| Camping can be a fun family experience. It is a | | | | items are often forgot about until you get |
| great chance to get closer to each other and | | | | everything set up and ready to go at the camp |
| spend quality family time together away from all | | | | site. No one wants to spend the entire trip |
| the stress everyday life can bring. Whether you | | | | standing or sitting on the nearest rock. Take |
| chose to camp in an isolated area in the woods or | | | | activities for the car ride as well if the trip is long. |
| a local campground, being prepared will make the | | | | Anything your family enjoys such as books, |
| trip a lot more relaxing and enjoyable. It can be | | | | movies, music, ect. Hair care accessories, shower |
| very difficult to relax if you have to run to the | | | | shoes, and extra blankets are also great to have |
| store every ten minutes to grab something you | | | | on hand. |
| forgot. Make a checklist before you leave to | | | | Other items to consider taking on a family |
| make sure you take everything you need. This | | | | camping trip are a GPS, a 12 volt television, |
| article will discuss the basic necessities for | | | | portable satellite TV system, and hand held CB |
| camping. Be sure to take any specific items your | | | | radios. GPS units are great when you are |
| family may require. | | | | venturing into the great unknown; finding |
| First and foremost you need shelter. For RVing | | | | something as simple as the nearest grocery store |
| families this is pretty simple. If you plan to rent a | | | | can be hard if you're not familiar with the town. |
| cabin be sure to do so in advance to insure | | | | The GPS navigation system can get you to your |
| availability. If you are going to camp in a tent | | | | camp site, and show you around the town, all by |
| make sure you have the tent and all the stakes | | | | simply programming your destination. Having a 12 |
| and ropes for proper assembly. Make sure to | | | | Volt television and portable satellite on hand are |
| have a hammer handy to pound the stakes into | | | | simply for entertainment purposes. When the sun |
| the ground. Once you have shelter covered the | | | | goes down and the glow of the fire just isn't |
| next item on the list should be basic everyday | | | | interesting anymore, being able to flip on the TV |
| necessities. Clothes, extra shoes, towels, wash | | | | and watch your favorite shows will seem |
| cloths, swim wear, food, cooking utensils and | | | | priceless. |
| appliances, plates, plasticware, napkins, table cloth, | | | | The last item I mentioned in this list is a hand held |
| ect. These items are things everyone thinks to | | | | CB radio. These can come in handy in a lot of |
| pack for any trip. Try not to bring a lot of | | | | different situations. Use them to communicate |
| perishable food unless you have a portable cooler. | | | | with family while you explore the woods and |
| Make sure to bring an inflatable mattress and | | | | streams, or use them in case of an emergency |
| warm sleeping bag if you intend to tent camp. | | | | (such as getting lost on such explorations). These |
| Also, bring your own sheets if you are staying in | | | | little devices can prove to be a true lifeline when |
| a cabin. | | | | you need them most. Having all these items, as |
| Other basic items for a camping trip are fishing | | | | well as any family specific item you may require, |
| gear, books, folding lawn chairs, a first aid kit, | | | | can make a camping trip turn into a great family |
| clothing line (for extended trips), dish soap, laundry | | | | memory. |
| soap, and rain gear (just in case). A lot of these | | | | |