Did you go camping before your 15th birthday? That age seems to carry some significance, as about 85% of regular campers who were surveyed revealed their camping vacations began before they turned 15 years old. It may also predict which children are more likely to participate in outdoor activities: 57% of children who had been on camping trips enjoyed outdoor fun, while only about 25% of non-campers did.
So camping vacations might be good for encouraging a love of the outdoors, you think. But how do you plan for great family camping trips? Here’s an easy guide.
A Plan For Being Prepared Breeds Success When It Comes to the Outdoors.
While you might envision heading out the door on the spur of the moment with little more than a pack of matches and a pen knife, a family trip requires a bit more. Give yourself enough time for preparation, make a list, and pack smartly.
How Long In Advance Should I Plan a Camping Trip?
It is suggested that families take at least a month in advance to plan a trip. This helps you to think clearly about possible pitfalls, and also allows you to do enough research into the area where you’ll be staying. Some experts suggest that planning in advance allows you to camp for longer as well. The average length of time, whether spent tent camping, in a yurt, cabin, bivy, or RV, is approximately 14.9 days.
What am I Planning For? Food, Entertainment, Traveling, Weather?
You’ll want to pay attention to all four, as each area bleeds over into the other. For example, you’ll want to check the weather forecast before leaving for the trip. Let’s say it rains, hard, nearly everyday at your campground and it’s difficult to use a camp fire or even a BBQ grill for cooking. If this is taken into consideration beforehand, you can make the proper arrangements by bringing food that doesn’t require cooking, or a big umbrella, or even a small camping stove.
The rain can also put a halt to planned activities. Some people don’t mind hiking in the rain, others detest it. Some campgrounds offer camping amenities such as indoor activities, which is especially nice on those camping vacations that seem to test everyone’s patience. An opportunity to give each other space is appreciated.
Camping is a great family pastime, in fact it is a popular choice for family vacations. To make sure yours is more fun than flop, make sure you plan the trip at least a month in advance. Next, remember to have a plan for contingencies.
