Travel and Leisure Articles

Are you looking for some camping help because you’re just not that experienced in the world of the great outdoors? I’ve always thought that the more prepared you are, the better off you’ll be for it. Looking on the internet for tips and advice like you’re doing right now is certainly an excellent way for you to start. There’s lots of information out there for you.

I love camping and everything to do with it. I love the outdoors, camp fires, cooking, sleeping in a tent, hiking, really anything you can think of that’s related to camping. I love getting away from the noise and the lights and cell phones and just making things simple for a few days. It’s an excellent way to recharge and you never really appreciate how quiet life can be until you make the effort to get away from it.

However it’s very important to be aware that you need to do it right. You need to be prepared. Have a plan and stick to it. Maybe even have a back up plan. If you’re deep in the wilderness then it could be a wise idea to have a back up plan because you never know what conditions will change while your hiking, paddling etc…

You will only experience the true serenity camping has to offer if you’re willing to venture away from everybody else and be alone with your partner or small group. If you’re a little worried about getting away like that for your first time out then it’s likely in your best interest to camp at a family campground. You can get used to sleeping in a tent and on a mattress and learn how to pack efficiently so that when you are ready to head out for the real thing, you’ll be as ready as you can be.

So here’s some camping help for those that think they need it…

Be prepared. There are alll sorts of free camping lists available on the web to help you know how to pack. Use these and tailor them to your needs. There are certain things on them that you will need certainly so use your head. Clothes that dry quickly, extra matches, etc.

Safety should be a priority and it’s very prudent to have a first aid kit with you because you can be a little far away from help if you happen to need it. It’s better to be prepared. You may not need to use it but you’ll be glad to have it if you do need it.

When you’re camping help protect yourself by being sure you don’t keep food or any other “nice” smelling stuff in your tent. Food and things like toothpaste and deodorant can attract animals and depending on the area you’re camping in this could be anything from inconvenient to downright bad. Animals tend to be more of a problem at family camping sites. The problem is that they’re used to people being there and know the site has become a food source for them. They’re less afraid of the people and tend to be a little more bold. The biggest concern would be raccoons and such but if you’re in an area where there are bears you need to be aware that they will look for food. It’s what they do. There are plenty of videos out there documenting how bears can even break into cars to get food. They can cause property damage and on rare occassions be a threat to humans so do not put food in your tent. Food is best kept at least 100 feet away from your tent, tied up off the ground between two trees (not in a tree) so no animals can get to it.

Another good bit of camping help is to be sure you don’t sleep directly on the ground at night. I like to use a self inflating mattress to sleep on but you can use a cot or even an air mattress too. The ground will suck every ounce of heat out of you in cooler weather and make things most unenjoyable for you. The best way to stay warm at night is to stay off of the ground. Don’t rely solely on your sleeping bag to do the work for you. It won’t. A good bag is best used in conjunction with a good sleeping pad that has a decent insulation rating. This will ensure you stay warm and comfortable all night long and you will sleep better as a result. In fact you may be suprised at how well you sleep.

Camping is fun and relaxing and can be a great time for you and your family or friends but you have to be prepared. Knowing what you need is the first step in the rigt direction for your first trip to be a success. Be sure to do the legwork and know what you need. You’ll fall in love with camping. I have no doubt that you will. Most people do.

Camping can be a very exciting activity for the children. It is often regarded by parents as an opportunity to bond with their kids during the weekends. Moreover, it will also be an opportunity to teach your kids new things about the environment and some life skills. You can develop team work and cooperation between your children while camping.

However, you should note that bringing your kids out to camp is not just a matter of pure fun and excitement. Rather, it brings certain responsibilities. To make sure that you can make the most out of your aspired camping experience, below are some tips that you should apply.

Involve your children in your plans

Make sure that your children are involved in planning for the camping activity. Let them play a part in choosing the camping site. However, as they make the choice, make sure that you explain to them the activities that they can do and the kind of environment that awaits them in their chosen camping ground.

