Going on a “Glamping” trip: Pack, Prep, & Tips (+ special needs modifcations)

Planning a camping trip, or in our case “glamping” because we are renting a cabin with a special needs (non speaking, autism) son. We compiled all our planning, packing, prepping, and experience to give you our best tips and tricks to make your trip as organized and successful as possible.

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We have done a couple “camping” posts but rather than fight with editing, I am compiling.

What exactly are the essentials (2019)
Pack Hacks (2020)

The planning, prepping, and packing that goes into making our trip as organized with everything we could need as possible.

Categories

Start with breaking items into categories, and pack categories together. List them together and pack them together.

• Kitchen/Cooking {drawer}
• Snacks {drawer}
• Tools & cords {drawer}
• Bug, Sun, Meds {drawer}
• Grilling {bag} and Grill
• Showering (towels & toiletries) {bag}
• Swimming (Towels, toys, floatation) {bag}
• Rain {bag}
• Sleep {bag} Sleeping Bags & Bedding {bag}
• Toys, Sensory, Safety (helmets) {bag/basket} Bikes
• Clothing {suitcases}
• Dry Food {bin}
• Cold Food {cooler}
• Drinks {cooler}
• Camping Extras {bag} Easy Up/Pop Up, Yard Games

List

Amenities Check

Pots, Pans, Dishes, Coffee Maker, Toaster, etc. If you are not staying in a tent but renting a cabin, what is included and you do not need to pack?

For entertainment pool, pond, lake, boat, sand, arcade, camp store, paved or gravel roads. This information can help you plan and pack to support what they have entertain the kids.

Special Needs

This may be a good time to check on safety concerns: water access, elopement areas, loud areas, climbing both danger & OT outlet

Drawers, Bins, & Bags

I use DRAWERS when it is something that will be used a lot and want it to feel like we are just going to a drawer in our home.

**By request: updated drawer list

I use BINS when things are fragile and I want to keep them from getting crushed (chips & bread)

I use BAGS when I want things to be sorted by category (and are likely pre-packed essentials ) and we can carry more than one at a time.

“Decant”

Basically means take the things out of their boxes. Boxes take up room. Unbox all the snacks and put them in the drawer (even if you buy the big boxes, take the bags out save room)

Label

Label what you can, define what you cant. Bags are a little harder to label but designate and define the bags and keep only what you need in those bags. These are typically my 4 essential bags from my bag series

Meal & snack plan Meal Plan

Plan the meals you plan on eating and then break down the ingredients into a packing list (dry list, cooler list). Go in with a plan (but we always plan a meal of leftovers/clean out the cooler/fridge, too!)

Food Prep

I don’t want to spend time there prepping, nor do I want to bring all the tools to prep meals. I prep as much of it in advance as I can. Precook bacon, bring only what you need for a couple sandwiches, etc.

Cooler Food

Cooler food as it is prepped or purchased I like to put on all one shelf of the fridge. When it is time to go, it is easy to have everything as you just move the whole shelf (shelves) to the cooler. Condiments, drinks, etc. If it goes its on the shelf.

Dry Food

I like to use a latch lid bin for dry food. The food doesn’t get smashed and it is a bin(s) to pick up and go. Also helps with keeping food safe from animals camping!

Special Needs

If you have someone with a special diet or sensory issues with food, pack their safe foods in ABUNDANCE. It is ok to have then need something else than peers. It is not the time to try new things and hope.

Rain Plan

You do not want rain to ruin your plans.
Have a plan (and pack) for:

• how to dry things
• rain gear
• activities to do indoors (maybe in the community)
• indoor/under canopy activities to do (projects, games, etc)

Rain Bag is one of our Essential Bags

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Sleep Plan

Know who can sleep by who, what is included in cabin, extra beds (cots or air mattresses) you may need to bring, who needs special blankets, sound machines, fans, etc.

Also consider: do you need walkie talkies/baby monitors/door locks/motion detectors/something else if parents are by the fire outside and kids are inside?

Sleep Bag is one of our Essential Bags.

Special Needs

Toddler Monitor is a new addition after we had a night escape. It is a motion detecting door hanger that notifies phones via bluetooth that a door is moving (opening).

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Swim/Sun Plan

Sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spay, swim suits, googles, swim toys, towels, Safety floatation.

Swim bag is one of our Essential Bags

Shower Plan

Not only will you need the things to shower but getting them all there conveniently helps too. We love the labeled viral target hard side zip pencil cases!

Entertainment Plan & (sensory breaks/input)

Have a general idea of what activities are at the campground and times things are open.

If there is water, make sure to have proper safety/flotation as well as all the toys and such that make it more fun (goggles, sinking toys, floating toys, sand toys)

If roads are paved scooters may be fun (helmet)

Bikes may be a fun option to bring as well (helmet)

Some campgrounds have special activities planned for kids/families as well. Petting zoo, mini golf, arcade, hay/wagon rides, scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, spooky pirate walks.

Sensory Plan- Special Needs

As much as we need to plan entertainment, we also need to plan in some sensory breaks/safety spots for our son. We think/consider his favorites and best ways to help him regulate and we bring them.

Wonderfold Wagon (we have W4 Elite) with snack tray for an independent place to eat if needed).
*code SIRAYA saves 10% on the Wonderfold Website

Sensory toys, safe foods, headphones, chewlery, AAC device, favorite comfort shows.

Transportation around the grounds

Having a plan for a wagon or specific bags you pack to get you, your family, and your stuff around can be helpful.

Our friends were renting a golf cart and we didn’t think that was possible with Nolan afraid of motors as well as the need to have his wagon for his retreat with us. We gave it a try (even if we had to divide and conquer) and 1) he LOVED the golf cart and 2) we found a way to have it all!
*** No person was ever in the wagon should it separate or tip no person would be hurt. This was to get the wagon where we were going and THEN sit in as a retreat**

First Aid and Medications

The KEEP>GOING FIRST AID KIT is the only kit we need (thought we brought the big and the little) for all first aid needs! Purple is the GO KIT Size, Blue is the SUPER KIT size.
**code: ZOOKEEPER10 will save you 10% on Keep>Going website

We bring all the types of allergy and pain med as well as all prescriptions. We really like one of the TARGET PENCIL CASES labeled meds for all the meds that need to come every trip.

Packing a Suitcase (folding laundry)

Pack by person. Fold laundry as you go

I fold as I pack, what doesn’t make the cut goes into their drawers, now I cleaned before I left. Pack by person but in the same pattern for each person: unders box, tops on one side going long to short and bottoms on the other side going long to short.

Unders Box

I always keep their “unders” in a little box that they can “file & find” as well as pull out for easy access.
Underwear, socks, swim, & pjs (pull ups if they need them)

Suitcase Order

Tops together: warmest (sweatshirt) down to coolest (tank tops)
Bottoms together: warmest (Jeans) down to coolest (shorts)

Special Needs

If you have a child that tends to wander or elope, consider dressing them in bright colors for high visibility.