Planning ahead can make the difference between a great family memory and something that everyone wants to forget. Even if you’re not in any imminent danger, not knowing what to expect on an outing in the wilderness can turn a great day into one where everyone just wants to go home.

The first thing to be aware of is that the weather can change considerably even over the course of just one day. While it probably wonÂ’t start snowing in the middle of summer, it can get chilly quickly so itÂ’s important to bring layers of clothes for everyone in the family in case of a sudden change. On the same note, itÂ’s not unusual for a chilly morning to turn into an extremely hot day, so again, dress in layers so that you can remove items of clothing as the day gets warmer. You might also want to prepare for rainstorms in the form of ponchos, which often can be packed into small bags and easily tossed into a backpack.

Keep in mind the ages of the people you are going out with. Children cannot handle extreme heat as well as adults, so make sure you pack plenty of water and try to keep most hiking to the mornings and evenings when itÂ’s not so hot.

While this is especially true for inexperienced hikers, even people experienced in the wilderness can get easily lost in the woods. Turn this into a game by teaching your children how to look for and recognize landmarks. You can also use a compass to keep track of which direction your going in.

ItÂ’s also important to never hike alone. Each adult in your group should have a pack with safety items such as a whistle, matches, a knife, emergency signals, a basic first aid kit, a blanket, water and a flashlight in case you get separated. All children should wear a whistle around their necks and know how to use it in an emergency (only in an emergency) in case they wander off and cannot find their way back.

Be aware of plants such as poison ivy and poison oak that can cause rashes and wear long sleeved shirts and long pants while hiking. Long sleeves and pants will also help protect against ticks, but itÂ’s always important to do a tick check every evening to remove any ticks.

If you are camping overnight and plan on setting up a tent, take some time to find an appropriate site. This includes making sure the ground is free of debris such as broken glass and that there are not characteristics nearby that might attract animals.

The end of the day when youÂ’re sitting around the campfire can generate the best memories, but itÂ’s important to teach kids to not horse around near the fires. ItÂ’s even more important to never leave even the smallest fire unattended since it can easily and quickly spark a larger fire. You can extinguish a fire by dumping water on it or shoveling dirt onto it before leaving.

Taking these precautions can make day and camping trips enjoyable experiences that you and your children will look forward to for years to come.

Ruby started RubyStone Enterprises aka http://www.rubystone.com to help keep you and your little ones stay safe and secure. At http://www.RubyStone.com we offer a wide range of Free Safety advice, Newsletters, guides and tips as well as the very latest in unique safety products to help you protect yourself and loved ones. Outdoor Emergency Kit http://www.rubystone.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?page=RBS/PROD/SEK1/OEK Copyright 2007 by Ruby Aragon. All rights reserved.

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