Family Camping List
By A. T. Lupton
Let’s see, we’ve got the “to do list”, that one that never seems to get done and we sure put a lot into that list, then there’s the grocery shopping list and it’s usually written within the “to do list”. I suggest making a new list, the “Family Camping List”. Now let’s see what that list would include, how about fun, getting away from the hustle and bustle, spending quality time with the family, challenging ourselves, getting back to nature. I think we might just get this list taken care of. When you decide to go on a family camping trip you usually take stock of the camping gear that you have around the house so you don’t have to buy too much in order to make it an enjoyable trip. Unless you’re going to be on the cover of “Family Camping” I suggest bringing the basics to base camp.
Your list of essentials to bring for camping should be: a sturdy tent with a fly, sleeping bags for everybody and sleeping mats for the kids. Bring an air bed for mom and dad so they can be comfortable too. Flashlights with fresh batteries and even bring some in case somebody leaves theirs on by accident. If you want to bring a lantern make sure that mom or dad is the only one who operates it, you don’t want little ones getting burned for their curiosity. If you decide to cookout check with the campground you are heading to, some encourage propane even though they will have charcoal pits available; propane is easy to control and burns cleaner. If you have to buy a little grill they don’t cost that much and you’ll be able to use it more than once. You’ll also need a hammer to pound in your tent stakes and an air pump for your airbed.
To make proper list for family camping it matters where you are going and how long it will take to get there, typically its best to take younger children camping, teens are usually involved with sports but if its in the summer time they should really experience what its like to rough it and those that are college bound might think it’s a little beneath them. If your trip is going to be over two hours long you’ll want to make sure the kids are entertained so you don’t hear those dreaded words, “Are we there yet!?” If you have a DVD player built into your car you’ve got it made. If you know where you’re going for your destination you might be able to find a DVD of the upcoming attractions, that might help the passengers get excited and anticipation of arriving somewhere fun will occupy them for a while.
Make sure to check the weather where you are going, don’t just head out into the wild blue yonder, you’re not pioneers, you’re campers. Dress for the weather too, if its says it’s going to be cold, believe it, even though you’ll be in a tent, it’s a thin piece of fabric that separates you from the elements. If its summer and you sleep without PJ’s, you’ll need them on a camping trip for sure. If you have suitcases for everybody pack them per day, put one outfit on top of the other for the kids, it makes it easier to get them dressed so they can start their day. Bring tennis shoes for walking and a backpack to carry water and snacks, you’ll need energy to keep going and keeping your kids active all day will ensure that 8:30pm bedtime you’ve been begging they cooperate with for a while now.
There are games to play while driving too. The kids can name different state license plates on cars and trucks; mom can keep records since dad is usually driving. You can pump your arms when you pass a semi-truck; it’s always fun to hear the horn blast on an 18 wheeler, just let dad know that you’re doing it. You can scan the channels on the radio, chances are you’ll be leaving your zip code and its fun to see who can name the song first, this is usually a game mom and dad play, and the kids can keep score for each parent playing.
Once you arrive at camp don’t expect your kids to help with the tent, let them play and run around and mingle with the other kids, you might find a dinner invitation from a 7 year is hard to turn down and you’ll meet new people in the process. Bring a football or Frisbee to play with during the down times, with no television or cell phones or computers, and please don’t bring your laptop, you have more time to bond with your family. If you want to tell stories about the place your in make them adventure stories, not ghost ones. I’m sure mom doesn’t want to have a kid on her side hogging the covers while dad sleeps soundly without a care.
If you really need something you’ve forgotten when you get there see if you can live without it, camping is about challenging yourself to live without certain creature comforts for a few days. Just be sure to make a list of what you need to go camping with, not what you want. We used everything we brought but we forgot the hamburger patties so we had hot dogs twice, no problem, enjoying a meal outside is the best when everybody gets to help. I think you’ll find that little ones are willing to help when mom and dad don’t have any distractions to deal with. Camping can be a great family time too. Don’t bring any board games that create competition, bring zip-lock baggies for collecting rocks and various things that you find in nature. You might even bring some books about nature so kids will have some application along with their information. Most of all, don’t forget the ingredients for smores! You’ll be the hit of the campout, its all my kids want to eat when we go camping.
Anne Lupton maintains Door-County-Camping.com, a great resource for information on camping in Door County, Wisconsin.
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