Plan Ahead: Of Checklists and Boxes
Organization is everything. Proper planning will save you time in the long run, not to mention your nerves. If want to get the best campsite, you’ll have to make a reservation on time. If you don’t, you might have to go with your second-favorite place, but, let’s face it, it’s second with reason.
First thing’s first – you’ll want to buy or rent a tent big enough for your entire family. If you mean to camp with your kids in the same tent, you’ll need at least 30 square feet per person (for adults), plus at least half that for the kids. If you have teenage kids, they’ll probably need a tent of their own, and you’ll need about 20 feet per person in that case. To put it into perspective, a family of four will need at least a 6-man tent.
Once you’ve chosen the perfect habitat, you’ll need to pay attention to other things, such as safety features, sleeping arrangement, a bit of the 21st century tech, food and fun. Let’s dissect this bit by bit.
Sleeping
Depending on the season, you can choose between few different types of sleeping bags to suit you. Go with something light for summer (a plain hiking bag should do the trick), with a temp rating of 35+ (Fahrenheit, of course), but otherwise, go for broke.
Tech
If you can wean the kids off their smartphones, all the more power to you, but if they insist on bringing a piece of the 21st century on your camping trip, make sure you have an off-the-grid charger. Don’t be afraid to ban smartphones, though, they’ll thank you for it at a later point.
Safety
First off, knock on wood. But, you’ll need to consider bringing a basic First-aid kit with you. Chances are you already have one such kit around the house, so just go with that. If not, here’s a useful checklist:
- 20ish bandages (as many different sizes as you can get)
- 3×3 gauze pads, about half a dozen
- 5×5 gauze pads, also half a dozen, for variety
- ACE bandage wrap, 3-inch wide
- Another ACE bandage wrap, 4-inch wide
- A pair of small scissors and tweezers
- A pack or two of cleaning wipes
- One bottle of hand sanitizer
- Ziplocs (to dispose of the used bandages and swabs)
- Some petroleum jelly and a roll of duct tape
On that same note, you should have an entire separate compartment or even a bag for different medications. Again, if you have kids, you probably already have a homemade pharmacy, but in case you don’t, be sure to bring some of the following:
- Diuretics (to help with diarrhea)
- Laxatives (help with constipation)
- Charcoal pills (helps a troubled tummy)
- Antihistamines (in case you or your kids have allergies)
- Antacids (if you do decide to hunt your food)
- Ibuprofen, but not aspirin
- Insulin or any other special medication your kids might require
Food
Unless you’re into the whole hunt-my-own-food deal, you’ll need to make a list of groceries and stop by a store before getting on the road. On that same note, when in doubt about how much food to get, more or less, always go for more.
Fun
Sometimes, nature and fresh air can’t be enough for kids. They need to be entertained all the time. This can take more activities in advance if you decide to camp on the mountain. Camping by the river has that luxury of spending a day in the water and splatter in the shallow.
That’s why you should bring:
- Toys – camping is the best for volleyball. In the water or on the ground, this can bring a lot of fun and exercise.
- Mountain bike – a possibility to discover some distant places around your camp area, without a car.
- Hiking supplies – all you need is spare clothes and some snacks. You don’t have to go far away, it’s better to choose smaller distances for the first time. A well-organized backpack for you and your kids is all you need. This way you can teach them a few basic things about orientation in nature.
- A rope and string – Sounds funny, but if you want to entertain your children give them something to do. If you’re camping by a river, you can teach them how to fish (provided they don’t teach you first).
- On a similar note, you can use the rope as a clothes line. If you wash your clothes, you eliminate the need for over-packing.
- Remember, if you decide to go to a campsite, you will most likely have more comfort. Many camps today offer a kitchen, toilet and shower cabins. On the other hand, if you decide to go on your own, you will pass a lot cheaper and get the absolute freedom.
