Camping can be a great way to spend time with your family, but the most important thing that you will need to remember is to be prepared.
Kids Health warns that not being properly prepared for a sudden change in weather, or becoming lost are two of the most common problems experienced by campers. Before leaving for your trip, be sure to carry the right clothing for the weather, and learn as much as you can about map reading and recognizing your location.
Here is some important advice from Kids Health for some other ways you can keep your hiking or camping trip safe and fun for your family:
- Never approach wild animals, and never feed them. Teach your kids that wild animals, no matter how big or small, may defend themselves and their young if threatened.
- Teach your kids to recognize common poisonous plants, like poison ivy, oak, or sumac, and to avoid touching these.
- Keep your campsite free of food odors and don’t bring food into your tent. Pack food in animal-resistant containers.
- Bring plenty of clean bottled water on your trip. If you can’t, or if you run out, you can boil your water or add iodine pills to water you find on your trip.
- Always carry a first aid kit that includes bandages, a cold pack, scissors, tweezers and needles to remove splinters or ticks, antibiotic cream, oral antihistamines, and pain medication.
If you ever experience an emergency in the wild, the most important thing to do is to stay calm. Talk to your family in advance about creating a plan in case of emergency, and try to figure out what your best course of action might be.
Before your trip, always notify your friends and family when and where you are going, and when you expect to be back. Check out the Kids Health site for more information on preparing for an outdoor camping adventure with your family.
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