Planning a Family Camping Adventure

Families who want to experience the complete and ultimate camping adventure will need to buy or rent a tent, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, and other needed supplies.

When planning your next camping trip, you'll also need to consider who will be joining you on the trip. Family members who have health issues, or young children, or those prone to illness are better off camping in RVs or an insulated tent. Those who have a lot of camping experience will be able to handle sleeping in a tent without much added heat.

Campsites that have cabins are another option if you want to rough it outdoors, but you also want some of the comforts of home.

Whichever type of camping experience you choose, remember, it's careful planning that will make your trip successful.

Once you've decided on a camping trip for your next family outing, you can begin preparing for the trip. This will include:

* Types of camping

* Best places to camp during the year

* Gathering all supplies and equipment

* Tent purchase or rental

* Making Reservations

* Additional travel expenses

* Mapping out your destination

Planning as much as you can in advance is the way to go. This will make the trip much nicer for everyone involved. Depending on the type of camping, saving enough in advance will allow you to purchase everything needed, from sleeping bags to canned goods and other food supplies.

The best way to prepare for a camping trip is to first research where you'll be staying. Many campsites now offer virtual tours to give you an idea of what to expect. Web sites will also list included amenities. You can also ask other people where they camp and what they brought on the trip.

Even though portable heaters can be used in some tents, this is still the most basic way to camp besides sleeping in a sleeping bag next to a fire. Tents come in a variety of sizes and are also available with additional screened in porches.

People no longer have to sleep close together as they did in the tents from the past. Today's tents definitely provide more comfort.

When camping in a tent, you'll be surrounded by nature. You'll hear birds, squirrels and other animals in the area. When shopping for the perfect tent, get one that's water proof, has a tarp like floor and can be set up easily. If you're bringing air mattresses, you'll need a tent large enough to accommodate the mattresses, bags and people comfortably.

If your goal is to experience nature close up and cook your food by campfire or outdoor grill, then your family wil enjoy traditional camping using a tent.

Cabin Camping

Cabins are, of course, sturdier than tents and protect occupants from rain and thunder storms much better. Cabins usually have indoor plumbing and kitchens plus more room for larger groups.

If this is the type of camping vacation your family prefers, you can choose camp sites that rent cabins by the day or by the week. Cabins include everything you have at home, but are also surrounded by the tranquility of nature. Some cabins are located near lakes, hiking trails and mountains that provide lots of the peace and calm you're likely looking for.

If you don't want to have to work too hard during your vacation by having to set up a tent, build fires or prepare food by the fire or outdoor grill, you'll enjoy renting a cabin.

Once the family has agreed on the type of camping trip, you can start researching where you'd like to go. Depending on where you're located, you may discover lots of options not too far from home. When deciding on a camping destination, you should consider the following:

* Cost of the trip

* Type of camping the site has available

* Distance from home

* Number of people in your family going on the trip

* Preferred amenities

* Activities available for kids

* Time of year you'll be traveling

* Weather

* Supplies you'll need

These items are very important and should never be overlooked. If you're planning a trip a considerable distance from home and you don't want to rent an RV, you'll either have to drive your car to the destination, or rely on other forms of transportation, which may make transporting equipment and supplies difficult.

You may want to choose a cabin or rent an RV that's onsite for long distance camping trips. This way you'll only have to buy food and smaller camping equipment when you arrive.

Deciding on a destination will help get your camping trip off to a good start. Don't burden yourself by choosing a place too far away. Unless you have relatives in the area where you can stay while gathering up supplies, it isn't worth it.

Instead, find a destination no more than a day or two away, which is considered a drivable distance for most families. Even if you're renting an RV, you won't want to be driving the whole time during your vacation.

Before booking a reservation, which you may have to do up to a year in advance depending on the what's available and the time of year you'll be travelling. Ask questions about the camp sites, the amenities available and about campground activities.

If the camp has a web site, you'll find it's a great resource for more information. The web site may also tell you the best time to visit, attractions close by and lots of addition information. Never book a site without asking lots of questions otherwise, you may not be happy once you arrive.

When making reservations, you should ask about the busiest times of the year. These times are usually during the summer months, but you should ask anyway.

If your children are teenagers, they may want to meet other teenagers while on the trip. The summer months are the best time to go if you have children. If you don't have children and you want to be away from people, you may want to choose to camp in the early spring or autumn.

Since you can't predict the weather a year or so in advance, you should research past seasons to see what the weather will most likely bring. This will help when you're packing clothing and supplies and will also help choose the right time to go.

Many campgrounds offer amenities such as cable, showers, laundry room, midnight movies, pool, summer camp activities for younger children, game rooms, guided hiking tours, and more. Determine which places provide what you and your family are interested in seeing, which will help narrow your search.

Once you've chosen an ideal campsite, research the surrounding area for other tourist attractions and sight seeing opportunties your family will likely enjoy. Even though camping trips should be a time for relaxing, they should never be boring. Doing a good job of researching and finding the best destinations will allow you to plan some activities.

