Going camping? Organizing your camping trip.
Camping is such a great family adventure. If you take kids with you, it will leave them with some lifetime memories. People who went camping as a kid can vouch for that. No matter what you actually do during the trip, it is usually a great adventure when you are a kid.
Remember to bring the essential things. You will need to bring a tent unless you are planning to stay in an RV or camper. You will want some kind of shelter for yourself and your family. Depending on where you are going, there are a number of things you might want decent shelter from.
Some of the essential tools of camping include sleeping bags, chairs, pillows, flashlights, batteries, and a hatchet. If you are going to be tent camping, think about getting yourself an air mattress. It will really improve the whole trip if you get a good nights sleep.
Think ahead so you have the necessary supplies for building a campfire. Bring old papers or thinner cardboard boxes. Find a lighter and matches. I prefer to bring both a camping saw and a hatchet. I also prefer to take my own firewood. You might not be allowed to provide your own wood depending on where you are going to be camping. Some states have regulations prohibiting it because of diseases.
You need to think about how you are going to prepare your meals. Consider bringing a cooler for food, propane tanks and stove, plates, silverware, soap, a dish rag and a plastic tub for washing dishes. Not every state park has the facilities to wash dishes. We usually take paper and plastic plates and silverware.
Think about what kinds of clothing you will likely need for the camping trip. If you are going to go hiking, be sure you have some comfy hiking boots. You don’t need blisters. Bring loose clothes and a couple pairs of shorts if it will be warm. Bring some long pants if it is supposed to be cold. Your clothes may get soiled or ripped so you shouldn’t bring your best attire. Don’t forget to bring a swim suit, rain jacket, sweatshirt and a hat. Those are must have supplies for any camping trip.
Remember to bring your personal bathroom products for you and your whole family. Pack all of the essentials into a shaving kit. Make sure you bring bars of soap, shampoo, cue tips, deodorant, razors, and shaving cream. Don’t forget to bring contact lens solution if someone wears them. Don’t forget to bring towels for everyone. If you’re going to be gone more than a couple days, you might want something to hang the towels on for drying purposes. Don’t forget to bring any necessary medications.
Some other things that you could bring to make the camping trip even better would be campfire popcorn, battery powered lanterns, binoculars, cameras, mosquito repellent, chocolate bars and marshmallows, bottled water, cocktails, cigars, Aloe Vera lotion, band aids, sun tan lotion and a radio.
Bring activities for the kids. You are going to have a lot more fun on your trip if the kids have plenty of things to occupy their time. Anyways, half the reason you are going camping is for them to have fun too. One guy that I know takes recordings of ghost stories to play around the campfire at night. You could also bring a softball, baseball, football, Frisbee or a kite. Bring anything that can be done safely outdoors. Make the most of the wide open spaces in most campgrounds.
Why not make yourself a personalized camping checklist? There are going to be things that you consider essential that I haven’t thought of. Make a comprehensive list of your own, so you won’t forget anything. Some people can’t go anywhere without taking a camera, fishing gear or their laptop.