Family Camping On Trip
17. Managing the pebble and moose poop intake of a crawling toddler quickly becomes exhausting. If you have very young campers, bring a Bumbo Chair or playpen so they have somewhere off the ground to sit.
18. Your tent will become a nylon funhouse, whether you like it or not. It’s all fun and games until someone bonks their head on the root or rock that kept you awake all night. Bring an extra sleeping mat or two so kids can roll and leap at will or line the tent floor with foam floor tiles.
19. Constant reminders about cliff edges and water hazards will become tedious—for you and the kids. Instead, explain the hazard and make appropriate rules together, such as clear boundaries (like, “Don’t go past that big tree” or “Wear your PFD to play near the water”). “Experienced older kids need less instruction and can be given more freedom,” explains Lanza, “but don’t assume older kids who are beginners will understand every potential hazard.”
20. Make a game of having kids help with age-appropriate camp chores. Five-year-olds can help gather kindling, an eight-year-old can help start a fire, and a 12-year-old can be responsible for a meal.
21. Accept that things will go wrong while on a trip. “You can count on that,” guarantees Callan. “If you can laugh at the misfortunes, the moderate ones at least, kids will learn to relax and do the same.”
Come Home Safely
27. If you wear your PFD and helmet, your kids will wear their PFD and helmet. Parents that force their children to wear safety gear without wearing their own are asking for a battle.
28. In the backcountry, have your kids wear a whistle on a lanyard and instruct on how to use it. Explain what it means to be lost (when you can’t find Mom or Dad), and what to do: stop, blow your whistle three times, and listen for a response, then repeat.
29. If you’re more than a 911 call away from help, Mom and Dad should invest in a wilderness first aid course for peace of mind. Gear Concerns
22. Loosen those purse strings. Maybe you can make do with that old, scruffy PFD that rubs your nipples raw, but make sure your child is comfortable with well-fitting, quality gear in a color they like—or you’ll hear about it.
23. Ditch the stroller. Get your kids used to the idea of walking early, and they will grow into strong hikers. “I preferred a child-carrier backpack to a stroller, even in urban settings, for those occasions when my kids needed a break from walking,” explains Lanza. “It gives you exercise, is more convenient on stairs, and helps communicate to kids that our family carries packs—that we’re hikers.”
24. Whether a task is perceived as a painful chore or a perk often depends on whose idea it was. Don’t force your kids to carry packs, instead wait until they ask for one, adds Lanza.
25. Since kids can’t regulate their body temperatures as well as adults, half the stress of traveling with them becomes keeping them either dry, cool or warm. Weather-appropriate layers are a no-brainer, but an ultra-light trekking umbrella is a welcome shield from the elements and will become a staple in your camp kit.
26. Instead of a crib, consider using a portable shelter, such as a Kidco Peapod for babies and toddlers. It is also a great bug-proof nap nest.
34 | Canoeroots
PHOTO: DAVE QUINN
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