The next step in planning a camping adventure is to make a list of all needed supplies, including:

* bedding

* cooking supplies

* food, clothing

* hiking shoes

* lighting, and

* portable heaters

You should ask the campground what kinds of electrical outlets will be available at the site. If you're roughing it, you may only need one outlet. You should add battery packs and flashlights to your list as well as a first aid kit in case someone is injured on the trip.

You can purchase camping supplies online, at specialty camping stores or your local grocery store. While you don't have to buy top of the line equipment, you should do your research to find out exactly what will best serve your needs. This will help you create your vacation budget.

If you're planning to stay in a cabin that has a functional kitchen or an RV, then you won't have to worry about cooking equipment. However, you'll still have to bring pots, pans, plates and eating utensils, but you can bring along the ones you already have at home.

If you're planning to do some hiking or rock climbing during your vacation, don't forget to pack the appropriate gear as well. When planning a trip, people sometimes forget to bring the stuff they'll need for specific activities while on vacation. Staying organized and preparing a list is the best way to avoid under or over packing for your camping trip.

When making reservations for a camp site, travel equipment or an RV, you should always ask questions about:

* cancellations

* warranties

* insurance

* early or late return

* refunds due to bad weather

Protecting yourself against late fees, insurance claims, and other issues that may come up during your vacation is a good idea. If possible, get everything you can in writing. This will help you make a claim with your insurance company or with the campground or RV rental agency easier if the need should arise.

Finding out more about these policies will also make choosing a campground or an RV easier. If you don't agree with some of their policies, then find another destination. It's your money and you should protect it from policies you consider unfair or too costly.

Unfortunately, the unexpected does happen in life. Children can get sick, people lose their jobs, and so on. You can't possibly know what will happen in a year from when you make reservations to stay at a campground. But you'll feel better about making those reservations if you know more about the policies that govern them.

You should plan additional travel expenses in your budget when planning your trip. Expenses include:

* gas

* snacks

* air travel

* flat tires

* illness

* injury

* hotel stay

* admission fees to tourist attractions

* food costs

You'll be surprised at how much an extra meal in a diner will cost your family when you're trying to stay on budget. While you should have fun and spend a little extra money if necessary, it's probably best not go overboard. Carry an emergency credit card or traveler's checks in case of need. This will protect you and your family and allow you to return home safely.

If you're planning to camp in a place more than three days from your home, you cam either fly there or drive. If driving, you'll have to stay a night or two in a hotel. If flying, you'll have to pay for airfare for the entire family. These expenses can add up quickly when planning a vacation. Therefore, If possible, find a campground closer to home or you may have to wait a little longer to save up enough money to go on a more expensive vacation.

Traveling by any mode of transportation can be expensive if you aren't prepared in advance. Finding discount hotel rooms and airplane tickets for your trip can be done easily online. Planning a few months in advance could save hundreds of dollars in traveling expenses alone.

As it gets closer to the time for your vacation, you should go over your budget to make sure you haven't forgotten anything.

Saving some extra money and keeping it for emergency use only is a good idea. This will give you peace of mind and allow you to concentrate on having a good time during your camping adventure.

Cooking your own food for the majority of the trip will also save money as will keeping the number of days traveling to the campground to a minimum.

One of the final steps to planning your camping adventure will be to map out your destination. You have several options including:

* buying a road map

* using the internet

* using GPS equipment

All of these methods are effective in helping you get to your destination quickly and easily. If you've never traveled to the campground before, this can be an exciting part of your trip. Even if you're relying on the internet for directions or a GPS navigational system, you should still buy a paper map and keep it with you.

Road names change over time and updates may not have been made. A standard map will give you an overview of the area and allow you to make changes in your direction.

Families who are going to be traveling long distances should consider investing in a GPS navigational device. Not only will it give you directions, it will also tell you where the nearest hotels, hospitals and restaurants are located so you can stop and rest, or quickly help a member of your family who may suddenly need emergency medical care.

As with any vacation you plan, be sure to have a reliable vehicle, equipment, and bring a cell phone with you that's charged and ready to be used when traveling. These aren't just great for emergencies, they're also useful for other issues that may occur while you're away from home.

If you have pets, you may want to find a friend to take care of them while you're away. You can also board pets at your vet or boarding establishment. This is a good idea if you're planning on being away for more than a week. Your pets will be fed and exercised each day.

Small children don't typically travel well on vacation. If your child is under the age of three, you may want to wait another year or so before taking them on a longer road trip or camping. There are plenty of other options available. Children over the age of five will enjoy being in the outdoors much more than younger children.

Be careful about where you choose to camp when taking young children. Make sure there's a hospital close by in case of an emergency.

If you want to spend more money on a GPS tracking device, you can invest in a tracking device that will tell you where local restaurants, gas stations and tourist attractions are located. You'll be able to plot the places you want visit and find new places worth exploring.

Protecting your family is just as important as making sure they have a good time while on vacation.