Organizing your next camping trip.
Camping is such a great family activity. If you take kids with you, it will leave them with some lifelong memories. People who went camping as a youngster can vouch for that. No matter what you actually do during the trip, it is always a great adventure when you are a kid.
Remember to bring the most important items. You will need to bring a tent unless you are planning to stay in a cabin 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 absolutely necessary tools of camping are flashlights, pillows, sleeping bags, batteries, a hatchet and chairs. If you are going to be camping in a tent, think about getting yourself an inflatable air mattress. It will really improve your whole trip if you get a decent nights rest.
Plan ahead so you have the necessary tools for building a campfire. Gather old papers or thinner pieces of cardboard. Bring a lighter and some matches. I like to bring both a camping saw and a hatchet. I also would prefer to take my own wood. You might not be allowed to provide your own firewood for various reasons depending on where you are going to be camping. Some parks have regulations prohibiting it because of plant diseases.
You need to think about cooking your meals. Consider bringing a cooler for food, propane stove, propane tanks, plates, silverware, dish rag, soap and a plastic tub for cleaning dishes. Not all state parks have a place to wash dishes. We usually take throw away plates and silverware.
Put some thought into what kinds of clothes you will need for the camping trip. If you intend to go hiking, be sure you have some comfy hiking boots. You certainly don’t want sore feet. Bring loose clothes and a couple pairs of shorts if it will be warm. Bring some long pants otherwise. Your clothes may get soiled or ripped so you shouldn’t wear your best clothing. Don’t forget to pack a bathing suit, rain poncho, warm shirt and a hat. These are must have items for any camping trip.
Remember to bring your personal bathroom products for you and your whole family. Pack all of the essentials into convenient bags. Make sure you bring cue tips, bars of soap, shampoo, deodorant, razors, and shaving cream. Don’t forget to pack contact lens supplies if someone wears them. Don’t forget to pack enough towels for everyone. If you intend to be gone more than a few days, you might want something to hang the towels on to dry out. Don’t forget to remember any necessary medicines.
Some other things that you could bring to make the camping trip even better would include campfire popcorn, battery powered lanterns, binoculars, cameras, mosquito repellent, marshmallows and chocolate bars, bottled water, cocktails, cigars, Aloe Vera lotion, bandages, sun tan lotion and a radio.
Here’s some other good advice that you need. Bring activities for the young ones. You are going to have way more fun on your trip if the kids have plenty of things to occupy their spare time. Besides, half the reason you are going camping is for them to have fun too. One guy that I know takes some old recordings of ghost stories to play around the campfire at night. You could also take a Frisbee, a kite, softball, baseball, or just a football. Bring anything you can think of that can be done safely outside. Make the most use of the wide open areas in most campgrounds.
Why not create a personalized camping checklist? There are going to be things that you think are important that I haven’t mentioned. Make a complete list of your own, so you won’t forget anything. Some people can’t leave home without taking a cell phone, their bike or their laptop.