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By far the best thing about camping and campsites IMO is the freedom it gives the kids.

On our first trip, I stopped the car, started unloading the tent, turned round and the kids (3 and 5 at the time) had gone! Only saw them briefly over the next 3 or 4 hours...

Ever since the whole 'Madeline McCann' nightmare, I've worried a little as they are often out of sight and campsites aren't exactly difficult for anyone to just wander in. Fortunately, nothings ever happened and they're now a couple of years older and, hopefully, more aware of people around them.

We always give them a lecture at the beginning of each day about not going off with any strangers and my eldest son is normally good at looking after his sister (except when they've had a fight!) but, short of following them around every minute which is no holiday for us, it's difficult to be 100% happy...

Has anyone used/considered these GPS trackers ?

Alohalove - thanks for the link to the tags website.  I've ordered one each for my youngest two.  Just added peace of mind that we can be contacted if need be.  Not only on campsite but out and about during the school hols as everywhere gets so busy.

Now I just need to remember and put them on before we leave the house

My children def have more freedom on campsite than they do at home.  We usually go with friends and they all tag along together, although this year we are going alone.  My problem will be trying to convince my two year old to stay behind with me.

Hi

We have found that after a day or two you get to know which child belongs where on the campsite, and always if our children bring someone "home" then we check that they have a) told their parents and b) there parents know where to find them.

As ours are a bit older now (14, 8 and nearly 7) we also have walkie talkies for when they are out and about on the site. I feel happier knowing that I can contact them, they seem to think that they should be used for ordering food!!!!!!

We started camping when our youngest was 9 months old and I was like a nervous wreck but as others have said camping folk are generally family people and we look out for each other.

Alison

Not long till wales yipee 

If you have travelled to the campsite by car then you have survived the most dangerous part of your holiday ... apart from the journey home again, of course!

We have been camping since the kids were toddlers and love the idea that you wake in the morning, unzip the tent, and supply food at regular intervals during the day. They always return for food, and for sympathy of they've grazed their knee.

I realise this must make us sound like the family from hell, but I should add that we generally go for open field type campsites so we can pretty much scan the whole place in one go and always have a pretty good idea where they are. Goodness knows they're loud enough!

I should also add that we have only ever had one rule when we go camping, but it has been instilled right from an early age, and that is that you do not ever, ever, ever, EVER, EVER go inside another family's tent or caravan. Is it because I am paranoid? No. I think it is basic courtesy, and I want to retain my right to clear my own tent of other people's kids (as adorable as they are!) by saying to my own kids in front of them "Now you know we have a rule that nobody should be in other people's tents". No, I'm not unsociable. We always have a crowd of kids outside the front of our tent with games and toys. But it means that other parents can always see where their kids are, and you can avoid the inevitable 'ferral' kid rummaging through your crates for snacks, or any chance of suspiscion if anything went missing.

Camping is about freedom ... whilst also respecting other people's holidays.