* Measure ingredients for each meal ahead of time and pack in ziplock bags. Label each bag accordingly.

* Prepare soups, stews or chili etc ahead of time. Freeze and keep in cooler. Reheat for a quick meal.

* Don’t forget the heavy duty aluminum foil. There are many uses for it at camp.

* Be very careful with gas canisters. Keep upright at all times. Keep outside in well ventilated area. Check for leakage by putting soap liquid on all connections. Turn off when not in use.

* Freeze meat before putting in cooler. Keeps other foods cold and will keep longer.

* Cover pots whenever cooking outdoor. Food will get done quicker and you will save on fuel. Also helps keep dirt and insects out of your food.

* For ease of clean up and to protect from smoke and fire damage, put liquid soap on outside of your pots and pans before putting over the fire.

* Block ice will last longer than cubed ice.

* All items in your cooler should be packed in watertight bags or containers.

* To avoid unwanted visits from animals, keep food stored away or hang above ground level.

* Apply oil on camp grill to keep foods from sticking.

* Cans of frozen juice keep other foods cold.

* Use convenience or instant foods for quick meals.

* Use fireproof cooking equipment. Keep handles away from extreme heat and flames.

* To keep matches dry–dip stick matches in wax and when needed, scrape off the tip of the match and light. Also keep matches in a waterproof container.

* Use ziplock bags to store foods like soup, sauces, chili etc. Freeze the bag and put in cooler. It helps keep other foods cold.

* To fix a cooler leak, apply melted paraffin wax inside and outside the leaky area.

* Put a pan of hot water on the fire while you eat so that it’ll be ready for cleanup when you are done.

* To keep soap clean at your campsite, put it in a sock and hang from a tree.

* Pita bread packs better and stays in better shape while camping than regular type breads.

* Bring energy boosting snacks such as GORP trail  mix, granola bars, dried fruit, beef jerky etc. for in between meals.

* To cook hamburgers more evenly throughout, put a hole in the middle of your hamburger about the size of your finger, during grilling the hole will disappear but the center will be cooked the same as the edges.

Camping is a safe and fun activity enjoyed by millions every year. Every day to day activity we spend our time on has its ups and downs. Big problems are very unlikely, but some safety awareness can help you deal with the little things that pop up, so you the little irritations that life brings us now and then won’t become trip busters. Here are some tips for camping safety.
1. Weather can be unpredictable. Check the weather forecast for the area.
2. Take enough food, clothing, and equipment to keep you comfortable in case of emergency.
3. Tell someone where you will be, and when you plan to be home, in case someone needs to find you.
4. Plan to return to camp well before dark. Remember that daylight hours are shorter in the fall and winter.
5. Be alert to approaching storms, dress properly, and seek appropriate shelter.
6. Dress properly. Check the weather and terrain.

7. Poisonous snakes, ticks and poisonous plants may be found along trails. Exercise caution.
8. If you are a beginning camper, use the camping check lists found on this site.
9. Avoid tick bites by staying on trails and avoiding grassy, brushy areas. Wear light colored clothing so ticks can be seen. Tuck shirts into pants and pant legs into socks. Do not wear shorts on the trails. If a tick is attached to your skin, grab it with tweezers and remove it. Do not crush the tick’s body, as this can force bacteria into your skin. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. If you think part of the tick has remained in the skin, or if you think the tick has been attached for longer than 48 hours, seek medical attention. Be alert to a subsequent fever or skin rash. Report these to the doctor.
10. Always plan where to meet should one of your family members get separated.
11. Check your first aid kits before each trip. Replace any missing items, like bandaids, and check expiration dates on medicines and ointments.

As a general rule, pick a high level spot to pitch your tent. You’ll sleep better, and should it rain during the night water will drain away from your tent. Erect your tent far enough from any grill or campfire so that sparks won’t fly into it. Never set your tent up on low ground. Aim your tent door away from the direction of the morning sun. That way you won’t wake up and exit your tent into the bright sun.

Campgrounds will fall into two basic categories: public or private. Public campgrounds are usually run by a government agency and include those found in national parks and forests, Bureau of Land Management areas, Army Corps of Engineer projects, and in state parks and forests. Private campgrounds are typically RV parks and campground resorts owned by private citizens or businesses. Both public and private campgrounds are well represented on the Internet.

Public campgrounds offer the largest choice of campground destinations available to us. These campgrounds, which are mostly funded by tax dollars, are typically found in scenic areas or on lands set aside to preserve some aspect of the natural environment for present and future enjoyment of outdoor recreation. The public campgrounds usually offer the same quality of service and amenities nationwide. If you’ve ever camped at one national park, you can likely expect the experience to be the same at other national parks. The same can be said of campgrounds in the national forests, Army Corps of Engineer Projects, Bureau of Land Management Areas, and the state parks. Although the state park systems vary from state to state, the other public facilities remain somewhat consistent nationwide.

Camping on holidays you need to remember the some things around food safety and hand hygiene.

Trent Fowles, manager of Population Health Service’s Health Protection Unit said When people going to camping, usually bring their favorite barbecue which brings potential for food poisoning, then they are also living in close proximity to one another and do not have adequate refrigeration capacity or readily available hand washing facilities.

He said that Summer is a good time to remember and follow the rules against food poisoning incidences. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority calls for vigilance this summer with cooking hygiene, clean, cook, chill cover as a good start to summer food safety.

Clean
- Keep all food clean and contact areas.
- Wipe away any meat juices and always use clean chopping boards.
- Keep pets aways from Barbecues

Cook
- until the juices run clear then cook

Chill
- if you cooking at home, remember keep foods refrigerated until ready to cook or serve. Use chilli bins and ice packs to keep foods cold if there is not limited space.
- Refrigerate and cover to keep them safe to eat.
- Foods must be covered and at room temperatures for more than two hours. If in doubt, just throw it out.

Cover
- Remember keep foods covered and away from any contamination.

Mr Fowles said “In fact, thorough hand washing is the most effective way to stop the spread of infectious disease.”

Tips for People:
If someone have symptoms of being unwell, they should never take part in preparing food and even hand washing is more important for them.