Select the Right Site. The single most important choice you will make, and that will have the greatest chance to make or break your family camping experience, is the site you select. You may really like the idea of backpacking several miles into a remote location and setting up camp, but your kids (or your partner) may not be quite as into that idea as you are. Campsite selection needs to be based on the abilities of your camping party and on their interests. If you have some novice campers, choosing a campsite in an established campground at a state or national park might be a good idea. If you are OK with spending all your time at or near the campsite, then more remote might be good. Many families like to camp at night, but spend their days exploring local towns or hiking several miles away—if that is the case with you, make sure your campground is closer to your activity destination. And if your family doesn't care that much for roughing it, pick a campground with running water and flushing toilets.
Make a Reservation. If you are not camping alongside a trail somewhere, make sure you get a camping reservation early. In most state and national parks with campgrounds, reservations are taken up to a year in advance. You can usually make an online reservation in established campgrounds. The national parks and now many state parks contract with ReserveAmerica to handle online or telephone reservations. Some do not make reservations and are only available on a first-come, first-served basis. If that is the case, plan to arrive at your destination early enough to find a good site.
Come Prepared. Besides your campsite, the best predictor of family camping success is the level of your preparation. The Boy Scout motto of “Be Prepared” really has a place in the camping world. Your basic camping equipment for any outdoor experience should include at least the following:
- First aid kit – well stocked and replenished
- Tent with rain fly and ground cloth
- Sleeping bags with appropriate rating for temperature
- Camping mattresses, cots or foam pads
- Rain Gear—especially light-weight ponchos for everyone
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Camping stove and fuel
- Camping lantern and fuel
- Camping cook set including can openers
- Water carriers
- Waterproof containers
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Camping cooler
Storing all your camping gear and making it available on your campout is made much easier by bringing it in storage bins. In our family, we have three pre-labeled bins—one for camping gear, one for cooking equipment and supplies and one for food. They store efficiently in the back of the car and stow nicely under a picnic table at the campsite. And they keep wildlife out of your stuff when you aren't around.
