How to What to Do Before You Go Camping with Children

This article is for the "first-time" camper, who is planning to camp out with babies, children or teens. Right after this email and comment box, I will give you helpful hints that you need to know when camping out with children and teens.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• tents
• tarps
• cord
• food
• snacks
• money
• reservation
• car or RV
• and whatever else you think you might need

1. The most important thing that you can do when you are planning this camping trip is to camp before you go. You need to plan a camping trip before your regular camping trip, and you need to go there without children. You can bring a buddy if you like but do plan it without children. The reason for this is that you really do not know how long it will take for you to set the tent up. And you do not know if you can set it up alone or if you will need adult help. (Sometimes teens can help but you need your solo trip first to clear out all the minor problems).
   
   So arrange a camping trip for you, bring everything you need for the family trip. Act as if this is the family trip but just do not bring the children.
   
   What can you learn on a trip like this? Well, I, for the most part, have never used insect repellent, or mosquito spray. I have never needed to, ever. So, I learned from my solo trip that you can not , I repeat, can not go to Hecksher State Park without insect spray.
   
   If you go without it, you will be bit on all your limbs, and you will come away with about twenty bites on each arm and leg , and elsewhere.
   
   So, we all learn from experience. And I learned which tent is best and which one that will not help my experience.
   
   So plan your trip, and you will know the inside and outside of your camping area. You will learn what to bring, what you forgot, and what you need to add to your list.
   
   Talk to other parents who have gone camping. Even while you are camping you will see some with children. Politely ask what you need to know about this particular camping area. Most people will respond in a friendly way when you inquire about campgrounds.
2. Plan for bad weather. (This is still positive thinking). I mean, bring things that will occupy the children in case it rains. And check out the area and see if there is a mall near by. In case of a horrible storm, you can all pack up in the car, and go to the mall until the storm gets lighter.
3. Bring lots of liquids, lots of snacks. Bring any medications the babies or children might need. (It is hard to find a pharmacy in some places), So bring the basics, tylenol, aspirin and whatever else you need. Perhaps bring some benedryl (for allergies and hay fever and bites).
   
   Still chicken? Okay, make a reservation at a FAMILY camping grounds. These places are private campgrounds that generally have no wildlife, and they carry everything that families need, including over-the-counter medicines and other assorted items. Try Wolf's camping in Pennsylvania. I had a very pleasant camping experience there. The staff, personnnel is wonderful. I came in at the last minute, just before they were closing the office (for registrations), and the lady was so polite, and extra helpful. She treated me as if it was the beginning of the day, not just almost closing time. No rush, no fuss, and just a totally Miss Polite employee. I did appreciate that. I thought I was going to be turned away because it was so late, but that just did not happen. The grounds are great, the camping is excellent, so I highly recommend this place.
   
   (There are golf-carts on the grounds, so just watch the toddlers and children carefully here. Let them know that these are "streets" as you approach your campsites).
   
   Want more ideas or our free camping newsletter? All you have to do is leave a public note here and then email us. (We do not answer emails if there are no public comments here at the article space). Your name will not be put on any commerical mailing lists. This is all confidential. And you will get the best of the camping helpful hints right in your email box. The newsletter is quarterly so your box will not fill up every day with unnecessary emails.
   
   Thanks for reading. Now, here are the Tips and Warnings that I spoke about before (right after these advertisements. I am not affiliated with any of the advertisers at all).
   
   
   Be sure to read the very important Tips and Warnings part of this article. Please write to us and give us your opinion of what you have read here. Thank you.

Tips & Warnings

• I thorougly recommend Eureka tents. I have tried all sorts of brand names and no-frills tents and Eureka comes up right on top. You can set up a large size Eureka all by yourself. (I have the Eureka Tetragon nine or seven).
• Never, ever store or bring food or snacks inside your tent. This is a safety issue. Wildlife will try and get in your tent if they pick up the scent of any kinds of food. They will be attracted to toothpaste, cologne or any other fruit- or sweet smelling scents.
• So sweat it out and leave the deoderant home if you are camping out in the wilds of Pennsyvlvania or other states.
• Even at Hecksher --where there are no bears, leave your food in your car or outside of your tent in zipper coolers. We were surprised at night by very aggressive raccoons who were looking for food at night. Our neighbors left food on their picnic table --open crackers and cookies. That attracted the raccoons and then they came on over to our tent to see what other snacks were available. If we had food in our tent, I had no doubt that these aggressive animals would have been clawing at our tent. (They were not afraid of people, and even after we were banging pots and all they still advanced forward looking for food when the banging stopped). Do not worry about this, you will not have this problem if you just do not leave food outside open and if you do not bring food in your tent. If you see neighbors leaving food out at Hecksher, let them know that the raccoons will attempt to get in tents at night if the food is left out. I am sure they will appreciate this advice. That night the raccoons visited, they visited all night long and would not stop -all for a few crackers and cookies.