Camping Tips

Camping is a great family activity and we know that pets are an important part of the family too. Bringing them along camping can be a lot of fun, but it’s important that you are aware of the pros and cons associated with bringing a pet camping, as well as some important things to remember to pack and do while camping with pets.

Should you bring your pet camping with you?

There are advantages and disadvantages with camping with pets. First let’s take a look at the pros and cons:

The Benefits:

• No worries about someone else watching or pet or paying expensive kennel fees.
• Gives pet plenty of opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and exercise.
• Dogs especially can be helpful for survival and security at your campsite.

The Disadvantages:

• May restrict some activities you can do, since you won’t be able to leave your pet unattended at the campground.
• Some campgrounds and parks do not allow pets, so may restrict where you can stay or visit.
• Pets may become overstimulated by all the new sights/smells/animals/people.

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If you decide to bring your pet with you, here are some important tips for your pet’s comfort and safety:

1. Know the Rules:

Each campground has different rules for pets. Be sure your campground allows pets and know what type of rules they have. If you have any doubts or questions about the rules, ask the campground owner or manager prior to arranging for your stay there.

2. Be Sure Your Pet is Up-to-Date on Vaccinations:

You’ll want to make sure your pet is up-to-date on all of his or her vaccinations. Bring your vacination certificates with you on your camping trip so there are no questions if something should happen. It’s also good to bring with you your pet’s health records should you need to visit a vet while traveling on the road.

3. Train Your Pet Prior to the Trip:

It’s important your pet is able to understand and follow basic commands before you leave on your trip. A simple “Leave it” command can often be one your pet will pick up on quickly and can be very beneficial.

4. Treat your pet with flea and tick medications:

Sadly, the great outdoors are also great places to pick up fleas and ticks for a pet. Ask your vet what they recommend – many options are also available over the counter at most retail pet stores. Be sure to inspect your pet for fleas and ticks daily to be proactive.

5. Make Sure Your Pet is Well Identified:

Be sure your pet’s tags have their name, your name, your cell phone number, and a veterinarian’s phone number. Also include a rabies or other vaccination tags onto your pet’s collar. This will be invaluable if the pet gets lost.

If your pet has a microchip, make sure the contact information for you is accurate and current.

6.  Always keep your pet on a leash at all Times

It is very important your pet is on a leash or otherwise confined (ie: a portable fence) at all times during your camping experience.

You do not want your pet to become lost while in an unfamiliar setting, nor would you want your pet to disrupt or disturb your neighbors in the campground.

Never tie your pet up or leave unattended, even if in an RV. If the power were to go out on an RV while a pet is inside, the temperatures during hot summer weather could prove fatal.

7. Make Sure Your Pet is Comfortable With Nature:

Pets who spend most of their time indoors may be shocked when camping the first time. Prior to your trip, spend as much time as possible outdoors with your pet – take them for walks in the park and give them plenty of practice with nature.

8. Pack for Your Pet:

Your pet will need his own dishes for food and water, plus of course treats and things to eat while camping.

You’ll also want to be sure your pet has a good location for sleeping inside with you, and be sure you have the supplies for cleaning up after your pet in public areas as well.

Also, when packing for your pet, make sure you have appropriate things for the weather so he or she does not get too hot or cold.

9. Bring Shampoo, Extra Blankets, Towels, Brush:

Your pet will likely need bathed while at camp, especially if he or she is laying on the ground a lot or gets into prickly bushes. Being prepared can help keep your pet comfortable and clean.

10. Have fun with your pet!

The important thing is that your pet and you have a good time. Play fetch with a ball or a frisbee, go for nature walks around the campground, and don’t forget to snuggle up together around the campfire!

It’s a lot of fun to go camping, and you and your pet will be making plenty of great memories together with the whole family!

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Do you have any tips or secrets for camping with pets you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!

Being prepared when camping with a good first aid kit makes all the difference. A well-stocked first aid kit can literally be a life saver.

To help you make sure you’re ready for whatever you may encounter while traveling or camping, here is a checklist of items you will want to make sure you keep stocked in your first aid kit.

