Before hay baling and corn picking season begins, grab the youngsters and familiarize them with the joy of primitive camping. With a few minutes of careful planning, you can make sure the trip is not only memorable but safe. Grab the fishing rods, stow the sleeping bags, pack the food, and make a fool proof plan for a safe outing.

The Plan

Before setting out, set firm ground rules for the children. Rule number one, do not wander from the camp site. We read of countless cases each year where a youngster strayed from the campsite or group and a search and rescue party had to be put into action.

Look at the long range weather forecast before heading out. If turbulent weather is on the way, reschedule the trip, even if the camp out will be on the backside of the farm. Leave the Game Boy and other juvenile electronics at home, and replace them with a weather radio. In addition, add a wind up flashlight that requires no batteries for emergency purposes.

Stay in Touch, Don't Get Lost

Daniel Boone, one of the greatest woodsman that ever lived, was once asked if he had ever been lost in the woods. His reply was, "I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks." When you are outdoors with children this summer, give them knowledge that will help them avoid getting lost. Tell children if they do get lost to stay put. If panic sets in and the child begins to run aimlessly through the woods, search and rescue is more difficult. Equip each child with an emergency whistle. The shrill sound can be heard for long distances helping in rescue. Tell the child to use it only if lost, and instruct them that three loud bursts of sound is the international distress signal.

Children, as well as adults, often become extremely fearful when lost. Staying put is a top priority. Tell the child if he or she is lost to hug a tree. This will keep the youngster in a localized area and prevent aimless wandering. In addition, instruct the youngster to sing, pray, whistle, or do anything else that will keep his or her mind occupied while a rescue is being organized. Also, children may be too frightened to yell out to possible rescuers thinking that they are a form of danger. Tell your child to answer a noise with a noise. If it's an animal, it will probably run away, and if it's a rescuer, they will be rescued. Most of all, teach your child or any children you know knowledge of the woods not fear.

Beat the Bugs

Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever from ticks and West Nile from mosquitoes are serious concerns when camping. The odds of getting tick diseases are greatly reduced if the tick is removed within the first few hours or that night. Remove the tick with blunt tweezers making sure to grasp it firmly at the base of the head. Once removed, wash the area with soap and water, and apply an antiseptic. Methods such as applying a heated match head or Vaseline can cause the tick to regurgitate harmful agents into the skin.

One of the best precautions I've found against mosquitoes and other flying scourges is called ThermaCELL www.thermacell.com. This small device is powered by a small, butane canister which heats up a pad containing a chemical impregnated insert that drives mosquitoes away for an area of about 10 feet. Camping, bow hunting, fishing, and cooking out are much more enjoyable with this product. If you will be on the move, use an insect repellent containing DEET. If you don't want to eat DEET when you spray it around your face, liberally spray a bandana with DEET and tie it around your neck and the children's neck.

Poison Ivey

You might remember the old song poison ivy where the chorus goes, "I need an ocean of Calamine Lotion." However, if you get a bad case, you certainly have nothing to sing about. Prevention, however, is better than treatment. If you come in contact with poison oak or ivy on your camp out, wash the exposed area with cold, soapy water as soon as possible. Avoid warm or hot water which opens the skin pores allowing the plant's tannin, which causes the outbreak, to enter.

Watch the Weather

Even if you have looked at the long range forecast, weather can change quickly. A single lightening bolt can carry up to 30 million volts. It's no wonder that this electrical phenomenon strikes fear in outdoor enthusiasts. It is possible to estimate the distance of an approaching storm by counting the seconds between the flash of light and the clap of thunder. Every five seconds of time equals one mile of distance. For instance, if you count 10 seconds between the lightening flash and the thunder boom, you can estimate that the storm is two miles away.

If you get caught in a thunderstorm, lightening is a serious threat that can be minimized. If possible, position yourself away from any metal objects or standing water. Both will conduct electricity. If you are on a mountaintop or ridge, get to lower ground quickly as possible, and don't crouch next to a single tree. Instead, find a group of trees and position yourself in the middle of the cluster in the most open area.

Check for dew on the ground the day you are heading out. If there is a lot of dew on the ground, rain is unlikely. Conversely, if the ground is relatively dry, showers are likely. The old saying goes, "If there's dew on the grass, rain won't come to pass."

Pack plenty of food, drinks, camping and cooking gear, but equip yourself and the youngsters with outdoor knowledge and a solid plan before setting up the tents this summer. The kids will benefit from the woods wisdom, and you'll rest better in your sleeping bag.