Finding a Place to Go Camping For the uninitiated, the thought of camping -- especially with children -- can be terrifying. With the right preparation, however, you can create a a simple, inexpensive vacation-adventure for your family. If you're planning your family's first camping trip, make it easy on yourselves. Rather than backpacking into the wilderness, try car camping -- seeking out campgrounds or campsites that you can drive to, or at least have nearby vehicle access. Though outdoor purists and serious backpackers may deride it, car camping is a great way to introduce younger family members to outdoor adventure, and it's a good way to "get your feet wet" before moving on to more challenging forms of camping. Here are some suggestions for finding camping locations that your family may enjoy:
- Consider park campgrounds since they frequently offer creature comforts such as fresh water, restrooms, showers and a visitor center.
- Look for places with natural resources and activities that will be engaging for children: easy access to hiking trails, scenic settings, wildlife, lakes or streams.
- Use the Internet as a resource for locating a suitable camping area. For national parks, start with the National Forest Service at www.NPS.gov.
- To locate camping accommodations in state parks, use your favorite Internet search engine and simply type in state parks and your state's initials.
- If you have the chance, consider taking a day drive and checking out camping locations before selecting one. Take the opportunity to do some light hiking and check out what the locations have to offer. Camping at a location you've already visited will help take some of the risk out of your selection.
Picking a Campsite Once you've picked a destination, here are some tips for selecting a good campsite to pitch your tent and set up camp: - Find a flat surface. If the ground is uneven or on a slant, sleeping will be uncomfortable.
- Choose a dry area. Avoid grassy areas as these may encourage problems with moisture and insects. Some campgrounds have prepared tent sites with surfaces covered in wood chips or sawdust to provide an even, soft surface (figure A). Pine needles make for a good bedding beneath a tent.
- Bushes and low trees (figure B) help provide some shelter from wind, rain and the possibility of noisy neighbors. Avoid camping under large tree branches that could break in a strong wind, however.
- Try to find a site near a creek. The sound of running water is soothing, and it provides a natural playground for children, provided it's not too deep or fast-moving.
RESOURCES :
The Sierra Club Family Outdoors Guide
Model: 0871564424
Author: Marlyn Doan
Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Bicycling, Water Sports, and Winter Activities With Children
Sierra Club Books
Parents' Guide to Hiking & Camping: A Trailside Guide
Model: 0393316521
Author: Alice Cary
Volume from The Trailside Guide Series from W.W. Norton and Company.
W. W. Norton & Company
Backpacker's Handbook, 2nd Edition
Model: 0070653151
Author: Chris Townsend
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
Best Hikes With Children series
Author: various authors
Book series on hiking with children. Individual titles are by region.
For example, Best Hikes With Children in Western Washington, Best Hikes With Children in Colorado, Best Hikes With Children: San Francisco's South Bay, etc.
Mountaineers Books
Website: www.mountaineersbooks.org/
Eastern Mountain Sports
Eastern Mountain Sports, an outdoor store, was featured in DIY Family Outdoors, episode 101.
Eastern Mountain Sports
Peterborough, NH 03458
Phone: 603-924-7231
Website: www.emsonline.com
Outside magazine
Magazine covering outdoor activities including adventure travel, hiking, backpacking, camping and the environment.
Backpacker magazine
Magazine covering outdoor recreation, hiking, backpacking, camping, equipment, etc.
National Park Service Web-site
The Web site for the U.S. National Park Service is a great place to begin researching hiking and camping locations near to where you live or where you may be vacationing.
Web site: www.nps.gov
U.S. Forest Service Web-site
Web site: www.fs.fed.us
A Guide to Happy Family Camping: A Little Help to Get Started Camping With Kids
Model: 156148248X
Author: Tammerie Spires
Good Books
Website: www.goodbooks.com
Simple Tent Camping: The Basics of Camping from Car or Canoe
Model: 0070730210
Author: Zora Aiken
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
Sleeping in a Sack: Camping Activities for Kids
Model: 0879058307
Author: Linda White, Fran Lee
Gibbs Smith Publishing
Website: www.gibbs-smith.com
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