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Basic First Aid Supplies to Bring camping

Adhesive Fabric Bandages in Assorted Sizes – make sure to also include Butterfly Bandages

Aloe Vera Gel (for sunburns)

Antacid Tablets

Antihistamine Medications (ie: Benadryl)

Antibacterial Ointment

Anti-fungal Creams/Lotions

Anti-Diarrhea Medication

Antiseptic Wipe Packages

Aspirin

Blanket

Blister Treatment (ie: Moleskin, Glacier Gel)

Burn Ointment

Cotton Swabs

Disposable Medical Gloves

First-Aid Manual

Eye Drops

Eye Wash Solution

Gauze pads (various sizes)

Hand Sanitizer

Hydrocortisone Cream

Insect Relief Ointments & Gels (Afterbite)

Injectible Epi-Pen if applicable

Laxative (ie: Miralax, Ducolax)

LED Headlamp (preferred over a flashlight as it’s hands-free)

Medical adhesive tape

Motion Sickness Medication (good for long car rides, Benadryl can also be sometimes used)

Oral Thermometer (non-breaking/non-mercury)

Pain Relief Medications – Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen

Petroleum Jelly

Poison Ivy Treatment

Rolled Bandages

Tooth Repair Kit/Toothache Gel

Tweezers

Safety Pins

Scissors

Snake Venom Kit

Splinter Removal Kit

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Tips for Packing Your First Aid Kit

1. Choose A Durable Container

Make sure you use a waterproof container to hold all the items to prevent them from getting wet. Many products exist specifically as waterproof first aid bags.

2. Take Inventory and Restock Items before each camping trip.

You should always make sure that you have enough of every item before you leave for your camping trip. Another good idea is to always check expiration dates on your first aid kit medications before camping trip. You don’t want to get to camp only to realize the cold medicine you packed is from 2007.

3. Read up on First Aid/ Bring a Reference

First aid supplies are only as useful if you know when to use them and what to use them for! Before you go camping, it’s smart to read up on basic first aid tips.

You may also want to pack a pocket-sized reference book in case you might forget important things like medication dosages or different procedures for different problems.

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Hopefully this list will prepare you for anything you might need during your camping list. Do you have any additional ideas for things to include in a first aid kit for camping? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Staying organized while camping can sometimes be a challenge, especially when you have multiple people to pack for.

Over the years I’ve found some ways to stay organized and thought I’d share my tips with our readers, especially if you are traveling with a family or pets!

1. Pack Less Clothes:

It’s definitely important to bring the right type of clothes for camping – but the more clothes you bring the less space you have!

I am also a big believer in bringing clothes for all weather, since even the forecast can be cooler or warmer than you thought! But, the less you pack the more space you’ll have – so rather than pack an entire week’s clothes for 5 people I instead pack 3 days worth, a spare, and warm weather/cool weather clothes.

Then I bring laundry detergent and quarters – especially if the campground we are staying at has a washer and dryer or laundromat nearby.

If you are roughing it while camping, you can still 100% wash your own clothes.

2. Keep Camping Supplies Packed and Ready to Go:

I always keep in a few totes ready to go at a moment\’s notice (especially since we tend to go on a lot of last minute spontaneous camping trips) all of our supplies.

Yes, this means having two of everything, but it saves a ton of time, and doesn’t really take up that much space in the garage. This way, I don’t have to spend a lot of time packing things, I just grab the totes. You can usually get cheap versions of things (like a can opener, spatula, etc.) at yard sales and dollar stores.

3. Use Foldable/Soft Sided Totes:

My husband has something against the big bulky plastic hard-sided totes, especially since they can often times end up being emptied during a trip. This is especially true when packing consumable goods and things you’ll use up like foods or paper plates. When those totes are empty, it can be very hard to fit them into the car.

Soft sided totes and zippered bags work much better for this, because when not in use they can fold up and not take up valuable space when no longer needed. They are also easy to wash and generally lighter to carry. Even younger kids can carry a smaller tote that has lightweight items like towels in it.

4. Give Each Person Their Own Bag:

It’s really helpful for each person to have a backpack, fanny pack, or sports bag that they can keep for personal belongings. This is great for things like watches, wallets, medications, toys, etc. etc. Each person gets their own bag, and by keeping everything in it they’ll know exactly where their stuff is, and you won’t have a mess of things all over your camping picnic table! This is also good if you have younger kids who might need stuff during the car trip to your destination, such as a change of clothes or brings toys along.

5. Use Travel Sized Items:

Travel Sized food packages (ie: condiments) and toiletries can be huge space savers, especially when camping in a tent or you have a small car. You can also pack travel sized games or bring a deck of cards for entertainment. Think small when camping!

6. Create a Bath Caddy:

They sell bath caddy totes at most pharmacy and retail stores (especially in the summer as they are popular among college students) – and stocking it up to take for trips to the shower while camping can be really helpful.

7. Pack Your Cooler the Smart Way:

There are plenty of ways to pack a cooler, but some ways are definitely more efficient AND will help your food stay fresh and cold.

My favorite method so far is to freeze two gallon jugs of water and place inside the cooler – this way you do not have ice leaking all over everything! If you are camping for more than a few days, you can also fill these jugs with ice cubes. If you get an ice machine you don’t even have to buy ice.

