Prepare Your Family For Camping

Camping is an exciting family experience that your children will remember for their entire lives. That first time the family goes camping is critical, as it can set the tone for all future camping trips. Because of this, you want to make sure that the trip is as positive as it can be for your child. Here are some ways to do that:

Do a test run

Thoroughly prepare your child for the camping experience. If your child is prone to anxiety in new settings, consider setting up the tent in the backyard and sleeping outside for a night or two. If that isn’t an option, consider setting up a small pup tent inside the house and allowing the child to sleep inside.

Consider a separate children’s tent

Older children especially enjoy their privacy. If you have teenagers in your family, they may not want to sleep in the same tent as mom and dad, or as their younger siblings. Allowing the children to sleep in a separate tent if they wish may be the perfect solution for this problem.

Have clear rules and expectations

When you go camping for the first time, your children probably don’t know what to do and what not to do. Discuss these things with your child ahead of time. For example, if you intend to use a chore list (sometimes known as a “kaper chart,”) go through the list ahead of time so that the children know what they’ll be doing while camping.

In addition, you need to cover the basic safety rules ahead of time, as well. Talk with your children about fire safety. Teach them to recognize plants like poison ivy and poison oak.

Keep them interested

Bring along some toys and games for your children in case they get bored. Try to bring family activities, such as board games, if at all possible. Bring plenty of books, coloring books, crayons and other sorts of toys and activities.

Make it truly memorable

Try to plan some unique activities. Make s’mores. Let your children roast their own hot dogs. Do some fishing. Find things to do with your children that they can’t do when they’re not camping.