Storage Equipment:  Some form of collapsible chuck box is necessary to keep all your camping gear together and store loose items. A cooler box or bag is a necessity for camping and keeps foodstuffs fresh and  clean. There are various types available, but if you are using one hat is connected into your vehicle power supply, then ensure it does not discharge your vehicle battery fully. I prefer to power the camping cooler box from a booster pack to avoid this risk. If you are on a serviced site , they will generally have a freezer to enable you to refreeze ice pack, have  a double supply and you can keep the cooler box cool at all times. Ensure they are marked so that they are identifiable from other campers ice packs.

Water Container: A water container capable of holding at least 5 gallons/ 20 litres is essential, this will enable cooking etc to occur with the need to run for additional water.Collapsible type camping water containers are generally good quality and do not take up much space.

First Aid kit:  A good first aid kit is essential and you may already have one in your family vehicle, if not do yourself a favour and purchase one now. In addition have a small pouch type first aid kit for when you are away from your camp partaking in activities. Additionally ensure you have adequate sun cream, insect repellant. Insects can be a bit of a nuisance on some campsites.

Camping Lanterns.:  You probably have one good quality light in your family vehicle, in addition to this equip each member of your family with a reasonable quality camping head light, led type with rechargeable batteries, keep them all the same and have additional charged batteries.

Multi tool:  Bring a reasonable quality multi tool as part of your camping gear so that you can cope with the small tasks around your camp.

Eating and seating : You may want to bring a collapsible picnic table and camping chairs or you may be going on to a serviced site that have adequate benches and seating areas already. Personally all I would bring is a couple of  waterproof backed picnic blankets, roll one of these out anywhere on your camping trip and you can relax, sunbathe or set it up to have your food.Wind breaker. A wind break can have two functions, the obvious main one is to protect your camp from gusting wind, but additionally it improves your privacy somewhat. A  couple of 12 foot windbreaks complete with poles is not very bulky and you can also use it to air wet towels if you are swimming etc.

Hopefully the above covers the basics and you will have your own camping checklist. Your list will reflect your families interests and the activities you wish to undertake whilst camping. If you need additional camping gear, then Amazon has a great choice and you can get discounted prices regularly.

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In various articles we have discussed camping gear and essential equipment for a family camping vacation.In this post I will try and generate a possible check list of items you need to bring on your camping vacation.In some instances I will expand on the particular camping item.

Camping Gear required for a family camping vacation.

Camp:  If it is new do a dry run of putting it up in yourgarden, If it was used previously, ensure it is complete and that it was put away dry.Have you all the camp poles, pegs, a rubber mallet to put in the pegs?.Do you need a pop tent as an additional play area?

Sleeping Pads/ Ground Sheets: Have you one for each member of family , if used previously are they dry and clean.

Sleeping Bags:  Have you a camping sleeping bag for each of the family. Are they age and season appropriate. If used previously ensure they are dry and clean.

Car Air Beds: These are an absolute no brainer, if you plan on using your vehicle instead of a full camp site. Learn more about them and decide if this is the necessary sleeping solution for you.

Chemical Toilet: If you are wild camping, you will need to consider toilet facilities and possible enclosure for toilet. If you are going to a serviced camping site, then generally you should be able to use the facilities 24/7.

Utensils:  If you have rucksack picnic set, then generally you will have all the cups, plates etc you will need. if you are buying a new rucksack picnic set for camping, ensure the ware is unbreakable and dishwasher safe. If you are using your previously used picnic set, ensure all the items are clean and present.

Cookware: the cookware you bring will depend on  the dining arrangements you have already decided and whether you intend to cook or not.  maybe you only need a simple kettle  or the fully monty of pots and pans, etc. Whatever you decide, ensure they are complete and  in working order. I find a thermos flask great for that quick cup of coffee whilst lazing around.

Cooking Equipment:  Cooking equipment generally consists of a camping stove. If you have one already, ensure it is in working order, ensure the gas is full and that any hoses, regulators are undamaged. If you have to buy a camping stove, in my view the double burner type camping stove with grill facility is ideal for family camping. If you purchase a new unit, assemble and use it prior to setting out on your camping vacation. At least you will know it is complete and you will be a guru camping cook.

Ensure the stove you purchase has an easily available butane/propane replacement gas cylinder. You do not want to find yourself halfway through your vacation, out of gas and no similar gas to be got in the area where you are camping.  Your family will be suitably impressed if this occurs and you have to revert to the cold beans.

 

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Approximately 10,000,000 (ten million) kids attend camp each summer. But but only a small percentage of them attend accredited camps. You wouldn’t send your child to attend an unaccredited school, so why send them to an non-accredited summer camp?

Summer camp accreditation is earned through the American Camp Assocation. By choosing an accredited camp, you can be assured the camp meets or exceeds up to 300 best-practice standards within the camp industry relative to child health and safety, food service, supervision, transportation, risk-management, facilities, staff training, program quality and more.

Does choosing a non-Accredited camp for your child mean the camp isn’t a “good” camp? Hardly. There are many wonderful summer camps that have not earned ACA accreditation.

But if you choose an accredited camp for your child, you’ll be in exclusive company. Only 25% of camps in the United States have earned ACA accreditation.

It’s important to note that accreditation is not the same as a license to operate, and accreditation does not guarantee safety. Each state and/or county may have its own licensing and regulations which all camps must comply with in order to operate. However, according to the American Camp Association, “accreditation is the best evidence for parents that a camp is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for their children.”

How do you know if the camp you’re considering for your kids has achieved ACA accreditation? Just ask the camp director. If they answer “yes,” you know you’re on the right track. If the camp is not accredited, then you should ask the camp director why not. And if you aren’t satisfied with the answer, perhaps it’s time to consider another camp.

By the way, asking the camp director whether his or her camp is accredited is not the only question you should ask. To ensure the most promising camp experience for your child, you should ask the director a series of questions and be satisfied with the answers. Here’s a link to the American Camp Association’s website to help you know which questions to ask: http://www.campparents.org/safetytips.php#questions

There are many wonderful summer camp opportunities available for your child. Whichever and whatever kind you choose, please make sure it’s accredited. It’s your best guarantee of a safe, fun summer!

 

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