Let them decide the camping activities

Aside from letting the kids choose the camp site, let them decide the camping activities that all of you will engage in. Choose camp games and activities that are quite exciting, entertaining, informative, and educational. Also, make sure that each of your children has camp responsibilities that fit their age and actual capabilities. You can ask them to help with the cooking, cleaning, or collecting firewood based on their capability.

Let them pack their own bags

Let your children pack their own things for the camping trip. However, you should provide them with a basic checklist in order to make sure that they will not forget to bring all the necessary tools and equipment needed. Also, you should double check their bags before you set out for your camping adventure.

Do a dry run in your own back yard

If your children are going out to camp for the first time, it will be best if you do a test camp out in your own backyard. Aside from the fact that such can be a good bonding activity as well, this will help you assess whether your children are really ready for an outdoor camping activity.

Teach them about basic camping rules

Before you bring your children to the campsite, make sure that they are well aware of the basic camping rules. This will not only keep them safe. Instead, such will also keep you and your kids out of harm’s way. Tell them where exactly are they allowed to play and run around, what time is the curfew, what their tasks are, and other rules and regulations.

Pack emergency first aid kits

Never forget to bring emergency first aid kids for yourself and the children. Be aware of the fact that since children are quite playful and sometimes careless, they are highly at risk for a wide variety of potential dangers out in the camping site.

Assign partners or buddies

If you are planning to bring four or more children, assign partners or buddies. Explain to them that they are tasked to look after each other and they are supposed to watch out for each other at all times. This can help you manage your young companions a lot easier.

When you are on your camping trip along with your family you want to make sure that you can enjoy yourself and relax. The best way to do this is to be prepared. Safety is a key factor when you are on a camping trip. There are many precautions you need to consider, and a lot of planning that you must do before going on your camping trip. Camping is meant to be fun for the whole family but dangers do lurk when you’re in the outdoors or woods.

When planning your trip you should research the area you are planning to vacation in. On the date you have planned for you camping trip, you should check to see what the weather is going to be like. You should also check where the nearest hospital is that has an emergency room. Make sure that you take a first aid kit with you.

First aid kits are important when camping in case someone falls or develops a rash or any skin irritations. Insect repellent should also be taken as well as citronella candles or torches. Radios can be helpful if there is a storm develops. Camping outside in a tent can be adventurous, or even dangerous depending on weather conditions. This is why your choice of campground should have a ranger or personnel on site. Many have personnel on site to make sure that animals do not wander near tourist’s camping area. Be aware of potential dangers from wild animals in the area where you are staying.

Also when going camping, you should have communication devices such as two way radios to pass out to your family if separated. However, most of us have cell phones. Make sure that your cell phones have coverage in the area where you are camping and that all batteries are fully charged. Camping is supposed to be safe and fun for the whole family. All there left to do now is enjoy your camping trip.

So, what’s our experience you want to know? Whom are we to tell you what to do about camping?

Instead of asking more questions, read the entire article and by the time you are finished you will have all the answers.

Before you go anywhere, decide what kind of camping experience you want. Are you looking for real rugged, outdoors along with bears? Then choose most of the Pennsylvania State Parks. Looking for more civilized camping, try the New York State Parks.

FIRST, TOTAL ESSENTIALS for comfortable camping (in state parks):

