Families choose to go camping to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. For kids, it’s the ultimate adventure. If you are planning a family camping trip this summer, here are some tips. They will ensure your vacation is both a safe and fun experience.
Pre-camping Preparation
If you have small children, you should select a tent that will accommodate everyone comfortably. On the other hand, if you are camping with older children, consider buying extra pup tents. This gives 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
You can choose to “rough it” or opt for a campsite near amenities. You can research many campsites online. They provide comprehensive information on the area and what they offer. This will help you decide what equipment, clothing, and food to take. It also allows you to discover the available hiking areas and points of interest. If you are travelling with teenagers, you want to find a campsite with internet access. Teenagers struggle to completely disconnect from their phones. These days, there are plenty of options for internet in rural areas. Campsite owners can decide if they want to offer this to guests.
Make sure 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 Camping Checklist.
This is very important to make sure 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 includes essential items like a frying pan and a few pots. Don’t forget a bucket and a barbecue grill or stove. You will also need bags with a Ziploc and cooking utensils. Also, 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. Remember a can opener. Pack a hot water kettle and a coffee pot. Include a cooler with a block of ice.
Packing the appropriate clothing is also essential. Depending on the location, wearing light layers is a good idea. You should also pack some sweaters and jackets for the evening hours. Extra socks, hats, and gloves also are warranted. If you intend to engage in some hiking, proper hiking boots are necessary.
Pack sleeping bags, a first aid kit, and flashlights. Don’t forget cell phones and garbage bags. Include toiletries and sunscreen. Bring ointments and a map of the area. Have insect repellent and games for the kids. Lastly, take rainwear.
For a full checklist of what to bring on a camping trip, you can visit many camping websites. They offer a myriad of suggestions.
Setting up a Tent
When you reach the campsite, choose an area to set up the tents. Make sure there are no rocks or debris where the tent will be set up. Most campgrounds will post warning signs or instructions about specific animals and vegetation.
Preparing a Campfire
When preparing a campfire, if appropriate, make sure 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 is a wonderful experience. Commune with nature and enjoy the time spent with family. These activities will bring a family closer together. The memories of this experience will last forever.
And do not forget the essentials like toilet paper, bug spray, sunscreen!
I forgot also make sure you have the poly and bandaids too!!
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
excellent list. being organized makes everything easier
There amenities are so different at each site, so I think researching each campsite is a very good idea.
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. 🙂
Great tips!
thank you for the organized list of camping tips
No matter how prepared I try to be when we are going camping, I always seem to forget something!
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.
Thanks for sharing a great list , i always forget something , like the bbq sauce lol
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.
Thanks for the tips. the check list of supplies is so important.
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.
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!
Thanks for the great tips,it never fails i always forget something we really need !
Thank you for these suggestions. I find making a list is really the only way to make sure nothing is forgotten.
I always forget something and only remember just before we get too the camping spot. Its usually an item of some significance as well!
thank you for the list of camping tips
Lots of great ideas if I ever decide to go camping.
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.
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.
I always start my checklist a week or two ahead of time!
Great tips, a good refresher for me since it’s a few years since I went camping.
Really love your thorough list! thanks
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.
Thank you for all your tips. We are campers and go every year so any additional tips are helpful.