Ladies, I'm having tampon toubles! Help?

So, I know I should be old enough (15) to force myself to use a tampon. All my friends use them. I've had my period for almost 3 years now, and I've used pads every time. But tomorrow, I'm going to my friend's camp, and we'll be tubing and swimming and what not. I've used a tampon before, and getting it in wasn't the problem: my mom made me take it out too early and it was so dry and felt like I was pulling my insides out!! But I'm not going to miss out on fun during the last bit of summer just because 'aunt flo' paid me a visit. So, do you guys have any words of wisdom to help me overcome my fear?