| Camping life is no easy chore. Beginners can save | | | | embarking on a big vacation! You don't need to |
| themselves lots of headaches by learning from | | | | bring everything and the kitchen sink with you. |
| the mistakes of others. Have a better time at | | | | Unless it's something essential, leave it at home; |
| camp by learning from the camping mistakes of | | | | rough it up a bit - you're camping! |
| others. | | | | 6. Letting your dog off the leash. Even the most |
| 1. Avoid arriving at your campsite tired and near | | | | obedient dogs will consider the smells of a new |
| dusk. Setting up your camp in the dark is a | | | | environment exciting and want to explore. It's |
| potential nightmare and it's not fun! Make sure you | | | | best to keep them leashed. |
| arrive with a sufficient amount of daylight | | | | 7. Bringing insufficient drinking water. Don't skimp |
| remaining so you you get yourself situated. | | | | on drinking water. Buy a case of it and put it in |
| 2. Don't leave the mattress pad at home. When | | | | the car. You'll be drinking more than you realize. |
| there's nothing between your sleeping bag and the | | | | 8. Bringing too few blankets. I can get cold at |
| ground, you're in for a restless night! | | | | night so pack more blankets and socks. You can |
| 3. Leaving trash and food out overnight. You'll | | | | thank me later. |
| more than likely have your camp ravaged by | | | | 9. Leaving the flashlight at home. You'll need that |
| animals if you leave trash and food lying around. | | | | flashlight, so pack a few with extra batteries. |
| Do yourself a BIG favor and pack everything up | | | | 10. Forgetting the sunscreen and bug repellent. |
| and lock it in your car. Dispose of trash in | | | | You're in for a miserable time if you forget these |
| receptacles provided. | | | | items. |
| 4. Buy a bigger camping tent. If 2 people are | | | | 11. Citronella candles or torches. These essential |
| camping, buy a tent for 4 people. This way, you'll | | | | items will keep the flying insects at bay and make |
| have enough room for 2 people plus storage for | | | | your time at camp a lot more enjoyable. |
| gear. Always add 2 to the number of people | | | | 12. Not cleaning up camp. Camp responsibly. Clean |
| camping (i.e. 2 people, 4 person tent; 4 people, 6 | | | | up after yourself before you leave camp. Leave |
| person tent). | | | | the camp nicer than you found it....that's good |
| 5. Packing too much stuff. You're camping, not | | | | camping etiquette. |