{"id":1533,"date":"2018-03-08T07:06:00","date_gmt":"2018-03-08T07:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myvacationpants.com\/?p=1533"},"modified":"2018-03-08T07:06:00","modified_gmt":"2018-03-08T07:06:00","slug":"put-on-your-camping-vacation-pants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myvacationpants.com\/index.php\/2018\/03\/08\/put-on-your-camping-vacation-pants\/","title":{"rendered":"Put On Your Camping Vacation Pants"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1541 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.myvacationpants.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/img_3698_19289092910_o-300x225.jpg?resize=521%2C391\" alt=\"\" width=\"521\" height=\"391\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow do you take your family camping?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a question that I\u2019ve heard in my adult life far more than I ever thought I would.\u00a0 The second word gets out that we\u2019re going camping, I am almost always asked this question.\u00a0 It usually comes from one of three types of people:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Someone who\u2019s never been camping before<\/li>\n<li>Someone who grew up camping, but doesn\u2019t really know how to do it on their own as an adult<\/li>\n<li>Someone who used to enjoy camping, but doesn\u2019t know how to go about it now that they have kids.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s shocking to me, because camping has always been a part of my life, and sharing it with my kids is a huge joy. Read on to find out how easy it is to take your family camping.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><br \/>\nI grew up camping with my family, and I\u2019ve always loved it.\u00a0\u00a0 Setting up a tent and living in the dirt for a brief time is both incredibly relaxing and exciting.\u00a0 No hotel stay can possibly replicate the close-up experience with nature that camping provides, and the flexibility that camping offers opens up a wide variety of destinations and experiences that would otherwise be impossible to experience.\u00a0 Also, the intimate living quarters and hands on activities offer a wealth of opportunity to truly engage with your family, especially the kids.<\/p>\n<p>For these, and many other reasons, it is crazy to me that so many people are missing out on the joys of camping.\u00a0 I want every family to be able to have amazing experiences and make lifelong memories while camping with their families.\u00a0 In this article, I have painstakingly provided practical pointers (conveniently squeezed into ten categories beginning with the letter \u201cP\u201d) to answer that question that keeps popping up over and over again:<br \/>\n\u201cHow do you take your family camping?\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Planning<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The fun of camping begins before you go anywhere. Deciding where to go on a trip is one of our favorite activities.\u00a0 We call it \u201cplaying fantasy vacation.\u201d\u00a0 We click our computers together, and start Googling images of beautiful locations, reading reviews of destinations, and playing around with maps to begin planning our route.\u00a0 Here are a few tips for picking the right location for your family:<br \/>\nIn order to bring the equipment you need, you\u2019re going to need to be able to drive to wherever you plan to camp.<\/li>\n<li>Talk about what type of environment sounds fun to camp in.\u00a0 In California we\u2019re spoiled, because we have mountains, beaches, deserts and forests to choose from, but no matter where you live there is some variety to choose from.\u00a0 Do you want to be near a lake or river?\u00a0 Close to a town, or as far away from civilization as possible?\u00a0 With flush toilets and showers, or pit toilets and no running water.\u00a0 <em>(Quick MVP tip: If you want the family to enjoy themselves, always choose flush toilets.\u00a0 Wait until everyone is thoroughly in love with camping before you attempt pit toilets.)<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Check the weather!\u00a0 Make sure the time of year you will be visiting will be comfortable temperature-wise, because there\u2019s not a lot you can do about it in a tent.<\/li>\n<li>Look at pictures of the campground, and read about available activities, amenities, trails, etc.\u00a0 Does it sound fun to stay there?<\/li>\n<li>How long do you want to stay?\u00a0 By the time you\u2019ve set up a tent, camp chairs, and all of your cooking gear, you\u2019re going to want to stay more than one night.\u00a0 I\u2019d recommend a two night minimum so you can at least enjoy a full day.<\/li>\n<li>Look up specific sites before you go and reserve them ahead of time.\u00a0 There are a lot of websites, such as <a href=\"http:\/\/tripadvisor.com\">Tripadvisor.com<\/a> or\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/nextcampsite.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=en&amp;q=http:\/\/nextcampsite.