Planning to take your kids on a camping adventure this summer?
Before you go, here are a few tips for your trip!
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Set up the tent out back for a night under the stars and/or create a blanket fort in the playroom. This will get kids excited and comfortable with camping.
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Bring a flashlight!
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Pack with travel cubes to keep kids clothes organized.
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Pack kid friendly camping snacks that are easy to eat on-the-go! Popcorn, pretzels, granola bars and trail mix are a few great options.
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Practice your camping meals before heading out on the trail. Tacos, cheeseburgers and pizza are great campfire meal plan ideas that can be cooked over the fire.
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S’mores are a must on any camping trip! Remember to pack wood, kabob sticks, graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows.
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Bring along a cooler for cold drinks and to keep the chocolate from melting.
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Let your kids help pack for the trip!
DAYTIME ACTIVITIES
Ride a bike or scooter around the campsite area
Go on a scavenger hunt
Sidewalk Chalk
Bubbles
Geocaching
Fishing
Kayaking
Hiking
Play charades
Look for animal prints
Make leaf rubbings
Read a book
Swimming
NIGHTTIME ACTIVITIES
Build a campfire
Sing campfire songs
Glow sticks
Go for a nightwalk
Flashlight Tag
STATE PARKS AND CAMPING
BEACH CAMPING
Hunting Island State Park
A popular place for camping is located on the coast of South Carolina on beautiful Hunting Island. Campsites overlook the beach and the island is dog friendly. Activities include hiking, camping and even a dolphin cruise!
Lodge rooms and cabins are available in addition to tent and RV camping.
https://southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island
Jekyll Island State Park
Jekyll Island is a Georgia Island full of bike trails and beach views! Book a family kayaking trip at Tidelands Nature Center, then head to the beach to go horseback riding or fishing. Other activities include, a dolphin viewing cruise, golfing and put putting. Be sure to check out the Sea Turtle Center on your visit, to see rescued and rehabilitated sea turtles. Saint Simons islands is a short drive away and offers opportunities to see a lighthouse and shop for souvenirs.
Tent and RV Camping
https://www.jekyllisland.com/lodging/campground/
Silver Springs State Park
Silver Springs is a beautiful state park with glass bottom boats for viewing of the crystal clear spring water. Along your journey you may see monkeys (yes, monkey’s), manatees, snakes, fish, birds and turtles. Then check out the Silver River Museum before you drive a few minutes down the road to arrive at your campsite.
Campgrounds located nearby
https://www.floridastateparks.org/silversprings
Bahia Honda State Park
Did you know that there is a coral reef off of the Florida coast? On a visit to Bahia Honda State Park there are snorkel tours to the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. Other fun activities to do while visiting are kayaking, biking and tarpon fishing.
Tent Camping, RV Camping and Cabins
https://www.floridastateparks.org/BahiaHonda
LAKE CAMPING
Unicoi State Park
Unicoi State Park is located two miles from the city of Helen, Georgia. Lake Unicoi, National Chattahoochee Forest, and Anna Ruby Falls are adventure spots in the area. Enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking, fly fishing, ziplining, archery, mountain biking or rent a boat to spend the day out on the lake.
https://www.unicoilodge.com/ga-state-park/camping/
Stone Mountain Park
Visiting Stone Mountain Park is like a blast from the past. Check out their website for scheduled evening laser shows! These shows are projected on the side of the mountain. Hiking, fishing, biking and golf are a few of the activities you can enjoy at the park.
Safari tents, yurt rentals, RV and tent sites.
https://stonemountainpark.com/camping-and-lodging/
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park
FDR is the largest state park in Georgia with over 9,000 acres. It offers hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and boating. Nearby is Roosevelt’s Little White House and Liberty Bell Swimming Pool fed by a natural Spring where Roosevelt used to swim. The spring water helped Roosevelt deal with pain from Polio.
Cottages, Tents, RV, and Backcountry Campsites
https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/f-d-roosevelt-state-park/GA/530153/overview
Providence Canyon State Park and Florence Marina State Park
Providence Canyon is “Georgia’s Little Canyon” and was created by erosion from farming in the 1800’s. The park offers hiking in addition to astronomy and geology programs. There are more camping opportunities at Lake Walter F. George, a 45,000 acre lake, located 8 miles down the road from the canyon. Lake Walter F. George offers camping, backpacking, hiking, picnicking and beautiful photography opportunities for visitors.
Cottages
https://gastateparks.org/ProvidenceCanyon
Tents and cottages
https://gastateparks.org/FlorenceMarina
Kolomoki Mounds
About an hour and a half from Columbus is Kolomoki Mounds State Park. This State Park is known for its temple, ceremonial and burial mounds. It was home to Woodland Indians from 350-750 A.D. Fishing, minigolf, geocaching, kayaking, canoeing, petal boating, swimming and hiking are a few of the activities at this location. In addition to a museum, there is a sandy beach and playground on site.
Tent, RV and Hammock Campsites
https://gastateparks.org/KolomokiMounds
References:
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