Planning a Spring Break Camping Trip

Students all over the United States are eagerly awaiting the best days of the last semester of school: spring break! Parents, meanwhile, are trying to figure out what to do with the kids for the week they are out of school. Many would love to be able to give their children a week-long excursion to an exotic location but can’t image how they could pull off such a feat as they struggle to make ends meet in a depressed economy.

A spring break camping trip could be the perfect solution for parents who are unable to take off work for the entire week and for those whose budgets don’t have much wiggle room. Plan a fun and adventurous camping trip the whole family will love while getting the most bang for your camping buck by following these tips.

Team up

By camping with friends and family you can save money on food and gas, reduce the work load, and possibly take advantage of group discounts at campgrounds.

Location

From the majestic outdoors to important cultural and historic landmarks, state and national parks offer some of the best experiences in America with extremely affordable camping rates. Find places and activities and explore trip ideas at www.recreation.gov.

Gear

Having the right gear can mean the difference between having a good camping experience or a bad one. The gear you choose needs to be appropriate for the season, location, and activities chosen. Gather the family around the kitchen table and create a checklist of all the supplies you will need. This activity will result in a more enjoyable trip, and it will create anticipation for the adventure ahead. Family Camping Checklists provides lists for a variety of camping activities and adventures to get you started.

Shelter

Your family’s camping fun begins with the shelter. It will be your home away from home in the great outdoors. It’s important to make sure the shelter provides ample protection from the elements, is constructed of quality material, and has plenty of space. The Mountainsmith Conifer 5+ Person Three Season Tent is an example of a reliable shelter.

Activities

State and national parks will have all kinds of outdoor activities to choose from such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, and mountain climbing. In addition, many campgrounds offer organized activities for families to enjoy such as chuck wagon cook-outs, sing-a-longs, movies, and campfire stories. Remember, spring weather can be unpredictable. It’s a good idea to pack a few board games, journals, pens and pencils, and a deck of cards to pass the time inside the tent.

An affordable camping trip won’t cut out the fun or the memories, only some of the expense. It doesn’t matter whether you are able to take the family camping for a day or a week. The end result will be the same. The family will have done something fun and adventurous together without busting your budget.

Andy and Tami McDaniels

Andy McDaniels is the Sportsmen’s Outreach Coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation’s Vanishing Paradise Campaign. Andy works with hunters, anglers, outdoor media and the hunting and fishing industry throughout the United States. Andy also serves as the Conservation Director of Pro-Staff for Hardcore Decoys and Huntducks.com. He believes that conservation is the cornerstone of hunting and fishing, and he has committed himself to educating hunters and fishermen about the conservation issues that will affect our children and grandchildren. His effort on behalf of conservation and his outreach to hunters, anglers, congressional members, political groups, and citizen action organizations has been monumental. In 2003 and 2004 Andy was recognized for his work on State Wildlife Grants by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. His efforts on the Farm Bill garnered him the esteemed Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award from the National Wildlife Federation in May 2008.

Tami is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma. She is a certified English teacher and freelance writer. She has published numerous articles on a variety of outdoor topics. Her most recent articles on outdoor subjects include 10 Indicators of a Quality Guide, The Anatomy of a Hunting Guide Website, Hunting Guides along the Corridor, and First Steps to Get Kids Hunting and Back into the Outdoors. In addition, she is the web content administrator for three websites. Her volunteer work includes managing web and social media sites, writing grants, organizing fundraising activities, and planning community events.