Taking your children along on a family camping trip is one of life’s greatest adventures. Most families love these trips because it’s practically impossible for kids not to have a good time when we’re talking about that tried-and-true recipe for fun: dirt, fire, stars, and untamed locations. The good news is that there is no one right way to go about organizing your first family camping trip, so don’t be scared by the thought.
Don’t limit yourself to this notion of what camping is based on what you’ve seen in movies, television shows, or magazines. Or from what you have heard from other families at an Olney child care center. It’s possible that what works for one family won’t for yours. Here are some of the best tips you can follow when planning a successful family camping trip.
Where you choose to take your family is the most important decision you will make, and it has the most potential to make or break your family camping trip. You might like hiking a few miles to a remote area and setting up camp there, but your kids or your partner might not be as excited about it as you are.
If you are going camping with people who have never done it before, it might be a good idea to pick a spot in a state or national park that has been used before. If you don’t mind spending all your time at or near the campsite, more remote might be a good choice. Many families like to camp at night, but during the day, they like to explore nearby towns or go camping miles away. If this sounds like you, make sure your campsite is closer to where you want to go. And if your family doesn’t like roughing it that much, choose a site with running water and toilets that flush.
If you are not going to be camping next to a trail, you should make a reservation for your campsite as soon as possible. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance in the vast majority of state and national parks that provide campgrounds. In most cases, established campgrounds provide an online reservation system that campers can use. ReserveAmerica has partnerships with both the national parks and now a significant number of state parks to handle reservations made either online or over the phone. There are several that do not accept reservations and instead operate on a first-come, first-served basis for customers. If this is the case, most parents from day care in Olney, MD, recommend getting to your site as early as possible to ensure you get a great spot.
It can be simple to overlook your daily necessities when you’re preoccupied with making sure your family camping trip has all it needs. Make sure everyone receives a reusable water bottle, and make sure to keep it full and visible at all times. Dehydration is not enjoyable.
Everyone should wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Think about purchasing sun-protective apparel. Reapply sunscreen frequently during the day. Phone alarms can be useful in making this one easier to remember. Don’t forget to pack a complete first aid kit for your family’s camping trip, which should include bug spray, a tick-removing tool, and all the other basics you will find in a standard first aid kit at a day care in Olney, MD.
Before you camp with your family, freeze water jugs to help keep your food cold and dry. If you’re going on a longer trip and need more ice, use block ice and put it in a dry bag to make as little mess as possible. Make sure you have a cooler just for things that go bad quickly, like milk. Don’t open this cooler unless you have to.
Keep drinks and food that don’t need to be ice cold in a separate cooler. Some families don’t like camping because they don’t like cooking their own food. Again, keep things simple. Some people may have a fine spread but don’t feel like you have to.
The word “simplify” is one that can assist in ensuring the success of camping vacations with the family. Simplify the steps you take to get ready for bed, the meals you eat, the packing list you make, and the expectations you have of yourself. It is not necessary to bring everything you enjoy at home to have a fun time camping. Having a few creature comforts can make things easier, but remember you are camping for the experience. And always be mindful of over-planning. You don’t have to be busy the entire time, and it’s okay to have some downtime.
Getting wet during a camping trip with your family is the single worst thing that can happen to spoil everyone’s fun. If you go camping often enough, you’ll probably get caught in the rain at some point. You will need to bring rain gear with you, wear waterproof shoes, and ensure that your tent and sleeping bags are kept dry.
Just a little bit of preparation ahead of time may make the difference between a memorable camping trip with your family that you will look back on fondly and one that will be remembered as a “bad time was had by all” kind of weekend in the family history books. The best advice you can take from other parents at your child’s day care in Olney, MD, is to prepare everything ahead of time, expect things to happen, but don’t let anything stop you from having fun!
When you go camping with your children, you will create some of the most precious memories of your life. Watching everyone get excited about pitching in, cooperating with one another, and lending a hand is a huge parenting win that more than makes up for whatever mistakes or missteps you may have made while camping.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.