Spring Camp: Where To Go, What To Do And What To Know

Online, March 29, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Whether you're doing spring camp close to your homes or planning on a more adventurous trek and camping with the family this spring break, there are some rules and tips in keeping everyone safe while having a great time.

Where to Go

There's a thousand of place where a planned spring break adventures can be done. Almost every state in the country offers a great spot for treks and camping and some are even waiting to be discovered. Listed below are the top 25 listed as the best campgrounds for spring break.

For hiking, whitewater rafting or simply trekking over the hills:

• Hampton Beach State Park in New Hampshire
• Harriman State Park, New York
• Ohiopyle State Park, Pennsylvania
• Greenbelt Park, Maryland

For Lush Landscapes, nature adventure, Coastal Waterways, and out-of-this world wildlife:

• Tomoka State Park Florida
• Hunting Island State Park , South Carolina
• Tishomingo State Park, Mississippi
• Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia
• Sam Houston Jones State Park, Louisiana
• Shenandoah River State Park Virginia

For Buffalo sightings, Chainsaw Sculpture, and Blooming Wildflowers:

• Beavers Bend State Park, Oklahoma
• The Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
• Johnson's Shut-Ins state Park Missouri
• Custer State Park, South Dakota

For the wild Northwest, The Land of the Giants, Grand Meadows and Glacial Mountain tops:

• Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California
• Yosemite National Park, California
• Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
• Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Colorado
• Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

For the Epic Canyons, Freshwater lakes, and Serene Islands:

• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
• Channel Islands National Park, California
• Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas
• Clear Lake State Park, California
• Mount San Jacinto State Park, California

These affordable top 25 spring camp locations are sure to make the best campgrounds for an unforgettable spring break experience this year.

You've Got the Place, Now What to Bring?

Spring is the best time of the year to go camping because of the perfect weather and the kids are on a spring break. Like any other adventure trip, everyone must consider a checklist of must have camping tools, equipment and devices to ensure that all of the necessary items are not missed out. Below is a suggested list of things that you will need in your camping trip:

Essentials:

• tent
• sleeping bag (3)
• sleeping pad (2)
• headrest/pillows
• comforter
• throw rug
• pillow
• water
• food
• cooler
• camp stove
• mess kit
• can opener
• charcoal

First Aid Kit

• personal medication
• bandages
• aspirin, Tylenol
• medical tape
• sterile gauze
• elastic wrap
• antibiotic wipes
• antiseptic cream
• burn ointment
• sunburn lotion
• hydrogen peroxide
• scissors
• tweezers
• eye wash
• sanitary napkins
• snake bite kit

Personal Hygiene

• tooth brush
• tooth paste
• wash rags
• towels
• soap
• comb/brush
• nail clippers
• razor
• clothing
• toilet paper

Miscellaneous Items

• binoculars
• bug spray
• camera
• cell phone like Just5
• compass
• duct tape
• fishing gear
• flashlight
• GPS/Maps
• knife
• lantern
• matches
• rope
• sun block
• trail descriptions
• water filters
• music

This checklist will ensure that your camping trip is a full pleasure and fun and will cover all the necessary must have camping tools and kits to prevent a disastrous spring camp event.

We Got Everything, What else Do we Need

There are some factors that a camper needs to consider. Nature may not always be cooperative and might just throw on some weather tantrums that may ruin a day or two of your spring camp escapades. You've got the best campgrounds, the must have tools and kits, but nothing to tame the nature's erratic weather and raw wildlife. Here are some pointers that will help you when nature goes berserk and wild:

During thunderstorms

• Pitch your tent near lower trees, and stay away from the open field for it will offer no protection from the storm.
• Stay 15 feet away from each other to shield you from lightning.
• If the storm is over, stay for a few minutes before exposing yourself in an open field. Lightning may still be present even after the storm.
• Stay away from electric conductor materials.

Fires

• Make fires only on fire pit provided by the park.
• Do not smoke on well forested areas, leaves and grass tends to be drier on warm weather, cigarette butts can ignite the forest easily. (forest fires)
• Make sure to put out all camp fires before leaving the site.
• Keep water and shovel near camp fires.

Wildlife

• Watch your steps. Be cautious of the surrounding. Snakes and other creepy crawlers are well camouflaged against the terrain.
• Seal all food containers to avoid bear and other huge predator track the scent of the food.
• Keep the bugs away by using repellant.
• Never attempt to feed wild animals.
• Never store food in your tent, try hanging the container in a nearby tree.
• Supervise your children; never let them roam around behind your sight.

These pointers are the least that you can do against what Mother Nature can manifest during your spring break get away. If a camper is well prepared, these natural deterrents may spoil a day, but not the entire camping trip.

Some Additional Pointers to Remember

Always check with campgrounds about their security and safety rules and policies. Ask for some ways of communicating with designated park security and always keep reserved batteries for your mobile phones. Just5 mobile is a particular brand that comes with a handy flashlight, a radio, high drain batteries, and loud emergency tones, all features that may come in handy at times of camping emergency. Always inform your colleagues about your planned location, and whereabouts before going on a trek away from the camping site. Your mobile phone is a lifesaver; always bring your mobile device when you roam around the park.

Keeping it safe while enjoying the camping trip is not an easy task, but with such reminders and checklist provided, a spring camp is expected to be far better than with that unprepared camper.