by Ann Hinds

Created on: June 14, 2009   Last Updated: August 27, 2009

You are taking your family on their first camping trip. You pull them out of their comfortable home and plunk them down into a foreign environment. What do you do now? Experienced campers make camping look easy. The truth is, camping is easy if you follow these tips.

Start at the campground entrance. Pay your money but pay attention to the notices posted at the station. If there are issues, a notice will be visible in the window. Yellowstone had a notice about bison in the campground and steps to take if they came into your campsite. They will give you campground information. Do not shove it into the glove box and forget it. Not only does it give you the campground rules, it also covers information on the campground itself. The more you know, the better the experience will be.

In many campgrounds, you can pick your site. Drive through the campground. If you have small children, sites closer to the restrooms are often better for those midnight trips. If for any reason, you feel uneasy, choose the site where you feel the most comfortable. Follow your own sense of safety.

Camping for the first time in a tent is a unique experience. The only thing between you and the outdoors is cloth. When the wolves are howling and it sounds like they are standing next to the tent, they may be. Do not panic. If your food is put away, they will not stay. Most campers who get hurt forget that there are wild animals. If you have to leave the tent, do not go alone. Be aware of what is around you. This is camping at its best. This is why you are there. Getting this close to nature is a treat to savor.

Children adapt to camping almost immediately. However, they are not at home and some of the things they like to do may not be safe. Kids climb trees. In an Arizona campground, the Ranger went to every campsite, warning parents about tree scorpions. Tree climbing stopped. The same goes for rocks. They are great fun to climb on but if it is a rattlesnake area, then rocks may be off-limits too. Teaching children about the inhabitants and their habits keeps the parents from always saying no. Instead, children learn how to keep themselves safe.

Many first time campers leave their homes dressed for the weather they are leaving behind. While you may not think that you will need a jacket, it is not wise to leave it to chance. If you have room, pack an extra blanket. Always check the weather for your destination before leaving home.

Mosquitoes are active in the early morning and at dusk. Covering

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