Mark Mosher loves going camping and hiking, but he never sets off on a journey without proper planning.

"The obvious thing is to let someone know where you're going," he says. "And know the area that you're going into."

Mosher makes a point of bringing a map of the trail and the area, which for him is usually in rural areas in B.C. He also makes sure he knows how long he'll be gone for so he can pack enough food and water.

As people across the country flee cities for the relaxation of a camp site over the long weekend, experts are offering urbanites some reminders on how to stay safe while communing with nature.

No matter where in Canada you're pitching a tent, they say a little planning goes a long way.

Unpredictable weather

Inclement weather can crop up quickly and unexpectedly. Geoff Coulson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, says disaster can be avoided if an emergency plan is in place.

He says it's a good idea to get oriented in a campsite when you arrive, much the same way you would in a hotel room.

"It's important to scope out the safety plan during the calm of a sunny day when there is no threatening weather, so if it hits at 2 a.m., you're prepared," he says.

Story Continues Below: But what to cook, and how to go about it? We chatted with Duff Dixon of Ontario Gas BBQ and grabbed some of his must-try trends for 2012:

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• Charcoal

  They're back! "Old-school BBQ enthusiasts have brought charcoal back in a big way," says Dixon. When using grills like this, you'll want to keep a few things in mind: the grill should be used on a heat-proof surface; ensure all of the racks fit the grill properly and safely before you use it; and charcoal BBQs take about 45 minutes to reach a proper cooking temperature, so make sure you have enough briquettes to heat up before lighting a fire. <em>Credit: Shutterstock</em>

• Kamado Style Cookers

  These Japanese-style wood or charcoal ovens are all the rage in North America. Using charcoal, these contraptions are said to cook food in a consistent way and give grilled objects incredible flavour. "The "dome" shape of this "BBQ" locks in moisture in food and -- in combination with the charcoal or optionally adding wood chips -- [creates] a flavour experience that's truly different from a gas grill." <em>Credit: Shutterstock</em>

• Thermapen Technology

  This new BBQ tool, "displays [the] internal food or liquid temperature [of an object] in only three or four seconds," says Dixon. All you have to do is insert the needle of the device into the meat/veggie you're cooking. Within seconds, you'll know how well your object is cooked. "Home chefs are embracing this product -- professionals have known about for years!" <em>Credit: Shutterstock</em>

• Pellet Smokers

  "Pellet technology creates convection heating," says Dixon, which will add more flavour to your grilled dishes. Smokers even have an automatic "set and forget" temperature control, which can help make smoking items easier if you're a beginner. <em>Credit: Shutterstock</em>

• Heated BBQ Areas

  When the sun starts to set, the temperature drops, and no one wants to be uncomfortable while they're grilling. Which is why, says Dixon, outdoor heating lamps and elements placed near a BBQ are so popular. Not only can then extend your grilling season, they can also spot-heat the space you're working in. <em>Credit: Shutterstock</em>

• Sauces, Seasonings And Rubs

  Now more than ever, stores are creating gourmet rubs that will add some flavour to your dishes. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-splendid-table/marinade-guide_b_1391654.html?ir=Canada+Style" target="_hplink">Check out some of these DIY marinade recipes and tips</a>. <em>Credit: Shutterstock</em>

• Use Fruit Woods Or Planks To Smoke Food

  "Wood smoke gives barbequed or grilled meats their unique flavour," says Dixon. And using a plank to cook food can be easy. <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_2069917_use-wood-grilling-planks.html" target="_hplink">Check out some of these cooking with a cedar plank tips</a>. <em>Credit: Shutterstock</em>

• Outdoor Wood Ovens

  "Not just for pizza, these ovens can cook just about anything," says Dixon. He suggests using them to roast, grill or bake any kind of meat. They're great, he says, because the structure and insulation of the wood cooking chamber allows for an even distribution of heat -- meaning whatever you're grilling will cook faster and more evenly. <em>Credit: Shutterstock</em>

• Outdoor Kitchens

  From small islands to full-blown outdoor kitchens, more and more people are installing a large outdoor grilling/cooking space in their backyards, says Dixon. <em>Credit: Shutterstock</em>

In thunder and lightning storms the safest spot to be is in a car with an all-metal roof. If that's not an option, he advises going further into the woods, as opposed to your tent, which has metal poles that pose a danger. Just make sure you don't settle under the tallest tree.

"Make every effort to get out of your tent," he says.

If you're in a flat area, he says it's a good idea to sit cross-legged in a low-lying area, but not a ditch, which will collect more water, allowing the lightning to travel more.

Many city folk are "divorced from nature," he points out, so they often forget how merciless mother nature can be. He says one of the first things you pack for camping should always be a flashlight with extra batteries, just in case.

Jeri Syroteuk, a spokeswoman with Fundy National Park in New Brunswick, located right along the Bay of Fundy, advises campers to pack layers of clothing. Along the water, it's often five to 10 degrees colder than it is inland.

"That's really important because the weather changes quickly in this area, so bring a sweater and rain jacket," she says.

Don't go it alone

Ontario Parks suggest making sure someone is aware of where you are at all times. That way, if you get lost, they'll have a better chance of tracking you down.

It's a good idea to bring a cellphone too, especially since phones aren't just phones anymore, and can often double as a GPS. Ontario Parks also suggests bringing a whistle and having your campsite name and number on hand.

Mosher says he always makes a point of having an exit plan in case someone gets sick or breaks a limb. He tries to plan routes near more accessible roads, and advises bringing a GPS in case there's no cell reception, as is often the case in the wilderness.

"Being prepared is the major concern here," he says.

Ticks

According to The Public Health Agency of Canada, there are known tick populations in parts of Ontario, B.C., Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

The best way to avoid playing host to a tick is to wear light clothing that covers the skin, footwear and socks that cover the feet, use repellent with DEET, and pay close attention to the groin, armpit and scalp areas at the end of the day to ensure no ticks are present.

Camp fires

The Ministry of Natural Resources posts tips on its website on how to build safe camp fires. The most important points to remember are to build them on bare patches of dirt and to keep the fire about 15 metres away from buildings or tents.

Be sun-savvy

Camping and hiking trips often call for extended periods of time in the sun. Syroteuk cautions that it's always important to bring sunscreen and reapply often, even when travelling to national parks, which are often shady.

"You can burn even on a rainy or cloudy day," she says.

Though it's obvious, she says, it's still important to remember to stay hydrated.

If all else fails

There's an app for that. Parks Canada has launched a "learn to camp" app that's available for free on the app store and on the agency's website.