Growing up, camping was my family’s main form of recreation. I still love it and, while I’m not a hard-core backpacker or even a tent camper anymore – thanks to our nifty pop-up tent trailer – I think there is still something to be said for just getting out of the house and spending time outside.
But it does take some preparation and more than a few supplies, which is why I have a firm rule that I don’t plan trips for less than two nights and I use the following tips to make packing, setting up and cleaning up a whole lot easier.
Go in a group: Not only is camping more fun with friends but sharing resources can be a real gift, especially when you’re starting out.
Make a master list: Even when it was just my husband and I camping in a tent we kept one supply list written directly onto the lid of our large camping tote. Now, the list is longer and kept in a spiral bound notebook on my desk but it’s still just as important.
Containers are your friend: When we were tent campers we had two large plastic totes – one for food and one for supplies. Now, with five people and a trailer, our packing options have expanded to also include a duffle bag for each person’s clothing – which fit neatly lined up on the couch – a bin for toiletries and a bag for dirty laundry that lives under the bed.
Bring cleaning supplies: That may sound strange since we’re talking about spending time outdoors, but outhouses, sticky s’mores, smoky faces and dirty feet are infinitely easier to manage if you set up a handwashing station – with a water jug, hand soap and a towel – and pack plenty of baby wipes, paper towels and dish rags.
Leave screens at home: My goal when camping is to spend time doing things I rarely have the time to do at home – read a book from start to finish, sit by a campfire with friends, go for a hike, a bike ride or a swim or take a nap in the middle of the day.
Enter camping mode right away: I strive to get everything set up as soon as we reach a campsite. But that doesn’t mean I want everyone to have a terrible time, so I turn on some music, hand out cold beverages and everything is ready to go in no time.
Bring food pre-prepped: I sometimes get in over my head when it comes to recipes, and I find myself doing so much cooking and cleaning that I don’t get any time to relax. That’s why I’ve begun chopping, grating, mixing and preparing as much as I can before we ever leave the house.
Make mornings easy: Cereal is an effective way of feeding hungry kids fast and it’s a fun change of pace. We also bring an insulated coffee pot along with packets of hot chocolate and chai so we can enjoy a warm beverage.
Pack books, games and toys: For little kids I bring cars, dinosaurs, farm animals or figurines so they can build houses, make roads and set up farms. For older kids I keep card games and pre-printed scavenger hunts. And for all ages I always have extra books.
When it’s time to go home, clean as you go: This is true for tents and trailers. Bring a hand broom and dustpan so you can sweep. Bring a bottle return bag, a large bag for garbage and a sealable bucket for compost. Then, when you get home, restock and reset everything so, when the time is right, you’re ready to go again.
