by Chris Babineau

Created on: February 19, 2009

-Tenting In The Wild-

Selecting a good place to camp is just as important as selecting what to bring camping with you. Many spots can appear to be a great place to set camp because of how woodsy and pretty it may look, but upon closer inspection it can be your worst nightmare. Some aspects you should investigate are of course terrain. Nobody enjoys to sleep with tree roots or rocks digging into their back all night, so flat ground is a must. Mind you, flat ground is not hard to find and any rough spots can easily be covered over by nearby patches of moss from the forest floor.

Next you will need to inspect the nearby tree's of your chosen spot. Check for weather damage and old age. any tree that looks like it is about to fall over more than likely is. If it appears safe to do so, you can either push it over yourself, or move that extra fifty feet away and play it safe. Being within close proximity of water is always a must, but be wary of the local animals. Look for tracks near the riverbanks or lakeside, find out what animals frequent your area and stay a safe distance away from their game trails (many game trails are mistaken for human paths, but in truth deer,rabbits, bears, and coyote's and wolves use these for hunting and getting from place to place).

If you happen to be in a mountainous region, be wary of previous rock/mud slides or avalanches. Be sure to stay away from cliff faces, caves, slide areas, game trails and low laying river beds. Any of the above can quickly turn into a disaster there may be no escape from.

-Camping Within A Campground-

The luxuries of a premade camping area are relaxing for the individuals seeking to get away from the buzz of their local city or town. You don't have to worry about animals or unsafe territory, that is the job of the grounds keepers and usually you can be rest assured they are doing their job. What you will want to check for is the usualamenities such as running water hook-ups, bathrooms as compared to an on site outhouse, if you so desire electricity. What makes a campsite good or not of course depends on the individual. If you are simply looking to sit at camp and enjoy the bliss of quietude all day chances are you won't be hard to please.

But what if you plan on doing some white water rafting? Maybe some hiking off into the wild to take some amazing photo's of scenery and wildlife? In this case you will need to be aware of your surrounding areas. Before you leave your house do some research onGoogle and find out what the top ranked camp sites are. You will even find people who wrote reviews on some of the best, and worse, camping locations. Use their experience with these locations to guide you.

Another thing to keep in mind if you have kids with you is the safety of your children. ALWAYS ask the local attendants of the campsite what dangers you should be aware of, if there are any areas of the campsite that may pose unexpected risks. The experience should be just as fun in nature for your children as it is yourself, and safety is a number one priority.

As with doing anything in life, a little forethought into your endeavours can go a long way.

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