Growing up, my family were car camping people. Both my brother and I were involved with scouting, and my parents kept an up-to-date Kampgrounds of America (KOA) directory in the sideboard in the living room. I vividly remember one trip to the Outer Banks where it rained so much that the tent flooded and I spent the night in a van with a half a dozen mosquitoes.
Despite once being a surly, soaked tween, I went on to do some enjoyable car camping with my boyfriend (now husband) into my 20s and early 30s, but haven't been since becoming a parent. Presumably, it was too overwhelming to attempt sleeping in a tent when my babies and toddlers were only half decent at sleeping in their cribs and then beds, but now that everyone is much older, I am thinking we ought to try a family camping trip.
The benefits of family camping appeal to me – spending time in nature, getting away from our screens and developing an appreciation for the natural world. Both of my kids mostly enjoy hiking, wading into creeks and lakes and being outdoors. I also think they are both old enough to help set up camp and do some camp chores.
With an autumn trip in mind, I consulted several family blogs and articles about tips for planning our first family camping trip. These particular tips resonated with me:
Use books to prepare kids
Camping overnight in a tent can be a little hard to conceptualize for kids, and when things are hard to imagine (the first day of school, for instance), many parents like to turn to books. Some books to get kids excited about and invested in camping are:
Flashlight by Lizi Boyd – This picture book has no words and is a good option for your youngest campers.
Cooking in a Can: Campfire Recipes for Kids by Kate White and Debra Dixon – Enough said.
The Camping Adventure Book for Families by Linda Hamilton – I had the chance to peruse this one at the gift shop at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site and it has loads of great ideas to look through while you are planning your camping trip.
The Lonely Planet Kids' Survival Guide – This is probably overkill for a laid-back car camping trip, but my kids have read and reread this one over the years and know what to do if they come across a bear, so it gets points for engagement.
Choose your destination wisely
This seems obvious, but stay with me a second. Honestly, if you are nervous about camping, many experienced family campers suggest simply pitching a tent in your own backyard as a starting point. This do-ahead strategy allows your kids to get used to all the excitement and new night sounds, while providing a super-easy plan for bailing as needed. If you are ready to step it up, choose a camping destination that has family-friendly activities. Many campgrounds and camp sites have spots for fishing, hiking, playgrounds, game rooms or arcades and even swimming.
Keep meals fun and easy
Camping is the perfect opportunity to keep meals simple. Clearly, s'mores should be involved. And since the kids are already roasting marshmallows, let them "cook" their own food as well. Kids can help shop and prep simple food ahead, plan one-pot meals or assemble simple things like sandwiches and hot dogs.
Pack the right stuff and plan some fun stuff
Choose the right gear – this is different for everyone but might include the correct-sized sleeping bags that trap heat for smaller kids, easy to set up tents, bug spray that works for you and your family and children-friendly flashlights and headlamps that won't blind everyone. Be sure to throw plenty of layers in the car, especially if it is going to be cool or you anticipate kids getting muddy or damp. Lastly, include some fun stuff such as card games, fairy lights, giant bubbles, bikes and scooters, binoculars, bug-catching equipment and bird calls.
Pamela Savage is a freelance writer living in Springfield. She hopes to check a family camping trip off of her bucket list this fall.