10 Ways to Ensure that Your Camping Trip Goes as Planned

You can't control the weather, but you can prepare in advance for any inconvenience you might experience while camping. Here are 10 tips.

Camping tip #1 - Be prepared for rain and storms.

Even if The Weather Channel assures you that there is no rain in sight, bring the rain tarp for your tent, raincoats, umbrellas, and waterproof bags. You never know when a storm will pop up.

Camping tip #2 - Bring more clothes than you will need.

Camping, and activities associated with it such as hiking and canoeing, is a dirty endeavor. Bring more clothes that you think that you will need. You never know when you might want to take a shower and change.

Camping tip #3 - Keep things organized.

The more organized you are when you pack, the easier it will be to pack up when it is time to go home. If you take a few minutes to tidy camp everyday, you will save yourself a lot of trouble in the long run.

Camping tip #4 - Purchase firewood from the campground, not before hand.

There are a lot of pests that you can transfer via firewood. In Michigan, you have to be careful of the Ash bore. Most campgrounds will no longer allow you to bring in your own firewood. Purchase your firewood onsite and don't take any left over home with you. Chances are that the last group left some firewood to help you get started.

Camping tip #5 - Plan to arrive at the campground before it gets dark and set up camp as soon as you can.

If you can take even half a day off of work in order to leave for the campground earlier, things will go much more smoothly. You don't want to have to try to find your campsite in the dark, and then try to set up a camper or worse yet, a tent. Getting to your campground by the early evening at the latest will save you a lot of headaches as you try to set up.

Camping tip #6 - Know what type of facilities your campground has before you make a reservation.

You don't want to get to a campground only to find out you have a rustic campsite (i.e. one without access to showers or flush toilets). Be sure to know the amenities before you even make a reservation. Campgrounds vary from very rustic (outhouses, no water or electric) to ultra modern (shower house, flush toilets, water and electricity at site, and campground swimming pool).

Camping tip #7 - Consider bringing a mesh tent for dining.

A mesh tent is a good investment for people who love to camp. When you set up camp, you can set up the mesh tent and then set the picnic table inside. In that way, you won't be fighting the bugs every time you sit down to a meal. It is a simple trick that can make things much more pleasant. At most campgrounds, you won't have to pay extra to set up such a tent on your site.

Camping tip #8 - Plan activities in advance, but be flexible.

You don't want your kids proclaiming that they are bored every day. At the same time, you don't want to over-schedule either. Plan some great activities, but be flexible as well. You might come across something very fun that you didn't think about beforehand. You don't want to go down the river only to see others doing something much more fun. While it is true that you can always try it next time, a little planning can make you the envy of everyone else out on the river.

Camping tip #9 - Bring foods that you can easily grill or cook over an open fire.

It is always good to bring a hot plate too, but nothing compares to the taste of food prepared on an open fire, or at least grilled. It is one of the best parts of camping. Most campgrounds provide charcoal grills at the campsite, as well as a fire pit. Check when you make a reservation. There is nothing quite like a mean prepared over an open fire.

Camping tip #10 - Ensure that you can be reached in case of an emergency.

You'd be surprised what emergencies occur while the family is away camping. Be sure to leave your cell phone number and the number to the campground with family and friends. If something happens during the night, there needs to be a way that others can get a hold of you. It happens more than you'd ever think.