Don't - whatever you do - decide on your own that 'this year we are going camping'.
Not everyone gets excited about sleeping in the great outdoors, a five star hotel is the preferred way of camping for many people.
Therefore think well about what you are going to say when you bring the topic up.
Have a family conference and find out how everyone feels about it.
Are you going to have an RV or are you thinking about tents? Have you done it all before or are you an absolute newbie? In the latter case you probably think it's pretty simple, you just pick a date, get in the car with your tents and go.
Unfortunately there is quite a lot more to it than that.
You'll find your trip a much nicer experience (and more fun too) if you treat it like a military campaign and plan it step by step.
Who in your house is a list keeper and keeps meticulous notes? Have them check things off as they go along.
You must have a list maker, some families, like mine, have two! If you haven't made up your mind, weigh up your options; if it's a tent: Can you deal with a teething baby crying all night in the tent next to you? Or the barking dog that the people on the other side of you have tied up to the picnic table when they went out for the day.
Then there are the scouts who don't want to go to sleep, they're having far too much fun away from home.
Then there are the bugs, some are very nasty.
It's best to consider all the do's and don'ts where they are concerned.
Bees like soda cans, ants are attracted to food scraps, flying insects like fragrances, don't wear makeup or cologne and always use an unscented deodorant.
Bright lights attract mosquitoes and gnats, burn citronella candles to keep them at bay.
Then there are the critters (including bears).
They just want your food.
There's nothing unusual about waking to chaos outside the tent, the cooler torn to shreds and all the foil, wax paper etc.
strewn everywhere.
Your food will have gone if you forgot to put it in the car for safety.
Store your food inside and make sure it is carried in a cooler packed with ice but the ice; the ice will melt very soon and you will need to get more quickly, so check that the shop at your camp site sells it.
And then there's the rain.
Even if they haven't had rain there for ages you can bet your bottom dollar there will be rain when you are there.
Did you remember to waterproof the tent before you left? If you didn't you're in trouble.
You won't be wet, you'll be soaking and so will everything else.
But you don't need rain for everything to be soaking in the morning, humidity can take care of that, so don't leave washing outside 'cause if a critter hasn't gone away with it, it'll be soaking wet.
Take into consideration that camp sites are notorious for overbooking; make sure of yours by getting an email in confirmation, print this out and don't leave it on the kitchen table, there is every possibility that you will need it.
You must also ask about Check in times, Cancellations and Returns, and if you have a tent ask to be sited away from both the restrooms and the RVs.
If you decide to have an RV make sure your reservation includes a 'Hookup' and also ask if they have 'quiet hours' and if so what they are.
If you plan to go to the wild and wonderful parts of the USA, be sure you can still communicate with the outside world, just in case.
There are still many areas where cellphones are useless, so don't rely on them, a simple CB radio will do the trick.
Be sure to pack a medical kit for emergencies and let people know when you are expected at your destination.
Camping isn't for everyone, but with adequate preparation, it can be great fun.