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1520461630687000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGl8X63RvDGqZELpRcaQYfZXUV3sg\">nextcampsite.com<\/a>\u00a0that contain specific tips on the best sites at each campground.\u00a0 A simple Google search with the campground\u2019s name and \u201cbest site\u201d will also do the job.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1537\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.myvacationpants.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/img_1131_15279894736_o-225x300.jpg?resize=225%2C300\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" \/> \u00a0<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1524\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.myvacationpants.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/cropped-20746007_10210173648802603_4683677448808453181_o-300x126.jpg?resize=514%2C216\" alt=\"\" width=\"514\" height=\"216\" \/> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1534 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.myvacationpants.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/img_1115_15279898806_o-300x225.jpg?resize=397%2C298\" alt=\"\" width=\"397\" height=\"298\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Preparing<\/h2>\n<p>In this list, I will address tent camping primarily.\u00a0 RVs and cabins are great, but most people don\u2019t need tips on how to sleep in a cabin, and I don\u2019t know enough about RVs to specifically comment on them, but many of these tips apply across the board.\u00a0 Anyway, here\u2019s some advice for the necessary preparations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Get your gear in order!\u00a0 A lot of preparing for camping is making sure you have the gear and necessities to make the trip fun for your family.\u00a0 There are many, many packing lists out there that are easily Google-able, so I won\u2019t give a detailed one here, but I will mention a few things in the packing section that might not be on other lists.\u00a0\u00a0 Once you\u2019ve looked up a couple, start compiling your own list of the items you think you and your family will want\/need to make it a fun, safe, and comfortable trip, and be sure to add your own.<\/li>\n<li>Make sure your gear is in working order.\u00a0 If you have things like flashlights or a camp stove that have been lying around the garage for a few years, make sure they still work, and have necessary components such as batteries or fuel.\u00a0 You can usually pick up replacement items at a camp store on the trip, but that will cost you a whole lot more money.<\/li>\n<li>Get a map of the area you\u2019ll be visiting.\u00a0 Yes, a paper map.\u00a0 Believe it or not, there are places that still don\u2019t get cell phone reception.\u00a0 Better safe than lost in the middle of nowhere.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Packing<\/h2>\n<p>Part of the fun and challenge of camping is packing all of your stuff into your car.\u00a0 Just make sure you leave enough room for people!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Check and double check your packing list before you go.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget something!<\/li>\n<li>We like to go grocery shopping along the way to our destination.\u00a0 That way we minimize the amount of time we are relying on the ice chest to keep stuff cold.\u00a0 Make sure you leave the ice chest accessible, or you might be re-packing in the grocery store parking lot!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1553 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.myvacationpants.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/summer-2011-186_15239122591_o-300x225.jpg?resize=472%2C354\" alt=\"\" width=\"472\" height=\"354\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Picking<\/h2>\n<p>If you haven\u2019t reserved your campsite ahead of time (which you absolutely should if you can) you\u2019ll need to pick one out when you get there.\u00a0 Make sure the site you pick feels like a good fit for your family.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We recommend spots that have shade.\u00a0 Being exposed might seem like a great way to keep warm in the morning and evening, but you\u2019ll appreciate those trees during the middle of the day when the sun is beating down.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Speaking of trees, we love a spot that is secluded, and often trees can form a great barrier between sites.\u00a0 It\u2019s not that we\u2019re anti-social, we just like a little bit of privacy.<\/li>\n<li>Sites with unique layouts can really add to the fun.\u00a0 Big rocks to climb on, weirdly shaped trees, a bridge to cross over to the site, or maybe a site that is hidden behind a hill or at the end of a twisty path.\u00a0 Some of our favorite camping memories come from the unique sites we\u2019ve found.<\/li>\n<li>Finally, make sure whatever site you pick has enough room for you to pitch your tent, especially if you brought a larger one.