Camping Resources

Proper Clothing

To protect against sudden temperature and weather changes, wear multi-layered clothing made of polypropylene, wool, and cotton. Layers of clothing such as tank tops, long-sleeved shirts, and sweaters will allow you or your child to reduce or increase clothing as needed. To protect against rain and wind, bring breathable, lightweight waterproof jackets and pants.

All family members need comfortable hiking shoes to prevent blistering. When hiking, tuck pant cuffs into socks and boots to protect against ticks. Children should wear brightly colored clothes to increase visibility. Caps or hats are also a good idea to guard against the sun and protect children's heads from insects.

Setting up a campsite

At campgrounds that can be accessed by cars, many natural hazards such as forest fires and fallen trees are less likely to be encountered. But there are other dangers such as broken glass and other hazardous trash. Scout the area before setting up a tent. In wilderness areas, look for signs of animal and insect use of the area; for example, yellow jacket wasps build their nests in the ground. If berries are plentiful at a site, bears may forage for food there. To build a firepit, look for a clearing and previous firepits. During fire-hazard periods and dry seasons, use portable stoves rather than campfires.

Food Supplies and Foraging

Plan your meals according to how many days you will be on a trip, and then bring extra food. These days there are plenty of portable foods, such as granola bars, packaged trail mix, breads, peanut butter, fruit, and other camping-friendly foods. You can even purchase dehydrated meals that only require the addition of water. It's best to leave foraging for berries to the animals, because it's easy to mistake toxic berries for edible ones that can make someone pretty sick and ruin the entire trip.

Protecting Against Animals

Animals in the wild are strong and agile, and will defend themselves and their young if threatened. Children should not approach wild animals, even small ones, and should never feed them. Don't leave your children unsupervised - small children are vulnerable. Instruct your children to stay calm and call loudly for help if they encounter a wild animal.

Always ask the park rangers about wild animals in your wilderness park. Keep the campsite free of food odors and do not bring food into tents. Pack food in your cars overnight; if you are going on a long camping trip, pack food in resealable plastic bags and animal-resistant containers.

Camping Emergency Basics

In the case of an emergency, the most important thing to do is to remain calm. During an emergency, families need to decide together on the best plan of action, examining the resources available. Before your trip, notify friends and families of your destination and time of return. And sign up at park registers before and after wilderness treks. If you've provided your child with a whistle and instructed him or her to wait in a sheltered area if he or she is lost, you should be able to find him or her more readily. If your family has a cell phone, bring it along - and make sure it's charged.

Always stay on the safe side when setting boundaries for family camping; the more remote you are, the more care you should take in choosing your activities. Survey campsites for riverbanks and cliffs. Check out climbing trees for dead branches and moss, both of which cause falls. Children can learn about the world around them while exploring the outdoors, and you can continue to enjoy camping and the woods safely.

Camping Checklist

To help you plan your next camping trip check out our basic camping checklist. Click to view and download the list →

Camping with Your Kids

Here are some tips to help you start thinking ahead about camping with children. Click to learn more →

Camping with Your Dog

To make your camping trip more enjoyable for everyone we've included some great tips when taking along man's best friend. Click to learn more →