Exploring the outdoors

Everything you need to know before going camping around the Midwest

by Joseph Baker a&e staff

How to plan for when you’re camping:

Knowing when it’s a good time to go camping is extremely important, because if you go and the weather turns out to be really bad, it could put your life at risk. Taking precautions like checking the weather before you go camping and making sure you’re in a safe place are really important. You must also be aware of wild animals like bears and snakes. It might be best to go with a group of friends or your family.

Where to go camping in Missouri:

Going on a camping trip can be really awesome if you know where to camp, but if you don’t want to travel 1,171 miles to Florida, there are some great places to go to in Missouri. Places like Silver Dollar City offer many locations to visit like lakes and theme parks, along with Lake of the Ozarks, which has beautiful lakes that are great to visit on your camping trip. Some honorable mentions include Mark Twain National Park and Camdenton.

How to set up your tent: Scan for more instructions on tent set-up.

Camping 101

Scan for a detailed guide to camping: from how to light a fre to what camping gear to bring.

What to bring and how to stay safe:

Camping can be a great way of taking a break to connect with nature. Before you go off camping, it's really important to have a place for shelter, such as a tent and a sleeping bag. If sleeping on the ground isn’t your thing, you can also bring a sleeping pad or an inflatable mattress. If you’re more into modern camping, where you want to enjoy the scenery of camping but don’t want to be in a tent, having a camper or an RV is a great option to take into account.

To be safe while you’re camping, it’s essential to bring items that can protect you while you’re out camping. Bringing flashlights, bug spray and sunscreen is really important to your camping experience to prevent getting a sunburn or mosquito bites. Just in case you get lost, it’s always good to bring a compass and an emergency kit. If somehow you’re separated from your group, it might be a good idea to have a survival book and the emergency kit just to be safe.