Camping is possibly one of the most effective means for families to take pleasure in each other’s company, away from the schedules of every day life. It does require some planning and preparation, but every minute you invest with your family members will be worth the effort. If you keep it simple and bring along the basics, you’ll have a wonderful time outdoors and you will not miss out on any of the activity at home. You and your family can enjoy a memorable experience of camping together while everyone is still living at home and hasn’t gone off to college or started families of their own.
Some tips to help you make it the best camping trip ever:
Depending on whether you are planning on camping in a tent, an RV, or a cabin, your camping list will be unique. Take each person’s preferences into consideration when you make your decision. Modern dome-style tents can easily accommodate 3 to 4 people, with bigger ones being able to fit as many as 8. Due to the fact that you only have to connect a couple of pieces, dome camping tents can be set up very quickly and then you’re off to play in the campground. If you do utilize a tent make sure you spray it with some rain-resistant spray to stop leaking in the event it rains. A tarp underneath the tent provides additional security from moisture and sticks or stones.
RVs and cabins provide more comfort and protection from the weather. They are roomier but come with their own set of work to maintain. You can sleep in a soft bed, it’s easier to cook inside, and there is room to store supplies. You’ll probably have a fridge and a heater as well. Some people prefer them while others would rather camp in a tent. Camping is a very individual issue depending on people’s preferences and experiences.
Pack lighter than you may think necessary. A four-day trip, for instance, requires just a few sets of garments. You’ll most likely need just a jacket, a sweatshirt, 3 or 4 shirts, a set of trousers as well as shorts, socks, underclothing, and also an extra pair of shoes or sandals. Bring along a pair of trekking boots if you intend on hiking any trails. You’ll be packing for every member of the family so keeping a list of what has been packed and what is still needed will help keep you organized.
Prepare your food. Obviously you can bring coolers along but we recommend bringing foods like nuts, bread, and cookies, anything that does not need refrigeration. Kids will want to eat all the treats at once so stretching them out over your trip will keep them from getting a tummy ache. Keep your food choices simple. Hamburgers and hotdogs are camping favorites. Much of what you plan to bring can be prepared ahead of time and placed in food-safe containers. It will save you time for more play and less work while you are here.
It’s a great time to bring out the board games, a deck of cards, or lawn games you know the kids might like. Pack any favorite toys, especially the ones your kids like to sleep with. It will help comfort them at night if they feel a little anxious when the lights go out. Add extra batteries to your list and more flashlights than you think you’ll need. They tend to get lost or used for fun after dark. It’s good to have a schedule but be prepared for that schedule to go out the window from time to time. Kids may sleep later than you expect or want to swim longer than you’d planned. You can zig when they zag and enjoy the lack of a planned schedule for the day.
Either way, the best part is being together. Your kids will be talking about the trip many years from now when they consider camping with their own little ones. Let yourself enjoy the chaos and take lots of photos. There is plenty of time to get back to a normal routine once you are home. We hope your trip is memorable and that you come back to camp with us many times over the coming years. We look forward to seeing you and watching you have an absolutely wonderful time camping with your family.
