The very basic necessities for camping vary only a little, according to whether you’re staying in a tent or taking an RV. Most of the differences are in the equipment used for shelter. Otherwise, you’re looking at the same needs for cooking, first-aid, and everyone’s personal needs. Here is a short list of the most essential items to start off your list. We’re sure you’ll find more as you read up on camping and share your friends’ experiences.

-Shelter: a tent, travel trailer, or RV and all the accessories that go with each one, like stakes and a hammer for driving them to put up a tent, or emergency flares, signs, and a good spare tire for the RV.

-Cooking facilities. Either the ability to build a campfire, conditions permitting, or a grill or cook stove.
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Now that the family is old enough to make camping an adventure for all of you, comes the decision of what tent will suit your needs.

First, consider how many people there are, and whether you will be using that same tent in the years to come. A good quality tent should last several years, but children grow, and so does the amount of luggage and extras that get carted along on a trip. You may want to consider buying something slightly larger than your present needs, in order to make an investment in future vacations.
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Getting back to Nature, is not something that went out with the 60s and hippies. More and more families are choosing to spend their vacations where they can enjoy the great outdoors how and when they want, by going camping.

Whether you are traveling with a tent, a tent/trailer or an RV, camping brings the family together for quality time that doesn’t have to be shared with the larger community of a resort or hotel. Depending on the sites you choose, you can socialize as much or as little as you like.
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It can be difficult to know exactly what you are getting when you reserve a campground space over the phone or Internet. That’s why it’s important to ask questions of any agent or friend who has been there, or to email the reservation service with questions before going ahead with the booking.

In the high tourist season, space can really be at a premium and tents or RVs can be crowded together more than you would like. Placement of your camping space can also be important, especially with young children not used to sleeping in a “strange” bed, and who may be more sensitive to things like the traffic noise if you are located next to a driveway or entrance, especially at night.
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Ask ten different people how to make Smores on a campfire, and you’ll likely get ten different dissertations that would put gourmet chefs to shame. For the making of Smores is an art that caters to personal preferences of the Smorer.

Basically, this most American of campfire treats, consists of graham crackers/wafers, marshmallows, and chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. But how you prepare and assemble the end product can vary.
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