Proper equipment
Be sure you have the appropriate camping gear for your needs, whether that includes a tent, sleeping gear, or cooking equipment. Make a camping checklist before you go. Proper shelter for the environment in which you will be camping can be crucial, particularly in very cold, very hot, or rainy areas. Forgetting the matches can make it very difficult to have a hot dinner! Sufficient water and containers are also crucial. Dehydration, particularly in hot summers, can be a big problem if you are not prepared.

Location and season
Take into account the season and location in which you are making camp. Camping tents should not be placed too close to running water, under trees which do not appear safe, or on uneven ground. Depending on the season, be aware of snowmelt runoff, flash floods, or other low lying areas which could quickly flood a tent.

First Aid Supplies
Be sure to always have a basic first aid kit handy. A small scratch or cut can turn into a painful, infected wound if not properly cared for. Stock your kit with the essentials, such as antibiotic cream, bandages, bug bite relief, burn cream, tweezers, ice packs, and more.

Wild Animals
Never approach a wide animal. While many wild animals may appear tame, they are unpredictable and can become defensive and fierce. Always avoid small animals, as mothers are notoriously protective. In some places, wild animals have lost their natural fear of humans, often from being fed. These animals range from deer to raccoons to alligators.

If you are camping in an area known for particularly wild animals, such as bears or mountain lions, take all recommended precautionary measures. This includes having no food items (including toothpaste) in your campsite and especially in your tent! ‘Bear bags’ should be used, and rigged several hundred feet away from the campsite to prevent unwanted midnight visitors. For back country hikers and backpacks, be vigilant and remain on the lookout for tracks or other recent sign of dangerous animals.

Fire
Campfire cooking is one of the most enjoyable aspects of camping. However, campfires can cause extreme damage in the form of wildfires if not handled properly. First, beware all fire restrictions. Parks and ranger districts will usually have a fire hazard level warning campers of ‘Do Not Burn’ days and restrictions. Second, if you do use a campfire, be sure it is properly and completely extinguished before going to sleep or leaving the campsite. Many state and national campgrounds have specific restrictions or rules to follow.

Fire can also cause accidents within the camp site. Children and adults alike can be burned if not exercising proper care around the fire.

Insects
Wear appropriate clothing when hiking to prevent tick bites; keep feet and legs covered, preferably with light colored material. Use DEET to repel ticks and mosquitoes as well. For those sensitive to bug bites, or with bee allergies, always keep Benadryl or an epi-pen handy. Make sure someone besides the sensitive person knows where it is, in case of emergency.

Emergency Supplies
If you plan to hike, carry a few necessities in case you get lost or hurt. A few lightweight, basic camping gear supplies can sustain a lost hiker for days, and save a life! Items in a daypack should include- a thermal (metallic) emergency blanket; a rain poncho; nonperishable food such as beef jerky; a compass; a knife; string or twine and tape; flashlight; waterproof matches; water purification tablets and drinkable water.

Common sense
Some of the most common incidents that occur in the wild are simply from a lack of common sense. Use basic care when spending time in the outdoors, and it can be an enjoyable time for all!

When fishing with kids, there are a few key points to keep in mind. First, make sure you have proper fishing tackle. Cane poles and simple rod and reels make good starter fishing equipment. Fishing lures or live bait can both be used. Since children are often fascinated (and unafraid) of wiggly, squirmy creatures, worms, crickets, and minnows as bait can just add to the excitement. Begin by teaching the child how to bait his or her own hook- it will make every future fishing trip more enjoyable for the grownups! When it comes to a fishing license, most states allow children under 16 to fish without one, but it is always a good idea to check before you head out.

Safety is an important aspect to consider. When fishing on a pier, or other spot near deep water, keep in mind the swimming ability of the child, and consider a life jacket if you are near water over the child’s head. Sunscreen, sunglasses, bug repellant, and maybe a basic first aid kit will round out safety needs.

Aside from sunburn, hooking oneself (or one’s fishing instructor) with an out of control cast is probably the most common incident that occurs when fishing with children. Some people advocate practice casting in an open field or parking lot before heading to the water. Others prefer on the job training. Point out hook ‘danger zones’ before the first cast. “Squirrel fish” and “Stick fish” do not make good eating! Thick grass, logs, and other people’s lines are also good traps. Once the child has mastered casting, strategic placement near grassy areas, under piers, and around logs can be employed.

The use of bobbers and corks are especially great for fishing with children, and give them an easy visual clue. Small fish are just as exciting to catch for newbies as a trophy, and most little ones are not interested in keeping to eat- catch and release can be just as exciting for children. When removing fish from the hook, be sure and demonstrate safe methods, and keep a pair of pliers handy. Especially when using ‘catch and release’ techniques, explain the importance of damaging the fish as little as possible. Allow the little fisherman to gently release the fish back into the water.

