Plan Ahead
Keeping the kids involved adds to the excitement and enjoyment of the trip. Even kids as young as toddlers and pre-schoolers can help in the planning process.
*Stake out a site. Talk with your family about the types of trips you’d like to take. Where do you want to go? What would you like to do when you get there? Hike? Fish? Sightseeing? From there, the adults can narrow it down to a few choices then go through the brochures and websites with the kids. If the camp site is local, take a ride and check it out ahead of time. We did this for our first tent outing and it went over well. We were able to take a look at all of the sites and see which suited us best. We also got to check out the parking and restroom facilities. We talked to some campers and met the Park Ranger. All of which made planning go quite smoothly. (hint: state and local parks may be low on amenities, but can be quite inexpensive.)
*Take them shopping. Browse the web sites, catalogs and the local sporting goods stores. Let the kids check things out and see what they like. Be sure to point out both the pros and cons of their choices.
*What’s for Dinner? Getting the kids in on the meal planning is a sure fire way to get them to eat their dinner - even veggies! Keeping meals simple means less food and things to pack. Doing the prep work at home is easier than in the woods.
*Make a list. Make a list of everything you think you’ll need to pack - from the tent to the food to extra socks. Check things off as you pack them. Save your list until after you return from your trip. Cross off the things that you didn’t need. Add in things that you wish you’d brought. Be sure to note anything that needs to be repaired or replaced and save it for your next trip. I keep a current doc file on my computer, print it out for the packing and mark it up by hand as I go and when we get back, then I’ll edit the master list.
*Lay down the law. Go over camp safety rules before leaving home and again once you get there. Set boundaries for your kids to stay within. For younger kids, tie ribbons to trees and let them know that they cannot go past that without you. (be sure to take them down when you leave!) If your kids are visual, make a poster
Keeping the kids involved adds to the excitement and enjoyment of the trip. Even kids as young as toddlers and pre-schoolers can help in the planning process.
*Stake out a site. Talk with your family about the types of trips you’d like to take. Where do you want to go? What would you like to do when you get there? Hike? Fish? Sightseeing? From there, the adults can narrow it down to a few choices then go through the brochures and websites with the kids. If the camp site is local, take a ride and check it out ahead of time. We did this for our first tent outing and it went over well. We were able to take a look at all of the sites and see which suited us best. We also got to check out the parking and restroom facilities. We talked to some campers and met the Park Ranger. All of which made planning go quite smoothly. (hint: state and local parks may be low on amenities, but can be quite inexpensive.)
*Take them shopping. Browse the web sites, catalogs and the local sporting goods stores. Let the kids check things out and see what they like. Be sure to point out both the pros and cons of their choices.
*What’s for Dinner? Getting the kids in on the meal planning is a sure fire way to get them to eat their dinner - even veggies! Keeping meals simple means less food and things to pack. Doing the prep work at home is easier than in the woods.
*Make a list. Make a list of everything you think you’ll need to pack - from the tent to the food to extra socks. Check things off as you pack them. Save your list until after you return from your trip. Cross off the things that you didn’t need. Add in things that you wish you’d brought. Be sure to note anything that needs to be repaired or replaced and save it for your next trip. I keep a current doc file on my computer, print it out for the packing and mark it up by hand as I go and when we get back, then I’ll edit the master list.
*Lay down the law. Go over camp safety rules before leaving home and again once you get there. Set boundaries for your kids to stay within. For younger kids, tie ribbons to trees and let them know that they cannot go past that without you. (be sure to take them down when you leave!) If your kids are visual, make a poster
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