| Family camping trips should be enjoyable for the | | | | Guys, this is no place to be a lone ranger...you |
| whole family. Frequently, if a trip goes badly, the | | | | might be a lone ranger on all further trips if you |
| reasons can be traced to poor planning. The | | | | do. Make decisions together on the planning for |
| source for this poor planning is usually that the | | | | your trip. Very often, the reality is that one |
| expectations of the planner(s) were not shared | | | | parent or the other (usually mom) typically |
| by all family members or the activities and | | | | occupies a more prominent role in day-to-day kid |
| destination were not appropriate for the | | | | stuff. It just stands to reason that certainly that |
| satisfaction of all. | | | | person would play a prominent role in planning a |
| The tips we have brought to you here will make | | | | family camping trip. It is a fair bet that whichever |
| it much more likely that the trip will be a success. | | | | parent is left out of the planning will be unhappy |
| Keep in mind, that if you are the planner and you | | | | with one or more aspect of the details of the trip. |
| have to make a sacrifice or two, it will be to your | | | | Your family can be a team, and to get buy-in |
| ultimate benefit to make these sacrifices now. | | | | from all, at the least mom and dad need to be in |
| Get the buy-in of other family members by | | | | concert on the decisions regarding where to go |
| making initial trips a success in their minds. As | | | | and what to do once you get there. |
| time goes by and you get a few successful trips | | | | 3. Once Parents Have Made Basic Plans, Involve |
| under your belt, it is pretty likely that you might | | | | the Kids |
| begin to move the trips in the direction you | | | | Once basic parameters for the trip have been set |
| originally intended, or, remain open-minded to the | | | | by mom and dad, get the kids involved. Give |
| possibility of refining your own expectations. | | | | them a list of win-win options. For example, you |
| 1. Make Your Destination Age Appropriate | | | | might ask them, "Would you prefer to fish on |
| The destination that is chosen for your trip should | | | | Saturday or water ski?" If mom and dad have |
| be one that serves two purposes with regard to | | | | done a good job of initial planning, this should be a |
| the age of family members. First of all, a | | | | painless process. |
| destination should be one where safety of children | | | | One additional related tip pertains to families with |
| is possible without constant fretting by parents. | | | | kids with different interests. Decide ahead |
| There is nothing worse for parents than being in | | | | whether the family might go in different directions |
| constant fear for the safety of their kids. At the | | | | for part of the time to accommodate these |
| risk of generalizing, the form this often takes is | | | | varying interests. Another option, and in my mind |
| the following scenario. Dad chooses a destination | | | | usually preferable, is to divvy up time so each |
| based on his desires. It is an area with perhaps | | | | family member is choosing one or two activities |
| close proximity to the potential danger of water | | | | that the whole family does together. In |
| or perhaps it is the danger of places where a child | | | | practicality, this does not always work. |
| could fall. His fear level is significantly less than for | | | | 4. Make Meals Easy |
| mom, and as a result, instant friction is created | | | | As a vegetarian for health reasons ( I also hunt |
| putting the trip on a poor foundation from the | | | | and fish), I appreciate healthy eating as much as |
| outset. Obviously roles could be reversed on this, | | | | anyone. When it comes to a camping trip, without |
| or it could even be that you as parents may | | | | going too crazy about it, I am willing to make a |
| have a threshold of danger worries that might | | | | few sacrifices. Kids sure do love cooking hot dogs |
| alarm other campers in the area. Even this can | | | | on a stick over a campfire, and there are not too |
| cause problems. Adventures are awesome, and in | | | | many easier outdoor meals. Put a can of beans |
| the mind of this author are part of the outdoor | | | | with a hole cut in the top to warm in the fire |
| experience. These experiences should be | | | | while the kids cook hot dogs, throw in a couple of |
| appropriate for your family, and only your family | | | | pieces of fruit or veggies, and you have some |
| can make the ultimate call on this. The other | | | | happy campers. |
| age-related factor to consider is the recreational | | | | For more extensive meals, consider doing the |
| opportunities available. | | | | prep at home. If you might want stew for |
| If you have teens or toddlers, the choices you | | | | example, make it at home, freeze it in a container |
| might consider will be different. Much of this is | | | | that you can warm it in on your campfire, and |
| personal taste, but keep in mind you want this to | | | | keep it in your cooler until you are ready for it. |
| be a fun experience so your kids will want to | | | | 5. Pack What You Need - Not More or Less |
| keep going with you. It is really sad when kids hit | | | | This idea will be one that improves over time. On |
| a certain age and start bowing out of the family | | | | your first few trips you will bring more than what |
| excursions because they don't think they will be | | | | you needed. It is just a pain to have way too |
| any fun. | | | | much because you end up having to content with |
| As you research camping destinations, look at | | | | all that stuff when you get there, and perhaps |
| some of the recreational opportunities that are | | | | worse, when you get home. The reality is you do |
| available and consider them in the context of your | | | | not want to be overbearing with telling people |
| kids' age and interests. If your kids are interested | | | | what not to bring. This is just something that will |
| in history, you might choose to camp near a Civil | | | | get better as you gain experience. One thing that |
| War battlefield site. Or if your kids are into water | | | | will help is to have family members be responsible |
| sports, you might plan for a day where you rent | | | | for packing and unpacking there own stuff. |
| ski boat and water skis or raft a whitewater | | | | In conclusion, be flexible and easy going as you |
| river. Maybe your kids like to mountain bike. If so, | | | | plan as well as on your trips. Family camping is |
| find an area where there are trails that are | | | | good for families and for the environment as new |
| appropriate to their age level and skills. | | | | generations are taught to be attuned to nature. |
| 2. Make Sure Husband and Wife are On the Same | | | | We hope these tips help you out. |
| Page | | | | |