It is estimated that about 12% of adult campers first participated in camping with their close family members. This shows how important are the family camping trips people engage in during vacations. Lately, the ideas of family camping vacations have been widely embraced around the world with specific interests being explored. Traditional camping trips remain as one of the great summer vacation ideas for families and friends. According to a report by the American Camper, 87% of campers engaged in multiple outdoor activities such as hiking, nature-centric games, skiing, canoeing, geocaching among others. Although, there are numerous activities for everyone.
Now, with numerous destinations that offer an array of campgrounds, you can easily pack up the family and have a great weekend getaway, and if you are pondering to take your family on a camping trip. Certainly, there are few things you need to plan and in advance so as to fully enjoy your family time together.
Venue! Venue! Venue!
Ignoring the importance of the right camping site is hard. At least that’s what most of the regular campers affirm. Choosing a camping site is perhaps the single most important decision you’ll have to make. In fact, this is the kind of decision that will directly affect your family camping experience. You may be an adventurous person who appreciates the deep scenery of remote sites, but your spouse and kids are into something different than yours. Therefore it is important that you get to know the different interest each member has as well as your camping capacity. Although, if some of the family members are new to camping, it is wise to choose a campsite inside a national or state park as it offers a good experience for first-time campers. But again, if you are planning to spend some quality time around the campground without many outdoor activities, a remote campsite will be a brilliant idea. Generally, family camping vacations involved team activities. This mean that if you’ll be exploring the surroundings and engaging in hiking, it’s crucial you find a campground that is in proximity to your activity points.
Advance Reservation
Unless you are trail camping on random grounds, early booking is advised especially if you are looking to camp on a state or national park. In most of these campgrounds, reservations can be made for up to a year. At least this option gives you and your family ample time to plan for the vacation ahead. While some campsites allow online reservation, there are those that strictly offer First-come, first-serve basis. In case your preferred campsite does not permit booking, make a point of arriving early at your campground destination
Come Equipped
Besides finding a suitable camping site, a successful family camping is also determined by the level of preparation. Plan to stock any basic camping tool that will facilitate a smooth and fun outdoor experience. Some of the essential camping equipment include a fully stocked first aid kit, strong and steady tent, sleeping bags, camp mattresses, rain gear, flashlights, camp stove among others. But depending on the activities at hand, you may require specialized equipment. How you store your camping tools matters. Opt to use storage bins for easy packing and offloading. With good preparations, you are set to have the most exciting family camping vacations in your lifetime.
Happy Campers Eat Well
There is a camping saying doing rounds, and it says, hungry campers are angry campers. Well, while this may not be entirely true, it is important that you stock unlimited supply of food for everyone. You are on a family vacation and not some church convention with the agenda of fasting. In addition, cooking time can be a fun activity for the family if everyone is involved. Bring on some snacks, which are good when you are engaging in outdoor camping activities. Choose to carry enough water preferably in bottles so that everyone can have one.
Finally, family camping vacations are a place to explore the nature and create cherishable family memories. Don’t be so uptight with you planning, let you kids have their own fun if they want to, but most importantly ensure that the family bond is strengthened after each trip.
