Setting Up the
Campsite Location:
Chose a location that is • Flat • Clear of Sticks and Rocks • Safe Distance from Water • Large Enough for Tent and Gear
Keep an Eye Open for Poisonous
Plants
Many of us are allergic to plants such as Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac. Try to steer clear and stay away from them when possible to avoid irritation to your skin. Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Poison Sumac
Work Together:
Don’t Try to do all the work yourself. Designate jobs to those who can complete them. Small children can clear the sticks from the ground for a spot to put the tent. Older children can help set up the tent. The more people that are working to finish the site, the faster and smoother the experience will be.
Image Courtesy of: Internet Archive Book Images (Flickr account) Dulles, C.W.
Signs that You’re Allergic... • • • • • •
Blistering Itching Rashes Burning sensation Redness Swelling
Treat Skin Irritation with... • • • •
Image Courtesy of: U.S. National Archives (flickr account), Photographed by Flip Schulke
Cold compress Calamine lotion or spray Wash skin with a mild soap Clean clothing that touched the infected area or the plants
* Seek help from a doctor if blisters become infected, if the irritation lasts longer than 10 day, or if the rash is covering a large part of your body especially eyes or throat.
Image Courtesy of: Internet Archive Book Images (Flickr account) Wright, M.O., ..., & Thompson, E.
You are in
Nature
When you go camping, you are in nature. You have to remember that you are in the wildlife’s home. Respect the animals and wildlife around you. • • • •
Pick up trash and litter. Don’t feed the Animals, they can get sick from human food and they will begin to hang around the camping areas if people feed them. Keep Food in a Rubbermad Container to limit their access to your food Leave the area the way you found it, we want to preserve nature and let it flourish.
Sources: Cover image courtesy of: U.S. National Archives (flickr account), Photographed by Flip Schulke Image sources: Dulles, C.W., (Book Author), Poison Sumac —Rhus Vemix [Drawing], Retrieved November 20, 2014 from: http://goo.gl/q6edpH, http://goo.gl/AjwnuV, and http://goo.gl/UzCb6T Image Courtesy of: U.S. National Archives (flickr account), Photographed by David Hiser
Be Prepared Anything Can Happen • • • • • • • • • • • •
First Aid Kit Rain Fly for the Tent Extra Flashligh Batteries Sleeping Pad/Air Mattress Rain Jackets Fresh Water Lighter/Waterproof Matches Bug/Insect Repellant Warm Clothes Extra Food Portable Hand Saw Rain Coats
These are ALL things that you will want to bring, but many people forget. If you have them you will be ready for most of the problems you will come across on your trip.
Schulke, F. (Photographer), Camping at Bahia Honda State Park in the Lower Florida Keys [Photograph], Retrieved November 20, 2014 from: http:// goo.gl/diTMEP Hiser, D. (Photographer), Backpacking in the Maze[Photograph], Retrieved November 20, 2014 from: http://goo.gl/cUhFW1 Shulke, F. (Photographer), Camping Facilities with Water, Electricity, and Plumbing, Are Available at Long Key State Park.[Photograph], Retrieved November 20, 2014 from: http://goo.gl/GwVhWK Wright, M.O., Chapman, F.M., Seton, E., Thompson, E. (Book Authors), The Raccoon [Drawing], Retrieved November 20, 2014 from: http://goo. gl/3euz2o Information sources: WebMD (April 29, 2014). Poison Ivy, Oak, & Sumac -The Basics. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/VrFTMp Lindsay Rand (August 13, 2014). Do’s and Don’ts of Family Camping Trips. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/pwY9Ne
Remember!
Check the forecast before you leave for your trip. Although it is possible to camp in the rain, it isn’t always the most fun. It might be beneficial to re-think and re-plan for another weekend if the weather will be bad.
By: Kennedy Johannsen
Camping Tips & Tricks Making the Trip Carefree