Another thing that helps cut down on the mess is to keep all of your food in separated plastic bags. This can help prevent things like hot dog juice leaking into yogurt, cheese, or other foods in the cooler.

Here’s another big tip that will help you stay organized AND help your ice go farther longer: Keep separate coolers for food and beverages, as the beverage coolers will likely be opened more often.

8. The Essentials Should Be Easy to Reach At All Times:

When you first get to a camp site, the last thing you want to do is to be searching for where you packed the items you need urgently. Things like bug spray, an umbrella or a flashlight should be easy to reach at all times.

Bug spray should be available to you the minute you get out of the car – not buried deep in the car. You’ll also want rain gear, flashlights, and other things like that available pretty easily so when you arrive at your campground you’re ready for anything.

I actually keep bug spray, sunscreen, medications, and a flashlight all in the front door of my car – even when not camping all the time. You never know what you might need or when you might need something.

10. Always Keep Items in the Same Place:

This is hard with 5 people in our family, but it’s important that you always keep something in the same place each time you use it.

Keeping everything in the same, designated place while camping will help make sure that everybody knows exactly where to find the things they need when they need it!

11. Clean Up As You Go:

This is important because if you don’t clean up as you go, you can have a huge overwhelming mess to pick up later. Make beds when you wake up in the morning, process dirty clothes, do dishes after eating, etc.

Taking just 5-10 minutes to clean up while camping will make sure you have a much more fun and relaxing trip.

12. Keep All Food in Air Tight Containers:

Animals are attracted to the smell of food, and they can do a lot of damage to your campsite or put you in danger in some instances if they smell food. Air Tight containers will help reduce food scents that will attract animals to your campsite.

If you are using a cooler, you will want to make sure that you either get a bear-proof cooler or are able to put the cooler safely locked in the car each night.

13. Reduce Trash and Bring Your Own Trash Bags:

Some campgrounds supply trash and recycling bags, but many do not. Be sure to bring them with you. Coffee cans work great for storing them! You may also want to bring grocery store plastic bags for smaller trash.

Another thing to think about is just how much trash the average family can generate while camping. There are many ways to generate less trash while camping. It’s not only less of a mess for you to worry about cleaning up – it’s much more environmentally friendly as well!

14. Pack a Dedicated Bag for Swimming Items:

Having a bag specifically for all swim wear, swim goggles, etc. is a huge time saver when the kids are in a hurry to get the pool or the lake but you’re still trying to setup the camp.

If you’re camping near a beach, it’s also handy to have to just grab and go and know you have everything you need in one bag. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

15. Organize Pet Items:

When packing for your pet, be sure to give your pet his or her own bag also. You can store anything you might need for your pet: extra blankets, shampoo and brush, collars, leashes, medications or vitamins, pet first aid items and important vaccination information in the bag.

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I hope this list of ways to stay organized while camping is helpful for you!

Is there anything you do that has made camping easier and more fun for your family? I’m always looking for ways to be more efficient and I would love to hear your tips and ideas for ways to organizing camping supplies in the comments section below!

Camping with kids is a lot of fun, but it can also be crazy sometimes. Kids are often very busy and active people – and sometimes us adults would rather relax and slow down when we are in nature!

We’ve been camping with our kids since they were babies…and with three kids we’ve definitely learned a lot of things to do when we go camping to make sure we all stay happy!

1. Don’t let them pack.

Unless you want no socks, pants, underwear for said child and a suitcase full of stuffed animals taking up valuable space in the car.

We do like to give our kids some control and responsibility for what they bring along – so usually we give each child a backpack for storing their personal belongings such as coloring pads + crayons, a favorite stuffed animal, a portable game, etc. etc.

2. DO Pack Lots of Extra First Aid Supplies:

A well stocked first aid kit is a must when camping with kids.

Pack everything over the counter you can fit into a clear storage tote – and be sure it stays organized so you can always find what you need should you need it.

See our checklist for packing the ultimate camping first aid kit with tips on keeping it organized.

3. Bring Activities:

While most campgrounds have plenty of things to do between nature trails and fishing and swimming – it helps to have a couple of things just in case the boredom sets in of not having any video games or wifi service.

See our HUGE list of 101 Camping Activities for Kids for so many ways to keep them entertained!

4. Set Boundaries and “Quiet Time”

Camping together as a family in a small space like a tent, rv or cabin can mean intruding in each other’s personal space quite a lot.

Setting boundaries of when you are and are not in each other’s space is important.

With kids, this might mean actually doing some activities without the whole family. For example, I might go on a bike ride with one kid while the other spends some quiet time reading or my husband might take the kids kayaking while I sneak in a nap.

