Family Car Camping 101

Photos: Top Ten U.S. Rivers for Rafting

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I'm not strictly a fair weather camper. In fact, there's nothing cozier than hearing raindrops on your tent once you're tucked in for the night. A few years ago a little thunderstorm boiled up just as we were ready to hit the sack, so we all scampered in a few minutes earlier than usual. This little dose of nature's fireworks was exciting.

However, for beginning campers as well as for families with young children, the weather can make or break a trip. Better to not go than to forge ahead and be miserable the whole time. Your tribe is not likely to want to camp again after such an experience.

We recently took our 15-month-old twins on their first camping trip. As our Friday departure day approached, we hadn't made any reservations. We were going with another family, and all of us felt exhausted, plus the forecast sounded decidedly iffy.

We decided to make no reservations and see what transpired.

What transpired was a severe thunderstorm Friday night followed by an all-night rain. We were all happy to be home that night, resting up.

The next day was clear, however, and we all felt energetic, ready for a camping trip. We quickly packed and headed for a nearby campground, where we found plenty of vacant sites. The weekend was delightful, and we're ready for our next trip.

Two final thoughts. No matter what the forecast, be prepared:

Take the appropriate clothes for everyone, and be sure to have rain gear and warm clothes for all. Even summer evenings can be downright chilly in certain areas.

Be sure to put the fly on your tent. I've gone to bed on a starry night without the tent fly and woken up in a flood. That was one pitiful night's camping that could have easily been avoided. The fly also darkens the inside of your tent, which has the added benefit of helping you and your little campers sleep a bit later, with luck.