by Lana Stockton

Created on: July 16, 2009   Last Updated: August 17, 2010

If you've never been camping, you could be in for a surprise. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty.

1. You underestimated how cold it gets at night. There's a big difference between a slumber bag (for bedroom sleep-overs) and a sleeping bag. There's even a huge difference between types of sleeping bags. Generally, the heavier is warmer, but not always. Sleeping bags usually sport a temperature range on the tag. Know enough about the area you'll be camping in to check out the probable overnight temperature for that time of year. If in doubt get a toasty warm bag. You can always kick it off at night if you get too warm.

2. You borrowed a tent and you're all set. That's what you thought until you arrived at your campsite, unfolded the canvas wonder and realized the tent stakes were missing. You have just learned to set up your tent at home a day before heading out to the wilderness. Especially if you're borrowing someone else's tent. Who knows what all might be missing?

3. You didn't bring enough food. Many a camping trip has been cut short on this little oversight. Being able to open the refrigerator door at home and take as needed, you may not have acquired the ability to judge how much food a lengthy camping trip requires. Plan your camping meals, but don't forget to plan ahead for snacking too.

4. Didn't bring money. Why would anyone need money on a camping trip? For your share of the gasoline expense getting there, or to buy food if you didn't plan the meals very well. And if you encounter enough rainy days you may just want to pack it all in and head out to a nice, warm restaurant that serves up sizzling T-bone steaks. Money does come in handy.

6. Used Internet maps. Not all Internet maps are created equal. How many times have you mapped out something online only to find yourself at a dead end street with nothing around that remotely resembles your intended destination? Take along a tried and true road map or atlas.

7. Believed a buddy when he said he knew a back-road short cut. Bring a map anyway. It's not that you don't trust your buddy, it's just that you're not real excited about getting lost in the wilds of nowhere. Buddy doesn't have to know you tucked a map in your backpack.

8. Left the firewood uncovered. During the night a thunderstorm breaks loose and your morning cup of coffee isn't going to happen. That is, unless you planned ahead by tucking several pieces of dry wood and kindling under a tarp or picnic table. Even in the rain you can get a decent fire started if you have dry tinder and branches. Once the fire gets going, the damp pieces will dry out over a roaring fire.

9. Set up tent too close to a lake. As beautiful as the lake might be, it's also mosquito paradise and you've just put yourself right in their line of fire.

10. Left your food out overnight. Critters of the night can sniff out a good meal in no time. To keep bears and raccoons away from your campsite, put all food in airtight containers and keep it off the ground. Unless you don't mind waking up in the middle of the night wondering what's scratching around outside your tent.

For your camping enjoyment, set up your tent the night before, bring a toasty warm sleeping bag, plenty of food and money for whatever can go wrong. Be sure to hoard a bit of dry wood to tide you through the morning meal.

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