Today, it is extremely difficult for families to keep in touch. With busy lives, e-mail, and social media, it’s nearly impossible to keep close ties with distant relatives.
A camping family reunion offers a great opportunity to rekindle these relationships. But planning a family reunion can be nerve-racking, especially when you want to spend more time together by camping.
When planning, organize an entire trip, where everybody can relax, reminisce, and catch up around the campfire on a budget. So can you plan right?
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1. Book The Right Campground
Booking the right campground for your family reunion can be challenging. You have to pick the right area that favors everyone, especially when your family is spread across the country. But geographical location isn’t the only important factor to consider. Here are other factors:
Number Of People Attending
Before booking any campground, make sure you have an estimated number of family members who will be present. That way, you will pick a location that can comfortably accommodate your group. It is equally important to find out how many of them plan to stay overnight and ensure there are enough sites for everyone.
Activities
A family reunion won’t be successful without fun activities. Therefore, look for open areas for recreational sports and playgrounds, especially when you have kids. You can also look into hiking and biking trails, boat rentals, volleyball, and water sports.
Cooking options
You may have to cook at some point at the campground. As such, ask the campground manager about the cooking options in the common area. Sometimes, you may need to bring your own grills or camping stoves, so it’s a good idea to know in advance.
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2. Sleeping Arrangements
After choosing the campground, you have to decide how best to manage the site for family members staying overnight. Fortunately, modern car tents are comfortable and well ventilated. Advise your family members to find a well-written review of each tent before buying or renting. You can either choose group sites other separate sites.
Most campgrounds offer group sites capable of accommodating more than 20 people. This option is often preferred as it keeps everyone together. Also, the total price of the site is typically divided between everyone making it cost effective.
If you opt for separate sites, then you have to decide whether to book all the sites or leave it for everyone to book separately. Fortunately, some campgrounds offer the option of blocking off a section for your family only.
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3. Plan The Food
Food is an important part of any family reunion, yet it is also the hardest things to plan for. the easiest way out could be asking everyone to fend for themselves, but mealtimes offer the perfect opportunities to bond with extended family members.
Since you don’t want to get stuck preparing meals, here is what you can do:
Assign Food Contributions
Having a common meal can be fun, so find a way of controlling the menu. The best strategy is to assign food contributions. Therefore, create a list of the items needed and ask everyone to bring some of them. It is also wise to put together food crews so that you can take turns preparing meals and cleaning up.
Assign Meals
Rather than planning all the meals, you can also assign different meals to different families. That way, each family can be in charge of dinner, breakfast, and lunch. Alternatively, allow people to make their own breakfast and lunch, and have common dinners, which you can take turns to prepare.
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4. Sanitation And Safety
When camping, it is important to bring items such as trash bags, hand sanitizers, paper towels, and wet pipes, to keep your family members and the campground clean. Remember to also bring sunscreen, batteries, flashlights, bug spray, and first aid kits. Finally, keep your campground better than you found it. You could lose your deposit if you fail to do so.
5. Keep Cost Low
As you plan for camping family reunion, make sure that you keep costs to a minimum for every member. Choose affordable activities that every member can comfortably pay for without feeling left out. Keep in mind that a reunion is more about rekindling relationships than doing things.
A camping family reunion offers plenty of opportunities to catch up, learn and enjoy the outdoors. But if you don’t have a solid plan, people might just end up grilling hot dogs or sitting in their tents all day. By following these guidelines, you can plan ahead and develop creative activities beforehand, and ensure everyone has an unforgettable time!
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