No one wants their camping trip to be ruined by mosquitoes. Check out the following information on how to keep mosquitoes away while you?re camping.

The first thing you need to do is to protect yourself. This means wearing long sleeves and long pants whenever practical based on the weather. Mosquitoes seem to be attracted to darker colors, so choose light colors when you can. If you?re camping in an area where mosquitoes are prevalent, you might also want to consider treating your clothing with special mosquito repellents made for clothing or perhaps investing in pre-treated clothing. However, be aware that the repellents that are designed for clothing can?t be applied to the skin. Follow the manufacturer?s instructions regarding their use and laundering.

The parts of your person that aren?t covered by clothing should be treated with a mosquito repellent. The most effect ones contain various concentrations of DEET. Depending on the concentration, a product with DEET can protect you from 2-5 hours without re-application. There are also some naturally-derived repellent products on the market, but they require more frequent reapplication to be effective.

If you don?t want to have to worry about slathering on some repellent, there are some products that are available in the form of towelettes, which may be easier for you to carry around. Whatever you choose, follow the label directions carefully when it comes to application and removal. Don?t apply mosquito repellent to broken or irritated skin, or to skin that will be covered by clothing. If you don?t have a combination sunscreen and mosquito repellent product, you?ll usually get better results by applying sunscreen first, then the repellent. Don?t forget the back of your neck!

Now that you have your person protected, it?s time to think about your campsite. First, your tent should have a mesh door ? keep it closed at all times to keep mosquitoes out. This is also a good time to think about using that mosquito repellent for fabrics again. If thing are really bad, you can even use a mosquito net inside your tent. Netting is also a good way to protect yourself when you?re sitting outside and eating or cooking. Many outdoor stores sell square tent-like structures with net on the sides to keep mosquitoes away from your campsite.

A camp fire is also good for keeping mosquitoes at bay, as they don?t like the smoke. Depending on your camp site, you may or may not be able to have a campfire and you may or may not be permitted to keep it burning all night. Always follow the rules and regulations of the site where you?re camping.

In areas where mosquitoes or other flying pests are prevalent, you may want to consider treating the area. One of the newer products available is a portable device that uses butane to infuse the air with repellent over a 15 foot by 15 foot space. There are models designed especially for camping, as well as mini-models designed for easy portability. Just a few of these would provide effective mosquito protection over your entire camping area, allowing you to enjoy your camping trip without the constant threat of mosquitoes.

Do you want to get more exercise, but find fitness clubs occasionally a bit boring, repetitive, competitive, or fluorescently lit for your motivational needs? Perhaps you could use a little more fresh air and sunshine while climbing the virtual hills on your stair climber? It is likely that hiking is just the activity to motivate your mind rejuvenate your body.

Hiking is a truly wonderful way to get some really good exercise in a healthy environment while enjoying the unique wonders that nature has to offer. There is nothing in an indoor fitness club that really compares to the refreshing air, the smell of flowers and trees, and the warm feeling of the sunshine on your skin producing some nice vitamin D to nourish your body. If the weather is right then now is the time to recoup any missed opportunities at natural bliss.

Hiking often seems, due to popular media and so forth, to conjure up images of people with huge mountain boots and potentially gigantic backpacks to carry on their potentially rigorous adventure through the wilderness. Taken to the extreme they may be carrying a pair of hiking poles and maybe even a knife to cut through any vegetation which may be in the way of their expedition into the vast unknown. This conceptual image of human against nature is a great misnomer and likely the reason that more people are sitting at home watching a rerun of a sitcom rather than out enjoying a refreshing hike through nature right now. Modern towns and cities can often be so void of natural vegetation that one can even forget what it is like to smell the dazzling myriad of refreshingly vibrant flora that abounds in natural environments. A patch of grass in the forest, no bigger than the size of a human, can potentially be more entertaining than any show on television. Looking closer and closer, one can see further and further mindboggling layers of the organic wonderland.

All you really need for a good hike is a pair of shoes that are comfortable to walk in. You don?t even need them, if you are hiking in a nice area and the weather is nice. We aren?t talking about trekking in the wilderness on a six-month expedition, just an hour or a few enjoying an invigorating walk through nature. It is advisable to bring a bottle of water or juice if you are hiking for more than an hour, as it is obviously wise to stay hydrated. It?s best to carry it in a small backpack or just use a small hydration backpack.

Finding a good spot to enjoy should be easy with the advent of the internet. You can likely even view the location with Google Maps or other such services. Once you have a good idea of the location, either check the forecast or be spontaneous and go on days when the weather inspires you most.

Once you start enjoying exercise in nature, it is likely that it will enhance much more than just your bodily fitness. You may even realize that you have found an even healthier health club that is free and has always been available to you.

Nothing ruins your camping trip like a brush with poison ivy, a pesky bee sting or other minor injury. Unfortunately, there’s no way to guarantee you won’t encounter any of these inconveniences, but you can be prepared to deal with them. Read on for more advice on packing a camping first aid trip and treating minor first aid concerns.

First, one of the most important things you need to take with you on your camping trip is a good first aid kit – a box of band-aids and some Neosporin just won’t cut it. A good first aid kit should include all of the following:

Band-aids in a variety of sizes and sizes
Sterile wound dressings
Bandages (crepe and elastic)
Antiseptic fluid
Eyebath and eye drops
Q-tips
Adhesive surgical tape
Thermometer
Scissors
Safety pins
Tweezers
30+ SPF sunscreen
Insect repellent
Insect bite lotion (Stingose or calamine lotion)
Pain relief tablets
Antihistamine tablets

Most camping stores sell pre-packed first aid kits that contain all of these items, although you may need to supplement it with additional items. It’s also a good idea to include an extra supply of any prescription medications you take in your first aid kit.
But a first aid kit alone won’t treat your maladies. Print out the following tips and carry a copy in your first aid kit so that you’ll know how to cope with any incidents that occur.

Bee Stings – If you know you’ve been stung by a bee, take the following steps:

1. Scrape the stinger out using a knife edge or fingernail. Don’t squeeze the area, as this will only inject more venom.
2. Apply a cold compress or take antihistamines to reduce pain and swelling.
3. If you experience any allergic reaction with bee stings, including rash, hives or swelling of the tongue or throat, seek medical attention immediately.

Ticks – Ticks are nasty, blood-sucking nuisances that live in the woods and fields of campgrounds, and that can carry Lyme Disease and other bugs. Treat tick bites with the following steps:

1. Spray the tick with tick repellent spray or dab with kerosene.
2. Using tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upwards, removing as much of the tick as possible.
3. Treat the bite area with antiseptic and cover with a bandage.
4. Save the tick – if you experience any unusual rashes or symptoms in the following days, seek medical attention and have the tick tested.

Scrapes and Scratches – There are numerous opportunities for scrapes and scratches on the campground. If you find yourself affected, take the following steps:

1. If you notice bleeding, wash the injury and remove any debris.
2. Cover with a clean bandage and apply pressure to the area.
3. If the bleeding stops quickly, cover the wound with antiseptic cream and a clean bandage.
4. If the bleeding does not stop, apply additional bandages on top of the original, maintain pressure and elevate the affected area above the heart. Seek medical attention if the bleeding is severe.

Dehydration – Spending all day in the sun can quickly lead to dehydration if you aren’t careful. If you feel excessively thirsty or nauseous, or if your skin looks pale and clammy, take the following steps:

1. Rest in the shade or in a cool place
2. Remove any unnecessary clothing
3. Drink cool water

If symptoms don’t go away, or if you begin to sweat profusely, feel headachy or confused, seek medical attention – you may have more serious heat exhaustion or heat stroke.