5 Things to Learn Before Going Camping with Friends

1. How to make a camp fire from scratch.
One of the best parts of camping is roasting marshmallows and telling stories around a campfire, not to mention the wonderful campfire smell lingering afterwards.  This camp fire has to come from somewhere.  For steps go here.

2. How to extinguish a fire properly.
Only you can prevent forest fires.  Proper fire care is important.  You can wait till it burns out, watching to make sure every ember is out, you can pour water on it until it stops hissing, or your can smother it.

For more info. go here.

3. How to cook in a Dutch Oven.

Whether it is stew or peach cobbler, it makes for a great dinner and awesome bragging rights if you're a successful cook.  

For steps go here.

4. How to set up your tent.

You have to sleep somewhere, and if you don't want to wake up wet in the morning, you will need protection from dew and possibly rain.  It will also reduce bug exposure. There are many different kinds of tents.  They are significantly easier to set up than they were even a decade ago.  Many of them require no effort.  

For more information go here.

5. Basic First Aid

Before girls camp or scout camp, the campers are usually given lessons in first aid in case something goes wrong.  First thing you do is assign someone specifically to call for help.  Then diagnose the problem.  A broken bone can be splinted or put in a sling.  A shirt can make a nice sling. The principle is to immobilize the injury.  Other important things to know are the Heimlich, chest compressions, treating someone for shock, burns, lacerations and abrasions, poisoning, and concussions.

For a comprehensive guide go here.

Or you can register for CPR training.