Camping...

[Wycco]

So we've decided to do something different this year...

I'm taking the 5yo/2yo and 10mo to the Carolina coast armed with a tent and my wife.

Something I haven't done since I myself was a kid. My parent's had a caravan that would be towed behind the car that we would sleep in at night. (no not a mini van- a caravan as in what you tow behind the car and camp with).

We won't have one of those.

Oh, and yes, I might just be crazy... :screwy:

This isn't some hiking/camping trip- the campsite is going to be located near the car... I'm curious if any fellow ACers have taken their young kidletts camping and if you have any advice for a nutter who takes small kids camping.


We're going to be gone two nights. Is it best to take all our possessions back to the car during the day or just put a padlock on out tent zippers. Obviously we're not taking anything extra-expensive, but I've had people steal used flip-flops from me at the beach before so I'm leaving nothing to chance.

Should I just kill myself now?


Thanks you!

 

[Reefscape]

Yeah, kill yourself.....LMAO...

 

[stephcps]

We go camping all the time. We have a 3 year old and a 6 year old. Our experience is a little different as we have a motorhome. But, the kids love it. I don't know about your particular campground. But, in the 7 years we have been camping have never had a problem. Infact we have a seasonal site that we leave with all our stuff sitting out including bicycles and it has never been an issue. Campers as a rule are friendly, safe and helpful. If you need help there is always someone around willing to lend a hand.
So, just have fun!! The kids are gonna love it!!
Steph

 

[pinkertd]

HaHa! I never did camping with the kids. But even vacations have a way of biting you in the butt! We always went to the Outer Banks with the kids every year and hauled half the house along. Worst one was when the triplets were 4 or 5, the oldest was then 7 or 8. We were only there a couple of days when we got evacuated due to a hurricane. Packed the tons of stuff back in the car, headed home, made it just across the causeway on the the mainland when all 4 of them started throwing up with a virus. After attempting to deal with this on top of the evacuation and rental money down the drain, I literally sat down on the ground and bawled my eyes out, all the time saying "I can't do this". Definitely the worst vacation with the kids! Good luck to ya! I'm sure you'll have lots of stories to tell when you get back!

 

[IceH2O]

My advice is wait till the 10 month old is 5 yrs old then take them camping.

No fun taking small children camping in a tent.

You should try an experiment in your backyard for a night. Then the following day of no TV and go to a national park for a picnic and hike or whatever to get a feel of how they will act.

 

[Wycco]

My advice is wait till the 10 month old is 5 yrs old then take them camping.

No fun taking small children camping in a tent.

You should try an experiment in your backyard for a night. Then the following day of no TV and go to a national park for a picnic and hike or whatever to get a feel of how they will act.

We've done all the above... They for the most part are fine... the biggest problem is all three of them want to be held after 100ft of hiking...

That's why we're chosing a campsite where we can drive the car up- not on a long hiking trail... we will do some very short hikes- and we're located next to the beach... this is no, hiking the apalachian, just sleeping in a tent next to the beach. They're too young for anything more than that.

The older two kids have spent the night in a tent in the backyard with me a couple of times no problem... the youngest this will be a new experience- but I don't see her as the problem.

We're also going to be very near a major tourist beach- so if the kids get too bored we're within easy access of more touristy things.

I'm hoping it won't resort to too much of that though.

 

[Star_Rider]

bug repellant
sunscreen
snacks.

I have taken all but one of my kids/stepkids camping. they loved it.

beach combing in a great activity.
if the allow fires at camp sites(usually designated firepits) make sure you have a small fire. let the kids help gather wood and start the fire.

use fire techniques seen in survival shows(they work)
and don't forget smores.
with kids you will need to keep them comfortable so make sure you get good bedding/matresses.
if you have space high density extra firm foam pads work well.


I actually prefer tent camping to motorhomes.

 

[Wycco]

The kids do love fire when we grill on the deck... at least the older two-

Hopefully they won't share their father's pyromania!

(back in college would write something on the wall with aerosol spray and then light the words on fire... or spray my jeans and light myself on fire)


Anyhow smores and beach fires is a fantastic idea... As is beach-combing- I had hoped to take them out after dark to look for crabs on the beach. They have inflatable "Cars" and "Dora" mattresses that they sleep on in the backyard and when we go anywhere that they love. (they'd sleep in them at home instead of their beds if we'd let 'em).

Keeping them entertained ALL day will probably be the biggest challenge...

 

[sumthin fishy]

We have a 15 month old and camp in the sierras all the time. Most of the places we camp are remote, so if you have criiters in that area, use the bear boxes if provided or tie your food up in a tree. Ive never had anything stollen out of a tent, but you can never be too careful. As for Rv's, teardrops, pop-ups, caravans or whatever you call them.....THAT IS NOT CAMPING!!!! I even have reservations about people who use air matresses, and if I dont have the kid, I usually dont bring a tent. It's about the outdoors, not bringing the indoors with you.

Since your little one is so...umm... little, if you have a pack and play bring it. It can be used for sleeping in and playing in. Bring a sheet or a large swath of mosquito netting to put over the top.

 

[excuzzzeme]

I took my kids camping all the time. No, not RV living but real camping. Anything more than a tent is NOT camping. Yes, I have an RV and that doesn't come close to camping. I took my kids when they were as young as 3 months old and have no regrets.

1) Take plenty of extra clothing for the kids, plenty of TP, soap, and wash cloths.
2) Plastic trash bags for your garbage and for wet clothing, pillow cases for dirty dry clothing.
3) Take more water than you will need because it won't be enough, sunscreen, bug spray, and flea collars worn around your ankles.

4) While putting up the tent have the kids "gather wood" and clean your campsite, it gives them something to do.
5) Don't take anything you can't afford to lose or destroy. Both have a way of happening.
6) Consistency with the kids is needed. If it's not OK at home, it's not OK when camping.
7) Make sure you teach them as much about nature as you can. It will be lesson that will last life-long.

8) Most of all, have fun! Make it something to look forward to.

As teens my kids used to camp out with their friends. Yes, I used to check on them and sometimes I never let them know I had been there. After a few times I quit checking on them. And now - they take their kids camping like I did with them.