• Know that camping inside a state park is no safer than camping or living anywhere else in the country.
• So, security, health and safety should be on your mind before you begin your trip.
• As a beginner, you will do well by first calling the state parks office and asking for a map of the place and any or all brochures of the campsites. You can find this information online also at the park’s websites.
• IF this is your first time camping out, take a buddy, and also choose a campsite that is closest to the park office (if there is one) and closest to the bathrooms, showers or soda machines. (Some sites have those).
• Look at the map and note whether there are bathrooms or outhouses (Yes, there are some that still have outhouses, i.e. in Pennsylvania and in Ohio). Choose what you like and then select your park or campsite.
• Research the temperature of the climate that you will be visiting; check for upcoming storms and bad weather . PLAN your trip.
• INQUIRE about the park’s regulations on animals. (You can find out if you can bring a pet or not).
• Do not bring any pets, even if allowed into certain country campsites (where there might be wildlife). You risk your pet getting diseases and you risk your pet getting eaten, maimed or killed. You also attract bears by bringing pets into the campsites. (Some campsites have bears because they are in the middle of game lands or in the middle of vast state parks).
• IF you must bring a pet, bring a kennel, minimal wet food, and bring gear to dispose of the food and waste. (Leave no trace)!
• If you want a campsite that has it’s own library (in camp season), visit Wildwood State Park in New Jersey.
• If you want a real wilderness experience, visit most of the Pennsylvania state parks.
• If you want “civilized” camping, (with real showers, restrooms, electricity to charge your phones, water spigots at campsites) try Hecksher State Park in Long Island, New York.
• If you want to feel like you have been to HEAVEN-on earth- make your reservation nine months in advance and reserve your spot at Hither Hills State Park in the Hamptons, New York. This place is every bit worth the wait and the preparation. (Bring zip lock bags and waterproof bags because this is the wettest campsite around - just a few feet from our ocean). We woke up in the morning and found EVERYTHING damp - money soaked, etc, even though we camped 30 feet from the ocean and the ocean never touched out campsite. The moisture in this place is unbelievable. (If you bring electronics here - your phone, etc, bring a water bucket and store your electronics in there to keep them dry.

Those, listed above, are just the basics.

Other things to prepare for. What if it rains? You can buy a small tarp at the dollar store or at any hardware store. Place this tarp over your tent if it rains. Most tents are not waterproof and even the ones that advertise that can be a little wet in a bad storm.

THINGS TO KEEP YOU DRY:

1. Old, clean shower curtains.
2. Tarps.
3. Old, clean plastic table cloths.
4. Rain ponchos (as opposed to rain coats). Ponchos , large ones can double as tent cover.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Keep food OUT of the tent at all times. This gives you good camping background training. Even if you are camping out in a place where there is no wildlife, get into the habit of eating OUTSIDE and far from your tent. Then when you do camp out where there are bears, you already have good camping habits. Besides, keeping food out is the same as keeping uncovered food out of your bedroom. You do not want to attract bugs or other creatures that might be hiding anywhere in the building or anywhere outdoors.
• At Hecksher State Park, you might find unwelcome visitors (little people) trying to come in your tent when you are gone (to the pool, etc), so bring along “cable ties” and use them to lock your tent up while you are away . Cut the ties with a manicure scissor or small wire cutter when you return. You can purchase cable ties anywhere in most cities. This cable tie lets you know if anyone has “visited” your campsite while you were away. If the cable tie is broken when you get back, fully inspect your tent for rips, bugs and other creatures that might have entered while your tent was being visited. It is important to check for spiders in this campsite. Spiders are rampant all over Hecksher. You see them when you take the fly off of your tent before leaving. You will view unbelievable collections of spiders under and near your tent.
• When camping with kids or camping and using ‘gear” - baseballs etc. Set up a tiny ‘gear tent”. You can buy a child’s tent for under twelve dollars. By storing gear in this separate tent, you save wear and tear on your regular tent’s zipper and also keep the tent CLOSED to all the insects and other things around the campsite. You will sleep better at night knowing that your main tent zipper was only opened a few times as opposed to having the door opened continuously all day to get “gear” out. This saves the floor of your tent also.
• If you are determined to have a dry tent in a very rainy season or wet campsite. Put a large TARP on the floor of your tent. This will keep most of the floor dry and will make you happy.
• Many people use TARPS on the outside of the tent, under the tent, so they have no messy mud on the bottom of the tent when they are ready to pack up. (YOU can have mud on the floor bottom, underneath, even if it is not raining outside; so use the tarps). IF You use the outdoors tarp under your tent, the tarp must be SMALLER than the bottom of the tent. You do not want any of the tarp sticking outside the tent on the floor. If that happens, all the rain will pool in the small bits of tarp that show and the rain will seep underneath your entire tent.

