A camping trip can be a great family – or individual – experience, but proper preparation is key to its success. There are a few tips that can make your camping trip enjoyable and keep the chance of disaster to a minimum.
When you plan where and when you’re going, be sure to include a possible weather scenario for the time you’ll be there. Nothing could spoil a great camping excursion like inclement weather that you’re not prepared for.
Plan your activities carefully so you can bring clothing and accessories for them. For example, if you know you’re going to be fishing, don’t forget the poles and other necessary items. Swimsuits are usually a necessity unless you’re going to be camping in the Fall or Winter months.
Consider bringing binoculars and/or a telescope to bring the stars and wildlife more into focus. Of course, a first aid kit is always a necessity. Hopefully, you won’t need it, but bringing some extra sun screen, bug spray, band aids and other things that can be found in a med-kit is better than not having it when you need it.
Small children will love camping, but be sure and prepare by tucking in some extra clothing – they will get dirty – games and some items for a great scavenger hunt. The more you have planned to keep the kids busy, the more enjoyable your back-to-nature trek will be.
Rather than bury camp trash, burn it. Food scraps attract wildlife, even if buried and some wildlife you might not want to see near your campsite. Be sure and pick up and dropped food around the site before turning in at night.
If you can, keep a fire burning at night. Bugs fly away from fire, so keep one going strong as much as you can. And, don’t leave a lantern close to where you’re keeping food and gathering to eat when you’re not using it.
Duct tape is an essential camping element for fixing leaks, holes in the tent and even shoes that have worn out soles. When choosing a campsite for tent camping, look for trees that may have broken branches that could fall at the first breeze.
Consider taking an old area rug to add a touch of comfort and keep dirt and mud from becoming a problem. It will also provide extra insulation from the cold at night. Add some rope lights with a small power pack to the outside of the tent and around the poles to create some ambiance.
Camping provides the opportunity for you and your family to diverge from the day-to-day hectic schedule and renew your relationships with each other. Taking in the incredible sights that the Planet Earth has to offer is entertainment in itself.
Hopefully, you won’t miss the blaring television, cell phone and computer distractions at all.
