Great Family Camping Trips Make Excellent Traditions
By Valerie Giles, Fri Dec 9th

A wonderful way to invest in your families’ treasure trove ofmemories is by spending time in the great outdoors. Campingtrips can be an excellent tradition that your family will lookforward to and in time, look back upon with fond memories.

Whether you plan to camp at the same place every year or seekout new places doesn’t matter as is always filled withnew adventures. Your family might have a favorite place you goto every year mixed with a new spot you select together foranother weekend or extended holiday during the year. There areso many national parks to explore; your options really are quitelimitless.

Camping doesn’t have to be an overly expensive expenditure.Again this all depends on how you’ll be camping. in atent carries a completely different dynamic than in afully equipped camper. in a tent is also relativelyinexpensive. Perhaps the camper is something you’ll decide toinvest in after a few years of tent camping, then again thereare some who prefer to only go tent camping. There’s somethingto be said about the rustic quality of sleeping in a tent, youcan hike to far off remote spots where you couldn’t get to witha camper in tow.

Regardless of how you’ll be you’ll want to have theproper gear and accessories. First off you want to havethe best tent and sleeping bags you can possibly afford. As yourtent will be your home away from home for your trip and yoursleeping bag will keep you warm and covered for those longnights under the stars (there are tents available that have meshroofs for star gazing, of coarse if it starts to rain, you canjust cover it up with your tent fly), you’ll want to be surethat both these items keep you appropriately covered so to speak.

Next you’ll want to have proper camp accessories; a trustworthycamp stove, a lantern, flashlights, a first aid kit, tarp,cooking and eating utensils, a little axe (for choppingfirewood, also doubles as a hammer for hammering in tent pegs),some rope (for clothes lines and securing tarp), and cooler.Along with your sleeping bag you’ll want to remember comfypillows (unless your backpacking then you might want aconvenient inflatable pillow) and very importantly a good sleeppad. An uncomfortable sleep experience on hard ground may steeryou off tent altogether, so come prepared, a goodsleeping pad is worth its weight in gold. A good idea to helpyou remember all these items is the check list.

It’s a good idea to store your camp gear in some plasticcontainers. This way it’s all in one place (with your camp listincluded), so when it’s time to pack up and go you cango through the containers making any necessary additions needed.It’s very important to check that all your equipment is properlymaintained and cared for; there is nothing worse than getting toyour destination and finding that your camp stove is notworking. You’ll also want to be sure that your camp fuel supplyis replenished and you have extra batteries (for flashlights,lanterns or radios).

One of the best things about the whole experience is thefood. Now depending on where you’re and what time ofyear it is, if you’re lucky you’ll be able to do some of yourcooking around the campfire. During dry seasons there may befire restrictions due to forest fire concerns, if that’s thecase you’ll do all your cooking atop your stove. Everymeal always seems to taste a bit better when you’re camping, itmight have something to do with all the fresh air, or maybe allthe fun activity builds up you’re appetite, either way you’llwant to bring along some family favorites. For dinner

maybe somegrilling of the families select choices, accompanied by somecorn on the cob and potatoes wrapped in tin foil cooked on thecoals with a nice salad and later for dessert smores(marshmallow and a slice of chocolate sandwiched between twograham wafers), add to that some hot chocolate before bed andthat’s a night of food to dream about.

The activities (or lack of activities) will also make yourcamping trip one to remember. Hiking, kayaking, cycling andsailing might be on your agenda. Most parks offer excellentgroomed hiking trails. Research in advance the area you will bevisiting to know what activities will be available, you may beable to rent a kayak and take a lesson at the same time. Manyareas also offer great bike trails that the family can cycle ontogether. A late night walk is among favorite suggestions; youcan check out the stars and just listen to the silence.

Bring along a book you’ve wanted to read or some magazines.Games are another excellent pastime, a deck of cards or a boardgame might be some fun. Of course you can always bring alongsome baseball gloves and a ball for a game of catch. Soccerballs, badminton rackets and a net or volleyball and net allmake for a fun day at the park.

If your family has little one’s you’ll be presented with a wholenew challenge. Depending on the ages of your babies or toddlersyou’ll want to pack some extra conveniences. There are excellentbaby back carriers available allowing you to hike all sorts ofterrain with baby in tow while keeping your back feelingcomfortable, as well there are a numerous variety of babystrollers to select from which are great for using on trails.For toddlers you may want to bring a playpen to keep baby safe.You can never bring too many toys; the more your child has tokeep them entertained you can rest assure they will be morecontent.

Be prepared for weather changes by bringing along extraclothing. Most likely you will be in the warmer spring,summer and fall months. It’s wise to remember however that theevenings can often get quite cool. Bring along heavy sweaters orextra jackets for added warmth, it can never hurt to bring alonga couple of extra blankets for comfort beside the fire (or foruse at a day picnic). Rainwear is another excellent addition toyour wardrobe. With good quality rain jackets, hats,rain pants and boots you can take advantage of the rainy weatherand actually go out for a hike rather than staying inside thetent or worse yet ending your camp trip all together.

Camping certainly has its challenges. Knowing what to bring andhaving the proper equipment and accessories is the first hurtle.Once you arrive at your destination and set up you want to keepeveryone as comfortable and happy as possible, whether it’skeeping the kids occupied without the use of video games orcooking a surefire dinner. Rest assured that after your firstcouple of trips when you find out what everyone enjoys doing andyou realize all you like to include on your trip, you willcertainly add to your families list of favoriteexcursions and traditions. The wonderful thing about isits always different, perhaps the site is different or thecampground you selected is unique to the last you stayed at,whatever the difference is it always seems to be an adventurethat the whole family can enjoy.

About the author:Best Supplies is a site owned andoperated by Valerie Giles. It features tents, campers, fishing gear, boats, kayaks and outerwear. Everything for campingenthusiasts! http://www.best-camping-supplies.com