VITALLY IMPORTANT:

If you are camping at a NEW place for the first time and you have children or babies that you are bringing on this camping trip - PLAN a trip BEFORE your regular camping trip and go there without the children or babies. Camp there alone first.

We did this once, just as a precaution. We didn’t know anything about Hecksher and we went camping there first before we planned to take children there. Good Plan!!

What we discovered is that this particular state park is the QUEEN of Mosquito Heaven! Within less then 20 minutes that we were there, we had mosquito bites all over our body. (This doesn’t happen at all parks. Hecksher is notorious for mosquitoes and spiders.

So, on the regular trip with the kids, we took lots of repellent and we knew what to do .

So, when camping ANYWHERE with children, visit the site yourself first–without bringing the kids, just in case there is something that you should know about that particular camping site.

Wherever you camp, these things are essential:

• water-tight bags, water proof bags
• flashlights, batteries, or solar flashlights
• plastic bucket or pail
• soap and disinfectant
• bug spray
• tarps/ tent /tarp
• and other camping basics (Read our other articles about camping)
• Water and or the ability to find or locate water (pack iodine water-purifying pills if you can)

We hope you enjoyed this article about camping. In future articles, we will focus on senior camping, camping at the beach, and camping with wildlife -yes, there are many state parks that have bears, and pesky raccoons. Some of our other camping articles feature topics such as how to choose a tent and even which tent to choose. You want to know where the BEST tent is? We have the answer.

Best Tent (In My Opinion): I have tried many different brands of tents, including one brand that had no name. I do have my own opinions about tents. I have been using tents since before 1998. I have tried and tested larger family-type tents, smaller tents, backpacking tents and even beach tents. I have found that my most favorite ones are Eureka tents. (You can get these tents very reasonable at the end of camping season. Try not to pay full price for camping equipment because it is available in larger sporting goods stores and in some department stores. If you wait until end of season to purchase your tents, you will get great discounts.

Read our other articles about camping that will be online in April, 2008.

There are those days when you want some time alone but you really need a companion. In such cases, you can spend some time with your best friend- your dog. If you are planning to take your dog out on a camping activity, the best place would be somewhere which you haven’t explored before. Basically, just like you, your dog will love new sights and places to explore. However, before you actually take your dog out, you have to be prepared. Below are some things that you should consider when camping with your furry buddy:

a. Before your camping trip, make sure that you have made a pre-traveling vet visit. This will ensure that your dog is fit for traveling and for exploring outdoors. When checking with your dog’s veterinarian, make sure that your dog will have all the appropriate shots and vaccination needed particularly the Lyme disease vaccine. Do not forget to get a rabies tag that you can attach to your dog’s collar.

b. Before you set out on your trip, make sure that your dog has a proper license matched with an appropriate ID tag. Make sure that your dog’s tag has your name, contact numbers, and residential address. You can also try having temporary tags that will carry your name along with your prospect camping site.

c. When going outdoors with your dog, make sure that you bring a copy of the prescriptions provided by the veterinarian. Make sure that you don’t forget the medications.

d. Determine how you are going to travel with your dog. If you are going to take public utility vehicles or rented cars, you should consider using a crate during the travel. However, do not forget to bring the dog’s collars and restraints for short walks wherever such is appropriate.

e. Do not forget to pack for your dog. Make sure that you bring a lot of food and water for him. To make sure that no problems occur, bring the actual food and drinking bowl of your dog. Make sure that you follow the dog’s usual feeding routine and schedule.

f. If you are bringing a puppy, make sure that you don’t forget his dog brush and his chew toy. Otherwise, your tools and your camping gear might be his next toy.

g. Do not forget to bring extra dog equipment such as extra food bowls, extra leashes, and extra collars. Keep in mind that anything can happen on your camping trip including losing some pet items.

