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Look for destinations that interest you and your family to enjoy, by lakes for swimming, boating; streams for fishing, wading, exploring; hot springs for soaking; and/or trails for hiking and biking. Here is a link to free campgrounds.

• Look for a campground reasonably close to home or a town so you can purchase forgotten, critical camping supplies.
• If you are new to camping, pick a campground with plenty of amenities like potable (drinkable) water, flush toilets, tent pad, fire pit, grill, picnic table. Some campgrounds have hosts who can be a great source of information. Also look for campgrounds that have a guided ranger programs because they will have activities for the kids. When you find a campsite, pay attention to the site descriptions for more details.
• First-Come, First-Served Sites: If you decide to camp at a first-come, first-served campground (a campground that does not take reservations), call the local site managers and ask how quickly they fill up. Your best bet is to arrive on a Wednesday or Thursday morning for a better chance of finding a decent site.  Otherwise, you may find yourself in a site near the outhouse.
• Before you leave home, check with your local fire restrictions, weather conditions, closures, fire activity and other area conditions prior to leaving. Also, be aware of critters in the area. Some campgrounds require you to use animal-proof food boxes for you and animals’ safety.

Create a checklist, or use this Camping Checklist to get you started to ensure you have everything you need at your campsite.

• Practice: Set up your tent in the backyard, layout the sleeping pads and bags, use your flashlights, glow sticks or headlamps and camp in your backyard to get the camping experience.
• Checklists: Print checklists for each family member. This allows everyone to be involved and pack their own camping gear, but, make sure to double check the kids’ camping gear so that crucial items are not forgotten.
• Prepare Meals and Snacks: Plan meals and prepare as much as you can in advance. Along with healthy options, special snacks.

Make it a weekend of teachable moments.  Make it fun and interesting to keep the kids interested in the great outdoors.  So, go explore a little.

• Set up Camp: Get everyone involved and assign areas to setup for cooking, cleaning, tents, garbage, etc.
• Establish Boundaries:  Determine a boundary for the younger kids, small areas in and around the camp. For the older kids, decide your comfort level for allowing them to explore further. Make sure the kids wear a whistle and establish signals if someone get lost. For example, 3 blows of the whistle mean a child is lost and 1 blow of the whistle from an adult mean their on the way.
• Make sure to play: Plan kid-friendly camping activities, but allow for plenty of unstructured play and discovery – let the kids get dirty and explore.
• Create great memories: Don’t forget your camera and take plenty of pictures of your family’s camping experiences.
• Enjoy the surroundings: Take a hike, picnic by the river, go fishing, or just take a nap. Make sure to enjoy Mother Nature and what she has to offer you.
• Storytime: Share stories or play games around the campfire and don’t forget the Smores. Click this link for the best camping games campfire games.

Remember to plan ahead and prepare.  The last thing you want to do is pack in a hurry.  Give yourself enough time and your experience will be a fun one.

Have a GREAT summer.