Family Camping Tips
                                       by Margaret Monteran
copyright 1996

* Preparation
     A great way to prepare kids for the real McCoy camping is to start out with
backyard camping. It will help them develop basic camping skills such as setting up and taking down a tent, unpacking and packing a sleeping bag etc.

* Tents
     You might consider getting a separate tent for your children, particularly if
they are teenagers. As children get older they like having their own space.

* RVs
     If you are a first-time RVer, get comfortable navigating your RV and practice
backing it before taking it on an expedition. Empty or near empty parking lots
(maybe a school parking lot on weekends) make excellent practice areas.

* Camping Journal
     Help your children build their own picture journals. Even your very young
children can have fun with this. Your child's journal can include postcards,
photographs, drawings or even treasures collected on outings such as a leaf
or a sand dollar shell. Once the items are affixed in the journal, they can add
their own entries with each picture or treasure. This makes a wonderful
keepsake.

* Gear
     Everyone needs a pack for camping trips, even if you don't plan on doing a
major hiking expedition. Your children can use their school day packs for short
walks or hikes. Waist pouches/fanny packs are also a good alternative. Some
even come with a water bottle holder. Use these small packs to carry a lunch,
water, snacks and a few other essentials.

* On the Road
     Use a small fishing tackle box with pull out drawers and compartments to
organize your child's crayons, pencils and other art supplies. This helps to
keep your travel space tidy and to prevent misplaced items.

* Critters
     Keep insects out of your tent by zipping the entrance closed quickly when
entering or leaving. Also, before turning in for the night, use a flashlight to
check the inside of your tent (walls and celling) for tiny critters waiting in 
ambush.

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The above tips are excerpts from Margaret Monteran's >Family Camping 101:
Tips, Hints and Resources.< Margaret  is a veteran family camper. She began
her camping adventures while growing up in Western North Carolina. Today
Margaret continues the family camping tradition with her husband and their
four children.
For more information on >Family Camping 101: Tips, Hints and Resources<
contact the author:
E-mail:  Monteran@aol.com
Snail mail:  P.O. Box 70542, Richmond, VA 23255