Before You Go
1. Your less enlightened friends will assure you that kids mean your outdoor days are over. Step one: ignore them.
2. Kids are never too young to get outside. “Earlier is better,” says outdoors supermom Alice Young-Clark—in some ways, it’s easier too. “We started at three months. There was no extra food or water to carry while nursing, although you do have to deal with diapers.”
3. If you’re worried your terrific tot will become the tent terror of campground C by night, introduce yourself to your closest neighbors and offer earplugs. You’ll find most campers are just excited that your little one is enjoying the outdoors.
4. For kids new to camping, make an adventure of using sleeping bags, pads and jacket pillows at home before a trip, removing this variable from the new experience. Set up the tent in the backyard to introduce them to it before embarking on an adventure.
5. Pack just a little bit of home with you. Whether it is your child’s favorite bowl and spoon or The Lorax for the thousandth reading, familiar items help anchor the idea that your family is home as long as you are together.
6. Practice non-attachment and leave most toys behind. “Toys matter very little because kids gather many treasures along the way,” explains Young- Clark. “This way, kids learn to find and collect, and let go of things.”
7. Offer some (pre-screened) options and let your kids help plan the trip. Do they want to camp at a beach or visit a waterfall? They’ll buy in if they feel like the trip is theirs as well.
8. Nothing makes a camping trip more fun for your kids than when they can bring a buddy. The real bonus is for parents: whining is just not cool in front of your friends.
Busy Bees
14. No matter how tired you are, your kids will still need activities to fill the day. Instead of beach naps, parents willing to play the role of camp counselor and armed with songs, stories, puzzles, crafts, cooking projects and games will be heroes of the day.
15. A family trip scrapbook is a beautiful keepsake and the ultimate rainy day activity. Bring basic craft supplies and use needles, pebbles, bark and lichen from the forest floor to have everyone add their own touch to daily journal pages.
16. Bring field guides for flora and fauna in the area. Being able to point out and name local plants and animals and interesting facts about both can be a great way to keep kids aware of their surroundings.
Re-Routing
9. Be realistic and know your child’s limits. “The average kid will only spend 30 to 40 minutes in a canoe or on a hiking trail, especially if they’re under five,” notes author Kevin Callan. “We introduced our daughter to canoe tripping slowly by going on a half-day outing, then a full day, then a weekend, and so on. If you don’t move up the ladder of progress slowly, your child will definitely come crashing down.”
10. To make longer days with kids work, take lots of breaks and eat like hobbits. “In addition to stopping for anything interesting, be sure to take regular breaks for breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, snack, supper and bed time snack,” says Young-Clark.
11. As a rule of thumb, older kids can hike half a mile per day for each year of age. Regardless of the distance you choose, expect “Are we there yet?” to be a common refrain.
12. Adults seek out big views, remote areas and wildlife. Kids just want to play. “They want to play in water, climb on rocks, crawl through narrow crevices, and throw stones,” explains Michael Lanza. “Choose destinations that you know will provide natural features that engage and excite kids. Make them want to go out again.”
13. Lose your agenda. Happy camper Callan re-learned the meaning of living in the moment from his daughter. “Kyla taught me to slow down and spend time looking at things. I remember her looking at an anthill for over half an hour,” he says. What’s important is sharing the experience. If being together is the goal, every trip will be a success, whether you’re camping by car, canoe, ski, foot or llama.
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PHOTO: BRUCE KIRKBY
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