Instill The Excitement Of Going Camping In Children

Author:Lorretta Lancaster

The joys of the good old days seem to have faded away for good as a technologically advanced generation misses out on the simple pleasures of life. With each passing generation, more children are tied to the indoors and therefore miss out on the adventures to be found outside, particularly on camping trips. Luckily, you can still make a difference in the life of a sedentary, electronics-addicted child. With the right approach, you can enjoy the pleasant experience of going camping with your family.

Your camping trip should be built around the age and ability of your children. For example, small children can't handle strenuous, day-long hikes with no breaks, and if your kids don't know how to swim, going camping at a lake is not a good choice. Keep your idea of a camping adventure within reason, and choose activities that they can engage in.

One of the best ways to get the kids ready for a camping trip is to practice camping. Spend a day and night roughing it in the yard so that they can get accustomed to being outdoors. Start unplugging your kids and improving their fitness by going on short walks or bicycling to a local park or mall. Do these things with your kids, rather than sending them out on their own to get fit while you fill the recently vacated position on the couch. All of these things will make the camping transition a lot easier.

Camping is also the perfect opportunity to show them how to value nature. Children are inclined to plucking plants unless they are taught early on about the value of protecting wildlife, both fauna and flora. Also teach them about avoiding restricted areas and endangered plant species. You also want to teach them how to stay safe by showing how to identify poisonous plants and creatures. Also instill in them a respect for animals, admiring them from afar without encroaching on their private space.

Children are often uncomfortable in new environments; this is an aspect of camping that you should be prepared for. Carry their favorite toys with you as this will be a comforting security blanket, offering them a sense of familiarity even in the new surroundings. In addition, give each of them a flashlight to help them cope with the darkness. A flashlight is not only fun for small children, but gives them a sense of comfort and control. During the dark nights, children will sleep better knowing their flashlight is just within reach of them to provide them with instant light should the need arise.

Make the camping adventure an event that is entertaining and enjoyable for the kids. Since weather is unpredictable, it is wise to carry small games or a deck of cards to keep children entertained in case of sudden showers. Also include their favorite snacks to liven up their spirits in case they are feeling a little low.

Keep in mind that you want your kids to remember this experience fondly, so enable them to participate in preserving their own memories of the trip. Give them each a disposable camera so they can take some pictures from their persepctive of the experience. They can photograph anything that can serve as a perfect reminder of this day, and later fill an album with memories of their family adventure.

While camping is a fun endeavor, it’s also a serious one. Safety protocols must be followed. Always be alert for any potentially dangerous situations. Watch out for drowning hazards, wild animals, or any other potentially dangerous conditions. Keep the family together so nobody will get lost. Supply each camper with a whistle to blow should the group get separated. Everyone will have more fun if they are safe.

Make sure that you schedule breaks during the camping trip. Do not be too rigid in your schedule, as this will ruin the experience for the kids.

Instead of doing all the work for them as they sit bored, let them have a chance to be involved in the trip. They can help prepare food or help put up the tent. This will make them feel like they are an important part of the family team, which, in fact, they are.

Going on a camping trip with your family is fantastic fun and a wonderful way to create some lasting memories. While the event has great potential to be fun, a lot depends on your preparation for the trip. With appropriate preparation, your family will no doubt make some memories that will last a lifetime. Be prepared for the kids to start begging to go on a second trip before you've even had time to wash out the campfire smell.