Camping with kids

It's Not Easy... But So Rewarding!

When you take your kids camping, suddenly you are seeing the world through his eyes. Children are fascinated with even a tiny bug or thrilled with wildlife. They delight in things that adults often pass right by without noticing. Sharing the camping adventure with kids is a wonderful way to enliven your own experience.

So, just because you have children doesn't mean you have to give up the freedom of the outdoors. Camping with kids just takes a little more planning and preparation.

Tip: The Internet is an excellent place to start when it comes to finding locations and trails that will suit your needs and child's age group.

Camping with Little Ones

When camping with babies, toddlers and preschool campers, one of the biggest concerns is their comfort factor. Young children need to be kept warm to keep them from getting sick. Excessive exposure to the weather and the elements can really make an outing turn sour. Be sure not to take small children camping in places that are very cold or exceedingly hot.

When packing, think ahead to be certain you're bringing all the camping gear you'll need to camp in comfort. This includes but is not limited to: extra clothes, boots, nappies, blankets, first aid kit, books and toys for entertainment, etc. Using a checklist can go a long way to be sure that you don't forget anything important.

Busy Toddlers, Busy Parents

Camping with a toddler/preschooler can be more challenging than camping with a baby. Toddlers are always 'on the go'. It's a big job to keep up with a busy child. You need to keep watch all the time to keep them out of mischief. Sitting in the car can seem like forever to them so again, plan carefully and have fun things ready to entertain them until you reach your camping spot.

Dangers around Every Corner

There are a lot of dangers to watch out for when you're camping with kids. Keeping them away from animals can be rather stressful. You also have to be careful to keep them away from the fire. All kids are attracted to water, so nearby lakes or streams are another hazard. And as always, keeping an eye out for suspicious strangers is essential.

Camping with Older Kids

For older children, ages six to ten, again make sure that your kid's camping gear is all in order. Kids love to have their own kids size of kid camping equipment, sleeping bag, flashlight, etc. You can get them their own camping gear. They are absolutely thrilled to have their own kid tent. Kids love to help with the cooking. You can let them help choose their favorite foods to bring along and make the food lists and choose what foods they want. Kids can be included in many of the camp chores and clean up.

Keeping Kids Busy

Plan ahead for fun kids camping activities to keep your children busy during your camping trip. When you are traveling to your camp spot, have a list of travel games to play. You can make up games like 'license plate' bingo, 'name that capital' or just sing a few camp songs.

Once you reach the spot where you’ll be pitching tent for your kid’s camping trip, remember the things you loved to do in your childhood days; like making shadow puppets on the tent walls or telling scary stories (within their age level).

Another great idea is to give each child a disposable camera (in case it gets lost or broken) so they can take photos of the camping trip. When you get home you can frame their special pictures or make their own photo album to show off to friends and family.

Take the Kids Fishing

Catching a fish is an exciting and exhilarating event for any child. Give your kid a fishing rod and a hook and he will be entertained for hours. Teach the kids the tricks of fly fishing. You'll all have a wonderful time.

Hanging out with Teens

Once your child enters those pre-teen and teen years they want more independence. Remember being 16? Hanging out with your parents wasn’t so cool.

You can help your teen be more involved with the family by letting them help plan the trip, deciding where to go, and give them the responsibility to make sure all the camping gear is in order. On the trip to your camping destination give them the role of navigator so they are still taking part.

When it comes to your kid's camping trip itself, share the time with them and build relationships - involve your children with stories about your teen years or stories about other trips you’ve taken that they might have forgotten.

If your kids are mature enough to take a good-natured joke, try giving them a camping gag gift to keep things lively around camp!

Camping and learning about nature is a great way to bond with your child, no matter what the age, so use it to your full advantage. Your time will be well spent and the memories you make will last a life-time.

10 Beginner Camping Mistakes

If even seasoned boy scouts do dumb things, do beginner campers have a chance?

