Car Camping

For family car camping I think the real goal is not spending the weekend at 'Party Central.' I've found nothing is more annoying then loud neighbors well past quiet hours. Luckily, choosing a friendly family oriented campground isn't a chore.

Try an internet search for: private campgrounds in Your State. That search should turn up many campgrounds and campground directories. Click on a few to see what looks promising. You can tweak the search a little and look for a specific locale if you have someplace particular in mind. Spend some time online and a summer looking for a campground that speaks to you and your family.

Search for campgrounds that offer a guarantee or bill themselves as family oriented such as KOA or Yogi Bear/Jellystone campgrounds. Both are good places to camp. Mind you, I sometimes call these madgrounds because they can be incredibly busy! If you prefer Federal/State campgrounds be sure to use Reserve America to save a spot.

You will find that when you camp can make a big difference in the number of people you'll be sharing the campground with. Weekends will naturally be the busiest. Some of my favorite haunts can be full on the weekends and then almost empty by early Sunday afternoon. Visiting during the week almost always means more quiet time, fewer neighbors, smaller crowds and a more laid back experience. Even Yogi's can calm down noticeably between the weekends. Holiday weekends generally offer insane crowds and good times.

Camping during the Spring and Fall when temperatures are cooler will earn you more of a mid-week camping experience on the weekends. While staying at this time we've often had the primitive camping area to ourselves during the week and only a few neighbors on the weekends. It is also an exciting time to camp as Nature is preparing for a new way of life. Winter camping is for souls more adventurous than I ever want to get. I bet you'll have the whole park to yourselves.

Call and talk to the campground's owner/manager. Be upfront and ask them if they run a family or party campground. They'll tell you. You'll do better than hit-or-miss just by asking. Campgrounds are special spheres of reality populated with characters from a cross section of society that have something in common - we enjoy the Outdoors. Take this excellent opportunity to make new friends. Go for a walk with your family. Wave, smile and greet your fellow campers. Watch out for golf carts!

No electricity + No running water + Outhouses = Tent or Primitive camping. Sites with electricity and water are meant for RV's. That isn't to say you can't use them, but they are set up with this in mind, not you. On some of the campgrounds we've visited, the primitive areas have a bit more space between you and your neighbors. They are usually farther away from everything as well. Potable water should be available at designated locations - ask where at check-in.

Check-in: I'm afraid you can't escape it even out here. The office might be open as late as 9-10pm on weekends. If you're running late, just buzz and tell them. If you're stuck with a dog of a site try asking sweetly for another and cross your fingers.

If you are camping locally ask if you can bring your own firewood. If not ask if they offer wood for sale. The reason being is to avoid spreading insect infestations or pathogens from imported wood.

One nice thing about private campgrounds is you can usually reserve your favorite site. Do that at least a week before your trip to avoid a headache. If you are visiting a new campground ask for the nicest primitive site they have. When you're told that they're all nice spend a little more time on the phone picking one out. Make sure it's not next to the porta-potty, please.

You may no longer find a cost difference between most government and private campgrounds. Fortunately for me a local county campground costs $8 a night where I get a picnic table, fire ring and a hike to the vault toilet. To find county campgrounds try a search for your county and surrounding ones like this: camping + the county + the state. For instance I did a Google search for this: camping Ogle County Illinois. Try it! A county campground near me is half the price of several state parks.

At a favorite private campground it runs me $30 a night and I get these amenities. Check or ask to see if your campground choice offers a weekend or weekday deal. You might save a few dollars over the daily charge and possibly get a free crate of wood or pass to some activity. You never know unless you ask.

I've found that campgrounds grouped in the same general area usually are within a few dollars of one another. This is where doing your homework and inquiring about amenities and nearby activities pays off. Be sure to ask how much it will cost in total, listing the number of tents and people. A few campgrounds have taken to charging per person, per night.

A general store is a wonderful resource if you find you've forgotten a necessity. During the dog days of summer an ice cream treat from there can work wonders with your troops. Other mainstays of private grounds include: a swimming pool, playground, showers, fishing hole, hiking trails, horseshoe pits, volleyball court. The more activities to entertain everyone the better. Some campgrounds organize several events over the camping season. The hayrides in Fall should not to be missed, along with fresh apple cider and taffy apples.

We often visit campgrounds that are first come/first serve for tent campers. I suggest you call first to verify and make sure. If your plans include visiting a large National or State park, call many weeks in advance - reservations may be the only way you get a site. Check with your State campground to see how they regulate booze. Check-in at these grounds generally entail filling out a bit of paperwork, forking some loot over and picking your campsite. You'll be helped by either a Forest Service employee or a bulletin board and a deposit box.

I think a well run private campground will beat a government one for cleanliness and amenities most of the time. It seems a few bad apples treat government run grounds poorly. It's their handiwork you're most likely to notice, not that of the good folks who spent a couple hours of their weekend picking up trash in the park. We try to leave our campsite in nicer shape than we found it. Sounds crazy I know, but paying it forward hasn't hurt yet.

How early should you plan to leave on your adventure? In the real world I'd say to try leaving so you can be at the grounds by 3-4 pm. Have everything packed and ready to go. Unless you reserved a spot you may face a rush for a limited number of sites. If you made a reservation there is no hurry. Just arrive before dark as it's oh-so much easier to find and set up your campsite.

When it comes to car camping meals I want the menu to be as hassle free as possible. To me that means many or most meals should be cooked or prepared beforehand, then reheated in camp. Like making hobo packets or cooking meat for tacos. Do as much in the comfort of your kitchen as you can. This will save tons of time at the campground and will allow you to dish out meals quickly and efficiently. Like magic.

Try to take advantage of the campground if they have a Friday night fish fry or some other meal they offer to prepare. I've stayed at grounds where they have had a pot-luck dinner on Saturday. Just make your favorite dish, which if it's cold makes life that much easier. As a general rule when taking advantage of these options plates and plasticware will be available.

It's been my experience that many campgrounds have a snack bar/restaurant on the grounds or within reasonable hiking distance. You can pack a light food cooler and eat a meal or two there if you choose. Generally you will find a fast food style menu, but sometimes you'll be pleasantly surprised by something like home cooked done right. It does help to be adventurous. On rare occasion you just get plain lucky and there's a tap to frequent for $1.50 Leine's at the campground Office.

If you'll be camping for an entire week consider a mid-week trip to the grocery store for items to fix your menu. Don't spend precious camping time making a shopping list, write most or all of it down at home before you leave. Being prepared will get you out of the store and back to the campgrounds soonest. This is a winning strategy when you have limited cooler and car space.

