No matter what kind of camping you may embark on during the end of summer, there are plenty of things that you need to know. Whether it be things to bring, not bring, campground etiquette or how to pack your car; it's important to know these things, especially if it's your first time camping by yourself, with family or first time camping ever.

1. Bring a tarp, or many. Don't be naïve. It's probably going to rain. If you are camping with a tent, make sure to bring multiple tarps and put at least two large tarps under the tent. An additional tarp could be used to go over the tent in case of heavy rain or you can tie it to a couple of trees and use it as a canopy. Whether it is rain or sunshine, a tarp can be used for campsite protection.

2. Plastic or metal stakes. I would hope that these stakes would be with your tent package and you'd know what to use them for, but I will explain either way. Just in case there are any serious storms or just a windy day, you'll want to stake things down so they don't blow away. Always, always stake down your tent. Pretty sure you don't want your tent flying away!

3. Always put your food in your car at night and throw garbage out the same day. No matter where you are camping—whether it's a state park or just a regular campground—it is important to understand that you are not the only ones in the woods. Raccoons, bears, chipmunks, opossums and many other creatures will come into your campsite on a regular basis; normally at night for most large animals. Most of the time they are just walking through, but if you leave your cooler out at night, dry food or even your garbage out at night, they will tear your campsite apart while you're sleeping 20 feet away. If you want to avoid a mess the next morning, want something to eat the next day and want to stay alive; it would be in your best interest to stow your food in the car and throw your garbage away the same evening.

4. Bring extra towels. This past summer I went tent camping and found myself using a lot of towels due to the rain we got at night. While it may not seem like towels are a top priority of camping, they may come in handy if your shower towel gets too wet, you get stuck in a down pour or water starts coming in the tent (Yes, folks, it happens).

5. Go device free. Going device free while camping is a fabulous idea. I have done it and it felt invigorating to not have to always your phone connected to your hip. Enjoy the scenery, take a hike, go for a swim or watch the sunset. There are so many different things to do that don't involve always looking at your phone and documenting every moment of the trip. If you happen to be camping without electricity as well; the key to keeping a good battery life is to put your phone on airplane mode.

6. Stay in, cook out. While some campgrounds are way out in the boondocks, some are relatively close to a town. It may behove a new camper to just go into town and grab breakfast, lunch or dinner at the local diner or a fancy restaurant. However, that gets pricey and I believe that in order to enjoy the great outdoors and get the true essence of camping; you have to cook out. Even if you just have pancakes and bacon every day for breakfast and burgers for lunch. Still fill the campground with the smell of bacon and enjoy making a full meal and not going out.

7. Don't check in and set up in the dark. It's very important to understand that setting up in the dark will not go well, even if you think it will. Not having lights will not allow you to see how to set your tent up correctly or backing in your camper. Not only will it hinder your set up, it will most likely irritate the campers around you. Whether it's the bright headlights, the sound and loud voices; it will bother people either trying to sleep or enjoy a night by the fire.

While I only mentioned seven key items to camping 101, there are so many more. No matter if you are a first time camper or a seasoned one, there are so many things that you can continue to learn. Now, if you have never been camping and are considering it; please don't run away due to these top seven must haves, do's and don't of camping. Every one that camps has their own must haves; whether you tent camp or are in a camper.

So get out. Enjoy the weather. Put your phones away and enjoy the day in front of you, not the week ahead.