| an Ahead for a Fun-filled Family Camping | | | | camping gear. The check list reminds you what to |
| Experience | | | | bring, and where to pack it. Third, check lists help |
| Camping means different things to different | | | | you remember to take everything with you. No |
| people. For some, it is going out with a camper | | | | one likes to get to camp and find out they forgot |
| and practically all of the comforts of home. For | | | | some important item (even though you will |
| others, it is backpacking into the mountains and | | | | probably will forget something!). Fourth, check lists |
| sleeping in the open elements with nothing over | | | | help you remember what NOT to bring next time. |
| your head but the stars. It could even mean | | | | This is important, because each trip is a little |
| foraging for your food (hopefully you'll come | | | | different, so make notes on your check list about |
| across a good trout stream!). My definition of | | | | what camping gear you used, what you didn't and |
| camping falls on the more comfortable side of the | | | | what you wish you had taken. This lets you plan |
| two, loving the camping experience, but needing | | | | to make your next camping trip even better. |
| to have some basic comforts also.This article will | | | | Planning Out Your Meals |
| give you a few tips that you can use no matter | | | | Food is another important factor. You need to |
| what kind of camping you enjoy! | | | | consider what you will be taking for food and |
| Starting With A Plan | | | | what you will need in way of storage for it, such |
| A great camping trip starts with a great plan! | | | | as an ice chest, etc. Most camping areas have a |
| Planning out your camping trip will help you be | | | | cooking area. Do you want to bring your own grill |
| prepared and build excitement way before time | | | | or use the outside cookers which may mean |
| to head to the hills (or the beach!). Make sure that | | | | waiting your turn? Don't forget to take the can |
| you include the whole family and let everyone | | | | opener if the food that you are taking with you |
| have a part in deciding what you'll need to bring to | | | | will require one. Don't forget cooking and eating |
| make this a great adventure and a pleasurable | | | | utensils. Remember, you don't have to wash |
| experience. Camping with your family is a great | | | | paper plates and plastic cups! If you decide to use |
| way to build a closer relationship between parents | | | | these type items be sure you dispose of them |
| and kids. Good quality time spent without the | | | | properly and don't leave your trash for someone |
| distraction of the TV, computer and video games | | | | else to pick up! Meals that can be cooked at |
| can make for some great memories and shared | | | | home ahead of time, and travel well in a cooler, |
| experiences that will be remembered for years to | | | | will save a lot of time especially on the first night |
| come. You'll experience quality time for everyone | | | | of your trip. Precooked meats will last longer in |
| involved. | | | | the cooler than raw meats, especially if you use |
| Deciding Where To Camp | | | | block ice in your cooler. It will last much longer |
| One of the first things you will want to decide is | | | | than cubes. If you're an ice cream lover, nothing is |
| where you are going to camp. Do you prefer | | | | better than home made ice cream on a camping |
| "roughing it"? This means no electrical hookups, no | | | | trip. Depending on where you'll be camping, you |
| camp host or camp store, and bathroom facilities | | | | can bring along your electric ice cream maker or |
| means "the woods"! For most campers, I would | | | | your "old fashioned" hand crank ice cream churn. |
| recommend an established campground. State | | | | Of course you'll want to make sure you have |
| Parks provide some of the best campgrounds | | | | access to a local store that has ice! If you're in an |
| available and they are usually very well maintained | | | | area inhabited by bears, special precautions must |
| and reasonably priced. You will have the security | | | | be taken with both your food and garbage. if |
| of knowing that they have done their best to | | | | you're in an established campground, place your |
| keep the area maintained and as safe as possible. | | | | food in the special bear-proof receptacles at night. |
| In choosing the campground, you will also want to | | | | If you leave food in your vehicle, a hungry bear |
| look into what kind of activities, if any, they offer | | | | will find a way to get inside it, and he doesn't care |
| or are offered in the nearby vicinity. I would | | | | what kind of damage he does to your vehicle! It's |
| recommend you pick up a good campground | | | | always a good idea to talk with the local Park |
| directory such as Woodalls campground guide and | | | | Ranger about wildlife in your campground area. |
| directory to help you decide where to camp. | | | | What About Your Drinking Water? |
| Selecting Your Gear | | | | The water around organized campgrounds is |
| Once you've found the perfect location, you will | | | | probably safe. Their water is usually privately |
| then want to begin to plan what to take with you. | | | | treated or it is supplied by a near by city |
| Will you be camping in a tent, "pop-up" type trailer | | | | treatment plant. The water from lakes, springs, |
| or possibly an RV? Shop around; see what is | | | | rivers and streams however, is untreated and can |
| offered and what will work the best for you and | | | | carry a lot of bacteria, viruses, and other things |
| your family. Be sure you include everyone in this | | | | that can cause illness. Water that runs rapidly |
| decision. It makes for some great excitement and | | | | over gravel, rocks, and plant life appears clean |
| will have everyone looking forward to the first | | | | and limpid, but this is no guarantee it is safe for |
| time you try out that new tent or camper. Also, | | | | you. Your best bet to ensure you and your |
| if everyone has a part in this decision it limits the | | | | family's safety is to always treat any water |
| number of complaints that you may hear about | | | | obtained from unfamiliar sources, such as all the |
| later on! Do you plan on using a sleeping bag? | | | | sources mentioned above. It is not that hard to |
| Remember that an adult size sleeping bag, does | | | | do and it takes so little time. There are many |
| not necessarily mean one size fits all! If you will be | | | | different ways to treat water, but boiling water is |
| tent camping, another thing to consider is having a | | | | probably the most common method used. It is |
| mattresses or foam padding under the sleeping | | | | best to boil it for more than 10 minutes at a |
| bags. Foam padding usually folds up to a compact | | | | steady boil. If you are camping in a wilderness |
| size and is much easier on the back than sleeping | | | | type area where treated water is not available, |
| right on the floor of the tent. It just might be | | | | then be sure to bring your own. Don't forget to |
| worth the extra trouble to pack it along to insure | | | | add that to your checklist! |
| a good nights sleep! I would also recommend a | | | | Clothing Considerations |
| large battery operated lamp for your tent. | | | | Bring extra clothing along. If the weather is |
| Another great idea is for everyone to have their | | | | different than you had planned on, then you'll be |
| own flashlight, in case any get separated from | | | | glad you did. Don't forget a first aid kit for any |
| other members of the family during trips to and | | | | unfortunate minor injuries. Bring activities that can |
| from the bathroom facilities (or woods!). | | | | be enjoyed inside the tent as well as those for |
| Use A Camping Checklist | | | | outside, such as books, games, etc., in case |
| A camping check list makes every trip much | | | | inclement weather makes you want to be inside. |
| more enjoyable in several ways. First, the whole | | | | Plan for everything that could go wrong, and then |
| family gets involved together in creating your | | | | be grateful and glad when all goes well. And finally, |
| camping check list. Making out your check list long | | | | one last important item.....a camera to capture |
| before the trip is kind of like starting your | | | | those memories! |
| vacation early. It builds up the excitement and | | | | Make it a family adventure that all will enjoy and |
| anticipation when everyone begins to think of | | | | possibly want to repeat another time. Above all, |
| items they want and need to bring. Second, | | | | have a fun-filled family camping experience! |
| check lists help you organize and pack your | | | | |