Tips and Recipes for Family Camping

Camping with family and friends can be among the memories we treasure most as we look back on our childhood - marshmallows roasting over the fire, swimming in a river or lake, identifying plants and wildlife and sleeping under the stars are all elements of great family camping trips that kids remember well into adulthood. Nothing beats the feeling of being far away from stress and responsibilities and spending valuable quality time close to our loved ones. With these simple tips and recipes, you can make your family camping trip an experience they'll remember for a lifetime.

Make sure you have all the right gear. Among the essentials typically needed for tent camping are:

• Tent
• Sleeping bags (and pads if desired)
• Pillows
• Flashlights with spare batteries
• First aid kit
• Rain tarp
• Rope
• Lantern
• Matches
• Insulated cooler for food and beverages
• Insect repellant
• Sunscreen
• Portable outdoor seating
• Eating utensils, plates, cups & napkins (get a picnic pack or picnic basket that already contains these items for maximum convenience)
• Cook set & cooking utensils (fry pan, boiling pot, tongs, spatula, serving spoon)
• Garbage bags
• Camera

While many kids are sufficiently entertained by the camping experience itself, you may want to bring along some kid-friendly outdoor games and sporting gear such as fishing poles to ensure they'll have something to do during the day. One great idea to keep the kids happy is to encourage them to keep a camping journal - they can take pictures, make drawings, collect postcards and gather little treasures found along the way such as leaves and shells. Once they get home, they can put it all together in a small blank book and they'll have tangible memories of the trip for years to come.

A great source for family camping recipes is FamilyFun.com, where you can find variations on the classic s'mores, trail mix, how to fry a freshly-caught fish, creative dinner ideas and delicious campfire breakfasts. Kids love taking an active part in preparing the meal, and these simple recipes such as 'pups in blankets' require only a few ingredients, are super-easy, and a fun alternative to the meals you normally enjoy at home.

For all kinds of family camping tips and ideas, check out About.com's Travel with Kids section. They've got info on family camping resorts, family camping on a budget, and more.