GO: Vacation Planner - don't leave home without this!!

This year, we are returning to the place where my family used to camp when I was a little girl. I am so looking forward to an "unplugged" week! We have a rented cabin (yea! with a kitchen & a shower)...and as north as you can get and still be in the good ol' USA!

So, since I like to "organize fun"...here is my attempt at a packing list for the great outdoors, as well as travel ideas to keep my kids happy on the road (without a DVD player) and fun activities while we are there. 

I have SO many pictures on this fish!! Everyone that comes here HAS to get their picture taken. I will make sure to post this years pic, when we get back! Traditions, you gotta love 'em! 

BEFORE YOU LEAVE CHECKLIST:

1. Stop mail and newspaper.

2. Plug lights into automatic timer.

3. Turn off water heater (seriously, why have I been heating the water while gone??!)

4. Put pine-sol in toilets and turn off the water (between tank and wall).

5. Tape fridge &/or freezer shut (I have never done this, but it is a great idea!)

6. Turn off air-conditioner.

7. Activate your "screen watcher" app. - Whenever you want, you can take a picture from your computer and it will show on your phone. too cool!

8. Turn on your alarm system.

9. Make sure your batteries in fire detectors are working.

10. Change your oil!

11. Don't forget to give a trusted neighbor a key and tell them your schedule & leave numbers. 

CAMPING MENU
We cook almost every meal on this trip - but we have a kitchen which makes it uber-easy. Also, we do family meals (serving about 15 people). Each family takes a night and cooks for everyone. Love it! (if you are looking for some great ideas, click the link below)
Great blog post on camping menu & prep



VACATION BINDER: 
I make a binder to bring with me on road trips. 
The vacation binder includes:
1. Customizeable Vacation Checklist - As everyone has different items to pack - this is a great template that will help you print out your own packing list.
2. Passwords & account numbers that I may need away from home.
3. Map - printed out, so I don't have to rely on cell coverage far from civilization.
4. Coupons for chain restaurants.
5. Nearby activities for destination.
6. Menu & grocery shopping list (and coupons, if I am really feeling organized!)
7. Map of destination area.
8. List of ideas when the kids start going crazy in the backseat. (super-great life-saver!)
9. Packet for receipts (great to be able to look back and see what you really spent!)
10. Camping menu (and the recipes to go with them!)

My kids, on top of our truck, getting ready for the road trip. Can you tell they are a little excited?? :)

ACTIVITIES IN THE CAR:
I must be a binder person, because I make them for everything! ha! 
1. A binder for each small person. Include things that are their age level, pertaining to vacation destination. 
2. We include maps so the kids can follow along on the ride.
3. Car bingo.
4. Coloring pages, printable games, etc... there is NO END to the possibilities!
5. Small amount of spending money. This is great fun for the kids when you stop at a rest-area or gas station.

Here are some items I consider “must packs:”

• Sanitizing wipes – For hands, spills and hotel rooms, pack travel size packs in each of your children’s backpacks.

• Sponge – Take a sponge and cut it into 2-inch strips then moisten and place in a Ziplock. These will be handy for quick washing of water bottles, children’s cups, faces and more.  Toss each one in the garbage after use.

• Earphones – Pack one set per person. Use with the electronics they bring along or for airplane entertainment.

• Gum – Take along several packages of gum to help prevent ear pain. Chewing gum helps to pop plugged ears as well as keep them from plugging during takeoff and landing.

• First aid – Create or buy a mini first aid kit complete with bandages, antiseptic wipes and children’s pain relievers.

• Ziploc – Pack extra, empty Ziploc in the various sizes they come in for dividing snacks, storing liquids items and more.

• Reusable shopping bag – Great to use as a beach bag or laundry bag and for day trips and bringing home souvenirs in if you run out of space in your suitcase.

• Plastic grocery bags – Stuff a couple in your carry-on bag just in case you need them for garbage or clothes that get spilled on.

SNACK BOX: 
You will be shocked by the amount of money you can save by NOT shopping at the gas stations on snacks! For a family of four, we could drop at least $12 at every stop, just for a few drinks and bag of chips. That seriously adds up and it also, makes you begin to feel a little sick. 
1. Frozen juice boxes & water bottles
2. Antibacterial wipes
3. Home made Chex Mix (a Stone vacation tradition!)
4. Home made Chocolate Chip cookies (can't leave home without them!)
5. Cut up fruit & veggies
6. Cold juices &/or pop (I am always tempted by an ice-cold diet Coke while driving! Might as well bring one along! :) 

B & B love face paint! Nothing says "summer fun" more than that!? And, you get some great pics to boot! :)

ACTIVITIES WHILE CAMPING (a.k.a. Make Some Memories!):
click on these links for awesome project ideas - you will need to bring along a few basic items (which are listed on each craft) - for most of the crafts, you will need to take a walk in the woods and gather rocks, sticks, leaves and acorns.
Paper Boats

Camping Diorama

Leaf Rubbings

Sticks & Stones People
Acorn Necklace
Nature Prints
Swirly Stones
Super Easy Craft with Leaves
Rock Bugs
Hopscotch

Camping Scavenger Hunt List

All you need for this is just a list printed out for every "hunter" and a brown paper bag! Easy-peasy!

1. Pinecone	6. Acorn
2. Smooth river stone	7. Bird feather
3. A Maple Leaf	8. Rock that looks like an arrowhead
4. Sand	9. Winged seed (like maple, dandelion, etc..)
5. An Oak Leaf	10. A rock that looks like an animal
Bonus #1: A bird nest	Bonus #2: An antler

Camping Photo Scavenger Hunt List

Everyone takes their cell phones and this list into the woods and captures as many of these pics as possible! How fun and easy! 

1. Hollow log	6. Tallest tree you can see
2. Climbing a tree	7. Wildlife (extra credit for the best pics!)
3. An Oak Tree	8. A Pine Tree & team members
4. A boot print	9. Animal tracks
5. Animal scat (ewwwww!)	10. Swinging on a vine
Bonus #1: A bird in flight	Bonus #2: A beaver dam
**All group members must be in at least 1 picture!!**

A camping scavenger hunt will be talked about for years to come. It’s a great way for campers of all ages to have fun in the woods. It can also be a very inexpensive party idea for your next group outing. Hope the lists above are useful. 

Have a happy & fun vacation with your family this summer! I hope this vacation planner has simplified your planning as well as encouraging you to "make some memories" with your family. God bless, Kristen