The southern states offer some of the best opportunities in the world for fishing, and a day fishing with a kid can make the best memories of the summer! Fishing is a fun family activity, and it is one of the least expensive outdoor sports to participate in. Additionally, fishing can be done by anyone- athleticism, agility, and other traits that most kids have not yet developed are not needed. All you really need is patience and the enjoyment of the great outdoors!

Boat rentals fall into three main categories:

Small craft rentals
These are canoes, kayaks, and small dingy-style fishing boats. These are available at state parks throughout the country for a small fee, and are generally available for hourly, daily, or half-day rates. Some may include motors, but many will not. For example, Fort Cooper State Park in Inverness, Florida, offers canoe and paddle boat rentals, starting at $5.00 per hour. Many other parks and small marinas offer these types of boats for recreational paddling or small gear fishing.

PWC daily rentals
Personal Water Craft daily rentals – and sometimes weekly rentals- are often available around popular resort areas. In addition to the plethora of boat rentals for fishing and skiing found all along the coastal areas, large lake areas often have boat rentals as well with a range of choices.

Lake Lanier, in northern Georgia, has several types of boat rentals for various needs. Pontoon boats, ski boats, and even wave runners are available by the hour, day, or week. Longer rentals offer discounts.

Boat Clubs
For the boater who does not want to have the expense and upkeep of full time boat ownership, membership in a boat club can be a great compromise. Boat Clubs, such as those found around south Florida, allow members to pick and choose membership levels depending on how often they plan to use the boats. Memberships range from basic rental rates, to reduced rental rates, to full memberships that allow unlimited use of the club’s fleet. Most boat clubs have several different boat types to choose from, depending on what you plan to be doing on the water on a given day, so if you need a flats boat for fishing, a cuddy cabin for cruising, or a center console, you can change the boat type each time you rent.

A few things to keep in mind: When renting a boat, you will likely be asked to put down a deposit of some sort. For small rentals in state parks, leaving a drivers license may suffice; for large craft rentals, expect some sort of security deposit. A credit card and ID will usually be required. You may also be asked to prove basic boaters safety training, and fuel and gas will generally not be included.

Boat rentals are a great way for part time boaters to get out on the water without the cash outlay and responsibility of boat upkeep. For beginners and part timers, a rental is the way to go!

Small, Man-Powered Craft
This category includes almost anything that can be rowed. Dinghies, jon boats, and other aluminum boats, kayaks, canoes, pirogues, and anything else that is moved by a pole or oars all fit into this category. Kayaks and canoes are often used for recreational boating and rowing, while the others are used for fishing, hunting, and relaxation. Small motors can be added to the jon boat and rowboat category, of course. These boats are typically light weight, hold one or two people, and can easily be brought on shore.

Sailboats
Sailboats come in several types, and various sail versions. The hull is generally made from one of two main types: Keel boats, or catamarans. Keel boats have a “keel”, which is similar to a weighted fin pointing upside down from the bottom of the boat. The keel prevents the boat from sliding to the side when moving under sail power, and also acts as a counter weight against the wind to prevent the boat from turning over.

Catamarans are constructed from two hulls, which ride higher on the water than a keel boat. The hulls are generally much wider than a keel boat and the decreased drag and lighter weight allows catamarans to sail much faster. There are other types of sail boats, including yawls, sail cats, and more.

Pontoon boats
Pontoon boats are a simple, lightweight vessels that work well for family pleasure cruising. Sometimes pontoon boats are the basis for houseboats as well. Pontoons are hollow cylinders. Two of these generally are connected by a frame and a raft style boat deck is built across them. These boats have very low draft, and are generally reasonably priced.

Power boats
There are several popular types of power boats available. Bass boats, for instance are built especially for fishing, and have a sleek build. Ski boats are designed for recreational usage, and are made to pull skiers and fish, and are especially suited to family usage. Other types of power boats include the larger cruising vessels, walkabouts, performance boats, and bow riders. Some powerboats are available with inboard motors, while most have outboards.

Another popular type of sport fishing power boat is the center console boat. These boats, which also come in flats boats, are ideal for recreational fishing in saltwater flats and near shore saltwater. Larger center consoles can take the special roughness that comes from salt water and persistent wave action of the ocean.

Specialty boats
There are also many types of specialty boats. These include houseboats, which are like a floating cabin; air boats, which can actually drive over grass and have almost no water displacement (but they are very loud!); trawlers, which have large water displacement; and yachts.

Island Camping

For those who really want to get away from it all, or dream of being stranded on a desert island, you can get fairly close by roughing it on one of several state and national parks.

