Prepare Your Family for The Great Outdoors

(NewsUSA) - According to the Travel Industry Association, one-third of American adults take camping trips, making camping the nation's number one outdoor vacation activity.

Camping provides a budget-friendly chance to enjoy nature. Campers can pitch their tents anywhere, from backyards to national parks.

For families, camping should be a healthy way to enjoy nature -- not a stressful trip. With some careful planning, families can arm themselves against any unexpected mishaps.

Save on basic supplies at extreme-value retailers, which stock plenty of essentials for any outside excursion. Here are some of the must-haves found at discount retailers such as Dollar General:

• Sun protection. Sunscreen, hats and glasses complete any outdoor ensemble.
• Insect repellent. Nothing ruins the great outdoors like a close encounter with mosquitoes, gnats and ticks.
• Clothing. Getting dirty while camping is part of the fun, so dress children accordingly. Pack extra socks, T-shirts and underwear, and bring portable stain remover.
• Snacks. It's raining too hard to start a fire? Bring crackers, snack bars, cereal, nuts and dried fruit as emergency rations. Canned soups, vegetables and spaghetti also make for quick meals.
• Cooking basics. Nothing compares to campfire cooking. Rustle up vittles in inexpensive cookware available at discounters such as Dollar General. They can be used over an open fire, like skillets, pots and pans.
• Grilling supplies. A portable grill, charcoal, starter fluid and matches make for a better dinner than cold refried beans.
• Dinnerware. Stick with the basics at dinner. Use plastic or paper plates and utensils for easy clean-up.
• Drinks. Avoid dehydration with bottled water and juice boxes. Bring a cooler to keep drinks cold.
• Flashlights. Supplement starlight with flashlights, lanterns and plenty of batteries. For emergencies, bring along a wind-up lantern that doesn't need batteries.
• S'mores. S'mores are easy to make and are the perfect fireside treat. All you need are marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers -; and napkins.

Camping outdoors can produce the memories that become family legends. A little planning and a trip to Dollar General will keep campers happy to re-tell these stories around campfires for years to come.

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