Every campground has their share of first time campers. And it’s hard not to feel sympathy for them. Here are 10 common beginner camping mistakes:

1. They arrive near sunset after hours of driving. They fumble around to put up their camping tent in the dark and can’t find the parts.
2. They arrive in broad daylight and argue and fight for all the neighbours to see ‘cos they can’t agree which tent pole slips where since they didn’t practice at home.
3. They believe the occupancy number rating given by tent manufacturers and don’t realize they were counting sardines, not humans.
4. They do not bring a stove and count on the campfire to cook all their food. “Is it ready, Dad?”, “Is it ready, Dad?”, “Is it ready, Dad?”
5. They plan elaborate menus instead of assembling simple meals that are just as satisfying and much less stressful.
6. They leave food and trash bags overnight and wake up to a possum party.
7. They don’t have the right camping gear, for example, a lantern and are surprised how dark the dark is in the wilderness.
8. They don’t use any pad or mattress between their sleeping bags and the cold ground.
9. They get 8 hours of sleep alright, just in 79 installments.
10. They bring too many big things and too few little things like Old Maid cards, ghost stories for the kids, hot chocolate, and a harmonica.

Camping planning is more than just packing the right camping gear. It starts from knowing what camping style suits your family best, which campground meets your family’s needs, pre-cooking at home to make food prep fun and easy at camp, knowing how to set up your camp site for maximum enjoyment.

Ten Common Sense Camping Tips for Beginners

Camping is all about using your noggin. If you can't be prepared and if you ignore common sense, you can easily be hurt while camping and you probably won't have any fun. You have to remember where you are and the dangers of coexisting with wildlife. Not only that, but camping means learning important survival skills and slowly immersing yourself into the habit of choosing good locations and putting safety first. So here are ten common sense camping tips for beginners.

Research Different Camp Grounds

A beginner should never just choose a camp ground from a directory and head out without first doing some research. Common sense dictates that you should look into several different camp grounds before choosing one that suits your needs. Beginning campers should always remain close to civilization and should choose camp grounds that offer a camp director or someone else who watches over the property. If you have an emergency, help will be nearby. And even if you plan on pitching a tent, it's a good idea for beginners to choose camp grounds which are accessible by vehicle.

Make Reservations

It can be disappointing to arrive at a chosen camp ground and find out that there isn't any space available. To avoid this, always make reservations on the Internet or by phone. Ask about cancellation policies and whether refunds are given if space isn't available. Leave your phone number so that you can be contacted if changes need to be made and always request a confirmation number to provide when you arrive at the camp ground.

Test Camping Gear

It's never a good idea for a beginner camper to simply buy camping gear and hope that it works when you arrive at the campsite. Common sense would tell you to try it out at home and make sure that you are able to set everything up. Make sure you have enough lanterns by trying them in your backyard at night and take a nap in one of your sleeping bags to make sure they are sufficiently comfortable. The most important thing, however, is to practice pitching your tent in the backyard and to practice breaking it down and stowing it away.

Explore the Campsite

When you arrive at your camping destination, follow common sense by exploring everything before it gets dark. Find out where the restrooms and showers are, look for neighbouring campers and seek out garbage receptacles. Knowing the proximity of all of these things will help you find them when it gets dark and will ensure that you have everything you need. You should also look for raised tree roots and logs that might cause you to trip as you make your way toward the bathrooms.

Plan Tent Placement

Where you pitch your tent is almost as important as choosing a campsite. It should be on the highest ground at the camp ground and should be erected sufficiently far away from a fire that sparks can't reach it. While choosing a high place to pitch your tent is important, the ground should also be reasonably level and shouldn't be bedded by anything sharp that might disrupt your sleep.

Pay Attention to Food

Obviously, camping requires that you eat while you're in the wilderness, but be careful where you put your food. Common sense would tell you to keep food tucked in sealed containers. Avoid snacking inside your tent so that bugs and small animals don't try to eat holes in the tent to scavenge for leftover crumbs. If you have a cooler or other large container, don't fall asleep without securing it with a heavy rock or branch to keep larger animals out. You should also pay attention to fire alerts in your area to make sure that you're following the law.

Watch the Weather

Beginner campers should never set up camp when bad weather is afoot. Watch the weather channel and tune in to your radio on the way to the camp site so that you know if storms are brewing. It is always best to listen to common sense and cancel your camping trip if you think it might storm or offer otherwise unfortunate weather. You'll have a far better time camping when the weather is more accommodating.

