A Happy Campers Checklist

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If your family's idea of a vacation involves nightly campfires, sleeping bags, and potential wildlife sightings near (or in!) your living space, check out these great resources for tent and RV camping.

"The Trailer Life Directory" provides travelers with a list of several thousand campgrounds and RV parks throughout the United States and Canada. Each location is rated on a three-step scale that assesses the park's facilities, cleanliness, and overall appeal; ratings are updated on an annual basis. You can register at www.tldirectory.com to search the directory for free or order your own copy for the road on-line or at bookstores.

Woodall's campground directories also rate a large number of parks — more than 14,000 locations throughout the United States and Canada are scored on their facilities and recreation. You can purchase a directory which covers the entire area, or shorter versions of the guide are available for the western and eastern regions. Woodall's also publishes a directory exclusively for tent campers. Again, you can register to access campground listings for free at www.woodalls.com, but the on-line directory does not include Woodall's convenient rating system. The complete directories can be purchased at Woodall's Website or bookstores.

There's no centralized reservation system for every campsite within the National Park system, so your best bet is to contact each individual park. Campground reservations here usually must be made several months in advance since the sites are so popular, so don't count on finding a space unless you've planned ahead. Contact information for the National Parks can be found at their Website, www.nps.gov. Policies for state parks also vary from place to place, so you'll have to contact individual campgrounds for camping information.

Veteran car campers recognize KOA Kampgrounds by their familiar yellow, red, and black signs. KOAs allow your family to rough it while enjoying many of the amenities of home. Novice campers will be thrilled to have access to hot showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, and convenience stores. All KOA locations have both tent and RV sites, and some even have cabins that your family can rent. If you plan to stay multiple nights at one or more KOA Kampgrounds, consider purchasing a Value Kard. You'll get a 10 percent discount on your registration fees and a free copy of the KOA directory (you'll still pay for shipping). You can also research KOA locations for free at www.koakampgrounds.com or purchase your own directory on-line or by calling 406-248-7444.

If you're looking for campgrounds where your family can pitch a tent in peace and quiet, check out "The Best in Tent Camping" series (published by Menasha Ridge Press). The books detail the best in scenic, tent-only sites without all of the bells and whistles.

One key to a great camping trip is remembering all of your supplies. If your family is RV or car camping, you can usually purchase any forgotten items on the road. However, if you're traveling far off the beaten path, you'll need to be careful to double-check your belongings.

Here's a checklist of supplies to make your camping experience go smoothly. If you're renting an RV, be aware that you may be able to rent your bedding and cooking supplies for an additional fee and save the trouble of bringing your own.

Tent(s) and tent stakes

Plastic ground cloth/tarp

Sleeping bags (or bedding, for an RV)

Sleeping pads

Camp stove (with extra fuel)

Pots, plastic dishes, mugs, and utensils

Water bottle or canteen

Lantern and/or candles

Bottle and/or can openers

Sharp knife (parents should hold on to this)

Plethora of plastic/trash bags

Dish soap (preferably biodegradable)

Stocked coolers

Water (or a portable filter or purifying tablets)

Waterproof matches or lighter(s)

Flashlights (and extra batteries)

Bandanna (for use as a head covering, pot holder, and napkin)

Trowel

Folding saw

First-aid kit, medications

Sunscreen

Insect repellent

Toilet paper

Day packs

Child carriers (for little ones)

Compass and area map

Clothing (make sure to pack many layers)

Two pairs of shoes (in case one gets wet)

A hat

Sunglasses

Toiletries (try to take only necessary items)

Camera

Binoculars

Kid supplies (toys, books, favorite stuffed animal)