Question about tampons and other ladies' stuff?

Okay, so I'm 13 and 5' 6" and 100 lbs. in case you need to know and I haven't started my period yet. But I'm going to camp for a week and a half this summer about a month before my 14th birthday. I was asking my best friend (who has been to camp before) what some things were that I absolutely had to bring. She said Skittles, toilet paper, a hairbrush, a sheet, and TAMPONS. Well, she knows that I haven't started my period yet. But she said I hae to bring them because the pool is in the middle of the camp and to get practically anywhere you have to walk by it. And everyone always gets pushed into the pool every day. And you're in the pool like 24/7. Anyway, since I need to bring tampons, what is a good brand and absorbency for beginners? Also, can I practice putting the applicator in but not the tampon? Like take the applicator, push the tampon out into my hand or the toilet or something, and then out the applicator in my and push the plunger thing? Is that okay? THANKS!! :)