If you will be going on a weekend camping trip with your teen-aged children this summer, the following tips will assist with preparing for the event and ensuring that you have plenty of supplies on hand throughout the outdoor excursion. As a result, you and your loved ones can enjoy all that nature has to offer without lacking basic creature comforts and emergency materials.

Acquire A Map Of The Area And Purchase Navigation Equipment

Buy or print a map of the area where you will be camping so that you can familiarize yourself with the directions to your destination and some landmarks that you will be passing along the way. Purchase a compass, binoculars, and a pair of night vision goggles and practice using the items with your children before leaving for the camping trip.

For instance, create a simple list of directions that will lead your children to a marked spot on your property. Allow each of your children to utilize the navigation equipment to find the area that you have marked. After your children have grown accustomed to using the navigation equipment, allow them to mark a spot on the ground and provide you with directions to it.

Pack Kindling, Matches, And Battery-Operated Lights

Fill a waterproof container with small pieces of kindling, a few books of matches, and battery-operated lights. The kindling will come in handy if twigs and small logs that you collect to make a campfire while on the camping trip are slightly damp and difficult to light. Lights that utilize LED bulbs or fluorescent tubes will provide you and your children with plenty of visibility while inside of your tent or during times that you are walking around your campsite and do not have a fire lit. You can also purchase emergency supplies including fire kits, such as from Koontz Hardware.

Practice Erecting A Tent At Home And Prepare Sleeping Materials And Food

If you already own a tent and haven't used it in a while, erect it to ensure that there are no holes in the material that it is constructed out of. Otherwise, purchase a new tent and set it up on your property. By doing so, you will not have difficulty when you arrive at the campsite and will be able to erect the tent in a reasonable amount of time.

Choose sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets to bring along on the camping trip. Place all of the items inside of a large bag or bin that inside of your vehicle's trunk. Pack plenty of non-perishable food items, bottled water, a can opener, and disposable dinnerware. 

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