Camping With the Family

There are several reasons that lead families to decide to travel to go camping. Most people believe a family camp, cheap, healthy and fun easy way to vacation with her. It also helps them to do business outside of the quality of life in urban areas and an exceptional experience for their children.

If you are considering a family camping holiday this summer, here are some tips to help you plan your trip:

1. Incase you have young kids, you might consider purchasing a tent that is roomy enough for all family members. However, if you are taking older kids, it might be smart to invest in extra individual take out tents to provide them with the feeling of self-sufficiency.

2. If it is your first camping trip with the children, it might be a good idea to have them play in their tents in your own back-yard. It may give them a feel for camping and help them get used to putting their tents up which will save you time in the actual camp out.

3. There are websites on the internet which supply thorough information on countless camping locations. Checking on them may assist you not only to determine what gear, garments, and meals to take, but also which activities to do.

4. National parks usually offer very affordable camping areas with beautiful scenery and nice amenities. Additionally, whenever looking for a camping area, it is recommends that you try to find a place that is high ground. If it rains, it will not wet the tent and equipment to get water.

5. Make a list of the most important items to take and control the way the clothing will help you remember things. Here are some suggestions:

Cooking gear: a small stove and a lighter, a saucepan and pans, cooking utensils and a kitchen knife, a plastic container for square plates, a fieldrack, and the new dish soap disposable washing pads, dish towels, disposable plates and silverware, napkins, a can opener, paper towels, plastic containers with lids (for leftovers), a tea pot or a coffee pot, and a cooler with some ice in it.
Food: Take things that are easy to cook, like hot dogs, barbecue meats, pasta, and potatoes. You may want to take some canned goods, chips, and some bread, cold cuts, mayonnaise and mustard and/or peanut butter to make some nice sandwiches. Bring your own water bottles and a big jug for camp, and whatever else the family likes to drink. Some people prefer to cook their meals before hand and bring them in containers instead of cooking at camp.
Clothes: Take light-weight clothes for layering, bathing suits and towels; include a few knit tops and jackets for the night time, and rain gear (I found a light wind breaker to be excellent). It may also be a good idea to take some extra socks and hats. If you are planning on hiking, it is important to take appropriate shoes.
A first aid kit: a spray bottle of hydrogen peroxide, ointment, Afterbite, aloe vera (also good for insect bites, sunburn and skin irritations), tape, gauze, tweezers, and scissors.
Campfire: a folding standup grill for the campfire, dry kindling (to get the fire going), some way to keep your wood dry - there is nothing worse than wet wood (all the rain stopped but you cannot start your fire), a sharp axe to cut the wood, tough long grill mitts, long bbq tools, and a long lighter.
The fire is healthy. It makes you feel happy and it helps to keep the blasted mosquitoes away.
Insect Fighters: Electric fly swatters (one for each tent, and one for the kitchen). Citronella refill candles or citronella torch fluid and torches (to keep mosquitoes away from camp area), lots of insect repellant (if, like myself, you cannot bear repellants, try Skin So Soft by Avon).
Other stuff: Sleeping bags, flashlights, garbage bags, toiletries, sunscreen, an extra folding table, a map of the area, clothes line with clothes pegs, a notebook and pens (for making quick notes for "next time"), and toys for the children. Also, on our last trip, we really benefited from a large umbrella tied to the outdoor picnic table.

6. When getting to the campground, choose a nice, flat, clean area to set up your tent or tents, and use groundsheets. Read the instructions for the campsite and play by the rules. Also, enjoy nature around you and be mindful of it.

7. Learn to recognize poison ivy and what to do about it in case you get it. You can avoid it by wearing long socks around fields, peeling the socks off inside out and putting them in a plastic bag for dirty clothes.

8. If you prize your good night sleep, look for radio-free areas. There will be people who enjoy partying all night playing their radios as if you were not there.

9. At night, lock all food away in the bear safes: the raccoons and bears will come (that is my experience in the US).

10. Leave the campgrounds in better conditions than when you arrived!

I hope these tips may help you to have both a secure and an enjoyable trip. You may also want to visit some camping sites on the Internet for a more thorough list and other suggestions.

Have lots of fun!