Escaping into nature is great for your physical and mental
health, and it’s even better if you
can do this while spending some quality time with your family. When you next
feel as though you could do with a break from a hectic lifestyle, or simply
feel like your family could use some time reconnecting with one another,
planning a family camping trip could be just what the doctor ordered. If you
and your loved ones are thinking of organizing a trip to the countryside
anytime soon, here are a few tips to help you make it the best experience
possible.
The Right Destination
Of course, a camping trip is all about getting out into nature,
but be mindful about the destination you pick for your stay. You need to think
about the requirements of everyone coming on the trip, so finding a suitable
campsite that has safe play areas for young children, good hiking trails for
the explorers in your group, or even an on-site restaurant for evenings when
you don’t want to cook are all things worth
considering. Although camping might be about getting away from the usual home
comforts, having a few things close by is always a bonus in case you want or
need them.
Pack a First Aid Kit
Always make sure you bring a first aid kit with you on a camping
trip (or any holiday). The campsite you’re staying
at should have something like this at hand anyway, but in case you’re camping somewhere off the grid, you must have basic
first aid with you. Even if you are staying at a campsite, it’s
better to have your kit in case they are running low on supplies. You can get first aid supplies
online or at your local drugstore.
Hiking Gear
If you’re planning to enjoy
days spent out on hiking trails during your trip, invest in some quality hiking
gear for the occasion. It’s always
better to have comfortable shoes and clothing that have been designed for this
activity, especially if you’re taking
on more challenging trails. You should also make sure you’re
taking maps of the area, a compass, energy bars, plenty of water, and perhaps
even investing in a hand-held GPS in case you get lost. Don’t
forget to pack plenty of waterproof clothes, too!
Entertainment
Both kids and adults can get bored, and even if you’re
enjoying the peace of the countryside it’s always a
good idea to bring some kind of entertainment along with you to keep everyone
happy. Board games are family-friendly forms of entertainment, or you can bring
a deck of cards
with you for something more portable. Bringing a few books to get lost in is
another good idea, or if you’re
choosing to stay in an RV rather than a tent, maybe even bringing a laptop to
watch some movies on rainy days is worth it?
Extra Blankets
Speaking of rainy days, bringing some extra blankets or sleeping
bags with you is important in case the weather turns cooler during your trip.
It’s also handy to have some spares in
case anything gets spilled on your blankets or they get dirty. At the very
least, bringing spare blankets and pillows will help you to make your tent or
RV incredibly cozy and comfortable - you could even try to make a blanket fort
together with your fellow vacationers.
Sleeping Cots or Camping Mattresses
If you are going to camp in a tent, it’s
worth investing in a sleeping cot or camping mattress. You’re
never going to find perfectly flat ground, which makes for an uncomfortable
night’s sleep most of the time. Taking
along a cot or mattress will make staying in a tent much more pleasant and will
help you and your family rest properly throughout the night.
Fuel
Don’t forget to pack
enough fuel for your camping stove, particularly if your campsite isn’t
close to any restaurants or a store where you can get more fuel. There’s nothing worse than coming back hungry from a long hike
and not being able to cook yourself some dinner! To save yourself from starving
in the woods, triple check you have packed enough fuel (and some extra) before
you set off on your trip.
Spare Batteries
Finally, always remember to take spare batteries with you on a
camping trip. You will be using flashlights as the sky grows dark, either when
you’re making your way back to the
campsite from a trail or when you’re
searching for something in your tent at night. The last thing you want to
happen is for your flashlight to die on you and be stuck in the dark until
sunrise.