No matter why you’ve decided to go camping or with whom you’ve decided to go, there is no excuse for not planning your camping vacation in advance. With very few exceptions, the people who generally find themselves face to face with terrible situations while out in the wilderness are those who were “just winging it,” and were totally unprepared for the terrain, the elements, and even the wildlife. Please do not fall into this tragic trap. This is not a situation for anyone to be lazy about. This article will help you to understand the steps you need to take to ensure that your next camping excursion is a safe and enjoyable one.

Of course, the reasons for planning ahead don’t just stop with being prepared for trying situations, but will also give you a proactive advantage over other campers. You see, many campgrounds will actually reserve campsites on a first come, first served basis. For this reason, if you know well in advance that you would like to camp at that particular campground, you can have “pick of the litter” and literally claim any spot you would like. This can be a campsite that is right on the water, close to some nice hiking trails, or in an otherwise perfect location.

Additionally, planning your trip well in advance will allow you to really think all of your activities through, giving you plenty of time to come up with new games to play, adventures to go on, and other ways to maximize your time at the campground. You will also be able to shop for great items ahead of time, and can afford more cool stuff because you won’t be buying it all at once. This can mean a couple new rafts to take out on the river, or maybe even some type of ATV or powered watercraft!

But in the end, it all comes back to safety. Being ill-prepared on a camping trip could very possibly mean the difference between life and death. You will want to get to know the area where you’ll be camping. Are there any venomous snakes, wild cats, bears, wasps, fire ants, or any other potentially dangerous critters you should know about? If so, what can you do in order to protect yourself and your family in the event that you come face to face with these creatures? Wasps hate pyrethrin, snakes hate machetes, and bears and cougars hate bullets. Would it be wise for you to pack any of these things just in case?

Other items you may wish to consider bringing along on your next camping excursion include insect repellant, a first aid kit, matches or a lighter, a sharp knife, a cell phone, a portable fire shelter, a map and compass, and anything else you can think of that may come in handy in a survival situation. Again, planning these things out far in advance of you trip will ultimately give you and your family the best peace of mind possible.