Have you been putting off the family camping trip that you promised the kids before lockdown changed the plans? Since measures have been lifted and with a little of summer left to burn, now feels like the best time to take a camping trip, but you may be wondering how exactly to plan one.
If you’ve been searching for these answers, then you’ve come to the right place. Not only are we going to answer the question for you, but we’re going to reveal a few insider tips to make your whole trip run as smoothly as possible. With that in mind, here’s how to plan a camping trip: a guide for families.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
The first thing that you need to do when planning your camping trip is to select your destination. The best way to do this is to figure out what kind of camping trip you want. Perhaps a coastal campsite so you can enjoy bodyboarding and barbeques on the beach? Or maybe wild camping in the New Forest is more your thing? Or, do you prefer to camp somewhere blessed with amenities and convenience? When selecting the destination, choose a place that all your family will enjoy, and which caters to each member’s individual tastes in some way.
SAFETY FIRST
When you’re camping, there is no telling what can happen. After all, that sense of unbridled freedom and adventure is why you’re there, right? While you can be as precautious and prepared as you want, sometimes accidents happen through no fault of your own during the summer holidays. And that’s ok. Instead of waiting for an emergency to arise, the best thing that you can do is prepare a first aid kit in advance. You could opt for pre-assembled ones or make your very own kit to suit your personal needs and preferences.
Your safety kit should include some of the following:
- Flashlights
- Bandages and plasters
- Alcohol (for cleaning wounds)
- Antiseptic cream
- Cotton Swabs
Everyone going on the family trip should know how to respond in case there’s an emergency while you’re camping. Being able to respond no matter what the situation will ensure that the person who’s hurt receives initial treatment until you’re able to get them to a healthcare professional’s office. First aid training, at least in a cursory way, could be useful here.
TEST YOUR GEAR
Now that you’ve gathered the equipment needed for your safety kit, it’s time to test the rest of the gear that you’ll take on the trip. The last thing that you want is to arrive at the campgrounds, and the equipment you’ve packed doesn’t work, is faulty, or broken.
It’s a good idea to erect your tent sometime prior to setting off, to check if everything’s in working order and you have all the poles, pegs and other miscellaneous items. If you’re planning to bring a self-inflating mattress, ensure that the mattress doesn’t have any air leaks.
You’ll also want to ensure that you know how to work your dutch oven and bring enough fuel to cook with. If you’re not sure about what to cook in a dutch oven, there are plenty of dutch oven camping recipes that you can pull from to create tasty meals.
PACKING
Now that you’ve tested all of your camping gear and planned out what meals you’re going to cook, all that’s left to do is pack. Ensure that when you pack, everything is accounted for by using a checklist for everyone to follow to make sure that nothing gets left behind. For anyone who has holidayed in Britain, for even a moment, it’ll be well known that you can’t predict the weather.
After you’ve packed, choose the route that you want to follow to get to the campground, and make sure your sat nav is charged and working. Alternatively, have the latest version of Google Maps installed on your phone.
ACTIVITES
When you choose the destination where you’re going to be camping, select some camping activities that are in the area. Whether you decide to float down the river or go fly fishing, it requires a little planning ahead to ensure you’ve brought the right gear and clothing – night vision goggles for wildlife spotting, waders for wading, that kind of thing – and that you’ve booked ahead if need be.
Ensure that you’ve planned a list of activities that will make the camping trip fun and engaging for everyone to ensure the holiday is remembered as a success.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you follow our guide regarding how to plan a camping trip, you won’t forget anything as you embark on your latest adventure. You want to ensure that your camping trip is memorable, and to do that, it takes a considerable amount of planning. Good luck and we look forward to the postcard!