Family camping trips are a great way to spend time as a family and connect with nature. Whether you’re going for the first time or have been on many family camp trips, it’s always good to prepare.
Here are some ideas to help you get ready for your next family camping trip.
Start by Taking Your Car for Maintenance
Taking your car for maintenance is a good idea before going on a family camp trip. This way, you can ensure your vehicle will not break down and leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Make sure to get an oil change done at least three months before leaving on your trip to avoid potential problems. If necessary, ask someone knowledgeable about cars, such as a mechanic or dealership employee, for their advice.
Ensure you check out the following things during your car maintenance.
- Oil levels- this is the essential thing to do. For example, if you go on a long drive, you should always check the oil level.
- Battery – if your Battery gets old or weak, there might be problems starting your car in case of an emergency, so ensure this isn’t the case before going camping.
- Air filter – without a clean air filter, gasoline will not enter your engine. Also, ensure you get yours changed every two years or earlier, depending on how many miles you run per year.
- Brake fluid level- this is one thing that you should check very often. It is essential to ensure your car stops at the right time.
- Coolant level- this mainly has to do with how hot or cold you keep your vehicle. If it’s winter, make sure there are no leaks in case of freezing temperatures.
At this point, check out the condition of battery cables, belts, hoses, and any worn tires or broken headlights or taillights for safety reasons.
These are important because flat tires can lead to dangerous situations if not adequately dealt with. Overinflating is also an issue as hot days can expand the air in the tires. Be sure to fill to manufacture specifications.
A long trip can become quite stressful if traffic piles up along the way, so learning about alternative routes beforehand helps.
Don’t Forget To Carry Flashlights
Flashlights are an essential part of camping supplies. Make sure you have a rechargeable 18650 button top battery if the lights go out while on a camp trip or if you want to venture into nature at night.
Choose the Right Camping Spot
Choosing the right low-cost camping spot is essential. Be sure to consider the needs of your family and their camping preferences, as well as how far you are willing to drive for a good spot.
Consider the following factors before choosing a camping spot:
- proximity to amenities
- level of seclusion
- size and condition of campsites for your group size. Check out this guide from Kampgrounds Of America that highlights different camping spots.
You can also find more information on the website about availability in specific locations by checking directly with the campground operators. Then, arrive early at popular sites to ensure you get the spot of your choice.
Carry Your First Aid Kit
This is essential since accidents can happen at any time. So you have to be sure that you bring the necessary things to not miss out on any critical material. Do this ahead of time and keep it in a safe place where no one will find it but yourself.
Have the Right Size Sleeping Bags
You may forget to pack your sleeping bag, but they are necessary.
When choosing sleeping bags, you need to consider the weather and temperature and your own needs, such as whether or not you’ll be using a cot or air mattress.
It’s also essential that everyone in the family gets a sleeping bag that fits them correctly, so no one is cold at night. To find out what sleeping bag size will work best for each person in your family, calculate their average shoulder width.
Then add 12 inches to accommodate clothes worn during sleep. That number corresponds with an appropriate-sized mummy-style camping bag that provides enough room around top shoulders while retaining its insulation layer.
If you’ll be camping in cold weather, it’s a good idea to go in an extra warm bag. A mummy-style sleeping bag is the most efficient. It retains heat better than other styles and eliminates dead space within the insulation layer so you can stay warmer at night
Sleeping bags should always remain clean before using them for the first time, and never use washing powder that contains enzymes or brighteners as these will reduce its thermal properties over time.
Carry Your Rain-Gear
Rain gear is essential because you never know when the rain will come.
Ensure you carry one for every family member and that it’s in good condition.
Pack Your Tents
Tents are essential because it is where you are going to sleep at night. Make sure that the tent has no holes or damages so there will be no rain coming in during the camping trip.
Tents should also have a tarp under them, especially if it rains overnight – this way, your sleeping bag and other items inside won’t get wet from groundwater seeping through the soil.
After buying quality tents, ensure they are stored properly to avoid any issues when setting up on-site. It would also help to check for possible leaks before using them again by filling the tent with water then leaving it to sit outside for several hours.
Plan for Activities in Advance
Planning is significant for your family camp trip.
Ideas include hiring an expert guide to lead you through the journey. Also, ensure someone is in charge of each activity and that one person has all the gadgets like GPS or mobile phones charged at any given time to be used as a backup if necessary.
Check the Weather Forecast
This is the last thing you want to do once at the campsite. Of course, you can plan your activities around weather conditions, but it is always good to be prepared for any changes during this time of year.
Conclusion
It would be best to consider packing some items like sunscreen and bug spray for your first aid kit. While they may seem like trivial things, if there’s an issue with either one on-site, it could become more complicated than necessary.