It's a snap to put together a menu in advance for your trip. For a weekend that's only five or six meals. Go over it with your family and ask for suggestions, incorporating their ideas if you can. If time is pinched on launch day start pre-preparing meals the night before departure. When Saturday night's meal has meat I'll usually freeze it. Any frozen meal should be checked and pulled out to thaw if needed. Our camping meals are generally simple affairs. Be sure to scroll down several pages and check out the recipe links.

Here is a sample menu with multiple choices to help you along:

Breakfast For cold-cereal families bring the whole box, it's easy and routine. Put your milk in a nalgene bottle or purchase a quart if that's enough to do the job. You'll save some space in the cooler.

Pre-made and easy to prepare? Try Bob Evans or your favorite brand sausage biscuits. The egg and sausage sandwich is great too. Wrap the meat/egg in tinfoil and warm over coals or your stove. Turn occasionally and try not to scorch the contents. If the fire is going you can also cook the sausage over the fire on a stick - extra yummy! Toast the bun too if you want.

Bacon or sausage and eggs is a really satisfying breakfast when camping. Unless you'll use the whole package, count out the bacon strips and sausages you'll need and ziploc them. Bacon hint - cut the strips in half for an easier time preparing in camp. Many varieties of sausage and bacon are available fully cooked. Just quickly reheat! Unless I'm scrambling my eggs I like to use egg rings for the over easies and sunnyside ups. They stay in one place as opposed to running all over the pan. I recommend you prepare your eggs in camp, with the exception of hard-boiled, for the best flavor. Save an empty styrofoam egg package for camping, the cardboard ones will turn to mush in the cooler.

How about a hard-boiled egg? Not only good for breakfast, they make a great snack anytime.

Chorizo and egg breakfast tacos are awesome and easy to make. Fry your chorizo at home and store in a airtight container. I crack the eggs in while reheating the chorizo in camp. Generally, I'll scramble in three eggs per pound of sausage to suit my tastes. Place the mix in a soft shell, top with some cilantro and sweet onion, squeeze on a bit of fresh lime juice and serve. I like corn tortillas for these tacos.

For a cool start to the day try fresh fruit chopped bite size. I enjoy apples, bananas, blueberries and mango. Cut your fruits of choice up at home, add a tablespoon or two of lime or lemon juice and give it a stir. This will help prevent browning. Keep cold. In camp toss in some fresh picked berries or maybe a bit of granola. Hint - smash the bars up carefully in their package, open an end and pour out.

A quick and easy warm breakfast is your favorite oatmeal. Try adding some fresh or thawed fruit to liven it up. Bagels are great toasted over the fire, in your pie iron or above the burner of your stove. Top them off with some cream cheese, jam or honey and add a yogurt to round out the meal.

Pancakes aren't difficult but they do tend to be a bit messy. Measure the quantity of pancake mix you'll need and ziploc it. In camp, add the water or milk into the bag and whisk it in there. I'll cut off a bottom corner and squeeze out portions onto the griddle. Or you can simply buy the pancake mix that comes in a squeeze bottle or can. Want the best campground pancakes ever? Use this recipe. If you do, trust me, separate your eggs at home. Cook the pancakes in some of the bacon drippings for a tasty and artery clogging treat.

Eggs in a bag works like this: for each person, in a separate ziploc freezer quart bag crack one to three eggs. Toss in some cooked breakfast sausage broken into bite sized chunks and shredded cheddar or your own cheese choice. Season with salt and pepper as you like. Squeeze out all the air and seal. Knead your meal to make sure the contents are well mixed, breaking the yolks. Place breakfast in a pot of boiling water. Simmer approximately 5 minutes, then remove using a big spoon and gently knead again. Return for another five minutes or until the contents have firmed up. For something more like an omelet, try tossing in any or all of the following: ham, bacon, chopped onions, thin sliced mushrooms, chopped peppers, sliced jalapenos and anything else you might like. Carefully eat out of the bag. Cotton t-shirts also make good hot pads if you forgot to haul the real deal.

Quick start breakfast? Banana please meet your new best friend, chocolate pudding cup. Great with lunch too.

Coffee is brewed at all hours when we camp. I like to bring along some instant hot cocoa to mix with the coffee. Delicious every time.

Lunch On our outings lunch is invariably sandwiches, fresh fruit and the occasional soup. I've handled sandwiches two ways: made on site or at home.

PB&J's never go out of style or bring a lunch meat that everyone will wolf down. Slap on some ketchup, mustard or mayo, toss on some sliced cheese and you are done. If you make sandwiches in camp consider a container for your bread so it doesn't smash into a blob. If you make sandwiches at home, tupperware them for the same reason.

The bread of sandwiches made in advance tend to absorb their condiments after a while. When the bread starts to turn mushy, that's where I learned to draw the line. If you are staying for multiple days I think you are better off making fresh sandwiches in camp. Let's just say I'm not really keen on being fed a Friday-made braunschweiger sandwich with mayo and mustard on Sunday afternoon from an ice free cooler.

For soup we bring the ready to eat variety, purchased in a can with the pull-tab lid. If the can is lined, you'll need to heat it up in a pot. If not, remove the label, crack the lid open and heat this directly on your camp stove over a low flame - don't boil! Just warm it up. Stir occasionally and make sure you reach the bottom of the can. Bending the lid back down after stirring will help the soup to warm faster. We bring scissor style tongs with rubber handles to make handling the hot can a breeze. You can also heat soup in coals from the fire. I'll surround the sides of the can as high as halfway up with coals. Take the top off and stir often. Can contents heat up surprisingly quickly this way, so be careful not to burn your meal. Use the tongs or your multi-tool to remove safely from the coals.

As the years stretch on out behind me, those extra calories are harder and harder to keep from settling round my belly. Fresh fruit, trail mix and granola bars are the current choices for snacking. A few old favorites that have gone by the way are crackers with: summer sausage, mettwurst, peanut butter or cheddar cheese. There was jerky, pretzels and probably at one point or another just about every bad for you snack ever packaged.

Supper The evening meal is usually cooked on the grill. That means: hamburgers, Italian sausages, brats or pork chops. Hotdogs are another favorite and should always be cooked over the fire in my opinion. Serving a heaping side of delicious baked beans should be taken seriously. On occasion I'll splurge and get apple brats or stuffed pork chops for the adults. To me, pretty much everything tastes better when camping. Portion the main meals and condiments at home and store them in appropriate containers. Put you buns in tupperware so they don't get squished.