Practice Campfire Safety

Campfires are one of the most exciting things about camping, but be sure to use common sense. Keep a bucket of water nearby in case the fire gets out of control and never leave a campfire unattended. Your campfire should be reasonably small -- don't let it get out of control -- and make sure to keep children and animals away from the flames. Remember, also, that food cooked over a campfire will be hot, so give it time to cool before putting it in your mouth.

Beware the Wildlife

Camping means sharing your "home" with all different types of wildlife. Plants, bugs and animals will abound, so take common sense precautions. Always pack bug spray along with your other camping gear and observe all animals from a distance. Never put your campsite near poisonous plants; in fact, you might want to take a book that identifies things like poison ivy with you to make sure.

Clean Up and Pack Up

When you are ready to leave your campsite, make sure that the campfire has been properly extinguished and that you've disposed of any trash in the proper receptacles. If your tent or sleeping bags are wet, wait until they are dry or store them in plastic bags. When you get home, be sure to spread everything out to dry before packing it away to avoid mold and mildew.

Camping is a great experience, even for the beginner. Just make sure you use appropriate common sense and that you ask questions when you have a concern. It sometimes helps for novices to go camping with experts until they get the hang of things.

Camping Safety

• Use your common sense when participating in outdoor activities.
• Always be prepared for the unexpected.
• Do not take unnecessary chances. Do not be careless.
• Think before you act.

Be prepared to administer basic first aid and CPR.

• Take a First Aid class and a CPR class -- keep current on this information
• Keep supplies in a well marked, durable, waterproof container
• Keep the contents organized
• Know how to use everything in your first aid kit
• Inspect content often, re-supply as needed
• Keep readily available at all times

Simple Safety Tips Around The Camp Site

• Never approach wild animals. They may look cute and harmless enough but they are very unpredictable and can be very territorial and protective. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. In most cases, the animals are more afraid of us and will run away. Do not attempt to feed wild animals. Most injuries occur when people try to feed them. Keep your food safely stored away or hang it from a tree. Do not keep food in your tent.
• Look out for snakes, spiders and other insectds. Watch where you are walking, be careful when picking up sticks or rocks and look around before taking a seat. Again, snakes are usually more afraid of us, but if they feel threatened or if you make sudden movements they may strike. Stay calm and slowly move away from them.
• Other insects such as bees, ants, ticks, mosquitoes, flies etc should not be taken lightly. Not only can they be annoying but they can cause quite a bit of pain and discomfort. Many people have severe allergic reactions to their bites and need to carry necessary medical supplies or seek medical attention. Again be aware of your surroundings.
• Wear sunscreen and sunglasses. You can get sunburn in a very short period of time even on overcast days. Protect your eyes from the strong ultraviolet rays of the sun and reduce glare from off the water or off the snow. Sunburn can ruin any vacation.
• Never hike alone, always go with a friend. Tell someone else of your plans. Always take plenty of water, snacks, matches and a flashlight. Don't forget your compass and trail maps. Maybe a GPS. Be aware of the weather.
• Be prepared with a water purification system if you may need to use a natural water resource.
• Supervise your children. Instruct them to stay within your sight and don't allow them to wonder off. Give them each a whistle to wear around their neck to be used only in an emergency. Agree on a location to meet. Consider ID bracelets. Keep a picture of your children with you in case they get lost.
• Be careful around water. Watch your step and don't take chances. Watch your children closely. Everyone should know how to swim.
• Pay attention to weather conditions. It can change very quickly. Be prepared and act in anticipation of severe weather. In the winter, watch out for extended exposure to cold temperatures. Frostbite and hypothermia are very dangerous. Keep an eye on each other.
• Be very careful with gas canisters. Keep upright at all times. Keep outside in well ventilated area. Check for leakage by putting soap liquid on all connections. Turn off when not in use. Never install or remove propane cylinders while stove is lit, near flames, pilot lights, other ignition sources or while stove is hot to the touch.
• Be careful not to spill fuel. Use funnel to fill tank.
• Do not operate stove or store fuel containers around another heat source such as a campfire. Only operate the stove in open, well ventilated areas. Never use the stove in a tent or a confined area.
• Replenish your ice often. Keep your food cold at all times to avoid food spoilage and food poisoning.
• Practice good fire safety.
• Check with campground about their security policies.