If you have a yard and neighbors who mind their own business, you might want to pitch a tent in your back yard first. Also, are you squeamish about spiders? You will see a ton at night (the flashlight will pick up every single one of their beady eyes. Other varmints to worry about include bears. Be prepared for the first night to be sleepless. Also, bring a port-a-potty and a plastic bottle with a large opening (for male peeing). That was a life saver in the middle of the night, especially since their don john's aren't always close by nor pleasant to visit (downright scary, especially if a snake decides to cuddle up to one - saw that one, but in the middle of the day).

Are you talking about a "Family Camp" or camping as a family for a week?

We go to a YMCA Family Camp every summer, used to be a full week but now just Labor Day weekend. It's great! We started when the kids were 3 & 4 and it was the first actual vacation I had as a mom -- all the meals are provided (served family style), the kids were off doing stuff with their group during the a.m. DH and I got to sit and read a book, go for a bike ride or hike, horseback riding, etc. Afternoons were for family time. Very little logistics to have to deal with for me. My kids are in middle school now and we all still love going every summer. Our family camp is Deer Valley,http://www.deervalleyymca.org/ They are likely fully booked for the summer but do sometimes have cancellations.

Actual camping for a whole week I wouldn't love. I don't want to do all the cooking in that setting. I have enjoyed the Jellystone or big KOA style campgrounds for a weekend, but that is my limit.

Anonymous wrote:Go to Jellystone in Luray. You'll have a blast. It's only just barely camping. You can rent a cabin or bring a tent. All tent sites have water and power (coffee maker, fan, etc). There is a pool, water slide, playground, café on site and they have crafts and games throughout the day.

Jelly stone has had bedbugs fyi

I wouldn't go camping for a week unless I had done for shorter times first. We do one camping weekend a year and it's enough! It really is fun and my kids love it and always ask for more but no way. Its a ton of work figuring out meals and clothes and packing and it's tiring to sleep outside so a weekend is all we do. We love it for those two days

Go to Jellystone in Luray. You'll have a blast. It's only just barely camping. You can rent a cabin or bring a tent. All tent sites have water and power (coffee maker, fan, etc). There is a pool, water slide, playground, café on site and they have crafts and games throughout the day.

OP, are you a man? This sounds like something my DH would think is a GREAT idea until I started the pesky task of listing logistics for him...

Anonymous wrote:I would consider that pure hell.

+1. But to each their own...

Bring big spray.

OP - go to Deep Creek, MD or similar type of place nearby to DC and rent a fully furnished/fully stocked cabin with air conditioning and cable.

Baby steps to camping. Baby steps.

A week is a long time if you have never done it before. You will need to buy lots of supllies and gear.Try 1 or 2 nights first.

If you had just the 8 and 6 year old, I might consider it. But the 3 year old changes everything.

Is this some kind of program or are you just capitalizing for kicks?

Camping is just doing all the drudgery of home with dirt and no plumbing. Yuck.

I would consider that pure hell.

We've really enjoyed long weekends tent camping, but we haven't tried it for a week straight. I would pick a place you want to see, then find a place nearby to camp.

I cannot imagine anything worse.

I am looking for something to do the last week of August with my 8, 6, and 3 year old boys that will get us away from the norm here. I discovered the idea of Family Camping Vacations and wonder if anyone has done this before and can offer any BTDT? I would love to have a week away where we are all together, and thought it might be fun to spend a week in a rustic cabin (or even tent, if I plan well) and have semi-structured stuff we can choose to do. Has anyone done anything like this before and can give recommendations on camps or places to go? Willing to drive, and even fly, if need be- but it would be one parent with three boys- so hopefully not too much hassle to get there.