Spaghetti on the stove is an easily made meal that can go two ways. Always lid the water so it boils faster. Cook pasta onsite just like at home. The other option is to cook your pasta al dente in your kitchen. Strain it under cold water a few minutes until cooled. Drain, place in a storage container and stir one or two tablespoons of vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Two to three minutes in boiling water at camp and they're ready to go. Strain and drain the noodles, place in a plastic bowl and foil them. Heat the sauce up in the same pot you cooked the spaghetti in. Portion out the noodles and top with the warm sauce. If you have the fire going, you can cook store bought frozen garlic bread over the coals. Just follow the directions for grilling and pay attention.

Canned stews are fast and simple. Keeping with that theme, how about canned Chinese meals? For sake of ease, instead of rice we've used bagged fried noodles. They also double as a great garnish. Spagettio's anyone? Check out the dinners that are pouched and can be heated in a pot of boiling water.

This is the way we handle veggies: bring fresh, raw ones like carrot, celery, corn on the cob and anything else in season that is easy to prepare or can be eaten raw. Canned stuff is ok. Again, if the can has a lining don't warm it in the can. I prefer frozen veggies in the bag to supplement the fresh stuff. Follow the bag directions for cooking. I can save some fuel if I want by bringing the water and veggies to a boil and then removing the pot from the heat. Let it sit lidded for the prescribed time then check to see if it's cooked to your satisfaction. If the veggies are thawed, you'll save a couple minutes of cooking time.

Potatoes are easy to make in the coals if you have a fire going. Simply wrap in foil, surround with coals and cook until done. Check if cooked with a fork just like at home. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream. Delicious! Think about all the things you can prepare at home and toss on a potato. These can be meals!

If available bring fresh corn on the cob. This is great with lunch, dinner or whenever. Please don't husk it! Throw on ashed over coals for around 20 minutes turning 3 or 4 times. The leaves will all be blackened when you pull 'em out. Let cool a tad, husk and enjoy. Hint - shuck it without removing the leaves and use the husk as a handle. If you are adventurous give this a shot.

Did you know with a little practice you can bake just about any bread, brownie or biscuit you care to bring in a bundt pan? The best way to bake is in a small grill, but you can certainly do it over the fire. Cover it with a pie tin. You'll have to rotate it as well as there is no such thing as an even temperature. Ready to bake rolls in a canister are an easy and inexpensive way to have fresh baked bread in camp. My experience is that the suggested baking time on the tube or box is pretty close if you have good coals. Pay close attention the first few times you try this and I bet you'll barely burn a batch.

I'm going to write lenses specifically addressing how to bake in a bundt pan and pie irons. Look for them by Summer 2012.

Our nine o'clock snack This is a great option when you make a small dinner. Just promise what my Grandad called the nine o'clock snack. Around said time I suggest something made over the fire with a pie iron. Now is the time for a bagel. How about a grilled cheese? To plain? Toss in a piece of lunch meat with the cheese or add a few bread-n-butter pickle slices. Try a peanut-butter or PB&J toastie. You're just limited by your imagination on what you can cram in. Wipe out well after each use or snacks will stick to the pie iron. Not good! See below just a bit for pie iron cooking hints.

I'll prepare our meals three ways: on a grill, over a propane stove and occasionally in the campfire. Keeping a clean kitchen area means the raccoons should give you a pass. If they are bold and acclimated to people, you might even get a visit in the day. I'm amazed at the the number of times I've seen a masked bandit pop out of the woods and snag something off an unattended picnic table. It's funny except when it happens to you. This is when bringing your dog pays off. Our gal has treed her fair share of careless raccoons that wandered in too close to camp.

Those masked bandits can sound large as mastiffs and clumsy as clowns when visiting at night. Leave nothing out for nature's clean-up crew to bicker loudly and perhaps scarily about. Put your coolers and all foods away in the car. If it's a hike to the vehicle you can secure a large cooler by stashing it under the picnic table's bench seat. If there is a gap, find a stick or rock and put it there. Make sure the lid won't open and the rock or stick can't be pulled out. If there are bears where you camp follow the guidelines laid out by the campground for food storage.

No food in the tent is a golden rule.

We used to organized our stuff in laundry baskets. These days we use clear storage totes. Below are the two that we bring. Pots, plates, bowls, cans, boxes of food, etc will all go into one for easy transport and access. This is only a half sized tote. A family of four should consider a full sized one.

This is our gear tote. It's missing a few odds and ends, but there's space for what hasn't gone in.

If you find containers not organized enough or simply too small for your camp kitchen, consider a chuck box. Here are plans for several that the scouts use and you can build yourself. A chuck box will organizes pretty much everything for the kitchen plus provide a dedicated surface for food preparation.

About the pie tin. I think it is a useful thing to have in your camp kitchen. I mostly use it for transporting food between the grill or fire and the picnic table. Besides being a lid for boiling water or a bundt pan, if you can find several of the heavy duty kind they do make great plates. Perfect for whatever you want but be careful, they conduct tons of heat.

Odds are you're going to eat at the campgrounds and make some dirty dishes. I'll share a few options, some used and others seen.

I'll ask the campground hosts where water is available to do our dishes. We usually find ourselves in the laundry room, bathroom or at a spigot to get water in the tent camping area. Please don't rinse or dispose of water at the spigot, it will only attract critters.

Try to paper towel or scrape off any leftovers that won't dissolve easily in water to keep life simple. Should you own a dog give him or her the dishes along with the pots to lick clean. If you're making bacon haul along a lidded jar for drippings or paper towel up the cooled fat.

Everything is tossed in a washing pail with a few inches of water. Wash on the counter and rinse in the sink. Haul them back to camp in the same rinsed out and washed bucket you brought them in. Put your clean dishes in a mesh bag to air dry on a laundry line. Or just bring along a towel to dry them.

If you are washing in camp do the same as above, except use less water. I like to use an eco friendly dish washing detergent when dumping dishwater on the ground. Another pail or large enough tupperware for rinsing will be needed. I like to look at and gently wipe off the dish immediately after the rinse. Two reasons: anything that is still dirty can be handed back to the dishwasher with a jibe; after washing a scrap might just be held to the plate by water adhesion and can be easily brushed off. Otherwise it may dry there and stick.

Be sure to empty the dirty dishwater well away from camp to avoid attracting unwanted nocturnal visits from wildlife. Don't dump your dirty dishwater into a body of water, river or stream. The still damp dishes can go in a mesh bag to air dry.

Disposable plates and plastic flatware is another option - no dishes. You'll still have pots and pans though. On that note...

For a weekend you can plan ahead and bring all the pots and pans you'll need for each meal. Simply wipe out well after use, place in a garbage bag and put in the trunk. On returning home transfer to the dishwasher. So lazy it has to be sinful and not recommended for bear country. Roll up the windows too! Raccoons might decide to tear through your backseat to get at dirty dishes even though they could have just climbed over it.

