Camping Tips and Preparation Guide

Summer camping is somewhat different than winter camping. They are both equally fun in activities and being outside but they are also equally dangerous if not taken serious enough.

Whether you're camping in the middle of January or spending a weekend camping in July you will have to be properly prepared for the possibility that anything and everything can and just might happen.

Here are a few things you can add to your preparation lists when you go camping this summer.

Choosing a Location

There are several things to keep in mind when it comes finding a good place to camp but here are the top three.

Bathroom Facilities. Those who are new to camping sometimes think there will be nice facilities where they can shower for free as long as they like, have an abundance of privacy and take hot water for granted.

Not all campgrounds have nice bathrooms. Some of them are down right nasty. Not many campgrounds have showers. When you choose a campground, call the managers and inquire about the bathrooms. Ask if they have showers.

Find out how often the bathrooms are cleaned. If you absolutely can't live without your curling iron, blow dryer or other electric gadgets ask them if they provide electrical outlets.

Pottable Water. Pottable water is water that can be used for consumption. It's always good to bring your own bottled water for cooking and drinking, that way you don't have to worry about contracting a disease or something worse.

Family Environment or Adult Playground. If you found your campground online be sure to read through the about us pages. There are not many adults' only campgrounds around. If you're planning on taking the whole family find out what kind of atmosphere is encouraged by the campground staff and other campers.

Some of the best family campgrounds provide outdoor movie theaters, classes, workshops and other activities for families and/or just kids. Camping families sometimes like to mingle with other campers. My kids have the most fun at Manyane Centre at Pilanesburg. It's a place where all the kids get together after dinner and play flashlight hide-n-seek or just hang out. Pay attention to things like playground areas, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and paved areas for bicycles and skateboards

Make Lots of Lists

As soon as you decide where you're going, sit down and start making lists. Make separate lists to help eliminate confusion. Make one list for food, another for clothing and another for first aid supplies. The more lists the better. I also like to make lists for dishes, sleeping necessities, grooming supplies and all the activity equipment. When it comes time to buy camping gear speak to someone who has camped before.

It's also important for kids to have lists so that they can feel like they are a part of the trip. Give them a clothing list and activity list specifically explaining how many toys and what kinds of toys they can take. Many kids carry iPods, cell phones, cd players, gameboys and other electronic items for those moments where they're too tired to do anything but sit around the campfire.

Dealing with the Heat

Just like you have to have proper clothing for cold weather camping, you also have to have proper clothing for hot weather camping. Take plenty of shorts, t-shirts, sandals and a bathing suite of course. But in addition to that consider taking Sunblock, hats and sunglasses. Spending long hours in the sun can cause heat exhaustion or sever sunburn. The head is no exception.

Sunblock; Need I say more? Take lots and lots of it with you. You will spend a small fortune buying Sunblock at any convenience store close to a campground. Coppertone makes a cool spray on kind that works great and doesn't' smell so bad either. I am extremely fair skinned and more than a little phobic about the sun so I go straight for the SPF40. Higher SPF means more protection.

Insects will be everywhere, especially at night when the mosquitoes come out. The heat combined with the moisture in the air draws mosquitoes out at night and they tend to buzz around lakes, rivers and ponds. Purchase some really good mosquito repellant. The best kind to use is the deep wood repellant good for ticks, mosquitoes and other insects. Citronella candles on the picnic table at night as well as citronella oil tiki torches are great too.

Water Safety

Hundreds of people, and probably more, drown each year in lakes, rivers and oceans. Make sure your family takes the proper precautions when swimming. Don't mix alcohol and swimming. It's far too dangerous when your body loses coordination. Provide life jackets for anyone that is not a strong swimmer. Do not leave children unsupervised near or in the water. Pay attention to rules around lakes regarding boats and fishing areas. Know where it is safe to swim and where there is a danger of fishing line and hooks.