Tips for a fun, affordable camping vacation
When families tighten their budgets, often one of the first things they forgo is the family vacation. Who can afford a lavish resort or a high-priced amusement park?
But a vacation does not have to be expensive or far from home to help you achieve the goals of relaxing, having fun and making memories. How about a family camping trip?
Maybe you have never been camping, or perhaps you camped BC (Before Children) but don’t remember how to pitch a tent or survive without a microwave. With a little preparation, you can have a fun, economical family vacation in the great outdoors.
Preparing the Kids
If your kids have never been camping, they could be excited about sleeping in a tent, cooking over a campfire and searching for constellations…or they might dread the thought of spending a few days without their comfy bed and their favorite TV shows. Here are a few tips for your first-time campers:
- Build enthusiasm by getting kids involved in the planning stages. They can help choose what to bring, where to go, etc.
- Spend a night or two camping in the backyard to get kids used to sleeping in a tent.
- Keep the first camping trip short and close to home before you head out for a longer stay in the Ozarks or other popular destinations. Several area lakes have campgrounds, including Longview, Jacomo, Blue Springs, Shawnee Mission Park and Smithville.
Choosing a Destination
If you feel your family is ready for a longer camping trip, consider all the factors when you choose a destination. How far do you want to travel? Does the campground have activities for children? What amenities are most important to you?
Word of mouth is best when it comes to choosing a campground. Check with family and friends who camp, or call camping stores in the area to get the staff’s advice. Online forums and reviews are also useful.
If you are camping in Missouri or Kansas, you can find a listing of state parks and campgrounds on these websites: www.MoStateParks.com and www.KDWP.state.ks.us. If you are venturing farther, you can find national parks listed at www.NPS.gov.
Equipment to Take
If you’re not a seasoned camper, thinking about all the equipment and supplies needed for an outing can be overwhelming. Don’t sweat it, though, and don’t buy a bunch of new equipment right off the bat. If your family discovers they love camping, you can accumulate supplies along the way.
Garage sales and thrift stores are great places to pick up cookware, dishes, coolers and food containers. Search your closets and cupboards for old towels and blankets, and ask family and friends if they have old items they wouldn’t mind passing along.
Must-haves include sleeping bags and/or air mattresses, tent, blankets, pillows, first-aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellant, flashlights (don’t forget extra batteries!), cookware, water and food.
Plan ahead by making a list of things you want to bring. Separate into categories: bedding, cooking/eating, personal care, clothing, miscellaneous. Bring the list with you and add things you wish you had brought, so you will remember them next time. Store camping equipment in plastic tubs with the checklist taped to the lid, so you will be prepared next time you go camping.
Tents
This is one item you don’t want to scrimp on, particularly if you plan to camp regularly. Here are a few things to consider:
- Buy a tent with a capacity rated two people higher than the actual number of people who will use it. For example, a family of four would buy a six-person tent. This allows for some elbow room and storage space.
- Consider a two-room tent. The kids can sleep in one room and the adults in the other.
- Tents with roof vents allow air circulation and eliminate condensation inside the tent.
- Tents with a large rain fly (the “umbrella” that covers the tent) and tub floor will keep leaks out.
Menu
Many people consider this the best part of the camping experience. Warren and Cassie Ayres of Independence often camp at Fleming Park and Watkins Mill State Park with their children. Their menu is not limited to hot dogs over a campfire. Warren says, “We have corn on the cob, baked beans which we sit right inside the fire, baked potatoes, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken and s’mores. In the mornings we have eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy.”
Whether you’re cooking with campfire, grill or propane stove, get creative with your food selections, and be sure to pack lots of snacks!
Keeping Food Safe on Your Campout
Cooking around the campfire may be a welcome event at your campsite, but a food-borne illness probably isn’t on your agenda. Follow these tips from Dr. Douglas Powell, associate professor of food safety at K-State, to keep your camping food safe and your family healthy:
- Use safe (potable) water for cooking and drinking.
- Store meat in a cooler at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Store coolers in the shade and away from the campfire.
- Use two coolers: one to be opened frequently (store drinks and snacks here), another for meat and perishable items.
- Seal meat in a storage bag and place in a plastic sack so that it will not contaminate other food.
- Use a meat thermometer to insure meat is cooked completely.
- Treat all foods as contaminated and clean them accordingly.
- When washing pots and pans, use soap and flowing water. “Never underestimate the value of soap,” says Powell.