The cooler. Or is it the coolers? One or two? The way I usually camp is to haul along two coolers. Someone more clever than I would have wheels on both of their coolers, not just the smaller one.

The larger cooler is super insulated and is supposed to only be opened around mealtimes. Put your prepared meals, milk, yogurt, condiments, etc in this one. Everything except the drinks. Cover with ice. A plastic cutting board makes a great divider in the cooler. At least for me ziplocs seem to take on water if left to swim. I avoid this by trying to put everything in tupperware.

Another option for cooling is the blue-ice reusable blocks. A private campground should let you toss it in their freezer to re-freeze should it thaw. Just ask and don't forget to put your name on it. You'll require almost as much blue ice as you would the regular kind. The size of your cooler will dictate what you'll need. Enough to cover the long side and as many as needed for a layer on the top should keep you well chilled. If your cooler is big enough you might even be able to use them as a divider.

A second, smaller cooler is for drinks. Fill it with whatever everyone's drinking and top with ice. The kids will open it a gazillion times for every reason so don't expect the ice to last. You can top off the smaller cooler from the super insulated one as needed. Bring a cozy for everyone to help keep cans cool.

Please don't leave your coolers in the sun, put them in the comfy shade. Throw a tarp or sleeping bag over both if having shade is just wishful thinking. Unless the cooler is super insulated your ice might be gone much sooner than you expect.

I use a two cooler method because I believe that some things need to be kept consistently cold through the entire trip. Expect your ice expenditures to follow the temperature.

I'll drain the food cooler when things begin to float, but will leave the water in the drinks cooler. A solution of ice and water cools beverages better than just ice. Drain your coolers if you can before moving them so they're easier to manage. Make sure you aren't doing that next to the tent or in a highly trafficked area. One is a recipe to track water into the tent, the other is to make mud. Which will possibly wind up in your tent, perhaps even smeared across sleeping bags. If the conditions are right, it's pretty much bound to happen.

During the morning and day if the bugs are bad we have depended on Deep Woods Off! or 3M's Ultrathon. Both of these contain around forty percent DEET, a chemical proven to keep the bugs at bay. You are going to have to decide what you want to put on your crew, but these two almost never let us down. The Ultrathon is a cream and seems to last longer than the spray-on. When the evening arrives we're likely to apply another coating if we find ourselves the center of attention for the flying beasties.

Eucalyptus, lemon oil and other natural products have simply never done the job for us. I'm just saying that's been our experience over the years. Perhaps you'll have better luck because of your personal chemistry or the technology has improved in the last couple of years, but I won't spend another dime on them.

Around camp I am a huge fan of OFF!'s PowerPad lamp and lantern. The candles burn for four hours of protection and after dark provides a way to differentiate your campsite from all the others. If you put this next to the campfire, the fire's updraft seems to suck up most of the protection - so don't do that! Worse yet, you could melt it. If your crew is big enough to surround the firepit get two and place one on each side. Having this on the ground makes it an excellent target to be kicked over by kids. An available style comes with a hook and hangs should you want to get this up off the ground.

I often combine the Off! lantern with a DEET based product for greater protection. In fact, unless the mosquitoes are ferocious using these two products together as directed will help keep you relatively ungnawed.

Last but not least is your campfire. Stand in the smoke and don't breathe it in! Several minutes of doing this combined with the OFF lantern have allowed us to skip an application of chemicals. This only works when the bugs aren't terrible though. You can do this when you forget the bug juice as it's certainly better than nothing. I don't know about you but I like the smokey scent. The fire will also help keep some of the bugs at a distance.

Wear light or bright colored clothes and avoid the dark ones that bugs like. Don't wear heavy fragrances and tell the teen boys to leave their Axe at home.

I have heard Thermacells rock but have never used one. Allegedly they last up to 12 hours and require a battery. If your battery dies, so does your bug protection. I also think they are on the pricey side considering the alternatives.

Coupons always seem to be available online to print out and save a few bucks on all these products. Check the manufacturer's websites or do a search for coupons.

See what happens when the beasties are ferocious and you miss an ankle? Maybe I should have kept my Chuck Taylors on.

For the most part I would judge almost everyone's kids run wild. Take a moment and watch the kids running gloriously free in their childhood. Gloriously I say.

Why?

Because the feeling on some campgrounds reminds me of the lost halcyon days of my youth. A time when kids ran rampant through the neighborhood, mostly stayed out of trouble and were themselves. I am a firm believer in that is how it should be as there seems to be precious little time like this in a youngster's scheduled and highly structured world. A great campground is a place where that feeling is still found.

Our family would make some kind of plans for an activity together each day. The activity duration and whether or not it actually occurs would be a group decision. We played fast and loose. If something is being planned by the campground we'd try to incorporate it.

When it comes to kids being set free, I've operated under two different principles. On government campgrounds I'd keep a steady eye out or make sure they are being supervised by another parent with whom arrangements have been made. On private campgrounds I've opted to be more lenient, allowing them unsupervised time so long as they aren't going swimming. This was after having stayed at a campground on many occasions and being familiar with enough regulars to be comfortable. Make sure your campground rules are well understood and will be enforced.

If this is brand new territory for you and the family, it'd be best to noodle this out in advance. Take time beforehand so you're well prepared to give directions and lead. This is unfamiliar ground for inexperienced young campers who will look to you for ways to fill their time. Not having activities to plan or do is as good a time as any for irrational irritation and tears. Having a few options and not being too rigid with time can help you avoid that scene. Plans tucked away for a rainy day are tremendous, so good job on nailing this one in advance.

Once semi-secure on how to fill their time, kids might be left on their own to play. My opinion is to have kids completely unplugged. Leave all the distracting electronics behind. Check in with a grandad or nana and ask what they did in the long ago for amusement. Kick-the-can anyone? How about Jacks, hopscotch, hot rice and a whole slew of tag games?

Having a soccerball, kickball or baseball and glove will help things along. Everyone loves a game of bags. Kids will spend hours at the pool - if you have the stamina to supervise. Kids spend most of their day out of camp playing with friends. On any clear night you can look for the constellations and watch for shooting stars! All you need is a blanket or tarp to lie on, a nice field or wide open space and a little bit of patience. That and some bug spray.

Nowadays parents can always opt for kids to carry cells or other gps devices. Since it was back in the day for us, we always did it the old fashioned way: who are you playing with? Where are you going? Be back by such and such a time. Then we went and checked up on them. My searches for errant youths met with the best successes at the playground, baseball diamond, creek, fishing pond or lake dock and the arcade/tv room at the campground office if it is incredibly hot. Listening and heading for the loudest racket was also productive.

