Planning For A Family Camping Trip

Traveling and camping with children can be one of the most dreaded experiences or the most enjoyable experiences a family can do together. Camping vacations are memories that last a lifetime. Sometimes these memories can be, "Remember when we were going to Washington and Daddy got stuck on the expressway and couldn't exit? I never heard Dad use those words before". Or they can be, "Remember when we were at the lake, and we caught the ……… Mom, do you still have that picture?" It seems that family camping vacations are a part of the glue that binds us together.

Everyone wants the vacation to be as stress-free and as fun as possible. After all, that is why it's referred to as a "vacation". Planning is the key to making that happen. Depending on how long your vacation is or how elaborate you want to make it, the planning stage is the most important. Planning should start in advance and should include all members of the family and their interests. A family with teenagers might consider a camping destination that is close to a mall or theme park to keep everyone happy. Young children may be entertained with child-friendly activities like baby pools and arts and crafts activities at a campground. Parents deserve their vacation too, so keep in mind your interests as well!

Job sharing and delegation make family vacations run smoothly, too. Even the youngest child can be given a small responsibility. Family camping vacations are a perfect time for parents to teach their children cooperation and learning to work together. Job sharing and delegation form the family into a team and help to alleviate the burden of one person doing all of the work. It is better to discuss and designate responsibilities before you get on the road so everyone starts out on even ground and knows what is expected of them.

Even the most well planned camping vacation will have some glitches. It is quite possible that, "Gee, it's too bad, last week it was just beautiful here" or "We've never seen wind and rain like this before" could be your experience. Expect some setbacks, loosen up, relax, adjust your plans and make a memory!

Points to consider when planning a family camping vacation:

Have each family member outline his or her ideal vacation.

Choose a destination/campground that provides something for everyone.

Incorporate at least one element of each person's favorite activities into your camping vacation plans.

Remember that vacations are about making memories. Discuss what vacation memories you'll want to have in five years.

Make sure the surrounding points of interest keep everyone happy.

Schedule the time to involve everyone in your family.

Delegate responsibilities for all family members.

Consider the age of your kids when going camping.

Choose activities for the family to enjoy together.

Make sure the campground is family-focused and family-friendly.

The roughing-it factor - keep it in perspective for all members of the family.

Gear up - make lists and check them twice.

Less is more. After you've planned your vacation, cut your "to do" and "to see" lists in half.

If you have both go-getter and laid-back family members, agree to go your separate ways for a few hours every day. This will satisfy everyone and keep the peace.

Happy Trails!