BEFORE YOU GO:

• Always test or set up new gear at home before going out. Don’t wait until you get to the campground to learn how to set up your new tent. Your fellow campers may not want their solitude broken by profanities.
• Learn how to start a campfire before you go. Click Here for more info.
• Plan meals before leaving and shop at least the day before to give yourself room for any changes.
• When packing clothes plan for all area weather possibilities. You don’t want to have just shorts if it starts to rain.
• Pack a laundry bag with the clothes (a trash bag will do) so as you wear them they will not get mixed in with the clean ones.
• Bring a plastic tablecloth (available at camping supply). Most tables I have come across have seen much better years and you might not understand the graffiti carved into them. They wipe up very quickly. Hold to table with either tablecloth clamps or the old standby… duct tape.
• Do not count on a campstore unless absolutely necessary. As a friend said, “they charge airport prices”.
• At least one person should have a fairly decent first-aid kit including treatment for stings, bites, rashes and cuts. Include aloe-vera lotion for a variety of things, but especially sunburn.
• Bring wood! Lot’s of it. Most sites do not allow you to pick up wood to burn. As a last resort see if there is a campstore that sells wood, but remember they will charge more. Remember the kindling… either wood chips or newspapers.
• Don’t forget the extra batteries.
• If showers and other amenities are available, bring a $10.00 quarter roll along so you don’t have to ask people for change.
• Bring fold down chairs for around the campfire. Don’t forget marshmallow sticks.
• For the ice chest, block ice lasts longer than cubed. Less surface area to melt. An added benefit is that it doesn’t soak everything as it melts. Pack veggies and fruit at the top of the chest as they might freeze and be ruined.
• Load only cold things into an ice chest. Do not expect it to cool things down, as it will limit the life of the ice.

• If the campground requires reservations (most do) arrive as early as possible to get the best pick as campers are checking out. The ranger can tell you which sites will become available when you arrive. Drive around the list of available sites and pick which one is right for you. Go back to the ranger and tell him to hold that site. It is first come-first served.
• When choosing the site, keep the big picture in mind… ask yourself, "Am I too close to the bathroom (people will walk right through your site when nature calls), am I too far from the bathroom, are there enough trees to offer protection, do I want to be near a stream?"
• Set up your tent under some trees (but not in a cave of trees). Tents become ovens under direct sunlight.
• Set up the rain-fly even if no rain is predicted. Take it from someone who learned the hard way.
• If possible have the tent face the fire-pit… strictly for aesthetics.
• Place a mat or blanket outside the tent door attempt to keep dirt to a minimum.
• Use cinch-tie trashbags. The cinch can be hung from a nail or branch.
• Place stove at one end of table and water containers on the other. This leaves center area for work and dining.
• When hanging a clothesline for dishrags, clothes, wet towels, etc. make sure it is hung high enough so the little ones don’t run into it. Clothespins are a nice touch.
• Drain ice chest at regular intervals to keep water level to a minimum. As water collects at the bottom of the chest the melting process is accelerated since it is already warmer than the ice.
• When leaving the campsite (even just for a short hike) put all edibles that are not in the ice chest in plastic containers or in the car. You will not only be saved the grief of having to explain why there is no bread or fruit, but you are also protecting the environment, as human food is very bad for animals.

• Cell phones usually will not work so if you need to stay in touch (but then why are you here?) pick a campground that has pay phones.
• Keep your keys and wallet in a safe place (don’t ask why).
• I have learned to love the Aim-a-Flame lighter over matches and disposable propane canisters over white gas for camp stoves.
• With dirt everywhere disposable baby wipes are fabulous. Keep them handy for anything from cleaning the kid’s hands to wiping off a used knife blade.