Here is what happens on just about every weekender:

Friday: Go for a walk after dinner around the campgrounds and greet fellow campers. The kids biked and looked for friends till near dark.

Saturday: You'll be getting up just after the kids do. At some point we'll set out on a nature hike - mornings are best to spot wildlife. We usually find animal tracks in the mud by creeks and wild flowers growing right on the trails edge. If a stream or creek is available climb in and turn over a few rocks - lotsa fun! When it comes to creek or stream walking be careful and always wear shoes. I'll visit a second hand store to locate cheap shoes ($2-$5 a pair) in the right sizes. Be sure to dry them out thoroughly or you may pay a terribly odorous price. We'll pick berries when available; ask the campground owner for permission and where to find them. Near dusk look for bats near tree lines, water & the edges of open fields. By the way most North American bats eat bugs while others are pollinators. Holding still should guarantee that you will never be touched by a bat.

Sunday: Sundays are special. You can go for a hike in the morning and stop by the creek to look for crawdads. Fact is most folks pull stakes and are out by very early afternoon. You should ask how late you can stay into Sunday. I say this because you might be able to have a run on the campground for a few hours. If you have the time hang out for a while and check out what might be a very different landscape.

I enjoy spending my time just lounging around camp, hanging in the hammock or kicking it back in the camp chair. If there are horseshoe pits, grab a pair of shoes and practice until someone shows up to throw with you.

Purchase a book or two about the local plants and animals to bring along. Crack it open beforehand with everyone to get an idea of what you may discover. Go for a hike and try to identify plants, foot prints, critters and bugs. I think a little knowledge might go a long way to sparking an interest in a youngster. Either in you or them.

Speaking of plants:


Poison ivy




Poison oak








Poison sumac





Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are great ones to avoid. Learn to identify and steer clear of these itchy distractions.

Private and many government campgrounds:
You should be able to purchase your firewood right on the campgrounds. Expect to get a milk crate or recycling bin full of wood for $6 to $10. As you'll hopefully be staying for the weekend buy a couple of bins the first night. This way you can judge how fast you'll use it and be less likely to run out. Some campgrounds even deliver wood right to your site! Ask your host when you arrive. For a weekend I'll generally drop around $18 to $30 bucks for firewood if I can't bring my own.

Keep your eyes open around town on the way to the campground. Church groups and individuals often offer firewood roadside on your honor at a decent price. Take any leftovers home for next time if you are camping locally or donate to your fellow campers if not. Any campground owner or firewood provider worth their salt will do a sweep for firewood after campers leave - then sell the wood again. If you see a site that is unoccupied with firewood at a private campground, it may be that it was dropped off for campers yet to arrive. That's why I'll only snag wood from sites where I've seen the previous campers pack up and leave.

Everywhere else:
You will need to collect your own firewood. Groups offering firewood on the way are now a great find so keep those eyes peeled! Be brazen and cannibalize wood from unoccupied sites. If you do bogart wood, consider leaving a nice stack for the next camper at your site - it's good show. Since you'll need to cut wood, a small wood saw will get the job done.

First and foremost - cut no live/green wood. Use only downed, dead wood. Please don't drop standing dead trees. They are a valuable habitat and resource for a variety of creatures. I've found that branches from wrist to arm thickness, cut or broken to around 15" long will do fine. A few armloads of wood at your site should provide at least a couple hours worth of time around the campfire. The drier your fuel is the better it will burn.

I usually start our campfire around dusk unless it's needed for cooking. As you stack up the kindling, leave a space just large enough to reach the center so you can place the firestarter. Start small and build the stick pile up using progressively larger ones, tepee style. Place three to four of the largest branches around the same way. The stick pile should reach and touch the largest branches you are using. Light the firestarter and place in the center of the tepee. Teach the kids to help build the kindling up if you are amendable.

What's a firestarter? Well it's typically a compressed stick of paraffin and something else. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The good ones will catch fire even when wet. We've been using Coughlins and Coleman brands for years. I bet you could use the same one you start the fireplace with at home. They basically burn for a few minutes and allow the kindling to catch well. Watch the slide show below about building a fire and you'll see me holding one.

You'll need 2 pokeys which are just long sticks thick enough to move around what's in the fire. These are the two most important sticks in camp so choose them wisely! They may be sitting right there by the firepit so don't use them for kindling. You need pokey's to rotate the logs in the fire when they start to burn down or to rearrange when adding new ones. They should be at least two fingers thick and long enough so you don't get burned. Remember, a cheery fire needs to breathe. If they are the best pokey's ever keep them. Otherwise leave them for the next camper.

If a campground demands you purchase their firewood at what is an unarguably exorbitant rate I'll tell you what I do in those circumstances: I'll purchase one order of their wood and look for firewood outside the campground. If an owner is going to play "Gotcha!" with the firewood, my scruples concerning sneaking it in gets left at the gate. Keep it in the trunk till dark.

You can usually recognize a fellow camper by a lack of hair on their hands and lower arms. That generally works with one sex. Treat this as a badge of honor and wear it proudly. Back in the real world your co-workers will hold you in awe for your ability to survive in the wilderness of the hinterlands. If you aren't already, you should be making up stories about incredible campground adventures. I hear Mark Twain waxes eloquently on similar matters of this nature. He sets a fine example.

Finally - before you go to bed put the fire out by dumping water on it. I'll haul the super cooler over and drain it into the pit if I'm using ice. Dump the kids drink cooler in too. If I still need more water I'll walk over to a potable water spigot or bathroom and fill up a water bladder. You don't want any coals whipped out of the firepit onto your tent.

Sleeping bags and pads are important pieces of gear in your adventure. As long as you aren't camping too far North or in the mountains, summer campers can generally get away with a bag rated between 40° and 50°. As a bonus these bags are cheaper then those with lower temperature ratings. Here in Illinois during the summer we often sleep on opened bags with a bed sheet as cover. For car camping I recommend fiber based insulation instead of down simply for the cost. I think that except for your top-end expensive sleeping bags, the rated temperature should be taken with a few grains of salt.

For new car campers I suggest a square top sleeping bag. We've had a decent Coleman bag for the last ten plus years and have used all the brands listed. You should easily be able to put a family of four in square top bags for less than a Franklin at a big box store or ordered online. Bags whose life's have come to an end for sleeping always enjoy a second one spread out on the grass for catching a nap on. Coleman, Wenzel, The North Face, Bass Pro, Marmot and Big Agnes are all decent brand names with which we've had positive experiences.

