Family

If you're looking for a way to keep your family active and enjoy the outdoors, there's nothing better than going on a family camping trip. With more than 16,000 campgrounds across the nation, you don't have to travel far to go camping. But how do you plan the perfect trip? How can you make it fun, memorable, and ensure that your family makes the most of it? These steps can help you plan the most memorable camping trip - one that will keep everyone active and one that everyone will remember for years to come! Start Planning Every great trip starts with a great plan. So grab a legal pad and get started. You need to figure out where you're going, what you'll be doing, and what you'll need. You can always camp in an RV, but if you're looking for a more traditional experience, tent camping is the way to go. If you need supplies, make sure you get a sturdy tent, bedding, a camping stove, water, snacks, and food for meals. By writing everything down, you'll make sure nothing gets overlooked. Where Are You Going? A big part of planning is figuring out where you want to go. You can stay in one place, or you can stay active by exploring several locations. If you want access to lakes, rivers, and other public access spots, you'll want a spot at a public campground. If you want access to a pool, a pool hall, or just some more privacy, you'll want a private campground. When Do You Want to Go? Part of a great camping trip is good weather, but determining when to camp can be a challenge. If you have young kids, you'll need to plan for a weekend with sunny weather. Kids tend to get colds more often than adults, sometimes as many as eight colds a year, so camping during a windy, rainy weekend isn't the best idea. Meal Planning Of course, another important part of camping is deciding what to eat. If you have a camping stove, you can pack easy meals that can be cooked on that. You can also bring a cooler to keep cold items in. If you're having trouble figuring out meals, get your kids involved by helping you plan the camping weekend menu! Remember to bring plenty of snacks and water bottles, too. Pack Smart If you've got a big family to plan a camping trip for, you'll want to pack smart. It's best to start packing ahead and keep a list of what you've packed. If you're packing food or gear, using plastic tubs is a good idea because they're easy to carry. For clothes, use duffle bags so you can tell everyone's bags apart. What Will You Do? On a camping trip, the possibilities are endless. You can stay active by biking, fishing, or hiking. You can bond as a family around a big campfire with s'mores and camping games. If you have young kids in school, have them bring flashcards for math and reading. There are three stages of learning -- grammatical, dialectical or logical, and rhetorical -- that need to be addressed even during a little break from school during the weekend. With a well-detailed plan and a little creativity, you can plan the perfect family camping trip. Whether you're planning on hitting the local waters for some fishing, checking out the local swimming hole, or staying active by biking or hiking the trials, a plan will ensure that nothing gets overlooked and everything goes according to plan.