| Are you feeling the call of the "great outdoors?" | | | | a "bear bag" that you'll hang from a tree to keep |
| Spring and summer are right around the corner; | | | | your food supplies safe from hungry bears, |
| the height of camping season. For a nature | | | | raccoons and other night scavengers, fire-starting |
| enthusiast, there's nothing finer than camping in a | | | | material, and light-weight cooking gear if you're |
| national park, state park or designated recreation | | | | planning a camp out of more than two days. |
| area. Whether your camping world consists of the | | | | About water purifying tablets: never drink from |
| mountains, deserts, ocean areas or the rolling | | | | natural rivers, lakes, streams, or ponds! Nature's |
| prairies, America's glory truly comes to life when | | | | water contains bacteria that seriously upsets |
| you actually live it! Experienced campers know all | | | | non-immune human gastrointestinal systems. |
| the best places and have their favorites when it | | | | Unless you want to share your camping trip with |
| comes time to pitch their tents. If you're a novice | | | | a nasty case of diarrhea, treat all water with a |
| camper, or have only limited experience in | | | | purification tablet before you drink it. |
| camping, here are some tips to be aware of. | | | | Don't forget necessities like sleeping bags, toilet |
| First, if you have friends who are expert | | | | paper, soap, food prep materials, clothing that can |
| campers, ask if you can tag along on their next | | | | be worn in layers in cold weather, comfortable |
| outing into the world of nature. Ask questions, | | | | hiking boots, a sturdy hat, sunscreen, and insect |
| watch what they do and how they do it, and | | | | repellant. "Bear bells" can be attached to your |
| learn the "do's and don'ts" of camping. Learn about | | | | backboard or walking stick; bears hear and smell |
| designated campgrounds, campfire safety, hiking | | | | you long before you see each other. Use bells or |
| routes to campsites, reading topographical maps, | | | | conversation with your companions, and bears will |
| making your campsite bear-proof, and weather | | | | go out of their way to avoid you. Learn what to |
| safety. | | | | do if you should have a sudden, aggressive |
| Then, put yourself into the hands of an outfitter's | | | | encounter with a charging bear. A steadfast rule in |
| store or web site who specializes in camping | | | | the camping world is to never have a visual "stare |
| equipment and safety. This is a great time to ask | | | | down" with a bear, wolf, or mountain lion; they |
| your camper friend to accompany you or browse | | | | take this as a challenge and could get you |
| the web with you. All camping gear is not created | | | | seriously hurt or killed. |
| equal! You'll want the best quality and safest gear | | | | Got dogs? Leave them home when you go |
| you can afford that will be with you for many | | | | camping. They naturally attract the attention of |
| years of outdoor recreation and not fall apart or | | | | predators. If you're planning to fish or hunt, make |
| malfunction when you need it the most. | | | | sure you have a license to do so and learn your |
| Depending upon your campsite location, you'll need | | | | wilderness area's regulations on fishing gear and |
| the following basic gear: a backboard that straps | | | | firearms. |
| around your shoulders and stows all your camping | | | | By following these simple rules and steps, your |
| gear, an all-weather waterproof tent(s) with a | | | | camping experiences will be adventures of a |
| plastic floor-liner to keep you from sleeping on | | | | lifetime! |
| wet or cold ground, kerosene lanterns, flashlights, | | | | |