Planning on camping in Ontario with the whole family? Camping is an amazing way to bond with the kids, get away from your usual routine and spend time in nature. But if you are new to camping, here are some tips and tricks to help you avoid some common pitfalls!
Tip #1: Book Your Campsite In Advance
In some ways, camping requires a bit less planning than alternative vacations. However, you should not just assume that you can pick up and go to any campsite without any notice. While you might get lucky and find some vacancies, it’s always best to book ahead – especially if you are staying at a popular campsite or provincial park.
The Ontario Parks website makes it easy for you to see what campgrounds are available across the province. You can easily input your planned dates online using their handy campground search tool.
To use this tool, you’ll need to put in the date you plan to arrive, the date you plan to leave, and the equipment you are bringing with you (e.g. number of tents or trailers). Campgrounds with availability will pop up with a green dot. Click the dot, and you’ll find more information!
Booking early, before the rush of the busy season, gives you more choice when it comes to selecting a campsite. Whether you want a site with more shade, one that’s close to the water, or a quieter area away from main pathways, reserving ahead of time helps you secure the spot that best fit the needs of you and your family.
Tip #2: Prep and Plan Your Meals Before You Leave
It is much easier to plan your meals before you go camping – that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and even snacks (and most parents know, you will need a lot of snacks!) Even if you don’t usually meal plan, it’s a good idea to do so before you leave.
Make a list of a few key meals you know that you and the kids will enjoy, buy the ingredients ahead of time and pack them in a way that’s easy to access at the campsite.
Many families like to prep some items at home, like chopping veggies, marinating meat, or portioning out snacks. This will help ensure that you will spend less time cooking and more time relaxing with the fam. A simple meal plan also helps you avoid overpacking food you don’t actually need, keeping things organized and stress-free.
When planning your meals, you may also want to think about:
- • Packing cooking equipment (e.g. cast iron pans, foil, cutlery, etc.)
- • Food safety and proper storage
- • Alternatives/back-up plans in case of disruptions (like poor weather)
If you want to learn a bit more about planning meals for camping, check out this article on tips for cooking while camping, or this one that focuses on the best camping recipes!
Tip #3: Keep Your Kids Safe While Camping
Camping in Ontario can be an amazing, wonderful experience for kids and families. There are tons of benefits of camping for kids. Camping can help kids develop their confidence, feel more independent, learn new skills and bond with siblings, cousins and other family members.
However, all activities carry some risk – and it’s important to know how to stay safe while camping, especially for younger children and kids who are new to outdoor activities.
Stay safe in the water
Water safety is crucial no matter where you are, whether it is by a pool or open water at the beach or lake. Many of Ontario’s camp sites provide easy access to swimming spots. Some campgrounds have pools onsite, and others have beaches, lakes or rivers and rapides.
One of the best things you can do is ensure that your children know how to swim. The majority of drowning accidents occur when someone enters the water without intending to (e.g. they fall into a pool or slip into a lake). Knowing how to swim can make all the difference if your child accidentally falls into the water.
Remember, even if your child is a confident and competent swimmer, that does not necessarily mean that they will be safe in the water. Adult supervision is always the best way to prevent drowning. For more tips on water safety, visit this article from the RCMP.
Stay safe from wild encounters
When camping in Ontario, there are fortunately not too many dangerous animals. However, ALL wild animals should be respected and avoided. Animals, even cute little guys like squirrels and chipmunks, can bite people if they feel threatened. And yes, cute fluffy squirrels can carry and spread diseases to humans – including salmonella, leptospirosis and even rabies.
Although rabies is less common in squirrels, it is common in bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes. It is always best to avoid contact with wild animals. If you have been bitten or scatched by a wild animal, always seek medical care.
Ontario is also home to large predators such as wolves, coyotes, and bears. Although these animals are likely to leave you alone, it is best for the whole family to know what to do if approached by one of these animals and know how to avoid them.
Many people are afraid of snakes, but most snakes in Ontario are completely harmless to humans. However, one exception is the Massasauga rattlesnake, which is the only venomous snake in Ontario. Campers should also be aware of mosquitoes and ticks, which are commonly found in Ontario’s forests and can carry dangerous diseases. Use repellants to keep these pests away, and always perform tick checks at the end of the day or after hikes.
Stay safe from dangerous plants
Curious kids love to explore, and that’s a great thing! However, when camping in Ontario, it is important to remind kids to never put wild mushrooms, plants or berries in their mouths. There are many different plants that grow in Ontario’s wild forests. While these plants (or mushrooms) might look beautiful or delicious, they may be dangerous to ingest or touch (for example, poison oak or poison ivy).
Before you go camping, show your kids pictures of common poisonous plants in Ontario that they might come across while hiking or playing in the woods. Even if a plant looks safe, it is best to leave it alone – don’t pick flowers or berries unless given permission by a professional.
Ready To Go Camping In Ontario With The Family? Find Your Perfect Trailer at Keith’s!
Ready to start your next amazing family adventure? Investing in a trailer is an amazing way to ensure you make the most of your camping trip in Ontario with the kids. Trailers provide a comfortable, safe space for families while camping – and many include amenities like kitchens and bathrooms, which can make camping with the kids so much easier.
If you are looking for quality new and pre-owner trailers, you can rely on Keith’s Trailer Sales. Located just north of Hillsburgh, Ontario, Keith’s has been a beloved part of our small town since 2014. As a family-run business, we are dedicated to providing top-quality service and building lasting relationships with our customers. At Keith’s, we offer all of our customers an exceptional experience, including personalized service, competitive pricing on all of our products and quality assurance.
The professional and experienced team at Keith’s believes in going the extra mile for our customers. With every trailer purchase, you’ll receive a full walkthrough and hands-on demonstration, so you feel confident operating your new unit. We offer a one-year manufacturer warranty on all of our trailers.
Browse available trailers now!