If you want to save some cash I suggest haunting your local Craigslist looking for deals. Just like on tents you can save by purchasing lightly used sleeping bags. You might also be able to find a sleeping pad.

Give a young man a warm rock in the sun after half a day's canoeing and see what happens? That's basalt that he's napping on!

As the years have ground on and I've worn out, I find the idea of not having a sleeping pad unthinkable. I've slept on foam pads, inflatable pads and air mattresses. If you have a cabin style tent there is no reason not to be sleeping on a queen size air mattress. You should certainly have the room. It's up to you to decide if the kids need a pad or mattress. Foam padding is light, provides comfort and is usually pretty cheap.

Besides just comfort, a sleeping pad provides a thermal barrier between you and the ground. If the surface is cool, sleeping directly on it can suck the heat right out of a camper. Pads and some inflatable mattresses can add several degrees of warmth to your nights slumber. If it's anything but Summer, it would be good planning to have something between you and the ground.

You can save some space when packing the car by putting kids sleeping bags on their laps for short trips.

About tents: Keep it simple. The number of people a tent can hold is figured like sardines - pack 'em in! For example a three person tent really equals two adults, plus maybe one youngster. A four person tent equals two adults plus two kids depending on how much extra stuff you bring into the tent.

If you will only be car camping let your budget define the tent you choose. For most folks a typical Coleman, Wenzel, Kelty or like priced tent will do just fine. You are looking for a three season dome tent, which is Spring, Summer and Fall. A family camping style tent will also suit your bill. Tents range in size and price from small to gigantic - with separate screened rooms. For a family of four a 10X10 or possibly a slightly smaller tent will do nicely. Unless you desire tons of elbow room and want to stand up in your tent, I think you will be happier with a smaller and lighter one. If you are looking to stand up, then you are probably in the market for a cabin style tent. More expensive, but boy do they have room.

Try to find a tent with taped or pre-treated seams, it's a much better purchase than one without. If the seams are not taped, I strongly urge you to buy and apply a seam sealer. Seam sealing is a straight forward process. Follow the manufacturer's directions for application. Do this to help keep water outside your tent where it belongs.

Should you want to purchase a tent in the real world check out Bass Pro Shop, Gander Mountain, Target, Meijer and similar box stores. Most will give you at least two or three brands to choose from. If you know the brand name you want and are comfortable buying online I have used these companies without problems to purchase gear: REI.com, Campmoor.com, Backcountry.com, Bargainoutfitters.com, e-Bay and Amazon. If you buy online I suggest you spend some time searching or use a website that compares prices from various sellers.

Acquiring a tent can be a relatively inexpensive investment provided you are willing to do more work. I suggest haunting garage sales and auctions. Both places are excellent opportunities to find gear on the cheap. Believe it or not, resale and pawn shops will often have camping gear available. Don't forget craigslist either.

Wherever you decide to purchase used equipment be absolutely sure to set it up before you hand over any cash. Smell that tent! If it has any kind of funkiness about it, take a pass. Look for wear on the tent floor. If it is immediately noticeable don't buy it. Water might pass through that floor like it wasn't there. Look at all the seams to see if there is any stretching or gapping. Pay close attention around the door and look for any stress in the window mesh. Don't buy it if you find runs in the fabric or the zipper catches frequently. A previously owned tent that was well cared for will look like it was hardly used.

For fair weather campers there is another way. I'm sure this will appeal to the minimalists out there as well. If you set a tarp up during the day it will make for a great place to sleep under come night. No tent. Just sleeping bags, quilts or blankies thrown on another tarp. You're only limited by your imagination and comfort level.

Tents generally come in 3 parts:

The footprint or foot




The tent itself



The rain fly


The footprint or foot goes under the tent for wear and rain protection. This is sold separate from most tents. This isn't a must, just a way to extend the life of the tent floor and stay drier in very wet conditions. A tarp slightly smaller than the tent's base will work fine if you don't have a footprint for your model. If your tarp is larger than the tent base just fold and tuck it under so the tent overhangs it by a few inches. Some people go one step further and put a piece of Tyvek inside the tent on the floor. Having a dog tears up a tent floor and Tyvek will probably help. Should you use it, be sure to run it through the wash once before camping. The point being again is to protect the tent floor and extend your tent's life.

The fly goes over the tent to protect it from the sun and rain. Car camping and light backpacking tents have a fly that usually covers most of the tent leaving exposed some portion of the tent wall. You should know that if something inside is touching the tent wall in that space and it rains for a while it might get wet. That's the wicking effect. A vestibule is simply a protected area outside the tent where you can put gear. Handy if you'll be doing some backpacking but not really necessary in my opinion for car camping.

Find a place to set up your tent that isn't in a depression. Remember that water runs downhill and collects in low places. You simply don't want to be sleeping there when it rains or worse, wake up soaked. A nice fairly level spot will do. If your site has a slight incline, sleep with your head at the top of the slope and your feet at the bottom to avoid headaches. When the smiling sun shines down upon you the next morning its warm, gentle rays may land upon your tent. Which will then heat up...fast. Keep this in mind when deciding where to place your tent. In some campgrounds you will have no difficulty discerning where previous campers pitched their tents.

I think you should teach the kids to correctly and carefully zip the tent up. Don't expect any kind of instant success! Until it happens, don't get uptight about the door. Let it go - don't be a door Ogre.

You will find bugs like to hang out between the tent and fly. Don't be surprised when you see spiders too. You can observe them real close up - cool! If you are positive it will not rain and have a mesh ceiling, remove the fly at night to try to do some star viewing. It might be a little damp inside come the morning from dew, but hey, you fell asleep under the stars Right?

If your site has a garbage can try to pitch the tent on the opposite side of the site or move the can to that point relative to your tent. Depending upon the prevailing winds you might find the odor wafting your way pretty ripe. Imagine if there is no lid or something is broken! You might mask this by bringing a 30 gallon or larger trash bag. Open and stretch it over the top. Otherwise cover the top with the bag and tie or bungee it. Local raccoons might tear up your handiwork in the middle of the night. Use a nearby dumpster away from your site if it's available. That way the ringtailed banditos will make a sweep through your site and move on to a messier neighbor.

Once upon a time tents came in a stuff sack like the one pictured.

No more.

Today's trend is family style tents come in a zippered duffel bag. Empty its contents next to where you plan to pitch the tent. First, spread out your footprint or tarp if you are using one. Then spread your tent out. Assemble the tent poles. Notice they are held together by elastic cord and once assembled are flexible. A sad fact is stepping on tent poles may break them. Don't bum yourself out.

