Tips for camping with children

[48Rob]

How my parents did it in the early 60's



They were very organized; a place for everything, special boxes to hold it all.
Crib for little sister, booster chairs for me and brother, and lots of games.
The smell of a canvas tent always brings me back to childhood!

Rob

[The Teardrop Nanny]

Rob, is that you on the left? Nice flashback photo!

Some more tips:

When you arrived at camp everyone had a specific job to do so we could settle in very quickly. Even very small children can be given a camp set up chore to do. We could bug out of a camp area fast too cuz everyone had a task to complete.

We often camped with relatives at our hunting cabin or at a quonset hut that had established boundaries for our exploring. My Mom and Aunt were teachers so they had a whistle to blow when they wanted us to come back to the main area. We also had been taught to use our whistle signal (no crying wolf) if we were in serious need of adult help....3 short, sharp blasts.

Being a twin myself, we had to travel in the buddy system and do periodic check ins. A notepad (or small chalkboard) left out on the camp chair or post (tree) was available for you to make a mark on, or WHEN OLDER, write/receive a message. We also often had a garbage bag in our pocket which could be made in to a poncho or shield shelter in inclement weather.

In this area we were taught NOT to poke sticks in animal holes. We only picked berries or mushrooms with an adult who knew which were safe to eat.
AND LEAVE PLANTS WITH LEAVES OF 3 ALONE!

[48Rob]

Yes, I'm the little guy in the middle smiling

As a kid, I had no idea what poison ivy was, but don't ever remember getting it.
As an adult, I learned what it was after a few rashes.
What amazes me is that when I go camping now, everywhere I look at campgrounds, and especially lining the paths between campsites that the children play on/in is very healthy poison ivy

Rob...who had lots of chores too

[rowerwet]

planning our first teardrop camping trip with the kids for this summer.
for a few years now we have gone canoe camping with the kids starting when we had only three. and the youngest was 2. She slept in the tent with us while the older two slept in their own tent not far away. we camp on an Island on an Adirondack lake with no houses or motorboats. We go with my sister's family and some of my B-I-L's family. This adds up to quite a crowd of kids, most of them cousins. We set out the rules when we first arrive, no boating without a life jacket, there must be an adult there for the younger non swimmers to be near or in the water. we keep life jackets on the toddlers all the time as they aren't under voice control yet.
my oldest two and my sisters older two each have their own mouseboat and spend plenty of time paddling, swimming and diving.This past year they spent a bunch of time making a cave/fort on the Island and exploring the Island.
We make sure there are snacks but don't offer them all the time, meals are a group effort, we all chip in for food and then one person does the shopping.
Around the campfire at night I hand out glow bracelets, they make it easy to find the kids and work great for night lights.
this past year, we put our three girls in one tent and the boy in his own right next to them so they can talk. Our tent is far enough away they have to shout to get us.
The campground we plan on going to with just our kids and the teardrop has playgrounds and a beach. My kids have never been bored at a beach.
For us camping is about keeping them covered with sun screen, making sure they are eating enough, and then following them with a camera for all the memories.

[vwool]

This is our daughter in a TD we rented in January, she loved it.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1393700259.528317.jpg (127.65 KiB) Viewed 180 times

[Christina]

Thank you everyone for their tips and tricks! The photos from 48Rob and vwool were adorable. Can I use them on my blog?

[vwool]

Thank you everyone for their tips and tricks! The photos from 48Rob and vwool were adorable. Can I use them on my blog?

I am fine with that.

[48Rob]

Sure, as long as it is non commercial use.

Rob

[Christina]

Hi Christina
I still read your blog (posted to my favorites) twice a week, and marvel at how you can keep it interesting each week!
Thanks for sharing your adventures and knowledge with us!
:

Thank you, Vedette! I'm amazed at how I've been able to keep the blog going. There just seems to be ideas and stories popping up all around me.

Thanks again for the interview.