h. Never forget to pack a first aid kit for your dog, Bring a towel as well. Before heading to the camping site, check if there is a veterinarian or pet hospital nearby. Make sure that you know how to get there from the point of your camping site.

i. Before anything else, make sure that campers are really allowed to bring their pets in the camping site. There are some camping sites where pets can only roam around in certain areas. Most of the time, pets are not allowed in national parks.

j. During the actual camping activity, make sure that you can control your dog at all times. Never leave him alone. If you do, keep him inside the crate or on a leash. Make sure that the dog does not bark so frequently to the point that it will disturb other campers. Make sure that you dispose your dog’s wastes properly.

Los Angeles, a famous tourist destination across the world, is the largest city in California and the second largest in U.S. It is a leading center of international trade, fashion, science, technology, culture and is also known as the “home base of Hollywood”. Apart from all these things, Los Angeles is a home to various RV parks and campgrounds as well. So, if you want to explore this beautiful city, the best idea would be hop onto your RV and set off for a trip.

Los Angeles has loads of RV parks and campgrounds. One of the most popular parks is the Camp Mariastella, which is equipped with so many amenities and facilities that visitors love to spend their entire vacation over here! I am sure that all of you must have heard a lot about the Anaheim resort RV Park in Los Angeles. This park has 150 RV sites, heated pool and Jacuzzi, wireless internet, picnic tables, laundry facilities, guided tours and even more! Wow, that’s so cool!

The Californian RV resort is very close to many South Californian attractions and is equipped with 128 RV sites, pool & spa, clubhouse with kitchen, satellite TV, internet access and laundry facilities. What more can you expect? Golden Shore RV resort is another popular Californian resort which has 80 RV sites, pool & spa, picnic table, waterfront, picnic areas, horseshoes and shuffleboard, and laundry facilities as well. Don’t you think that Los Angeles has some of the coolest RV parks in United States?

Another RV park that deserves a mention is the Malibu beach RV Park. This park is a treat for all the nature and sports lovers. You will get to see a lot of natural beauty over here! Another RV park for nature lovers is the Camp Williams, which has 49 RV sites, picnic areas, plenty of wildlife to see, courtesy patrol, dinner store, and a quiet atmosphere! You can also enjoy activities like gold panning, fly fishing and bird watching out here.

East Shore RV park is another park famous for its’ natural beauty! This park has 519 RV sites, bathroom with showers, cable TV, pool, WiFi service, large playground and nature trails. This park has a lake situated near to it, where you can enjoy activities like fishing, lake swimming, water skiing, sail boating or jet skiing. Fair West Resort is another cool RV park for nature lovers, having 74 RV sites, hot showers, campfires/picnic tables and laundry facilities. You can enjoy activities like hiking, whale watching, golfing and fishing in this cool RV Park.

Well, above is a list of some of the coolest RV parks in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is a beautiful place and you will get to see a lot over here! I hope that your RV vacation in this place turns out to be an enjoyable affair! Have fun on the trip!

When it comes to camping some of the first impressions someone gets is of mosquitoes, bears, and sleeping on a various assortment of twigs. Although some of this might be true to most camping scenarios, it is still an overall enjoyable experience. If you didn’t want to smell like “Off” insect repellent for a weekend, but still wanted to camp outside; I would suggest a beautiful weekend of camping on the beach.

Where can someone go to camp on the beach?

Camping on the beach is a great alternative to traditional camping because it gives you the benefits of being outdoors with nature, smelling the crisp clean air, hearing the roar of the ocean and enjoying time with the family or loved one without the everyday distractions. Some great beach camping locations are located mostly on the east coast of the United States. Cape May, Wildwood Beach in NJ and Myrtle Beach are just a few places that are legendary for beach camping.

What makes beach camping so special?

