Camping With Your Children

Submitted by Rosemary

That time of year is here again. The days are longer, the flowers are beginning to bloom and the rays of the sun are getting warmer. It’s time to pack up your gear, get out of the house and go camping with your children.
If you have ever gone camping with your children, you are well aware that it takes planning and some additional work. There are quite a few extra things you need to think about before setting out. The best way to get started is to get your children involved in the planning from the beginning so that you can teach them the rules of camping before you are on your way.

Making Plans
Have your children make lists. Children love to make lists. Create several lists such as food, clothes, equipment, activities, places nearby to visit. Plan on going to a campground that has bathroom and shower facilities. Many times these campgrounds also have swimming, parks, fishing, hiking, canoeing and other activities that your children can enjoy.

Packing For Your Camping Trip
Have your children help you pack all of the necessary supplies. Rehearse your camping trip by putting up the tent with their assistance. Teach them how to fold a sleeping bag. Go over the necessary clothing that they need to bring along. This is your chance before the excitement begins to go over the safety rules of camping involving such things as fires, wild animals, unknown plants and spoiled food.

Necessary Supplies
Make sure to bring along cameras for your children so that they can remember this exciting time. Also needed are first aid kits, extra snacks, extra clothing, medicines if required, sunscreen, bug repellent, extra garbage bags, games, compass for hiking, fishing poles and anything else you think your children would be interested in bringing along. And please don’t forget the marshmallows!

Setting Out
Avoid traveling too far from home to camp. Children get sick and weather changes. Everything is easier to deal with if you are closer to home. Since they will be so excited, it is also wise to make traveling to the campground a short trip.

Extra Tips From A Former Camping Parent
Make sure to bring along a broom to sweep the dirt or sand from inside the tent. Extra towels and a clothes line might just come in handy. Extra food is a necessity in case they happen to drop their food in the camp fire. Lots of snacks are needed because the fresh air is going to make everyone hungry. Some picture books of bugs and plants are good to bring along for down times. Since it can get too quiet or too loud when you are with children, bring along a radio and some cd’s. For safety reasons, make sure to dump your garbage throughout the day in the campground receptacles (which are usually situated away from the camp sites) in order to avoid wild animals visiting you while you’re exploring during the day or sleeping at night. A good rule of thumb is to keep all of your food put away at all times in your vehicle, not in your tent. At no time do you want to attract wild animals.

Make your trip simple and make it safe while at the same time making it exciting and enjoyable. Camping with your children good quality time that everyone gets to enjoy. The memories will be with your forever.
There are some great campgrounds to visit around the country which are run by State Parks and Federal Parks. Most of them have activities such as fishing and canoeing and most of them even have camp stores. You can find these at :
http://www.reserveamerica.com/
Have you been camping with your children? We would love to hear from you if you have done this and would like to share your experience or if you are planning a camping trip in the near future.

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