Camping is a very popular activity in the United States. In 2014, more than 40 million (about 14% of the population) Americans took at least one camping trip with their friends and family. Almost all people who have gone camping say they will most likely do it again in the future. Approximately 99% of all campers say they will go camping again. There are a lot of reasons for this. It is an incredibly economical way to take a family on vacation. Taking your family to a camp resort will always be a more cost effective trip than staying in a hotel.
Get the Most from Your Camp Resort Vacation with These 6 Tips:
- Pick your accommodations based on what your group likes. It is true that tent camping is the most popular way to go but it is not the only way to camp. If you want a rustic experience, you can opt to camp in a yurt. If your family and friends have no interest in tents, you can rent a cabin. When you are planning your family vacation, talk to everyone in your group about what kind of trip they would like to have.
- Plan a test run trip. If you have small children who have never camped, you may want to do a camping trial in your back yard for a weekend before you head out to the camp resort. This will give your kids a taste of what camping is all about in a more safe environment. You get ease them into the idea of what family camping trips are all about this way.
- Decide how far you want to go. Most people camp in public campgrounds and parks. Nearly 70% of camping trips are taken at these facilities. The good news is there are great public parks and campsites in all 50 states so if you want to go to a camp resort with your family, you will probably be able to find local camping sites that will meet your needs. If your family is new to camping, it might make more sense to start with something close to your home.
- Find a park with the activities you like to do. Nearly 87% of people who like to camp also like to do more than one outdoor activity while they are on their vacation. If your group wants to spend a lot of time in the water, you should make sure the campgrounds have good facilities for that. Most campers like to hike and that is something that is offered at all parks around the country.
- Talk to the park staff. While you should research the area where you will be camping, the people who work at the camp resort can still give you great insights and information about what to see and do in the park. There may be a herd of elk in a part of the park that are not mentioned in the guides or on the website. They know the area better than anyone and usually like it when visitors take the time to ask them about what the best things to see and do are.
- Plan for bad weather. No matter how much planning you do, bad weather can happen. Do not let it derail your family vacation. Bring games to play. One of the best things about camping is that it gives people a chance to reconnect with the people who are the most important to you. Do not use rain as an excuse to get back on your devices to check social media. One fun game families can play is “Family Trivial Pursuit” where you take turns answering questions about each other. Find interactive ways to pass the time when rain hits. You can also spend that time indoors learning about the park and the animals and plants that call it home.
Many people have fond memories of childhood camping trips taken with family, school or the scouts. These trips offer a great way to bond over fun, healthy, outdoor activities. If you do some research and plan your trip, you can create new and lasting memories of camping trips that will bring your family closer together.