There are 3 primary reasons why camping on the beach has had such a fixated cult following. First is the sound and feel of the ocean. There is no duplicating this sensation. Going to sleep and waking up to the sound of the waves puts you in a totally different frame of mind, almost as if the cares of your job and everyday stresses never even existed. The second most appealing feature to camping on the beach is absence of insects. Aside from the pesky and almost freaky way sand seems to be able to find its way to strange places on your body, places you’ve probably never even realized were there, it is an overall pretty clean experience. The third reason people are inclined to camp on the beach rather than in the woods is the ocean air. The smell of the ocean air, especially at night, is intoxicating. The minute you start a bonfire at a beach at night and smell the clean ocean air alongside the crackling of the fire, you will be hooked for life.

What should I bring to the beach if I wanted to camp there?

There are a few necessities one might bring when going on this venture. Most of them are pretty much the same supplies as camping in the woods, but there are a couple differences. You may want to bring a sand specific tent, if you want. Usually the height of the experience is sleeping in the open air in a sleeping bag. If you have no sleeping bag, then bring a big blanket because the beach at night does get a bit chilly. I made that mistake overnight on a beach in Miami once. You should also bring food, and some materials to start a bonfire with. Swimming gear, boogie/surf board, lots of changes of clothes, and sun screen are also some necessities.

Next time you are planning a camping trip, consider beach camping. It is an experience that is great for a family and a wonderfully romantic way to spend a weekend with a significant other.

As I sit here outside my tent at a campground located in the Palm Springs area writing this article, the sun is shining and the temperature is a comfortable 80 degrees. The rest of the country is suffering below freezing weather and winter storms. Palm Springs is located on the western edge of the greater Coachella Valley and is known as a play ground for the rich and famous. Part of the Colorado Desert, during the summer the Coachella Valley area temperatures can reach a blistering 120 degrees. But If you are looking for a place to go camping during the fall, winter or early spring you couldn’t find a better place in the country. During the fall and spring average high and low temperatures range from 50 to 85 degrees. The winter days average 60 degrees but on some days it can drop below freezing at night.

What is little known though is the Coachella Valley is a premier outdoor destination. This area is alive with outdoor activities and unexpected adventures. From desert terrain to pine forest covered mountains to shimmering lakes, the Coachella Valley area is a haven for outdoor lovers. No matter what your outdoor interests are there is something here in the Palm Springs area for you during the winter.

There are two public campgrounds on the valley floor and many private RV parks that accept tent campers.

One of the public campgrounds is the Lake Cahuilla County Park. Located in the city of La Quinta, Lake Cahuilla County Park is a county maintained park and is ideal for families. It has 85 tent campsites and 56 RV campsites, 46 with electric and water and 10 with water only. La Quinta’s motto is Gem of the Desert and the name couldn’t fit the 165 acre lake more perfectly. Enjoy fishing along the bank of the lake which is re-stocked regularly with fish and is a popular fishing spot for the locals. Don’t expect to get in the water though the lake is off-limits to swimmers. There is a picnic area and playground for the kiddies. Hidden away next to the park are several hiking trails that steadily switchback up the Santa Rosa Mountains. While hiking through this spectacular desert mountain hideaway enjoy sweeping views of the Coachella Valley and the Salton Sea.

The Salton Sea State Recreation Area is located 27 miles south east of La Quinta and nestles up against the shoreline of the Salton Sea. You can enjoy many water sports including boating, water skiing, fishing and kayaking. The Salton Sea attracts hundreds of species of birds and is an excellent place to go birding. There are over 1400 campsites divided amongst several different campgrounds. Most campsites are primitive but there are some RV campsites available.

The majestic Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument overlooks the Coachella Valley and is located along its southern border. Although most of the National Monument is cold and snowy there is one thing you must do while you are here. The Palm Springs Ariel tramway whisks you up to 8500 feet above sea level in rotating tram cars to the Mountain Station. You get to see the vegetation change from desert plants to pines in 10 minutes. Enjoy a meal at the top or explore the winter wonderland of San Jacinto Mountains. You can rent snow shoes and cross country ski equipment and play in the snow. When you are done you can go back down to the valley floor and enjoy more comfortable temperatures at your campsite.

