I am going camping for 8 days. I have 12 year old cat in a 2 bedroom 2nd floor apartment.

I checked into cat kennels but they are too expensive for me.

I though about bringing him along (I have a metal cat kennel that I could put him in during the day and bring him in the tent with me and the two kids at night. I worry about him getting attacked by predators or breaking loose somehow.

The other option is to leave him at home and have my dad check on him every few days.

He has an auto feeder and auto water provider that last 2 weeks so that is not a a problem.

I was camping out at night in the woods, (I enjoy survival)
at about midnight it was pitch black apart from my light and I went to collect some wood sticks, I heard something moving fast through the leaves and I saw this cat coming at me full speed, I began to run, I started to scream, I was screaming so hard, it was so horrible
I was chased 3km

Ok so I have kind of rescued a cat but i often go away in my camper van on weekends climbing or kayaking.

Does anyone have any experience of taking a cat camping in a van or tent? I.e. can you go somewhere and let them out and will they come back or roam off?

Any advice or suggestions welcome.