Many dome tents like my old Kelty Yellowstone have three tent poles, one of which is shorter. Two are for the tent and the shorty goes in the fly. Set shorty aside. Thread one tent pole into a sleeve, out the top and back into the sleeve on the opposite side. Repeat for second tent pole. You might have clips instead of sleeves. Your tent is still flat on the ground. Looking down at the tent you should see a X. Some tents also have smallish tent poles that form hoops to increase the tent size. Regardless of the tent type, pitching your tent isn't rocket science. Once you know how, you'll be able to throw it up in just a few minutes.

If you have kids, assemble your tent with their help. Eventually they can assume this duty so you can be a duffer. Pick a tent pole and seat its base into the tent. My old Yellowstone is a grommet, but you might have: a clip, metal dowel (which goes into the end of the tent pole), pouch or even a combination of the above. One child holds that tent pole steady while you pitch the tent and seat the opposite side. Repeat with the remaining pole. You likely will have to adjust the fabric around the sleeves or clips - pay attention. Secure the tent center onto the tent poles - expect 2 clips or 2 pieces of string. A shoelace bow works fine for the string. Try stepping into the open door of the tent to accomplish this with the most ease.

The fly pole ends might be rounded. Check the fly's underside for pouches that will hold the pole and seat it. Place your fly over your tent. Clip, snap or hook it in at the corners and center.

Those strings on the side of the fly are 'guy outs' and help keep water away from the tent. Stretch out and secure them with stakes. Watch this very short video to see how to tie a taught line hitch. If you have a plastic line runner, check out this website. On all tents I think you should have the actual zipper at the highest point of the window when it's raining. It's wise to always stake down your tent, rock it down, or whatever it takes to secure it.

It's OK to carefully step on the tent while it's unpitched - no twisting or pulling motions while on it. Can you remember Kung Fu, when the monk initiate walks on the rice paper leaving it unripped? That's too careful.

If you purchased a large cabin tent assembling it will be as simple as above, you'll just have a few more pieces. These tents are more robust in their frames so expect some tubing that will have to be fitted together. The brackets for attaching the tent frame are often permanently attached to the tent exterior. It will likely remind you of a tinkertoy style connector. Place the poles where they belong with the help of a partner. You'll be moving in your queen size inflatable mattress in practically no time. Another bonus that I've seen is that for the most part, they fit back in the tent bag.

Keep in mind that pitching a new tent will take some additional time. After you've become familiar with it, you'll be scratching your head why it took forever to set it up the first few times. Enjoy your night outdoors!

Striking your tent is pretty much the reverse of pitching it. When putting it away avoid folding the tent in the same manner after each use. Over time permanent creases will give water places to enter the tent. You will only discover this fact in the early morning hours during a severe thunderstorm. Take the same tack with the fly. You've broken down the fly and taken the tent poles out. Don't forget to pull your stakes up. It looks just like the picture.

The trick is to roll these beasties up trapping as little air as possible. So leave the windows and doors open. For a tent like mine start on a side without a door and fold it partway in once. The same thing again on the other side. You can either roll it up now or fold it partway again. All that's left to do is slowly roll up the tent towards the door. Don't rush, the air will come out.

If you have an old tent like me, place it and the fly into its stuff sack. I try to remember to put the stakes in first at the bottom of the bag. Take care when you are sliding in the tent poles not to catch any fabric. Another option is to roll the tent poles up in the tent. No chance to catch and tear anything.

If your tent came in a zippered duffel bag, I suggest you keep it in an old pillow case after you set it up the first time. Keep the duffel bag, it's a place for stakes and poles. I do this because it is quick and easy.

If you have to abandon camp for whatever reason you have two choices that I see: You can pack it all up and go - sometimes that's all there is to it. Otherwise consider taking the problem and yourself home then returning for your spouse and everyone else the next day. If you leave early explain your predicament and nicely ask for a refund for any remaining days. You never know unless you ask!

If you strike camp before the dew has evaporated your tent is likely going to be wet. The point being you must re-pitch the tent again at home to dry completely. The sooner the better! If you fail, it will mold and be garbage. Be sure to sweep or at least shake out your tent after each trip. That grit slowly grinds away the waterproofing of your tent on the floor when it's pitched and everywhere inside the tent when it is rolled up or stuffed.

For long term storage you can choose from several popular methods. You can hang it up by two corners, again, stuff it loosely into an old pillowcase or just leave it in the stuff sack. What ever you choose you should store it in a cool, dry place.

Tarps with grommets are your general, all purpose type. Specialty tarps with loop tie downs allow more ways to configure them. If you are going to use one, best you know a few knots. Grab a length of rope and practice. Then grab the kids and everyone practice some more - good knot tying skills are definitely a plus!

Like I said, I use tarps to stay out of the sun, wind and rain. I think a nice thing is that many campgrounds have a gazebo or other structure where you can escape from the elements. If this isn't the case, consider setting up a tarp or sitting in your tent.

You'll need to locate some properly spaced trees to tie off to. Pitch the tarp with a slope to allow the rain to run off if you're expecting bad weather. The closer the tarp is to the ground, the better the protection from blowing rain. Click on the links below for some great examples of different ways to pitch tarps. Here's a site with pictures to check out.

General rule: don't set the tarp up over your campfire. Eventually you will be seasoned enough to see how this is done. Feel free to use a camp stove under tarps to warm up food. I'm not talking about a grill though - same warning as above for campfires.

When confronted with a decent hike from your vehicle to the campsite, an inexpensive plastic style tarp makes a really handy way for two people to haul a lot of stuff. Just watch for pointy objects. Don't use a fancy/expensive tarp to do this! Cover your firewood to keep it dry if you think it will rain.

The most important part of going camping is convincing your spouse! Doing that right is paramount. I can not stress that enough. If you are convincing your man, try calling him a girly-man-sissy in your best Ahhnold voice. If that doesn't bring you success, go without him.

I liked to fool myself and thought that "this is a mental health issue that can only be righted by me getting back to nature" dodge worked for years. That's easy when your wife is on board most of the time. If your spouse isn't green with camping let me pass along a hard won rule of thumb: remember that you're only half as clever as you think you are. Ask said partner anytime clarification is required. A great spouse will offer an opinion unasked, at inappropriate times and hopefully in a manner that will make someone feel like a gawky teen.

Oh yeah, the youngins.

To wit, babies are not well known for their mobility. But be wary, even from their carrier many will land decent jabs, hooks and haymakers that you'll never see coming as you hover smiling over them. Never take your eye off them if you are in range. They can also be craftier than a pro wrestler when it comes to latching onto your hair. And the grip will be nothing short of stupendous.

