Camping can be a wonderful experience for the whole family. There’s nothing like a few days of beautiful scenery for family bonding. To make certain that fun is had by all, it is important to plan wisely before taking off to the mountains.
Where to camp, cooking, activities, and safety are all areas that need to be thought about before leaving.
First, you’ll need to decide where you’re going to camp. Do you want to camp in a structured campsite or take the family off into the back country? There are different considerations for each option:
Campsites
- This is a great place to start for the novice camper. Sites are ready for you to set up your tent and start enjoying nature.
- Bathroom facilities are provided and should be within a comfortable distance from your site. This can be extra important when camping with children.
- You will have the opportunity to look over the sites before you select one. Make sure the one you pick is level.
- Campsites have predetermined fireplaces or pits. All fires need to be kept in these areas.
Back Country Camping
- Check for rocks or other items that might make sleep uncomfortable.
- Don’t camp next to a water supply. Animals may come to drink at a stream or river in the evening. You don’t want uninvited guests in the middle of the night. Camp two hundred or more feet away from the water source.
- Make sure the ground is level. If there is a storm, unlevel ground can cause water to pool in the tent.
- Watch out for dead limbs above. High winds can bring limbs crashing down on your tent.
Cooking in the Wild
- Fires are great, but for cooking, a camp stone is quicker and easier to use. Save the fire for ghost stories and S’mores.
- The ice in your ice chest will melt sooner or later. Keep food dry by placing it into plastic bags that zip shut.
- Don’t forget the water. You will need it for cleaning, cooking, and drinking. Plan on three quarts for each family member for each day just for drinking. Bring extra for cooking and cleaning. The water in the fast running stream may look pretty, but make sure you purify it before using it.
- One of the great benefits of the outdoors is the wild life. Just don’t feed it. Have a look but don’t touch policy for all of your family members. Feeding the animals is unhealthy for them and potentially dangerous for you.
Let’s Have Fun
- One of the great things about camping is that you can fill the car with all sorts of equipment. From bikes to kayaks, to hiking equipment, there is room for all of it. Plan day hikes, or water rafting for the whole family.
- Don’t forget to check the straps and roof rack before you leave home. Some factory installed roof racks are not as strong as they should be. You don’t want an accident on the highway.
- Make sure you bring some old standbys for the kids. There will be downtimes that can be filled with quieter, simpler activities for the little ones such as coloring and drawing. It’s always nice for the kids to draw a picture of the nature surrounding them.
About the author: This post was provided by the team behind Luggage Online, the web’s premier source for travel accessories. Browse thousands of products for your next trip including luggage sets, backpacks, and duffle bags.
Credits: Photo courtesy of Henry Burrows.