Picture this: Your tight little family unit is trekking through the sun-dappled woods, spotting wildlife, enjoying spectacular natural scenery, learning about nature, building strength, and bonding. Is it possible? Absolutely!
Camping is inexpensive, good exercise and great for renewing the spirit. It imbues children with self-reliance and love of nature that will pay them dividends for a lifetime. Camping is serious family together-time, so it’s prime time to impart your values, tell stories, and really get to know each other.
Great Expectations
Anticipation is part of the fun, but keep expectations modest, and focus on your goal: to enjoy each other in nature. Don’t get caught up thinking it won’t count unless you hike 10 miles, sleep 2 nights in the rough, or climb Mount Switchback.
Planning and Preparation
If anybody in your group is new to camping, plan a simple one-nighter in an easy, local setting that boasts real bathrooms and showers. Have a good backup plan, such as retreating to the nearest inexpensive motel if anyone’s really unhappy or uncomfortable. Toughing it out won’t win any badges, and may sabotage your child’s burgeoning love for the outdoors.
Test the waters with a day hike. It’s wonderful to hone in on what water, food and equipment you’ll need and really use, while staying close to restaurants, stores and bathrooms.
Practice noticing landmarks, trail markers, following the trail with a map and other wayfinding skills. More importantly, practice slowing down!
Discuss the importance of packing out all trash, and take out some additional trash if you can. Go over rules like the buddy system, no berry-eating, don't approach or feed wildlife, fire and water safety.
Check with area parks for special children’s’ activities. Leave time to enjoy the setting and relax by scheduling only one major activity (hiking, swimming, horseback riding) per day.
Kids can help:
* Prepare snacks to take on the trip. Make your own trail bars, trail mix. Visiting the outdoor store.
* Plan meals. Discuss the menus and assign jobs as cook, dishwasher, and trash collector. Ramen with added ingredients, just-add-water chili and other one-pot meals leave you more time for fun, with minimal weight and easy cleanup.
* Fill water bottles and package trail mix in individual baggies.
Let kids choose one or two toys to bring. Feel free to impose weight and size limits, or insist that Game Boy or electronic player gets a rest.
Make a checklist together. Talk about everything you’ll do – go to the bathroom, eat, play games, sleep. List of all the items you’ll need and want, then cull the list to the bare minimum, especially if backpacking. Items can do double duty, like a soft teddy bear who’s willing to serve as a pillow.
Stage a backyard trial run. Practice pitching the tent, unrolling and stuffing the bags, lighting your way. Practice tying knots, reading the map, using the compass.
Rent movies that’ll get everyone in the mood, like how-tos for camping and backpacking and travel videos. Westerns and pioneer themes can help you explain what “roughing it” means.
Plan to leave Fido at home unless he’s a camping veteran. Wait ‘til you and the kids are seasoned explorers to add him to the mix.
ADVICE FOR THE AGES
Babies and Toddlers
* Baby carriers abound, but you may need to gradually build up tolerance for longer sessions in the pack or sling.
* Bring airtight bags (zippered) for dirty diapers; they’ll be with you awhile. Suspend bags in a tree away from scavengers and be sure to pack them out.
* Breastfeeding moms have it made, but ready-made or powdered formula in small containers works too. There’s jar food and unrefrigerated boxed milk for the toddler crowd.
* Take it easy on Mom and be prepared to carry everything but junior.
* Babyproof your site as far as possible. Store sharp equipment, twine, rope, breakables out of harm’s way.
* A portable playpen may allow you to relax a bit more.
* Bring extra clothes and bags so wet or dirty stuff isn’t a problem.
Preschoolers
Their sense of wonder is at an all-time high, but their attention spans are tiny, and moods go from happy to stormy in no time. At the first sign of fussing or resistance:
* Stop and snack
* Offer a distraction
* Meander or play a game. Remember, that’s why you’re there!
* Surprise them with a new, dollar-store toy to occupy them while you pitch camp.
