Camping is one of life's joys, but it requires just a little bit of preparation. Use these planning tips for your next outdoor getaway.
Camping With Kids
If your kids have never camped before, plan a backyard campout. Teach your children how to set up a tent and try cooking some simple foods like s'mores and hot dogs. Give lessons on how to turn on a lantern, pack a cooler, and use other equipment. Teach them about safety and give them some outdoor chores that are fun. You can get them to collect firewood, fill water containers, and hammer in tent pegs. Have contests for gathering the most kindling, most organized tent or fastest cleanup. Take an evening walk, listen to the sounds, and look up at the stars. Getting them familiar with the outdoors will surely get them ready for their first camping trip.
Submitted By: Andrea Sabina
Make a List
Write down a menu of what you will be eating everyday to ensure you only pack food that you need. Use the same format when packing clothing, gear and supplies. You will have everything you need, without over packing and it will save you a lot of room.
Submitted By: Denise Gallucci
Easy Group Camp Cooking
We often go camping with other families and it can get pretty complicated when it comes to planning meals. To make the cooking easier we create a sign up sheet beforehand for all the meals we want. Everyone is responsible for bringing enough items for one meal. We also do a "cook your own steaks" meal on arrival day to avoid cooking a big meal after setting up camp. The last meal of the trip we usually have a leftover potluck. This system works great for us and frees up a lot of time for everybody.
Submitted By: Kevin L. Kovars
Book a Great Campsite
If you can plan to take a few days off during the week, you will have a much better chance of finding availability for that perfect campsite. Also, you will have a much better selection of campsites if you plan and reserve your trips well in advance. I've been booking in advance for years and we always get the same site.
Submitted By: Leslie Lee
Meal Checklist
On a past camping trip, I noticed that we were missing an ingredient needed for a meal and then we noticed the same thing the following day. When we returned home, I created a checklist that we could use for our next trip. When it's time to go camping, we print the list and make sure we have all the ingredients needed.
Submitted By: Jacob Rashford
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