Tips for camping ?

Question

I will be camping with a friend and his family tomorrow and was wondering what i should know and I need all the tips I can get. What should I pack are the mosquito's bad what if you have to use the washroom in the middle of the night etc. I am not an outdoors kind of person but I want to make the best of it and have fun. Thanks Brendan.

Answer 1

bed roll, sleeping bag, tent, bug spray (just in case), flashlight and if you need to go washroom in the middle of the night you have to use the buddy system. Pack some matches just in case. Everything else his family should take care of. Oh, bring ur favourite snacks if it's more than a night. It's always nice to have some around on a camping trip.

Where I live camping is pretty common. Wear whatever you like just as long as you have a sweater if you get too cold or it there's too many bugs where you're going... and a thin rain jacket (just in case). Don't wear your favourite shoes.

Answer 2

Depends where you are camping.  For Mosquitos: If you are camping somewhere like Yosemite in CA, a little 100% pure deet repellant will be all you need to keep mosquitos at bay.  If you are camping somewhere really swampy, like the Everglades in Florida, or Wonder Lake in Denali, you will need "barrier" clothing including cotton gloves and a mosquito net to place over your head as well as Deet.

Washroom:  If your campground has an outhouse or restroom, all you'll need is a flashlight to go there at night.  If you are out in a remote primitive area without such facilitites, you'll just have to go behind a tree or bush where no one's around.  You can dig a hole in the ground about 6 inches deep, and fill it with your own brand of fertilizer.  For hand washing, if there's no sink, you can use water from a spigot, a stream, or a jug (I'm sure your friend's family will bring water with them if they are planning on going to a "dry" campground).  You may wish to bring toilet paper and soap in case there are none at the campground because even if the campground has a deluxe bathroom with flush toilets, other campers may use up all the paper and soap.

Things to pack:  At least one quality flashlight, either a "shake" flashlight or one that takes batteries - and spare batteries.  Raingear just in case.  Warm layers of clothes in case its cold at night.  Sleeping bag.  Tent (unless you're sharing with your friend).  At least one more pair of socks and underwear than you think you'll need.  Food and beverages of your choice.  Tooth brush, toothpaste, floss, and any medications you need.  Bring some over the counter anti-histamines in case you find yourself allergic to soemthing out there.  If you are camping in "bear country" you should bring a bear-resistant hardsided cannister to store food and toiletries in.  

Pepper spray or other defensive weapons may be desired depending on what kind of wildlife resides in the area you're camping in.