Camping Is Fun With Kids

During the afternoon, if the children are old enough, we take another hike in the woods or go looking down by the water. I do not let them get too close to the waters edge, but they can still see frogs, an occasional snake perhaps, and small fish feeding. Most children are scared of the large dragonflies when they first see them and this is normal. My niece thought they were large bees! You can have almost as much fun as the children just watching them!

Start dinner early. Most kids I have taken camping build up a terrible hunger during the day. Just like at home, I tend to control the amount of snacks they have during the day, except fruit and veggies, but feed them often and a lot! On my last camping trip the boys and I had grilled steaks, real baked potatoes, fresh green salad, and a can of peaches for dessert. They ate every last bite and then as soon as it got dark the real fun started!

Children, and most adults, love a campfire at night. I can’t sing, but I do try when I camp. I teach the kids old country songs, funny songs, or we take turns making songs up. Often, after the kids have some experience camping, the subject will turn to scary ghost stories. We take turns going around the campfire telling the best scary stories you have ever heard! I wish I had a dollar for every time I have told (and I made it all up in my head) of “The Hand That Wouldn’t Die!” Keep the stories toned down if you have a new member or an inexperienced camper. The idea is to have fun, not scare a child so badly you are up all night with them (I know this from experience). However, use your own judgment here about the horror tales. They may not be appropriate for your age group of kids.

At night I have the girls go to one tent and the boys to another. You can, usually expect a night raid by the boys. I normally sit between the tents and wait. Most of the time the raid comes very early, because the children are too tired to wait long. I have caught more boys this way! Though, I did once catch a group of young girls. As I said, most of the time they will raid early, because they are tired.

In the morning I will wake them at a reasonable time, let’s say around 7am. I get them up early for a number of reasons (they may be difficult to get up if they are still tired from the day before). The first reason is so they can help me with breakfast and then all of us can clean the campsite. Second, I will have some activities planned for the day. I usually ask the children on the second day what they want to do. Listen to their plans and ideas; they may have a great suggestion or two. Now remember, you want just enough things planned to keep them from getting bored, but don’t plan every single minute! Allow the children to have time to do things as a couple or alone. This is healthy and good for them to have some unstructured time. But, keep them safe and know where they are at all times.

Also, bring along some books and board games the children have chosen. It is important for the children to pick these items and not you. I refuse, personally, to allow a child to bring electronic games, radios, or cd players. I feel camping is the time to get away from those things. Of course, you may decide differently, I have never had a child miss them if they had other things to do. You should bring books and games with you so the child has something to do if the weather turns ugly. I once spent three days in Alaska with a 10-year-old boy and with nothing for him to do as it rained, rained, and then rained some more. I will never do that again.

When you depart a campsite make sure the fire is out, trash has been picked up and stress the importance to each child of “leaving only your foot prints.” I have found most children, who are taught good camping skills, responsibilities, cleanliness, and safety, make excellent campers as adults. It is you and I who can motivate these youngsters and turn them into responsible campers!

Camping with children can be a great deal of fun. But, as I have said, the big secret is to get the child involved from the very start. Keep them involved during the whole process! Make them feel as if they are part of the trip and not just excess baggage. Give them camp responsibilities and explain why the chores have to be done. Let them do as much as they can for their age. Stress safety, hygiene, fun, and turn the trip into an educational time for them. Teach them the wonders of nature, preservation of our woods and streams, and a deep appreciation of what America has to offer our campers, hikers, and outdoor families. But, most of all, teach them we can all, regardless of our age, have fun outdoors!

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