great national treasure: Denali National Park is only barely smaller than the state of Massachusetts in terms of total area. There are dozens of camping options and amenities within Denali National Park itself. If you’re lucky, you may get to spot a grizzly bear during your time in Denali. Just don’t get too close!

Montana

With an average of only 6.2 residents per square mile, Montana is a camper’s treasure trove. Montana offers a diverse range of landscapes. The Rocky Mountains run through western Montana. The eastern side of the state is flatter and features more prairies. Camp at the Beartooth Plateau and you’ll be staying on the largest continuous land mass above 10,000 feet in the continental U.S. Stay at Glacier National Park, also referred to as “The Crown of the Continent”, and fish in one over 130 lakes. Don’t forget to tour the glaciers while you’re there! Finally, check out Yellowstone National Park while in Montana. While most Yellowstone resides in Wyoming, about 3% of it is in Montana.

One thing that can become a pet hate when camping is getting soaking wet. Whether than is walking to the local shops or due to the fact that a tent is leaking, getting and staying wet on a camping trip can be an uncomfortable experience. The reality is that there are plenty of things people can do to prevent this from happening!

#1 Sealing The Seams

An unfortunate reality is that not all tent manufacturers are the best. The main leaks tend to occur at the seams. For this reason, try and visit a local camp store and ask for some seam sealant. This will ensure that if there is going to be a leak ? it will not be coming through the seams!!!

Do not just do this once, but do it after every camping season.

#2 The Double Ground Sheet

A ground sheet is designed to keep people camping dry, but it does not always have the desired affect. Sometimes water can collect at the edges and start to seep into the tent. It might seem like there is nothing that can be done ? but there is! Simply fit a sheet underneath the ground sheet and tuck the edges of the ground sheet under it. Instead of the water collecting in the edges, it will trickle off the sides and the sheet will absorb it all.

#3 Keep Everything Indoors

On a nice sunny day, it seems that most campers could not have a care in the world ?and who could blame them? This is what we live for! The reality is that any camper knows the weather can change for the worse ? extremely quickly.

In order to try and protect objects and equipment used during camping, ensure that everything that is not waterproof is kept inside. Of course, some tents are slightly compact so there might not be too much space available. That being said, try to ensure that nothing touches the walls of the tent as this is something that will usually lead to a huge leak!

#4 Get Dry As Soon As Possible

There is no escaping the fact that people might go out and get wet. The trick is to try and dry off clothes as soon as possible. It might be that these people have plenty of spare clothes, in which case they should put the wet clothes and shoes out of the way of everything else.

Conclusion

There are hundreds of tricks and tips to try and help people to stay not just dry, but warm as well. The more tricks people use, the more likely they are to have an extremely good camping trip ? one that they will not forget!

The problem is though, not everyone would consider them selves to be an experienced camper. There is nothing worse than travelling to the perfect camping destination, only to realize that you are missing essential ingredients to make this trip one to remember. A lot of people take things for granted in every day life, so forget them on a camping trip and this will signify the importance of making a list!

A list is essential but to ensure that everything is covered, try and imagine the things that will take place on the camping trip. Eating, drinking, walking, sleeping, sitting, relaxing and going to the toilet? these are all things that need items to help the process run smoothly.

#1 Furniture & Tents

Among the most important is the tent. Before setting off ensure that all pegs, poles and guide ropes are located in the tent bag. Alongside this think about taking the likes of camping chairs, tables (folding ones are usually suitable), sleeping bags, pillows, umbrellas and mattresses (or air beds).

#2 Toiletries

Going to the toilet when camping, can be an uncomfortable experience, for those that are not prepared. Some camping and caravanning sites will have toilets, but if they do not, then you will need a portable toilet. Remember you need things like toilet roll and a waste carrier as well!

#3 Water

A lot of people underestimate the amount of water that they use when camping. Cups of tea, glasses of water, cooking noodles, washing, brushing teeth, cleaning shoes ? these are all activities that need water. In order to ensure you have enough water, take some water containers. Some camping stores will sell collapsible water containers which are ideal for camping as they save space when they are empty.

#4 Gadgets & Accessories

There are a lot of little items that could come useful throughout a camping trip. Think of things like matches & dry wood for lighting fires, a pen knife, lanterns and torches and even shovels! These could get campers out of trouble so are definitely worth taking. The best thing about all of these items is that they take up literally no space at all!

#5 Camping Gear

The reality is that a lot of camping destinations are some of the most picturesque in the World. This means that campers are likely to want to move around and explore. For this they might need the likes of Gore-Tex clothing (keep warm when it is cold and visa versa!), bags, hiking shoes, waterproof jacks and plenty of spare clothes. Do not let a camping trip be ruined due to the lack of correct clothing!

#6 First Aid kit

In case of any injuries, it?s always nice to have a handy first aid kit. Here?s some info about what to have in a first aid kit.

Conclusion

There are hundreds of things that can be taken on a camping trip. Try and map out a day visually and think about the items that will need. Anything item or object comes to mind - jot down. In fact, all these items can be purchased at local camping stores ? so this might be a trip worth making prior to a camping excursion.

Remember; it is better to take to much equipment in comparison to not enough!

Happy camping?

