Preparing for your Camping Trip

Camping with children takes planning and preparation, because like the weather, you never know what to expect!

Here are a few tips to help you prepare:

• Have a practice run in the backyard. Teach children how to set up the tent, prepare the campsite, etc. and allow them to experience what it will be like to sleep outdoors, in a tent, and in a sleeping bag.
• Pack easy to make foods that children will enjoy. Pasta and sauce, mac and cheese, instant oatmeal, canned and boxed foods are all good choices. Don't forget fruits, nuts and other snacks, as well as juice and plenty of water.
• Organize and pack your gear in plastic bins with lids and label each bin (with words or images) accordingly. This helps keep your camp site organized and your gear dry.
• Don't forget toys - books, water toys, travel games and a deck of cards are all good to have around. Flashlights are great for nighttime shadow play. Toys from the dollar store are also good because you won't have to worry about them getting dirty, broken, or left behind!

While at camp, why not try some of these ideas:

• Involve your kids in all the day-to-day camp chores - setting up camp, preparing food, cleaning-up, etc.
• Mark out a boundary for your children. Let them know that they cannot leave the area without a parent/adult.
• Encourage your kids to keep a written journal or scrapbook of the trip.
• Set up an umbrella or canopy to allow shade opportunities. Clip-on stroller umbrellas are great for use on canoes, kayaks and rowboats.
• For bug protection, try spraying the outside of the tent with bug repellent to minimize bugs at camp. You can also spray your kids' clothes, instead of their bodies. Look for alternatives, such as citronella, instead of chemical sprays.

By Rochelle Strauss