Family Camping

Do you think about taking a family camping trip? What a way to relax, enjoy the great outdoors and spend quality time with your family!

Camping can be such an enjoyable family experience, even for those without experience...just follow the four "P" rules of camping: PRE-PLAN, PLAN, PREPARE and PARTICIPATE.

PRE-PLAN - With a calendar, notebook and pen in hand, call a family meeting.

The first step in pre-planning is to decide when and where you would like to go. Then take the time to research the camp grounds in the area to find one with all of the amenities that you want and require; i.e. laundry, store, bath-houses, pool or swimming area, fishing, firewood, hiking trails, etc.

Once you decide on a camp ground, call and reserve a site for the dates you have chosen to take your trip.

PLAN - This will require another family meeting but first, you must go back and research all of the local attractions to the campground you will be staying at. Make lists of such things as: museums, amusement parks, hiking trails, restaurants, fishing spots, boat rentals, canoeing, tours, etc. It would also help in your planning if you can make notes as to how far from the campground these places are and requirements; i.e. fishing license and prices for admittance.

Now, with your calendar, daily planner, notebook and pen and your list of attractions, call another family meeting. Make this one more relaxed by making popcorn (or other snacks) and having beverages out on the table.

This is when you want to make decisions about the activities you will be doing as a family so, it is important that everyone be involved in the decision making (especially if you want co-operation from the children when you get there!

Use your daily planner and decide what time each activity will start and end on each day. Be sure to give yourselves one free day for the "just in-cases"; i.e. you come across something else you would like to do that you didn't find in your research.

PREPARE - Simply put, MAKE LISTS!

Binder - Included in this should be your notebook, daily planner, reservation confirmations, brochures and pens.