The Coachella Valley is bordered on the north by Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park has over 550,000 acres of wilderness. Spread throughout the park are 9 different campgrounds with 490 individual campsites and 22 group campsites. Joshua Tree National Park is a world-class rock climbing destination and is a great place to go hiking and camping. The park offers guided ranger tours and other ranger programs. Brought your SUV or mountain bike? There are many miles of rugged unimproved dirt road you can explore. Or you can take a jeep tour of the back country with a private vendor.

For many people in upper and middle America it is too cold to go camping during the winter and early spring but here it is perfect. I have really enjoyed my outdoors excursions here in the the Palm Springs area. There are many other things you can do if you visit this perfect outdoor playground this article just scratches the surface. Just because the weather is cold where you live doesn’t mean you can’t go camping. You just have to have know where to go.

Ok so you and your family have never been the outdoor type. The thought of camping never appealed to you before and certainly the thought buying camping gear never crossed your mind.

However, gas is through the roof and you heard camping is a great way to spend time with the family on vacation and do so in a cost affective manner.

Sure we all want to get back to our ancestral routes of forging unexplored land, sleeping under the stars, building a fire and cooking in the great outdoors. For now, Daniel Boone, before we start conquering the mountains of Washington State, lets get you acclimated to camping in a more normal atmosphere.

If you are going on your very first camping trip there are certain must haves that your list should have written on it to make sure you are well prepared. What? You do not have a list? Ok that is step one. Get a piece of paper out and make a list of the items you are going to bring. Also, as a quick tip, on this list write down what your meals will be for each day and then shop accordingly.

Here are some must haves if you are a first time camper.

Tent

What would camping be without a tent? It would more than likely be miserable if you have never camped before. You would be left either sleeping in your vehicle or on the ground. I have camped without a tent and although it is not a catastrophic event, camping in a tent is a lot nicer, especially if it should rain. Make sure you get a tent that sleeps the number of people plus two that you are going to bring. In other words if four people are going camping, get a tent that sleeps six. If you get a tent that sleeps four people, you will be crammed in there like sardines.

Sleeping Bag

Now that you have a place to sleep in, you will need something to keep you warm and protected from the ground. A sleeping bag takes care of both of these. You can get a good sleeping bag at any store like Wal-mart, Target or Dick’s Sporting Goods. Chances are you are not camping in extreme cold temperatures so there is no need to get one rated for under zero degrees Fahrenheit. A basic sleeping bag will do. You can get a decent one for under $20.

Rain Gear

Although we try not to think that it will rain on our beloved camping weekend, the chances are it still might and you need to be prepared for it. Invest in a good rain suit. If money is tight then a $5.00 poncho will do, but a good rain suit is worth its weight in gold, especially if it is raining fairly hard. Again you can get them at almost any store and a good suit will run you anywhere from $20 to $50.

Tarps

You can pick these up at any home store like Home Depot. Lowes, or Ace Hardware. Make sure you get the plastic brown or blue tarps not the cloth or clear plastic painting tarps. You can use tarps to string (don’t forget rope or string) between trees to create coverings over the area where you will eat. This is especially helpful if it is raining. No one wants to eat in the rain. You can also place tarps underneath your tent to prevent water from seeping up through the ground and the bottom of your tent. Just make sure the tarp you put under your tent is folded smaller than the tent bottom. If it is larger, the tarp will actually catch the water and create a layer of water between the tarp and tent bottom. You can also throw a tarp over top of your tent to create an extra layer over your tent’s rainfly. Although most tents today are constructed very well and prohibit the rain from penetrating, a tarp is like having extra insurance so no rain enters in your tent at all.

There are many other items you could and probably will get such as lanterns, coolers, stoves and an endless list of supplies. The ones I mentioned, at least in my opinion, are must haves for first time campers.