Summer is here, and the weather is just suitable for a camping trip. If you’ve been indoors for a long time during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can break the repetitious days by camping out and enjoying the simplicity of nature. You can get a breath of fresh air and take some time away from the internet. However, adequate preparation is essential for a successful camping trip. Without a plan, your trip can go slightly awry. Here are some valuable tips for planning a successful summer camping trip.
- Decide on a date
- Determine where to camp
- Determine the kind of camping to go for
- Read reviews and pay attention to campsite amenities
- Consider your pets
- Plan for activities
- Plan for transportation
- Reserve your campsite
- Prepare a camping gear checklist
- Plan for meals
- Check for cooking regulations
- Remember to plan for good health
- Structure responsibilities
- Let your kids help
Decide on a date
Popular campgrounds fill up quickly, especially around this time. If you have requirements like cabins, bathrooms, or a waterfront site, it’s best if you book early. However, deciding on a date to go camping isn’t easy. There are many factors that you need to consider before deciding on one. First, you need to consider the people you’re going camping with and the dates that work for them. Unless you’re planning on camping alone, and in that case, you only have to consider factors like your work schedule or the weather.
Determine where to camp
Where you camp largely determines your camping trip outcome. Everyone should be excited about going there and spending as much time as possible. Factors such as who you’re camping with, be it your partner, kids, pets, or friends, play a vital role in determining your camping site. If you’re camping alone or with your partner, you have access to many options due to limited restrictions on smaller groups. If camping with your kids, search for campsites that have recreational facilities to fulfill their interests. When camping with your friends, be on the lookout for limitations, such as the number of cars on-site.
Determine the kind of camping to go for
Once you’ve decided who will be joining the camping trip, determine the kind of camping to go for. You can settle on camping in a tent, cabin, or an RV. If you’re alone, with your partner, or older friends, you can camp in a tent. However, with kids and pets and the possibility of weather changes, it’s best to stay in a cabin that meets all their comfort needs. If you decide to stay in an RV, find one early enough and spend ample time finding a site that will match your needs.
Read reviews and pay attention to campsite amenities
When determining where to camp, do your due diligence and perform adequate research. Ask every individual what kind of camping experience they would like to have and proceed to look for campgrounds that meet their expectations. Read reviews online to determine suitable locations and the amenities provided. If you have kids, consider campgrounds that provide comfort amenities like short distances to the bathrooms, playgrounds, and hiking trails.
Consider your pets
Summer is a great time to take your furry best friend camping with you. You can play fun games and get ample time to bond. However, there’s a lot of planning that revolves around taking your pet on your camping trip. First, you need to ensure that the campground allows for pets. Second, make inquiries early enough to avoid experiencing frustrations upon arrival. Third, include your pet in all your activity plans so that they don’t feel left out. Finally, remember to pack their essentials as you pack yours.
Plan for activities
When planning for activities, consider how long you will be out camping, the members of your trip, and the location. If you don’t have time to plan for activities, put a lot of thought into what your campground offers. For kids especially, you need fun activities that can keep them occupied while under supervision. These can include bubble pits, crafts, dying shirts, or bouncing in the castle.
You can also plan for screen time that doesn’t involve streaming services like watching classic movies with an omni directional tv antenna for family bonding time. For adults, plan activities like fishing, hiking, swimming, and sports activities like volleyball or board games. Remember to carry games for your furry friend if you bring him along, for example, a fetch ball.
Plan for transportation
Once you know where you’ll be camping, map out the route to get there and plan for transportation. Depending on the distance, you can enjoy a road trip by car to the site or travel in the RV. Look for places along the way that can enhance your experience when you make stops. If you’re more seasoned, you can go backpacking to your tent camp. However, ensure that if you’re backpacking on a long trip as a group, everyone should be physically capable and experienced.
Reserve your campsite
After determining the type of camping to go for and the destination, the next step is to reserve your campsite. The more popular your campground is, the earlier you have to make reservations, say a few months before your trip. However, if you’re making last-minute plans, don’t let this deter you; you can make last-minute reservations and enjoy spontaneous memories. You can make reservations online via the site’s website, email, or phone call. Remember to familiarize yourself with campground rules to avoid unnecessary mistakes and frustrations.
Prepare a camping gear checklist
Regardless of how long you’ll be out camping or the amenities provided at a camping ground, it would be best if you packed essentials. A packing checklist can help you stay organized and avoid making simple mistakes like forgetting some essentials. In addition, a packing checklist doubles as a shopping list and ensures you bring the proper gear to the trip, whether you’re flying solo or with a group. Some of the fundamentals you should pack include: food, shelter, and clothing. Afterward, go down to the essentials like sleeping bags, cookware, sunscreen, headlamps, games, tent, backpack, first aid kit, and an extra tarp in case of sudden rainfall.
Plan for meals
Food is essential in every day to day life. As you plan for your trip, keep the meals in mind. The amount of food you carry depends on the length of your trip. Remember, you might be miles away from a mall, and the lack of enough food can take away from your trip. Carry more food than you think you might need and pack canned food that can last long.
To ensure you eat healthily, create a meal plan beforehand. Just be sure to inform everyone of the meals you’d like to be preparing and create a spreadsheet for the ingredients. If you’re camping with your baby, pack enough baby formula and if your pet is tagging along, include their food in the checklist.
Check for cooking regulations
During summer, the grass and brush on camping grounds are drier, raising the risk of causing fire hazards. Sometimes, campsites restrict cooking or specify the kind of cooking equipment you should carry. If cooking is restricted, there are no use packing ingredients. Instead, plan for iced teas, canned meals, fruits, and ready-to-eat snacks.
Remember to plan for good health
Many activities go into camping that can cause illness. With all the running, hiking, and dancing in the sun, one can suffer sunstroke or sunburns. As much as you can look out for symptoms such as rapid breathing, muscle cramps, and dizziness, it’s vital to come prepared. Remember that pets can also suffer sunstroke. Carry medical ice packs in a cool bag to bring down temperatures and pack a portable water bowl for your pets.
Additionally, think about food safety by storing your food appropriately, covering it, and ensuring you have clean water. Amid a global pandemic, ensure everyone remembers to adhere to safety protocols, especially in group activities with new people. Carry a first aid kit and medications in case of injury or food poisoning.
Structure responsibilities
If you’re camping alone or with your furry best friend, you get to shoulder every responsibility. However, when camping as a group with family and friends, everyone needs to share the duties for the trip o be successful. Before you leave, ensure there’s a duty roster that gives every individual a responsibility. For example, some can clean up utensils while others fetch firewood, cook, and haul water. Having everyone help out will ensure there’s organization and ample time to engage in other fun activities.
Let your kids help
Although adults like to take over all the planning, including your kids can help make the camping trip experience enjoyable for everyone. The possibilities being endless, you can include your kids in planning the camping trip by asking them what activities they would like to engage in, and the locations they think would suit them. Planning with kids is fun and can take a load off your mind by getting their ideas.
Camping is a fun way to enjoy the summer. You can get in some quality time by going on a road trip to bond with family and friends. After you’ve done your research, made reservations, and packed essentials, it’s time to hit the road and enjoy the camping trip you’ve been anticipating. Get outside, relieve some stress, and have fun while enjoying nature.