Doing this all helps us all to recharge and stay balanced!

5. Learn and Experience As Much as You Can:

Camping trips are a great way to learn and experience the world around you. Look at every moment as an opportunity to learn something new.

Getting a handy pocket guide book to identify different trees, flowers or birds native to the area can be a fun way to explore.

You could also check out some nearby historical points of interest where you are staying. Every place has a history, so even if there’s not many sight-seeing spots where you are camping, there are certainly some people who have a story to share.

6. Every Child Gets Their Own Headlamp:

Flashlights are fun, but most kids will either let the batteries die or lose it before the first day of camping. For this reason, we invested in LED headlamps for each of our kids.

The headlamps are perfect for kids because it is really hard to lose or forget about something when it is attached to your head!

It’s also not as likely to be dropped or broken! If your kids don’t like to wear it on their head, the elastic strap makes it possible that you can always wrap it around your arm or even attach to your ankle like a bracelet.

7. Dig in the Dirt:

Camping means you’ll likely be covered in bug spray, sunscreen, sand, dirt, and who knows what else.

It’s OK.

Dirt is not the end of the world.

Do laundry at the camp laundromat if one is available, bring lots of stain out remover for your clothes, and just make sure each child goes to bed with clean face, hands, and feet and teeth brushed.

8. Go over Safety Info:

Kids should always learn how to survive outdoors and be safe while camping as soon as they can. Camping gives a lot of opportunities for safety lessons – everything from basic travel safety to understanding poisonous plants, food safety, and wildlife safety.

9. Everybody Does Some Work

Camping can sometimes also be a LOT of work, especially when you have a whole family of people. Things like cooking dinner, doing the dishes, washing the clothes still need to be done while camping.

There’s also often times additional chores that might need to be done, such as splitting firewood, building a fire, and making sure the fire stays going.

It’s important that everybody does their share of the work around the campsite because it’s not fair if one person is always cooking and cleaning and never able to go out and have fun!

10. Take Snack Breaks Often

Kids are always hungry. And when you are camping, you tend to burn up a LOT of energy fast, especially when you are doing a lot of fun outdoor activities like swimming, biking, kayaking and hiking.

When kids get hungry + tired = everybody is crabby, cranky, and miserable!

To help keep everybody happy, we like to plan for several snack breaks during the day. There are all kinds of yummy camping snacks to enjoy – whether it’s cheese and crackers or veggies and dip.

You should also make sure the kids stay hydrated while camping. Our kids all carry their own water bottles and we make sure they are drinking enough throughout the day.

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Do you have any tips for camping with kids that you’ve learned over the years? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

If you’re thinking about going camping for the first but are unsure how to get started, today I wanted to share how to start camping for absolute beginners and camping newbies!

I tend to take for granted that camping is just something our family has done forever since I was a baby – and something my parents and grandparents did long before I was even born! When I meet friends who have never camped before, I of course always invite them to try it out with us, although some are a little nervous about the idea!

The good news is, 100% of them have always said they would do it again – and they do, whether joining us for another trip or even being adventurous to go camping on their own with their friends and family.

If you are new to camping, or maybe you know a beginner camper who will be joining you for a trip, my hope is this article will help you make the first experience a fun and safe fun!

Here’s How to Start Camping for Beginners:

While this may be a little different for every person, these are the basics for getting started, and some tips for what you’ll need to know that first time out!

#1: Plan Your Trip in Advance:

As seasoned campers, we are a little more relaxed in planning where we will stay and what we will do. More than a few times we would travel with one destination in mind and end up a few states over “since we were out that way”.

When you are a new beginner camper however, this could add to extra stress if you do not have a clear destination. Some campgrounds have reservation requirements and minimum night stays, especially on holidays and weekends. If you are unfamiliar with an area, you may find it difficult to find amenities such as gas stations or even a grocery store.

For new campers, I recommend choosing a destination that is within 25-45 minutes of a major town or city if possible – this will ensure that if you need something you may have forgotten or not thought to pack you will be able to get it! Cell phone reception in rural areas can be iffy {despite what the service coverage map might suggest!} – so if you rely on your phone for GPS, you could find yourself completely lost in the middle of nowhere!

In general, it’s a good idea to begin your search for where to take your first camping trip for an area that is no more than an hour or two from your own home. This will help ensure you have some familiarity with the area.

You may also wish to choose a campground which has all the amenities – or at the very least public restrooms with running water and electric hookups. This will help allow you to get more experience in camping before you tackle the true roughing it and needing to have some survival skills to ensure you have water and other basic needs met.

