Author’s note: This article is mostly geared toward a younger audience.

Snakes Snakes are not likely to bother you if you don’t bother them. Leave them alone and stay away. Insects A good bug spray keeps most of them away.

Poison Plants Learn to recognize poison ivy, poinson sumac, and poinson oak and stay away from them. Never eat anything in the woods unless you know exactly what it is.

Animals Animals are drawn to your campsite by your discarded or left out food. Forest animals such as opossums, raccoons, porcupines, skunks, and chipmunks add the camping adventure but don’t try to catch or pet them.

Swimming Watch for holes and drop-offs as well as bad currents. Don’t get too much sun or get tired.

Getting Lost Alert others before leaving camp for any reason. Keep a whistle in your pocket or wear around your neck. If you get lost, blow your whistle and stay put. Try to sit down and relax. Blow your whistle periodically.

There are several reasons a first aid kit is necessary. Slipping while hiking or being scratched while going through brush is an injury that can happen. Cooking accidents such as burns may occur. Being exposed to the elements, not to mention bug bites can cause a toll. Check your kit yearly and restock items that have expired or are getting low.Essentials:

• Bandages and gauze of different sizes
• Scissors for cutting above if needed
• Antiseptic creams and ointments
• Tweezers for removing slivers and ticks
• Band-aids for basic scrapes and cuts
• Burn ointment for an accidental cooking or fire burns
• Antiseptic to wash scrapes and cuts
• Tylenol/Ibuprofen for headaches and other pain relief. It also works as a fever reducer if needed.
• Anti-diarrhea medicine for intestinal problems
• Sunburn relief spray containing Aloe Vera

Extras to consider:

• Chapstick for lips
• Thermometer to check for fever
• Snakebite kit may be appropriate for some trips

Plan ahead. Your goal should be a simple and filling menu. Write it down on paper for all your meals. This will be a help when packing also. You can measure and combine dry ingredients in ziplocks ahead of time. You can also label the bag with what meal it should be used for. When shopping for a camp stove, remember that propane is easiest to use but gas stoves will produce more heat. Cooking your first couple of meals at time and packed in a cooler will save time on your first day while you are still setting up camp. Precooked meats also last longer than raw meats. To keep things cool, blocked ice lasts longer than cubed ice. Make sure the cooler is closed tightly or even use a strap to keep it closed to prevent animals from entering.

Which stove to select really depends on your needs. Gas stoves burn cleanly without any smell and doesn’t effect the taste of the food. Spilt fuel will not leave an odor and will evaporate quickly. Gas stoves also produce the most heat.

Propane stoves on the other hand are a lot easier to use. You basically just attach a bottle by screwing it into the stove. You turn on the gas and light the burner. If you’ve used a backyard propane grill, you understand this process. Some stoves even have electric starters making the cooking experience more similiar to home.

Ingredients: individual size bags of Doritos, shredded cheese, sour cream, shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, salsa, browned hamburger

Instructions: Mash up a closed bag of doritos smashing the chips. Open the bag carefully and put in your favorite ingredients from the above list. Close the bag and shake it up to mix together. Eat right out of bag.

Ingredients: box of macaroni and cheese, can of tuna fish, salt & pepper

Instructions: First heat water in pot over campfire and once boiling, add macaroni noodles and cook until tender. Add packet of cheese along with the tuna and salt/pepper if desired. Stir and you’re done.

Ingredients: bagel or english muffin, deli meat, and cheese slices

Instructions: Open bagel and place some deli meat and a slice of cheese. Wrap in foil and warm on grill or beside the campfire.

Ingredients:quart sized Ziploc freezer bag, 2 eggs, grated cheese, salt & pepper, chopped ham, chopped onion

Instructions: Break two eggs into Ziploc bag and squeeze gently to break the eggs up some. Throw in some cheese, ham, onions, or whatever else you want along with a little salt and pepper for seasoning. Slowly squeeze the bag to remove air and after sealing, drop in boiling water. Cook for approximately 5 minutes. When cooking omelets for multiple people, you can write names on the bag in permanent marker. Open bagel and place some deli meat and a slice of cheese. Wrap in foil and warm on grill or beside the campfire.

Use the 1 gallon plastic jugs that you buy milk or water in. Fill with water and freeze. Don’t fill all the way and leave the cap off to account for expanding ice.

Another way to make blocks of ice is to freeze water in an ice cream bucket. Or you can also use the bucket to store ice you make.

After returning from your trip, set it up and check for dirt. Use a damp sponge and mild soap and rub gently. Let your tent air dry and don’t pack up until it is completely dry. Sunlight in form of UV rays can weaken your tent fabric and fly sheet so don’t leave your tent up drying for days unnecessarily.

Store your tent in a cool dry place. Your attic gets very warm and this can damage the coating.

Poles can be cleaned especially if used in rainy weather. Some car wax will reduce friction and let them slide through better. Silicone spray on zippers (keep away from fabric) will help.