Camping is one of Americas’ favorite past times and a go-to plan for fun family vacations. No matter what type of camping they did — from tent camping to cabin camping, Americans spent a total of 534.9 million days camping in 2011, which is about 12.6 days per person. Going camping is a great way to unwind, spend time with the family, and get back to nature, but there are a few things every camper should keep in mind.
1. Be prepared.
It’s always important to be prepared when you’re camping because of the physical difficulties that being in nature can pose. These aren’t necessarily serious, but it’s important to pack things like sunscreen to protect your skin, bug spray to protect from bites, and varying types of clothing to keep you warm and dry during different types of weather. Pack for rain even if the forecast doesn’t call for it, especially if you’re camping for an extended period of time.
2. Take nothing and leave nothing.
This is probably the ultimate rule of camping: do not leave anything behind when you leave, and take nothing with you when you go. Most people (67%) camp in public camping sites, but no matter where you go, follow this principle. Take all of your trash and personal items when you leave, and do not disturb the physical landscape or take anything from it.
3. Keep safety in mind.
Family camping vacations are usually chock full of outdoor activities, which is why it’s essential to always keep safety in mind. Hiking is one of the most popular camping activities and most family campgrounds have trials. The important thing is to always stay on marked paths for your safety and so you don’t get lost.