Set up a nice shaded place over the picnic table using a tarp and place your baby coddling contraption and a camp chair there. If you have a non-fussy baby (a legend), I think this is the easiest time to camp with children who can't get away from you. Prep that baby bag man! Oh, if your youngin' wakes up every two hours in the night screaming to be fed take special care. In the morning look for traps and pitfalls that your neighbors may have set for you.

Rugrats are ambitious and thus more challenging. If someone is squeamish with the fact everything goes in their mouth, well, be sure not to bring them. You'll never go camping again! Once again tarp a place to keep the sun at bay. Place your rugrat containment center there.

Toddlers to four and five will drive you to distraction when camping. They require constant vigilance. Be sure to spell your spouse often on supervision duties. If you don't, that might not be heartburn causing a suffocating feeling in the middle of the night. It's a bright, colorful world out there and young pips are curious. Such is our Nature.

Five to ten year olds are puppy dogs. They follow you tirelessly. All your activities will be copied with nothing but love in their eyes. Kids this age will soak up your wisdom like an unquenchable shop rag. You can do no wrong. Remember this and place it in your heart. In just a few more years you will be unable to do anything right and likely be a scourge to their very existence.

Embarrassing your teen is effortless and might be oddly satisfying. Simply talk about them in front of other adults or if at all possible their friends. If the opportunity presents itself, gather with other parents and have an overall embarrassment strategy. Develop it within earshot of all teens involved. This will lend credence to their belief that every parent is there to make life miserable. To really knock everything home take their cell phone.

If your loved one isn't hot on your plans to go camping but willing to try you could put extra effort into accommodating them. If I wasn't a scarecrow I'd think to bring or do something special for her every trip. Use your noodle and you might get to go camping with your spouse more often. I will tell you if your better-half isn't interested in camping at all, my counsel is wait till baby grows up a bit. All too quickly the kids will be old enough to take by yourself.

If you ever get accused of losing a child while they are napping in the tent, milk that for everything you can. Have fun with your family!

About fishing: So you've never fished, couldn't care less but still want to try for the kids? You are Awesome! At most big box stores and even at smaller stores you can find beginners fishing kits like the Zebco or Shakespeare Spincast combo. A plain old cane pole works great too if you've got the room. Most come with everything you need except worms.

Dig them up with the kids yourself or buy them. If purchasing, wax or red worms will do fine. If by any chance it just rained go ahead and pick those nightcrawlers off the driveway and sidewalk. Put them in a container with some moist dirt, store in a cool place and don't forget them.

Panfish will be the main catch. Carefully smooth back their spines so they stay down - kids learn this fast. YOU will have to bait the hooks (at first) and take the fish off the hook too (longer). If the fish swallows it all, cut the line at the mouth (nail clippers=super!) and tie a new hook on.

The mucus on a fish protects it from infection. Wet your hands in the water before touching a fish. Make friends down at the fishin' hole with other parents if this is utterly foreign to you. You should find a cat like me willing to lend a helpful hand - don't be bashful!

The family dog or feline - if your pet likes to travel and won't keep the neighbors up, consider bringing that last family member. Check first with the campground to ensure pets are allowed and any restrictions they may have. Don't forget the flea/tick protection.

Last but not least:
When you return from camping, its a good idea to give the kids a good looking over - sometimes an unwelcome guest might come back with you. Embedded bug removal.

A reader asked me to address the possibility of criminal behavior occurring at the campgrounds. Ok Rufus here ya go.

My experience with crime has been nil all my years of camping. I know stuff must get stolen from time to time as less than honest people or just light fingered kids looking for a thrill are found most everywhere. I've just been lucky so far.

First off, I like to make friends with the neighbors if they are amendable. The more eyes on your campsite, the better. When camping at State and Federal grounds if we get in the car and go, the only thing we leave behind is the tent with the sleeping bags tucked inside. A bare campsite in my opinion will make any would be thieves move on in search of better pickins.

At private campgrounds I've left the coolers, hammock, plus the previously mentioned out. It's not uncommon for us to be gone most of the day fishing or sightseeing. I'm more comfortable at private grounds, but I still don't leave anything small out that would be found tempting. One of the reasons we like containers for all the loose gear is that it makes transport to and from the car a breeze. I don't doubt that stuff goes missing on private grounds, but being cautious with your gear will mean you're less likely to have something disappear.

I've stayed at several private campgrounds where a gate is locked in the late evening, denying vehicular traffic. You can ask the campground manager if they take this precaution for camper's safety. On just about every private campground we've visited there are seasonal guests who park their campers and stay put. The campgrounds become their home and they are very protective about it. We'll smile and give a friendly wave to these folks so they get to know our faces and associate the kids as ours. Seasonal guests don't want any trouble in their backyards and are great people to cultivate friendships with if you will be frequenting a campground. I believe if they recognize a troublemaker they have no qualms about telling management. They can also be a fountain of knowledge about the area providing interesting diversions for you and the family.

Kids toys go missing but I think they are forgotten or lost instead of actually being purloined. I reckon taking a common sense approach and not tempting the fates is the best path to walk. If you ever do return home and find you've forgotten something give the campgrounds a call and tell them what you think was left behind. I like to think most folks will bring something to the campground's Office that the previous occupants inadvertently didn't pack up.

I think camping is some of the best time you can spend with your family. It's an excellent opportunity to say "What do you think" to them. The longer you camp at one site with the kids the more enjoyable it will be for all. Lets face it, pulling up stakes - yes, stake down the tent! - and moving is a hassle. At least two nights out (this Friday and Saturday?) make for a trip in my opinion. If you have longer off, do your homework and make a 'loop' of campgrounds to visit. You can easily check out 3 different places over the course of a week.

Don't be afraid to change plans mid way - remember be flexible and involve the kids in the decision making. If you want to stay, why leave a place where everyone is really enjoying themselves? No concrete plans - can you live with that? Don't forget to call and cancel any reservations. I've rarely encountered a problem doing this a day or so in advance.

Bring a pad of paper and several pens. Write down your hits and misses. Remember to write down things you wish you had. After a few trips start leaving behind the things you find aren't needed. Unless it reminds you of Frasier too much, consider encouraging the kids to diary their days events before bed - we call them trip reports. A simple spiral notebook works like a charm.

Telling stories or reading around the campfire makes for a rewarding experience. Choose a book to read together beforehand and maybe take turns reading. Sigurd Olson is a favorite around my campfire with the 'older' kids - "The Singing Wilderness." Having said that, Dr. Seuss is really great read too - The Lorax.