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Family camping plans? Do backyard 'trial run' first
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If you're new to camping, or haven't been camping with your family before, here's an excellent suggestion I just ran onto in a wonderful little family-fun book: Do a "trial run" overnight campout first in the backyard (or a neighbor's yard, whatever).
That seems like such an obvious tip it's almost amusing. But is it something you may have overlooked before planning your first camping trip as a family?? (The book where I saw the idea is well worth owning for general family fun, camping and otherwise: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Backyard Adventures.
Be sure to make this overnight backyard campout as realistic as possible. Include a good tent, and if your town/city regulations permit, try setting up a campfire and cooking a meal with the same camp stove you'll be using for your trip. Obviously, outdoor burning in your backyard may not be permitted or practical. (In that case, try the old barbecue grill or transport food back and forth between the house!)
Just for fun, you might even fill a kids' swimming pool or wading pool and dub it your "lake" for the night.
The serious purpose behind such a family fun time, of course, is to prepare the kids mentally and emotionally for the job of sleeping outdoors, assuming they've never been on a camping trip (or hardly ever). If the noises of outdoor nightlife -- birds, woodland critters, bats, etc. -- are going to be too much for them, better to find out now at home (or close to home) instead of finding that out on your first night of camping in a tent dozens or even hundreds of miles from home!
Have some fun with the family, go camping. And give serious thought to a backyard "trial run" before you leave for the mountains and streams!
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