Here are just a few suggestions for you to try:

1.  Gather all your camping equipment, etc, in a corner of a room and keep adding to it as you think of it.  Start weeks in advance if you’re new to camping.

2.  For easy storage in your vehicle, use basket shelves.

3.  Use sports bags for clothes instead of cumbersome suitcases.

4.  Place items at easy reach that you will have to use first when you arrive at your camping ground.

5.  Place heavier items in the bottom of your car boot and lighter items on the top.

6.  Make sure all heavy items are secure to avoid any nasty incidents when traveling.

7.  It is far more important to have equipment that is durable and reliable than the flashiest and shiniest new-fangled way out gear.

8.  Pack binoculars.

9.  After every dinner under the stars discuss what the next day’s menu will be.

10. Always take a good first aid book with you.

11. Carry a comprehensive first aid kit for trips to uninhabited areas.

12. Always carry a first aid kit whether you are going on a day trip or an extended journey.

13. Consider carrying anti-biotics in case anyone in your group is prone to infections eg. Ear, nose and throat, etc.

14. Consult your doctor for medications for vomiting and diarrhoea, etc.

15. Consider doing a first aid course if no-one else in your group is qualified.

16. Be well-versed in what to do in the event of spider or snake bite.

17. Fit your vehicle with a CB or UHF radio.

18. Keep bug repellants away from all plastics.  They actually will dissolve plastic glasses, Swiss army knife handles, etc.

19. Lightly soak a cotton bandana in insect repellant and tie it around your neck to keep bugs clear of your neck.

20. Lessen the pain of mosquito bites with household ammonia and water.  Apply a wet salt pack to hornet, wasp and bee stings and allow it to dry.

Years ago, camping food was seen as boring, simple, and anything but fun and attractive to look at.  However, those times are long gone. It’s possible for you to enjoy the same quality of meals you now enjoy in your home kitchen in your campfire kitchen with little fuss.

Remember that the number one priority of every single person on a camping trip is to have fun.  Cooks should not have to worry whether they will end up slaving in front of a dutch oven for hours on end only to create an inedible glob of something that’s supposed to be edible – that no-one will eat, and will leave your friends and families all growling like bears with sore paws for the remainder of the trip.

If you are not experienced at camping then it might be best to start with a commercial campground. These campgrounds are often listed in the yellow pages. The costs of these campgrounds is often nominal and they usually have showers, bathrooms, electrical hookups, running water nearby, fire pits and a camp store for any necessities that you may have forgotten. Established commercial campgrounds also often have activities for the entire family including swimming pools, hiking trails, paddle boats and fishing lakes. Although most of these campgrounds are set up for campers they almost at always have tent sites as well.

Once you have tried camping at an established campground you may decide to want to rough it out in the woods on your own. To find locations for tent camping you might try doing an internet search on camping.

Regardless of where you go camping it is important that you be prepared. The following is a list of items you should consider for ensuring you are prepared for an enjoyable camping trip.

Camping Inventory

1. Tent. You can find a wide selection of tents in various sizes from 2 person tents to family sizes. You might consider getting the children their own tent. They will enjoy having their own space.

2. Sleeping bags and an air mattress if desired.

3. Flash lights and extra batteries.

4. Matches

5. Cookware. Cooking on an open fire will probably not be good for your best cookware so you might want to bring older pots and pans or consider buying a camping cookware set. Think ahead about foods that will be easy to cook on a fire.

6. Firewood. If you are not camping at an established campground you may not have access to firewood.

7. First Aid kit. This should include band aids, peroxide, gauze, burn crème, tape, a tool for removing splinters, and anti bug spray.

8. Water for drinking

9. Trash bags. Whether you go camping at an established campground or in the woods somewhere it is imperative that you leave the area exactly as you found it. If the location does not have trash bins then pick up your trash and take it with you. Don’t ruin the experience for the next family.

If you carefully plan your camping trip and expect the unexpected by being prepared for anything you will have a great time camping.