Here are some basic camping first aid tips that any wise camper follows:

Carrying a well-stocked first aid kit

Some must-bring items for a camping first aid kit include:

• Various sizes of bandages and gauze
• Antiseptic creams (like neosporin)
• Stomach medicines (Pepto, Ex-Lax, Tums)
• Tweezers, scissors
• Pain medicines
• Aloe and lotions
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Chapstick
• Burn cream
• Snakebite kit
• Eye drops
• Thermometer
• Smelling salts

Keep yourself prepared for any potential problems with the above-listed items. Stomach medicines are good in case anyone faces intestinal issues on the trip. Tweezers are good for removing thorns while scissors and a knife come in handy for cutting gauze and bandages. Hydrogen peroxide is effective for cleaning out wounds prior to bandaging. Antiseptic creams like neosporin help prevent infection in a wound after it is bandaged. An aloe-vera lotion is effective for relieving pain caused by burns. A snakebite kit may be appropriate depending on what region you are camping in. Eye drops are useful in the event that someone’s contacts begin to dry out. A thermometer is handy for checking someone’s temperature. Smelling salts may be useful if someone in your camping party loses consciousness after a fall. And of course, it is always good to have some asprin or ibuprofen on hand to treat pesky headaches and soreness from sleeping on the ground.

Don’t Overstock

A good first aid kit is usually pretty basic. You don’t need to complicate your trip by bringing too many first aid products. This will only make it more difficult to find the things you actually need in the event of a minor emergency.

Keep Your Kit Updated

A first aid kit that you’ve had sitting in storage for ten years may be as good as worthless. A good rule of thumb is to restock your first aid kit prior to the first camp of every season. Spend ten minutes going through and figuring out what needs to be replaced and what can remain in the kit.

Here are some ways to help make camping rewarding and enjoyable for your kids and their friends.

1. Build enthusiasm about the trip by including them as part of the planning. Take them to the grocery store so they can choose what snacks to bring and what games to play.

2. Make them have some modicum of responsibility during your camping excursion. Even if it’s something as simple as helping set up the tent or collect firewood. Give them some type of task that will help them feel like they’re a contributing hand in making the camping a success. Reassure them that there will be plenty of time for fun and games but that before you can do that, a little work must be done. This work-reward pattern is something many kids in this generation miss out on which is a shame because it’s very character building. You can make the camp chores fun by having awards for most sticks collected, fastest clean-up, etc.

3. Have an array of activities ready that your kids will enjoy. When I was a kid, my Dad brought out a bb-gun and had us shoot at empty cola cans from 30 feet away. I was only about 7 at the time and still remember how awesome it was to shoot a “real gun”! There are so many possible camping activities for kids and many of them are things they never get the chance to do in the city. Consider some of the following:

• Scavenger hunt (first kid to find all items on list wins)
• Rubbing souvenirs (place a leaf vien-side-up under a piece of paper, rub a crayon over the leaf)
• Frisbee, baseball, or football to toss around
• Camping races (one-legged race, sack race, backwards race with teams and partners)
• Alphabet nature hunt (have to find something that starts with each letter)
• Constellation and satellite search at night
• UNO, checkers or other picnic-table games
• Camping Olympics (organize a series of games with points awarded based on finish)
• Hide and seek (nature makes a great place to play hide and seek, just be sure to establish boundaries)

With any competitive event, be mindful of everyone and keep it fun for all. Winners should not be praised too much nor losers chastized. After all, it’s just camping!

4. Use your time out in nature to instill valuable skills with your kids. Teach them about fire safetey. Show them poisonous leaves so they know what to avoid.

5. When in doubt, have fun! I think you could agree that some of the best memories you form as a child take place while camping, so have a blast!

1. Arriving at your campsite exhausted and near dusk. Setting up camp in the dark can be a complete nightmare. Be sure to arrive with a sufficient amount of daylight left so you can get everything situated.

2. Leaving the mattress pad at home. If there’s nothing but the bottom of the tent between your sleeping bag and the ground, be ready for a restless night!

3. Leaving food or trash out overnight. Do this and you can almost certainly expect to wake up and find that an animal of some sorts has ravaged through everything.

4. Thinking a tent for four people will comfortably fit four people. Unless you like sleeping on top of your friends and family, always buy a bigger tent than you think you’ll need. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did.

5. Bringing too much stuff. People, you’re camping! You don’t need to bring your kitchen sink with you. Unless it’s an essential item, leave it at home and rough it up a bit!

6. Letting the dog off leash. Even the most obedient dogs will find it hard to contain themselves in an area full of new smells. Unless you want to be walking through the woods calling out “Sparky!? Sparky?!” all night, consider keeping your best friend curbed.

7. Setting up camp near a cliff. Going to the bathroom in the middle of the night should not be a life or death matter.

8. Bringing insufficient drinking water. If there’s one thing you don’t want to skimp on, it’s drinking water. Think about how much you think you’ll need and bring double.

9. Not bringing enough blankets. Do you know how cold it gets at night when you’re sleeping outdoors? Oh, double up on the socks too!

10. Leaving the flashlight at home. Bring several flashlights and spare batteries for each of them.

11. Forgetting bug repellent and/or sunscreen. Both of these items are crucial to enjoyable camping.

12. Not cleaning up. Camp responsibly. Clean up after yourself before you leave. The only evidence of you having been there should be your fond memories.

13. Building a fire or using a stove inside a tent. This is incredibly stupid. A torrential downpour is still no reason to start a fire in a tent. Never start a fire in a tent.

14. Setting up a beach campsite below the high water mark. Usually high tide is around midnight. If you set up camp close to the water line during the day, you’re likely to wake up to a wet campsite. You should be able to detect evidence in the sand of the high tide point from the night before. Set up camp considerably behind that mark.

15. Cooking elaborate meals. Even if you have a stove or grill, cooking at a campsite is nowhere near as nice as cooking in your kitchen. Keep the meals simple and easy!