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#2: Go With Experienced Friends if Possible

One of the best things about going with friends and family for camping is that if you forget something or get stuck with anything, they can help!

For example, I can start a fire in the pouring down rain with zero kindling – but that kind of skill comes from 20 years of dedicated practice every single summer! We also finally have that magic system almost perfected to ensure we never forget anything truly essential when camping – I will admit there have been more than a few times I would forget simple things like a can opener or even flashlights! {Although for that I blame Mommy brain…totally a real thing when camping with a baby!}

The other nice part about bringing experienced friends is they can help you stay in good spirits should you have less-than-stellar weather conditions – as they have likely survived their fair share of rainy or cold camping trips!

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#3: Check Your State’s Department of Conservation & Recreation

We are lucky that where we live in Pennsylvania we have so many beautiful state parks which offer camping. Many of the state parks offer first-time camping programs where you can get discounted rates as well as help and gear. If you do not have your own tent or an RV, you can also explore into renting a cabin, cottage, or yurt from a state park.

Another good reason to check your state’s department of conservation and recreation is to make sure you are aware of all rules and regulations before you go. For example, it is illegal to move firewood from one county to another in Pennsylvania. Most of the state parks have minimal rules, but they are rules you need to make sure you follow – such as not having alcoholic beverages or making a lot of noise after midnight.

State park offices also have a wealth of information available for you. They can provide you with information on hiking trails and wildlife areas, local area attractions, and often can help you with anything you might need in getting started with camping for the first time as a beginner.

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#4: Shop for Your Camping Gear Wisely

It’s easy to get lost and caught up in all the different camping supplies available! Some things are absolutely essential, others are nice to have, and some things can be more of a hassle than they are worth to pack!

At the bare minimum, you will need shelter such as a camping tent, blankets, food and water, a way to cook and prepare your food, clothes for both hot days and chilly evenings, personal care items such as soap, shampoo, medications, a first aid kit, insect repellent and sunscreen. Additional things to bring would be a small hatchet for firewood, folding chairs for around the fire, and of course any books or activities you may wish to bring along with you camping.

As you gain more experience in camping, you will learn more and more about what supplies you need and which ones you don’t really use as much as you thought.

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#5: Practice Safety First Always!

Safety is so important, especially when you are new to camping. If you have not brushed up on your first aid skills recently, this is a good time to refresh your memory on how to apply basic first aid.

In camping, prevention is the best way to stay safe, because most camping accidents and injuries can be completely prevented. You should always be sure you have enough clean drinking water to stay hydrated, an effective insect repellent to ward off any tick-borne or mosquito spread diseases and illnesses, and sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.

These three things alone sound like such good common sense, but I can’t tell you how many times people forget things like sunscreen and insect repellent!

You should also take into consideration what wildlife you may encounter while camping. Bears, alligators, birds, squirrels, raccoons – we’ve had all of these! It is very important to never feed these animals, as well as to not leave out any trash or food that may attract them to your campsite.

Other important safety factors consider staying warm if it is cold, wearing a life preserver if you will be in the water, and making sure any fires you start are supervised and under control at all times and extinguished completely before leaving your campsite.

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Yes, Camping is Worth It and a LOT of Fun!

After reading these tips for how to go camping for the first time, you might be feeling a little bit nervous, but I assure you it can be a lot of fun. It does not have to be complicated, nor do you need to spend a lot on camping gear to get started. You can always start out by renting a cabin or a yurt to test the waters first!

There are so many benefits to camping, and with the right preparedness you will avoid most of the common mishaps most people experience when camping the first time, such as getting sunburnt or being bitten my mosquitoes. Knowing what to expect ahead of time can save you a lot of hassles and headaches down the road!

With these tips and helpful hints, you will be ready for your first-time camping trip and you feel prepared enough to ensure everything will hopefully go smoothly for you! Before you know it, you will want to go camping again and again and again!

Are you an experienced camper? What camping tips for beginners might you recommend? What would you suggest to someone who is interested in learning how to start camping? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Camping with a baby? Wondering what baby camping gear you might need? Worried it will be stressful or you’ll forget something essential?

Fear not, because I’ve been camping with my kids since they were as young as 2 weeks old!

In fact, in the picture above, that’s my daughter’s SECOND season of camping – she’s about 10 months old in the photo! So, yes, camping with a baby is totally possible!

1. Portable Crib or Pack and Play

This is my #1 supply to bring because you definitely will want to make sure your baby has a safe and comfortable place to sleep and play.

I used a Pack N Play with all of my kids because it doubled as a crib AND a playpen. It’s very helpful to be able to put the baby there for nap time and while you are cooking around the campfire.

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