When was the last time you did something fun and refreshing with your kids? If your family has been stuck at home due to the pandemic, that question might be difficult to answer. Don’t be surprised if you find your little ones throwing more tantrums than usual. They’re just trying to release all their pent-up energy.
The good news is that there’s a safe way to enjoy the great outdoors with your family and have a fun-filled time. You just have to plan a pandemic-friendly camping trip.
The Joy of Camping
There’s nothing more liberating than setting up your tent in the heart of nature and taking a break from your hectic life. While your kids enjoy roasting marshmallows around the campfire, you can spend your time indulging in birdwatching and photography.
The best part is that it’s one of the safer ways to travel and spend time outdoors during the pandemic. You’re at a lower risk of getting infected with the novel coronavirus while camping than while dining out, going to the movies, or visiting an amusement park.
But with growing concerns about the delta variant and the recent surge in COVID-19 infections, you might be skeptical about venturing outside the comfort of your home. The idea of traveling with unvaccinated children will fuel your fears even further.
That’s why in this blog, we’ve compiled a few useful tips to help you plan the ultimately pandemic-friendly camping getaway with your family. Let’s take a look.
Say No to Impromptu Camping
The days of packing your camping gear at the back of your car and heading to the nearest campsite are gone. Amidst evolving travel restrictions and emerging SARS-CoV2 variants, you can’t afford to be spontaneous about your camping plans. That becomes even more crucial when you’re traveling with kids.
It’s a good idea to plan every detail of your trip well in advance. Make sure you have a clear idea of the route you’ll be taking to reach the campground. Research the route and find out whether there are any safe places for pit stops. Otherwise, it’s wiser to consider traveling in a self-sufficient RV.
Similarly, you must plan your meals in advance, and try to carry most of the food you’ll be eating. It’ll help you avoid dining at crowded restaurants near the campsite. Don’t forget to check the latest travel guidelines issued by federal and local authorities.
Plan for the Weather
Venturing into the wilderness has become a rarity during the pandemic. You wouldn’t want rain and thunderstorms to turn up as uninvited guests on your camping trip. Similarly, you don’t want to camp out on a sultry, humid day that’ll leave your kids feeling unwell.
That’s why it is always recommended that you plan your outing according to the weather forecast. It’s a good idea to check the weather on Tomorrow, a hyper-accurate weather intelligence platform that offers weather forecasts for specific locations.
That means you can check the forecast at your specific campsite, instead of relying on generic weather updates. Also, you can use hourly temperature and precipitation breakdowns to better plan your camping itinerary.
Find Creative Ways to Engage Your Kids
In an ideal world, you’d find a campsite with a plethora of kid-friendly amenities, such as a swimming pool, outdoor play area, and more. But when you’re traveling in the middle of a pandemic, letting your children use shared amenities isn’t the best idea.
That means it’s up to you to find suitable activities to keep your kids busy.
Start by getting your little ones involved in the planning. Let them suggest things they’d like to do or experience while camping. Then find a way to incorporate those suggestions without jeopardizing their safety and wellbeing.
For instance, if your kids are keen to go swimming, you could consider bringing an inflatable pool. Also, it’s a good idea to carry a few board games that’ll keep them occupied while you’re setting up the tent and preparing your meals.
Set Realistic Expectations
To your kids, camping might be synonymous with roasting marshmallows and devouring s’mores around the campfire. Or they might be looking forward to meeting and interacting with other humans their age.
Unfortunately, camping during the pandemic means you’d have to do away with certain traditions, such as the campfire. That’s because the smoke increases the chances of people coughing next to each other, and the fire can aerosolize their respiratory droplets.
Similarly, inviting your extended family over for the trip might put your unvaccinated children at unnecessary risk.
That’s why it is important to communicate with your kids before the trip and let them know that the outing is going to be different this time around. Setting their expectations in advance will prevent them from feeling disappointed after reaching the campground.
Final Thoughts
Camping is a safe and enjoyable way to spend quality time outdoors with your family. Make sure you don’t let your guard down, even if your campsite is sparsely crowded.
Let your kids participate in the planning and suggest activities they’d like to do. Lastly, don’t forget to follow standard COVID-19 safety protocols, such as masking, social distancing, and maintaining hand hygiene.