Cayo Costa State Park, off the coast of Florida near Fort Myers, is accessed only by private boat or the daily ferry from Pine Island, Florida. There are no stores on the island, and no facilities, but the beaches are white and stunning, the weather warm year round, and very few people. Campers must pack in all their camping gear to the camp site.

Dry Tortugas National Park is a small cluster of islands that lie approximately seventy miles west of Key West, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico. Not only is it home to the historical Fort Jefferson, it is surrounded by a protected Research Natural Area that protects the surrounding marine habitat and offers a marine research area and sanctuary. Dry Tortugas is only accessible by boat, seaplane, or helicopter, and all needs must be packed in, as there are no facilities. For those who want to get away, this is the place!

Tree House Camping

Indulge yourself and your kids in the childhood fantasy of a real treehouse! Treehouse camping involves camping in treehouses that are raised off the ground by several feet, putting campers at tree level!

Out ‘n About, a Treehouse resort in Cave Junction, Oregon, offers a variety of interesting treehouse camping experiences, including a “treepee”. Campers can choose from a range of amenities, depending on how much true camping you prefer!

Try the Maple Tree Campground, which offers tree cottages, tree houses, and traditional tent camping in Gapland, Maryland. Treehouses are log cabin and other rustic styles, and allow campers to see the outdoors from a unique perspective above the ground!

Winter Camping

Enjoy the great outdoors throughout the winter in these winter camping facilities.

Mount Rainier National Paradise Campground, offers snow camping once the snow base builds up to at least 5 feet. And once the base reaches 8 feet, there is sufficient snow to build snow caves and igloos!

Stokes State Forest in New Jersey offers camping year round, including throughout the winter- and when you are not spending time at the campsite, you can take part in other winter activities, including ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and more!

Camp near the Caves

Several state and national parks offer camping near the park. Go caving by day, and sleep under the stars in a nearby campsite by night.

Mammoth Cave National Park, in Kentucky, offers campers a chance to visit the underground system of caves through over a dozen different tours, including the Star Chamber Tour, the River Styx Cave Tour, the Frozen Niagara Tour, and the Snowball Tour, among others!

Marengo Cave Park, a U.S. National Landmark in Marengo, Indiana, offers rustic camping cabins. Campground restrooms are provided, but basic camping equipment will be required. Campers can enjoy visiting the caves in a variety of challenging activities including cave exploration.

Bass fishing is such a popular sport because not only can the fish grow to a significant weight -up to 25 pounds- but the fish is especially known for the good fight it gives anglers. Fishing lures used to snag the exciting trophy range from live bait to crank and spinner baits, rattletraps, and plastic worms. Living rooms across the south proudly display a kid’s (or dad’s) trophy bass mounted on a wall.

The sport of bass fishing is so addictive to aficionados, one can barely turn on the Sunday outdoor channels on satellite television without watching the latest bass pro reeling in a big one. The daily fishing report, along with local feed times is routinely posted in local papers; and an entire industry of fishing tournaments around the country has sprung up.

The southern states have several hot spots known for their spectacular bass fishing. Florida, which is riddled with lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds, is famous for its largest lake, Lake Okeechobee. In addition, the Florida Everglades are known for having a large bass population. Other favorites in the Sunshine State include Lake Seminole, in the panhandle, and the series of smaller lakes throughout central Florida.

Louisiana is another great fishing state, heralded by the state nickname- The Sportsman’s Paradise. Louisiana’s many bayous, bays, rivers, and lakes are home to many largemouth bass, along with other freshwater fish, including catfish, bream, crappie, and more. From Toledo Bend, to the False River, Lake Bruin, and the Atchafalaya Basin, the wetlands of Louisiana offer a spot for most fishermen to cast a line.

Alabama’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division places such an emphasis on freshwater fishing, the agency manages and stocks twenty-three lakes in twenty counties across Alabama. These lakes are open to the public year round, and are specifically geared to provide quality fishing for families and sport fishermen. Tennessee is yet another state with a plethora of fishing spots for largemouth bass. Boone Lake, Cherokee Lake, Priest, Old Hickory, and others offer a variety of scenic fishing.

Georgia is not to be missed by serious anglers either; it shares with Florida the borders of Lake Seminole, a lake renowned for its fantastic bass fishing (and its alligators!) With other large lakes and good-sized bass in them, Lake Lanier, Jackson Lake, Lake Eufaula, and rivers like the Flint River keep Georgia fishermen busy as well and offer a variety of recreational spots for sport fishermen and families.

Bass fishing is a popular sport throughout the south. The mild southern winters, which allows year round fishing, abundance of clean, clear waters, and the enjoyment of the outdoors have combined to make this one of the most widespread sporting activities around.