Tent pitched, lantern hung on a cedar branch and chairs arranged around the fire pit, all we needed to complete the transformation of a
patch of earth at the KOA Kampground in Santa Rosa, New Mexico into home was food.
“I’ll cook!” said Adam, as he pulled canned beans and tomatoes from the cartop carrier. I watched my teenage son build a fire with
enough oomph to sustain a healthy crackle, open the cans and dump their contents into a pot, set the pot on a rock next to the flames,
and stir. When the mixture was hot, he scooped servings for me, his sister, Dana, and himself. In the gathering cool, as stars danced
above our heads and a Burlington Northern’s long train whistle moaned across the desert, we ate, agreeing that Adam’s Santa Rosa chili
was the best meal we’d ever had.
Something about camping―togetherness, closeness to earth and elements, hint of challenge―makes simple things special, indeed, turns
canned food into a culinary tour de force.
To make your own family camping memories:
Decide where and how: With thousands of state, federal and privately-owned campgrounds in the U.S., you can find one close to home or
far afield. In researching this article, I discovered a serene, riverfront campground six miles from my house. Who knew? Websites like
GoCampingAmerica.com and
ReserveAmerica.com have links to campgrounds nationwide.
Hand in hand with choosing a place to camp is choosing a camping style. Choices range from unplugged and backcountry to RV pads with
hookups and WiFi. Maybe you’ll pitch a tent or two, sleep in a pop-up or rent a camping cabin. With so many campgrounds along the
amenity and accommodation spectrum, you can craft an outdoor adventure to suit your family’s needs and interests.
Gear up: Cruising the sporting goods section of a big retail store is one way to create a gear checklist. Look at everything – lanterns,
tarps, rain ponchos, cookpots, bug spray – and write down things you might need. You likely already have many basics at home, but your
store scouting mission helps you get a comprehensive, reusable packing guide down on paper.
Along with the basics, my sister, Linda, who’s taken her grade school-age kids camping since they were toddlers, packs these items:
disposable cameras; notebook to record interesting sights; peanut butter and pita bread; coloring books and Legos; a hammock – “It can
amuse them for hours...”; rubber boots, because wet sneakers can ruin your day; more water than you think you’ll drink; more warm
clothes than you think you’ll use; more flashlights and batteries than you think you’ll need; and glow sticks – “They make great
nightlights. And they’re just plain fun.”
Play it safe: After you’ve picked your park, chosen tent, trailer or cabin, and packed your gear, gather the clan for a safety talk.
Teach kids to note the number and location of your campsite and landmarks like bathhouses or topographical features. Tell them to never
wander from the campsite alone and to respect the power of nature and wildlife.
“Give each child a good hiking whistle, attached to them with an elastic bracelet or lanyard.” says my sister. “Teach them it’s not a
toy and should be blown loudly if they’re lost or in trouble. If lost, don’t roam. I tell my kids, ‘We’ll be looking for you, and if
you move, you make our job harder.’” Dress kids in bright colors and know what they’re wearing.
If you’ve never camped, take day hikes before your trip to get comfortable spending hours outdoors. Camp in the backyard so kids get
used to night sounds, crisp air and darkness.
Enjoy: Many private campgrounds and franchise chains like Jellystone Park
and KOA cater to families and have built-in activities and
amenities. Think pools, waterslides, horseback riding, boat rentals, kid and teen clubs, arcades, mini-golf, evening movies. Or make
your own fun. Hike, bike, fish, sightsee, stargaze, catch fireflies, share campfire stories and s’mores.
Even chores can be fun. I pulled into a West Virginia campground a few years back and asked Adam and Dana to gather firewood from the
ground around our site. “All right!” they said, and turned the task into a contest. We ended up with more wood than we needed and left
a neat stack for the next campers.
Adam was chef that night and, like his Santa Rosa chili, his West Virginia chili was the best meal we’d ever had.
About The Author:
Lori Hein is an author, a traveling mom and a freelancer specializing in travel writing. Her book,
Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America ,
takes you around the U.S., and her blog, Ribbons of Highway,
takes you around the world. Visit her professional site at at LoriHein.com.
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