Would like to take my 8-year-old son on his first camping trip. I am a beginner

[eliziam]

myself..? I have only been camping myself once before, many years ago. What should I know? All camping basics & tips would be helpful. (If there are rules or regulations specific to Virginia, that would be very helpful as well) Thanks!

 

[Katie E]

well, asides from the basics, bedding, tent, food, cooler, etc. I would suggest going to a camp ground that is close to a city/town where you can go get things that you forgot.
If it helps any....here's my standard camping list (for summer time though).
baseball cap
cheap sunglasses
sandels
shade hat
shoes
socks
clothes (cold and hot)
swim suits
after bite
after sun aloe
air mattress
bedding
bug spray
cards
chairs
coffee mugs
cribbage board
fishing rods
knapsack
lantern/flashlight
pillows
solar lights
sunscreen
tent
tent spray
travel mugs
umbrella
water bottles
antacid
books
brush
deoderant
gum
hand sanitizer
pain killers
ponytails
shampoo & conditioner
soap
toilet paper
toothbrushes/toothpaste
towels
bacon
bread
buns
cereal
cheese
coffee
coffee cream
coffeepot/perculator
condiments
eggs
fruit
hambergars
milk
sandwich meat
smokies/buns
snacks
spitz
sugar twin

 

[Jim W]

Start slow and easy. Try a day hike around your local area, carry what you need to survive for the day for the 2 of you. This could be just a day trip to a local park or zoo. No electronics allowed, do have whistles for each of you and learn to read a compass and a map. After a couple of these then plan for an overnight trip near you in a local campground. You will forget something you need but this is part of the fun. Learn to survive without and to plan better next time. Work up to weekend camping trips. This is still winter and a good time to do some planning. There are many good camping guides that you can buy from REI or at Amazon. Ask about some local outdoor clubs in your area, I'm sure you are not the only parent with an 8 YO that might like to go camping. I repeat start small.