Plan your storage to provide for your food and food-preparation needs. A large compartment for whatever equipment you will need in addition to utensils and tablecloths, napkins, etc. should be a part of your planning. A second compartment for food that may not need to be refrigerated but shouldn't be allowed to get hot is necessary. As large an ice chest as you can accommodate will hold the raw foods that must be refrigerated. Is this sounding like a lot? Well, it is. I don't know what kind of vehicle you typically use to carry your tent and camping gear, but you will need to plan for more space for all your dietary needs than you've needed in the past.

It's wise to plan to purchase food near where you’re going to camp if possible. Do enough research so that you will have some idea of what's going to be available and where. You may need to stop on the way, so make your food storage accessible. Plan ahead and write your plan down so you won't get there and find that you can't meet your family's needs. Granola is good for a camping trip. Make a lot of it ahead of time so you can have it for breakfast along with some fruit. Take along fresh fruits that will keep for awhile such as apples for snacks. Also, take a variety of nuts. These can enliven salads and can also be used as snacks or to perk up a meal. Get a supply plastic flatware that you can either use repeatedly. Some people have a set of camping utensils that they use and wash. These are available in most outdoors stores. Start dehydrating fruits and vegetables early enough to have a good supply before the date when your camping vacation is to begin. These will make providing all the nutrients your family needs without having to constantly search out new sources for fresh foods go much better. You can certainly take some already-made-up juices with you to get you started. They can be stored in your ice chest until you’re ready for them.

You may think you’ll remember them, but having a set of your favorite recipes or even your favorite raw-foods book along will make your camping trip go easier for you. Also, if your favorite recipes have ingredients such as spices that won't be available at your camping spot, be sure to tuck them in. Also, you may have some sauces and salad dressings already made up that will be welcomed when you are ready to prepare meals. Because you won't have all your kitchen equipment, you’ll need to be very creative in order to keep the meals not only tasty but satisfying, so thinking about all of this ahead of time will make your vacation go much better.

You’ll need some of your equipment from your kitchen such as knives and cutting boards. You may also want to take a mini-blender if you have one that doesn't require electrical current. Don't forget towels.

Memories are made of this. Camping trips are remembered by children as well as parents as long as they live. They offer opportunities to experience and learn about the natural world and about living more independently that can't be duplicated. If you are more on the wild side you might also consider getting a book on edible wild plants and mushrooms which kids would love. Now you can't get any fresher and more nutritious food than that.

By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari