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 a 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 camp site.
-
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 offer comprehensive information on the area. 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.
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 water logged.
-
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, 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, 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 phone, garbage bags, toiletries, sunscreen, ointments, a map of the area, insect repellent, games for the kids, and rain-wear.
For a complete checklist on 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 camp site, 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, sang 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
June 16, 2017 at 3:11 pmAnd do not forget the essentials like toilet paper, bug spray, sunscreen!
Lynda Cook says
June 16, 2017 at 3:12 pmI forgot also make sure you have the poly and bandaids too!!
kristen visser says
June 16, 2017 at 5:36 pmooo 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
June 16, 2017 at 5:54 pmexcellent list. being organized makes everything easier
Vivian Dionne says
June 16, 2017 at 6:44 pmThere amenities are so different at each site, so I think researching each campsite is a very good idea.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
June 17, 2017 at 7:01 pmGreat 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
June 17, 2017 at 11:39 pmGreat tips!
Shirleyp says
June 18, 2017 at 9:40 amthank you for the organized list of camping tips
HEIDI C. says
June 18, 2017 at 11:20 pmNo matter how prepared I try to be when we are going camping, I always seem to forget something!
nicolthepickle says
June 19, 2017 at 12:01 pmMaking 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
June 19, 2017 at 6:10 pmThanks for sharing a great list , i always forget something , like the bbq sauce lol
Kim Tanti says
June 20, 2017 at 9:27 amI 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
June 20, 2017 at 6:55 pmThanks for the tips. the check list of supplies is so important.
jan says
June 21, 2017 at 1:26 pmWe 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
June 24, 2017 at 12:08 pmGreat 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
June 24, 2017 at 12:48 pmThanks for the great tips,it never fails i always forget something we really need !
Pauline Milner says
June 25, 2017 at 10:05 amThank you for these suggestions. I find making a list is really the only way to make sure nothing is forgotten.
Gord says
June 25, 2017 at 1:19 pmI 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
June 27, 2017 at 3:15 pmthank you for the list of camping tips
Sherry K says
June 30, 2017 at 7:16 amLots of great ideas if I ever decide to go camping.
Doris Humber says
July 1, 2017 at 1:04 pmThe 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
July 4, 2017 at 1:01 pmI 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
July 5, 2017 at 12:45 amI always start my checklist a week or two ahead of time!
Lushka Smith says
July 5, 2017 at 9:43 amGreat tips, a good refresher for me since it’s a few years since I went camping.
Sharon says
July 6, 2017 at 11:21 amReally love your thorough list! thanks
Alison Braidwood says
July 7, 2017 at 1:52 pmOr, 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
July 7, 2017 at 10:35 pmThank you for all your tips. We are campers and go every year so any additional tips are helpful.