While getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life is one of the reasons families choose to go camping, for kids it’s the ultimate adventure. If you are planning a family camping trip this summer, here are some tips that will ensure your vacation is both a safe and fun experience.
Pre-camping Preparation
If you have small children, you may want to select a tent that will accommodate everyone comfortably. On the other hand, if you are camping with older children, it may be a good idea to purchase additional pup tents to give them some sense of independence.
Another great tip is to practice assembling the tents in your backyard to avoid wasting time at the campsite.
Selecting a Campsite.
Depending upon whether you decide to “rough it” or choose a campsite that is close to amenities, you can research the many campsites online that have comprehensive information on the area, as well as what they offer. This will enable you to decide not only what equipment, clothing, and food you need to take, but the available hiking areas and points of interest as well. If you are traveling with teenagers who may struggle to completely disconnect from their phones, you might want to find a campsite that has internet access. These days, there are plenty of options for internet for rural areas, so it’s up to the campsite owners whether they wish to offer this to guests.
Ensure that the campsite you select is an official campsite area. Moreover, when researching camping sites it’s a good idea to look for those areas that are on the high ground. So If it rains, your tent and equipment will not become waterlogged.
Make a Checklist.
This is very important to ensure you do not forget anything on your camping trip. Among the items on your checklist, some of the more important items you will need are:
* Cooking gear such as a frying pan, a few pots, a bucket, a barbecue grill or stove, bags with a Ziploc, and cooking utensils. In addition, food containers and canned goods are best. It is also recommended that you prepare meals at home and package them in containers for the trip. Also bring water, a can opener, a hot water kettle and coffee pot, and a cooler with a block of ice.
* Packing the appropriate clothing is also essential. Depending upon the location, wearing light layers is a good idea as well as packing some sweaters and jackets for the evening hours. Extra socks, hats, and gloves may also be warranted. If you intend to engage in some hiking, proper hiking boots are necessary.
* Sleeping bags, first aid kit, flashlights, cell phones, garbage bags, toiletries, sunscreen, ointments, a map of the area, insect repellent, games for the kids, and rainwear.
For a complete checklist of what to bring on a camping trip, there are many camping websites that offer a myriad of suggestions.
Setting up a Tent
When you reach the campsite, choose an area to set up the tents. Ensure there are no rocks or debris where the tent will be set up. Most campgrounds will post warning signs or instructions regarding specific animals and vegetation.
Preparing a Campfire
When preparing a campfire, if appropriate, ensure that it is set up further away from the tents. After you have roasted the marshmallows, sung songs, and told ghost stories; douse the fire before going to bed.
Finally, enjoy the entire camping experience. Sleeping under the stars, communing with nature, and relishing the time spent with family will not only bring a family closer together, but the memories of this experience will last forever.
Lynda Cook says
And do not forget the essentials like toilet paper, bug spray, sunscreen!
Lynda Cook says
I forgot also make sure you have the poly and bandaids too!!
kristen visser says
ooo good list! we actually have not been camping yet as a family but definitely on the list to do. making up a list is the best thing to do! i have to stay organized or i go crazy
patricia furlong says
excellent list. being organized makes everything easier
Vivian Dionne says
There amenities are so different at each site, so I think researching each campsite is a very good idea.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
Great points made in this post and in the comments too. It’s about 26 yrs since I last went camping so I’m out of touch. I will be going this summer with my daughter and family though. They have an RV so I won’t have to sleep on the ground in a tent which at my age is a very good thing. 🙂
Athena says
Great tips!
Shirleyp says
thank you for the organized list of camping tips
HEIDI C. says
No matter how prepared I try to be when we are going camping, I always seem to forget something!
nicolthepickle says
Making a checklist is so important. I also find that planning each meal instead of just bringing assorted food is a good idea. Kids are always hungry after playing outside all day.
Treen Goodwin says
Thanks for sharing a great list , i always forget something , like the bbq sauce lol
Kim Tanti says
I love to sit in the yard and have a fire and come into a bed. I am not a camper. No way No how.
Janet M says
Thanks for the tips. the check list of supplies is so important.
jan says
We would forget seem to forget at least one thing every year until we started a laminated check list. It now stays with our main supplies is gets used each time.
Judy Cowan says
Great tips! We love camping but we do it in a trailer that is set up on a seasonal site, so no having to set and take down. Just arrive and enjoy!
kathy downey says
Thanks for the great tips,it never fails i always forget something we really need !
Pauline Milner says
Thank you for these suggestions. I find making a list is really the only way to make sure nothing is forgotten.
Gord says
I always forget something and only remember just before we get too the camping spot. Its usually an item of some significance as well!
mohammad anjum says
thank you for the list of camping tips
Sherry K says
Lots of great ideas if I ever decide to go camping.
Doris Humber says
The checklist is so important when we go camping. We camp in remote area, so it is inconvenient to travel so far into town if we forget to bring something with us.
Tania B says
I love your mention of a checklist. If I didn’t make checklists I would have forgotten the most important things to bring along like the tents, sleeping bags, and toilet paper.
Kim Avery says
I always start my checklist a week or two ahead of time!
Lushka Smith says
Great tips, a good refresher for me since it’s a few years since I went camping.
Sharon says
Really love your thorough list! thanks
Alison Braidwood says
Or, if you’re like my family, you need to arrive at the campground at midnight, in a downpour, and cover the kids’ ears while you listen to Dad trying to put up the tent while cursing under his breath. One of my favourite camping memories from childhood, lol.
Leeanne C says
Thank you for all your tips. We are campers and go every year so any additional tips are helpful.