Older and Wiser
* Consider letting school-age kids bring a friend along. Maybe their parents will return the favor!
* If they want to sleep in their own tent, fine – but keep them within view and earshot.
* Insist that they follow the buddy system.
* Make and enforce ironclad rules about adults supervising any fire or water related activities.
Activities
* Carry a camping journal or sketchbook and pencils. Don’t forget a sharpener or penknife.
* Give each kid a disposable camera, and organize a scavenger hunt. Keep the park brochure for scrapbooking.
* Birding is fun, especially with binoculars.
* 20 questions and I Spy are still fun after all these years.
* Tell stories, especially spooky ones at night (but not too spooky!). Don’t forget family lore like "Grandpa used to cook the pancakes" and "The time I broke my arm."
* Make shadow plays with flashlights. Give everyone his or her own flashlight. Glow sticks are good, too.
* Stargaze. Bone up on the constellations ahead of time so you can hold the kids spellbound with classic tales and science.
Meals
Unless you’re an experienced outdoor cook, stick with ultra-simple fare; the novelty of eating outdoors and all the exercise will ensure it’s delicious.
* Instant soup-in-a-cup or ramen and a roll are light to carry, easy to make and clean up.
* One-pot meals like mac and cheese (boosted with a no-refrigeration packet of tuna or tofu) are easy and stick to the ribs.
* Trail mix and cereal bars
* Frozen foods can keep things cold and will be ready to cook by evening.
* Peanut butter, apples, oranges, and bananas travel well.
* Save in a zippered bag those restaurant portions of condiments and jellies, salt, pepper, sugar, ketchup and pizza cheese.
* Warming beverages for morning and evening are welcome, even in summer. Coffee and tea, instant gourmet coffee, cocoa for the kids.
Safety Concerns
* Carry a first-aid kit with gauze, band-aids, tape, antibiotic, pain relievers, even on day hikes.
* Keep kids away from ledges and drop-offs and be extra vigilant around water.
* Enjoy fire and water where permitted but emphasize the safety aspects strongly.
* Sandwich kids between adults on trails, especially on climbs with rocks or gravel.
* Make a ritual check for ticks each night.
Trail Ethics to Pass Along
* Take only photographs, leave only footprints.
* Be quiet so others can enjoy nature. Pretend you’re the only ones in the wilderness and let others do the same.
* Stay on the trail. No collecting or flower picking, but leave them for others to enjoy, and so there’ll always be more.
* No littering; pack it in, pack it out.
Packing
Make your equipment list on the computer and print it out. When you return, add any items you wanted but didn’t have, and remove those you never used.
Borrow and/or rent items at first, so you’ll know exactly what you want to buy. If you buy now, research first. Ask friends and outdoor store folks for recommendations. Remember: You get what you pay for. Here’s a starter list:
Hiking: Backpacks, water bottles, snacks, rain gear, layered clothing, binoculars, compass, map, whistle, journal, pencils or crayons, sunscreen, bug repellent. Invest in great, well-fitting shoes for everyone, with nylon liners and heavy cotton rag or wool socks.
Sleeping: Tent and stakes, rain fly, ground cloth (a square poncho works well), sleeping bags, foam pads, lantern, flashlights and extra batteries, wipes, toilet paper, string, fishing line, rope, utility knife, mallet, whisk broom.
Cooking: Kitchen box with utensils, pans, cups and bowls, stove, waterproof matches, food, seasonings, napkins.
Home Again
It’s good to be home, but before you collapse on the couch, engage in this ritual:
* Lay out and clean the equipment, take inventory and make repairs.
* Put dirty laundry in the washer to soak.
* Wash all dishes and utensils; throw out any suspect food.
* Air out and sweep the tent; store sleeping bags and pads loose, not rolled or stuffed.
Don’t forget to develop the photos, review the notes, sketches, journal entries. And congratulate yourself; you did it!
