Planning a family weekend camping trip may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right 5 step plan, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to make your trip enjoyable and hassle-free!
Here are 5 steps that will help you plan the perfect camping adventure:
1. Scope out campsites
One way to save time is by choosing which campsite you want ahead of time. This is especially helpful if there are only a few spots left at that site or another nearby site that would also suit your needs. If you’re someone who likes to bring all their gear with them for an overnighter, choose a site close enough so you can hike in and not have too far of a walk back to where you parked your car.
2. Make a packing list
If you’re new to camping, it’s helpful to make a checklist of everything you need to take with you, so you don’t forget anything important. Think about the weather – if it’ll be cold at night, bring more blankets than normal sleepwear; if it is hot during the day, pack fewer clothes and more water for staying hydrated. This also includes bringing enough food that will fill everyone up like cowboy cookies. If you’ve always wondered ‘what are cowboy cookies?,’ they’ll be perfect on this trip. Actually, they’re so delicious they are perfect anywhere!
Remember, you want to be prepared to camp without having to go out into town somewhere for food or eating all your snacks on the first day just because they were there and available. For fun outdoor activities like hiking or laying by the fire, bring along extra things required for those events such as water shoes, bug spray, marshmallows, flashlights/lanterns with extras, etc.
3. Sleep under the stars
Part of camping is getting back to nature and experiencing all that Mother Nature has to offer; one way of doing that is by sleeping out in the open air instead of in a stuffy tent or cabin. If you’re going on a short trip where the weight will be an issue (i.e., backpacking), then bring a backpacker’s kit that’ll allow you to sleep comfortably outside without the need for heavy gear. Bring a hammock or you can even buy an instant shelter that packs down into a small size that fits into the attached stuff sack – just be sure to read up on all the pros and cons before you go camping, just in case.
4. Rent it
If you’ve already chosen the perfect campsite, but it’s too far for your comfort level to carry everything there on foot, look into rental gear. Campsites usually rent out canoes or kayaks if you want to go on a paddle trip down a nearby river or stream; some also provide bike rentals so you can bike around the area and explore any trails that might be within biking distance (and bring extra bikes with you in case someone gets tired of riding). If camping is more about recreating than roughing it, then most likely there’ll be many services available near or at your campsite.
5. Have fun!
Last but not least, remember to have fun while camping! Remember this is your adventure so enjoy yourself no matter what happens or how long it takes for something to happen. The beauty of camping is making new friends and spending quality time with loved ones; if you don’t get anything else done besides spending time with people you care about over good food and drinks, do it because odds are they’ll want to camp again next year!
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