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1591 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.myvacationpants.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_8598-300x300.jpg?resize=397%2C397\" alt=\"\" width=\"397\" height=\"397\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Pitching<\/h2>\n<p>Pitching a tent is one of the most common reasons people give me for why they don\u2019t go camping.\u00a0 If this part is holding you back, I would suggest that it is far easier than you are building it up to be.\u00a0 Modern tents are cheaper, lighter, and easier to set up than those of yesteryear.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It\u2019s not a bad idea to bring along a tarp (one of those blue ones) or even a plastic painter\u2019s drop cloth to place under your tent.\u00a0 It adds a small amount of insulation\/padding, but more importantly it will extend the life of your tent.<\/li>\n<li>After you choose the spot you\u2019ll be setting up the tent, clear the area of rocks, twigs, pinecones, etc.\u00a0 It won\u2019t be perfect, but you can make it a little smoother with just a small bit of work ahead of time.<\/li>\n<li>Most modern tents have very simple setup instructions, and many even have color coded poles.\u00a0 Start by laying the tent on the ground, on top of your tarp, and flatten it out so you can see where the footprint will be.\u00a0 Make sure the door is facing the way you want, so you\u2019ll be able to get in and out easily.<\/li>\n<li>When staking it down, make sure you angle the stakes inward, with the bottom angled toward the tent.\u00a0 This will make it less likely to be ripped out by the wind.<\/li>\n<li>Most tents include a separate rain fly.\u00a0 These will often drastically increase the tent\u2019s ability to retain heat, so it might be a good idea to put it on, even if it\u2019s not supposed to rain.<\/li>\n<li>As we\u2019ve gotten older, we\u2019ve found that an air mattress has greatly increased the comfort of sleeping on the ground.\u00a0 Just make sure you have a battery operated pump.<\/li>\n<li>Our family rule is no shoes in the tent.\u00a0 It\u2019s dirty enough while your camping, so there\u2019s no need to track stuff in to the tent where you\u2019ll be sleeping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Participating<\/h2>\n<p>A big part of the fun of camping, especially for kids, is the work.\u00a0 It seems weird, but even the laziest kids love helping out with chores when they\u2019re in the dirt.\u00a0 Give everyone a job and they\u2019ll feel like they\u2019re a part of the team.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Setting up the tent is a great place to start.\u00a0 Let the kids help spread out the tarp.\u00a0 Assign them to pole assembly duty.\u00a0 Send them inside the tent when it\u2019s partially set up and toss the sleeping bags, pads, etc. into them.<\/li>\n<li>Our kids love to get water.\u00a0 Send them with a tub over to the faucet to get water for dishes.<\/li>\n<li>Setting up the camp fire is another fun one.\u00a0 They can help get splinters of wood and arrange them in the fire pit so you can light it easily.\u00a0 Of course, always check with a ranger or camp host to make sure fires are allowed.<\/li>\n<li>Camp cooking can be a blast.\u00a0 If you are allowed to have a fire, plan at least one meal to cook over an open flame!<\/li>\n<li>Cleaning up can be fun too.\u00a0 Make it a contest to see who can find the most pieces of trash around the campsite.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1540 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.myvacationpants.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/img_3695_18856026663_o-300x225.jpg?resize=468%2C351\" alt=\"\" width=\"468\" height=\"351\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Primping<\/h2>\n<p>Another concern I hear a lot about camping is the whole bathroom\/bathing process.\u00a0 Yes, this part can be a little gross and unappealing, but it is worth it in the end.\u00a0 Here\u2019s some tips to make it less gross.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>As I mentioned earlier, pick a campground with flush toilets, and showers make it even better.\u00a0 Yes, there are great places to visit that don\u2019t have running water, but for a first timer, do yourself a favor and avoid those for now.<\/li>\n<li>Often, bathrooms at campgrounds do not provide soap, so make sure to bring some with you when you go.<\/li>\n<li>Showers at campgrounds usually require quarters.\u00a0 It\u2019s worth a few bucks to not reek the whole time you\u2019re camping.\u00a0 Make sure to bring quarters with you ahead of time, because there is often no option to get change at the campground itself.<\/li>\n<li>Bring flip flops or sandals to wear in the shower, because eww\u2026<\/li>\n<li>Take a shower at night, before bed, so you can minimize the amount of dirt that will stick to you immediately after getting clean.<\/li>\n<li>We bring along a large pump bottle of hand sanitizer that we keep on the table in our campsite.