Family Camping Trip Planner

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By Anne Marie Robichaud

Whether you're a canoeing enthusiast, or enjoy setting up at one of our great Canadian campgrounds, camping is a special experience for the entire family. Introducing the world of camping to your children will provide long-lasting memories, a chance to check out nature, and oodles of family fun. Our family started wilderness camping a few years ago; we always enjoyed domestic camping at our National Parks in the summer, but wilderness camping was a whole new venture. But we learned quickly that camping involved a lot more than loading up the car with sleeping bags and a package of wieners. After spending far too much money in those pricey campground stores, I decided to start a list - over the years, it's been fine-tuned many times, but is a great reference when packing the camping gear. I'm not suggesting you run out and buy all of this when you go camping - often this is stuff we have around the house or can borrow from family or friends that will add some comforts of home to your camping experience.

First and foremost, you will need a tent large enough to accommodate everyone in your family, (if you're camping with teens, sometimes they enjoy having a pup tent of their own). A couple of days before you leave, practice setting up the tent in your backyard to make sure you have enough poles and pegs, and that the tent doesn't have any holes or leaks. If you don't own a tent, try borrowing one from friends for the first time out; this will give you an idea of what type of tent is best for your family needs before making a big purchase. Bring along a small whiskbroom so you can sweep the tent floor, and a ground sheet to ensure extra dryness.

Whether you are wilderness camper, or enjoy tenting in a campground, it's useful to bring a large plastic tarp and twine that can be purchased at any hardware store. Weather conditions can change, so it's nice to string a tarp over your campsite and picnic area to keep the gear dry during rain showers. If it does rain, you can still enjoy your campsite rather than everyone seeking refuge inside the tent.

The weather has been cool this summer, so you will need lots of warm bedding. Insulated sleeping bags are best; for added comfort you can bring along warm blankets and pillows. There are also lots of inflatable air mattresses, therm-a-rests and sleeping pads on the market, although these aren't necessary, they add extra comfort and insulation. If you bring an air mattress, don't forget the foot pump!

Here's a checklist of some of the important camping basics and luxuries that are sure to keep your children "Happy Campers':

Clothing: Bring all weather clothing, regardless of the weather forecast. You will need:

• Ball caps
• Protective rainwear
• Warm jackets
• Proper footwear for hiking
• Gloves and socks
• Pants, shirts, T-shirts and shorts
• Swimwear and wet shoes
• Spare dry clothing
• Sleepwear
• Sweaters
• Sunglasses
• Toiletries, (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving kit, soap on a rope, mirror, moisturizers, etc.)

Safety Gear: To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip for everyone, you will need some safety items.

• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• First-Aid Kit/Survival Kit
• Appropriately sized life jackets (mandatory if you will be boating on your camping trip)
• Compass and maps

Gear: In order to have a comfortable and enjoyable trip, you will need some basic necessitates:

• Pocket Knife
• Maps
• Flashlight
• Small axe or hatchet, saw, and hammer
• Lantern
• Toilet Tissue
• Rope § Garbage bags (remember to keep the area clean and pack out your garbage)
• Whistle
• Backpack (Waterproof bags are necessary for canoeing)
• Towels
• Binoculars
• Batteries and matches
• Tent repair kit
• Funnel for pouring fuel into the stove or lantern
• Ice
• Washbasin

Cooking Gear: Depending on what you want to cook on your camping trip, the gear you require may vary. Here are some suggested cooking tools:

• Campstove and fuel, or grill rack for fire pit
• Portable barbecue and self starting coals
• Frying Pan and a Big Cooking Pot
• Skewers for roasting marshmallows and hot dogs
• Can/bottle opener
• Firewood, matches, camp fire starters
• Cooler, thermos, and water canteen
• Plastic Containers for storage and mixing (remember to keep all food and garbage well concealed to avoid critters coming to visit during the night!)
• Camping cutlery, plates, bowls and drinking cups/mugs
• Spatula, tongs, knife and a mixing spoon
• Dish pan, pot scrubbers, dish towels, paper towels and environmentally friendly dish soap
• Paper towels, zip lock bags and aluminium foil

Note: It's essential to build your campfire on a clean open surface, at a safe distance from any trees and your tent! Check with your local forest ranger office for fire index and permit information.

Nice to have: Although it's not necessary to have these items on your camping trip, it's nice to have them along:

• Tablecloth
• Potholders (Your gloves will also work as pot holders)
• Coffee Pot
• Clothespins/clothesline
• Folding Lawn chairs
• Campfire toaster
• Picnic basket
• Fishing gear (You will need to purchase a fishing license in advance)
• Camera and film
• Journal or Scrapbook for the Kids (an old scribbler left over from school will do)
• Books, and arts & craft supplies for the kids for rainy days
• Playing cards
• Battery Operated Radio
• Plastic egg carrier

Food: Depending on how much you want to pack, and whether or not you are portaging, the possibilities for campfire cooking are endless. Here are some sample items that we find nice while camping:

• Trail mix, beef jerky, granola bars, canned fish or sausage, cheese, fresh fruit or chopped veggies (all of these are great snacks when hiking or great for a road side picnic)
• Canned beans, chili or stew
• Packaged soups, hot chocolate, tea and coffee
• Cold drinks, bottled tap water from home (it's easier to bring milk and juices in cartons rather than bottles, this way you can burn the cartons in the campfire when finished)
• "Just add Water" Pancake mix, syrup, eggs and hot cereal
• Potatoes, onions, and vegetables
• Condiments (ketchup, mustard, butter, salt, pepper, sugar, and spices)
• Hot dogs/Hamburgers and buns, and popcorn.
• Meat (A great tip I learned when bringing meat on a camping trip is to freeze it in your deep freezer a few days before you leave, this way you are guaranteed it will stay fresh and cold longer!)
• Apples (for baking in foil)
• Bananas, chocolate chips and miniature marshmallows for Banana Boats!! Mmm Mmm.