Camping is a big adventure as far as kids are concerned and for most moms. Planning a camping trip means bringing all the comforts of home out into the woods because they all want what’s best for the kids. But making them comfortable beats the purpose of camping; you want them to experience how to live in the wild, spend time closer to nature to learn the basics.
While the children’s welfare is of utmost importance, parents also need to keep in mind that the purpose of camping is to help children become self-reliant. Make sure that you pack only what is necessary and the just the right amount of back-up supplies in case of emergencies.
Shelter During Camping
If you are a big family and you plan on camping as a regular family outdoor activity, investing on a big tent is a good idea. There are tents that you can use that have 2 rooms, high enough for you to walk around. You can also choose a smaller tent enough for the members of the family to sleep in at night. If it’s your first time to go camping and you just bought a new tent make sure to assemble it at home prior to your trip and mark the pole and edges that will go together. This will save you time especially when night is falling and you have to set up a shelter for the little ones who might want to tuck in early after a long trip.
Packing Food For Your Camping Holiday
Once again, over-doing it is out of the question. Pack just enough food for the number of days you will be away. There is no use over loading your camper with tons of food that may not be eaten anyway. Plan you meal ahead of time, buy only what you need and bring only what you can eat. This is not a day to feast on hearty meals; eating the most basic can be one of the lessons too. You can also save time and effort if you pre-cook some of the food that you will be sharing with the family. Sauces and pastas as well as other meat dishes can be cooked, freeze and thrown in on the cooler, so you can just heat it up when you need to serve it.
Lighting During Camping
Camping is supposed to be dark but we all need light, especially with young kids. We all know they can have issues in the dark and even though camp fire is fun, it’s not fair to keep a member of family up all night to keep the camp fire burning. You also need light to find your way to the toilet, so don’t forget to bring one and extra battery or an extra one that is fully charged.
Ensuring Safety While Camping
Camping is a time to have adventure in the outdoors; kids will roam around and play, and getting hurt or bruised is something you can’t avoid. Having a first aid kit is a must. But once again, don’t overdo it, take only what’s necessary. You can buy a pre-packaged first-aid kit if you don’t already have one at home.
Clothing for Camping
Don’t take clothing for granted, however, taking the whole closet with you is not an option either. Bring clothes suitable for the weather and an extra in case there are changes. Bring extra blanket and rain gear so that if the need arise, you and your family are safe and warm. Outdoor climate can be very tricky and if you are camping with kids you need to keep in mind that they can’t adapt as easily as adults.
Camping can be so much fun. Pack what is necessary and don’t allow the stress of preparation ruin it for you.
