The Dos and Dont's of Camp Grounds
Does your camping ground have
rules you need to know about before you arrive? Your camping experience will be so much better if you
plan ahead regarding the rules and regulations of the camp grounds
you plan on visiting. Most rules are designed for safety
reasons - especially when it comes to kids. Are you bringing a
baby? First make sure the campground doesn't have a rule
against them.
Also bring a baby infant seat and use it in the tent covered with
netting. People will be less likely to step on the baby and
it'll keep the mosquitoes away. Bring bandages, over-the-counter
medicine, bottled water, a ball, some toys and whatever else is
familiar to keep the baby amused.
Make sure you choose "family" location.
Camping at a private campgrounds or family campgrounds offer many
amenities that state parks might not offer. For example, at the
private campgrounds, you might find a kiddie pool and a regular
pool, an indoor store for necessities, internet connections, game
rooms for children, golf carts, abundant water spigots and
fountains, and many other items that make camping with children more
fun.
Choose a site that is near the bathrooms, near the public phones
(bring a cellular phone too), and or near the store or the more
trafficked areas of the campgrounds.
Reservations
Reservations are required at some campsites. Nothing is worse
than showing up to camp and there are no sites available. Call
ahead.
Road Rules
One of the most important rules that you can remind your children
about are the vehicle and road rules.
There are lanes in between the rows of tents are just like city
roads. Cars and sometimes huge RVs travel those roads, so if the
children are playing at the campgrounds, they must look both ways
before crossing these innocent-looking lanes at campgrounds.
Restrooms
No one should go to the restroom alone after dark or at night. In
the daytime, always company all children to the restroom.
In some of our state parks, there are homeless people camping
out; in others, there might even be newly released inmates, and in
others there might even be sex offenders.
Wild Animals
Instruct children to not approach or pet wild animals, no matter
how cute they look.
Remind the children that some wild animals, like racoons and
foxes, carry or have rabies. Keeping all food in plastic containers
or in your car is the best way to invite critters you don't want
around.
If you must bring family pets, the best place to go is to family
campsites that advertise that they welcome pets. There are one or
two state parks that accept animals. Do the research online and find
out where these parks are.
When a Storm Hits
Always check the weather forecast, particularly if you plan on
going hiking. No big deal if it's just raining, but if a storm
is expected, it's better to be safe than sorry.
During the worst part of the storms, if you can still drive, pack
everything up (not the tent) and bring the kids and put them in the
car and drive to the nearest mall. Otherwise stay in the tent
or car and wait it out.
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