\u00a0 You wouldn\u2019t believe how often that comes in handy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Playing<\/h2>\n<p>This might actually be the most important section.\u00a0 I mean, what\u2019s the point of camping if you\u2019re not having fun?\u00a0 As I mentioned before, kids love being included in the setup and chores, and even those can be fun, but there is a lot more playing to be done on a camping trip.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hiking can be a fun adventure.\u00a0 Most campgrounds have some sort of trail nearby, and setting out to find what\u2019s down the path can be great fun.\u00a0 Just make sure to bring water and snacks with you, and keep the pace slow enough that it\u2019s fun for the littles.<\/li>\n<li>Boulder scrambling and rock climbing is one of our favorite things to do in the great outdoors.\u00a0 If you find some good rocks in the campground, or along a trail, stop and climb around!\u00a0 Obviously, stay safe, and teach your kids about safety while climbing.<\/li>\n<li>Swimming is a great way to cool off when it\u2019s hot, and a lot of places have lakes or rivers with swimming spots.\u00a0 Make sure swimming is allowed, and find out about safety concerns ahead of time.<\/li>\n<li>Board games and card games are a great way to spend time playing together, and a camping trip is the perfect chance to get everyone together to play.\u00a0 Without the distractions of electronics, you are much more likely to have willing participants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1570\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.myvacationpants.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/summer-trip-august-2007-350_15237299791_o-300x225.jpg?resize=400%2C300\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" \/> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1571 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.myvacationpants.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/summer-trip-august-2007-356_15240001232_o-300x225.jpg?resize=389%2C292\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"292\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Perusing<\/h2>\n<p>Camping offers many great opportunities to learn as well.\u00a0 Nature provides some obvious ones, but there are educational conversations to be had in just about every aspect of camping.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>When making a camp fire, talk about fire and what happens when something burns.\u00a0 How does the chemical reaction create heat? What are the byproducts of the reaction?<\/li>\n<li>Lots of opportunities for learning about safety arise while camping.\u00a0 Knives, fire, getting lost, dealing with wildlife, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Camping is also a great time to learn about taking care of our environment.\u00a0 There are plenty of opportunities to see an up close view of our impact on nature.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Parting<\/h2>\n<p>All great trips must come to an end.\u00a0 Take care to clean up your campsite well so you (and other campers) are ready to enjoy the next trip.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Make sure you let your tent air out, and then sweep it out before you fold it up.\u00a0 You\u2019ll thank yourself later.<\/li>\n<li>Clean up all of your trash from the campsite, and maybe some that others left before you.\u00a0 Our general rule is to leave it looking better than when we got there.\u00a0 It\u2019s good manners, and it teaches the kids some responsibility too.<\/li>\n<li>Make note of any gear that might need repair, replacing, or new batteries.\u00a0 It will make it much easier for you on the next trip.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Well, that\u2019s about it!\u00a0 I hope this little guide had some helpful info for getting you started on a camping trip with your family.\u00a0 Start your kids now, and they\u2019ll be taking their own kids on a camping trip someday.\u00a0 Please let us know if you think of any camping tips we may have overlooked, and please tell us about the camping trips you take!<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1561 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.myvacationpants.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/summer-trip-august-2007-024_15053879307_o-300x225.jpg?resize=389%2C292\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"292\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Instagram:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/myvacationpants\/\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/myvacationpants\/<\/a><br \/>\nFacebook:\u00a0<a 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that I\u2019ve heard in my adult life far more than I ever thought I would.\u00a0 The second word gets out that we\u2019re going camping, I am almost always asked this question.\u00a0 It usually comes from one of three types of people: Someone who\u2019s never been [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Put On Your Camping Vacation 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