Okay! You gathered your gear, got the kids in the car, and hit the road to your campsite. Hopefully you gave yourself enough time to get there with a couple hours of daylight left, because once you get there, it’s time to set up camp. But not by yourself. Get the kids involved of course, and we’ll show you how below.

For a look back on all our waypoints for this car camping series and learn how to find campgrounds and plan your road trip, click here: Summer Summit 2020: Car Camping.

Before you leave, print off a copy of your campgrounds. Cell service can be spotty, and visitor centers might be closed, so you don’t want to depend on either.

When you show up, look for a big, brown welcome sign. It will have you a map with general rules and a check-in system. Most campgrounds have designated sites with assigned numbers. They'll probably ask you to clip a piece of paper to a post to indicate your camping dates. For backcountry camping you’ll clip this permit to your tent.

If you're picking your campsite, stay close to potable water and amenities. For safety reasons (floods and wildlife), stay at least 200 ft away from running water.

As you drive around, have your kids count the number of sites between the bathrooms (or any landmark) and your site. Get a rhyme going, write it on notecards, tape it on flashlights.

Once you're parked, set up a flag that’s easy to see, give everyone a headlamp or flashlight, and start picking a spot for the tent.

When picking a spot for your tent:

• • Look for a large, flat spot
• • Look for shade and the sun to avoid morning heat
• • Look for wind coverage from trees or boulders
• • Scan for hazards, like dead branches or rock debris
• • Scan for insects, like anthills or beehives
• • Avoid sunken areas or washes, like a dry creek bed
• • Stay 200 ft away from water and your food storage

That sounds like a lot, but most campgrounds already considered this and made a spot obvious, but in case you go rogue, keep those in mind.

Have the kids remove rocks, pinecones, or other debris from the area, and put down your footprint. Let them lie down and see how it feels. If there's a slight hill, their heads should be up it. Good? Good.

Grab your tent, and follow the instructions to set it up. You already tried this at home, right? The stakes can be tough for kids, but the poles are always fun, so is the big a-ha moment when it pops together. A rainfly is always smart, and so is a spot out front the tent for shoes, so you can get a no shoes policy going on inside the tent.

Once the tent is up, have each kid lay out their sleeping spot. Make sure nothing touches the walls of the tent in case moisture builds up.

Look for one already built. If not, check out the first couple steps in our Build a Fire Waypoint.

Make sure there are no branches hanging over the fire, while your kids “gather the wood” 15-feet around the pit to prevent unintentional fires. Put this with the wood you brought to use as kindling later.

Get a team effort going to clear out any trash and old ashes from the pit, then set up any extra camp lanterns or fire extinguishers like a bucket of sand.

Before you bring any food out, check your park regulations for proper food storage. It’s all fun and games until a bear steals the marshmallows. Seriously, though, many parks require a bear box or bear bag. It is critical you listen to the experts in these matters. These decisions were made with your safety in mind.

Set up your food station at least 200 ft from your tent and close to your car or bear box to easily put the food and kitchen stuff away at night.

Set your table up with your stove and preferably a canopy overhead. Put your water jug nearby with soap and wash supplies. Grab your cooler and put it in a nice shady spot nearby.

Get your kids to tie one garbage bag to the table for recycling and one for everything else. They should be able to reach it. Grab a bungee cord and sling it through a paper towel roll to attach it to your table or canopy.

If you have a tablecloth, pin it down with some nearby rocks. Then leave what you can in the car. Do not leave food unattended.The more you keep it away, the less you leave it unattended.

Give each kid a chair, and let them set them up around the fire pit. Leave a spot open so people can move around as the smoke blows, so no one is ever stuck with it in their face.

Grab any rugs you brought and let the kids roll them out near the chairs. If they’re young, mark off the play areas with ropes and flags or point out chairs and blankets they shouldn’t go past.

If you have any hammocks, now’s the time. Look for two trees about 15 feet apart. They should be sturdy. At least a foot in diameter if not more.

String of lights? Put 'em up. Pirate flag? You bet! Take pride in your spot, and your kids will, too.

Before you settle in, take care of loose ends so you’re ready for all weather and all situations.

Put the insect repellent and sunscreen in camp chair pockets, rain gear and extra blankets in the front seat of your car, and a first aid kit below the front seat. Everyone should know where this stuff is and be able to get to it ASAP.

String a tarp up - attached to your gazebo, the side of your truck, or between the trees - for extra shade and rain protection. String a rope up to hang wet clothes after rain passes.

Make sure everyone knows where the toilet paper, soap, and sanitizer goes in case the facilities aren’t up to par.

If you have a spare key, give it to the other adult or attach it to a pocket in your tent. For the love of nature, do not lose your car key.

Your family's ready to settle in and enjoy your new home for the weekend.