Camping–perils and positives
So it’s June–such a gorgeous month–and you’re considering taking the family camping. Just considering, mind you. You have some great memories of family campouts and some not-so-great ones. Your memories may look something like mine:
Dirt, sunburn, mosquito bites, toddler crashing over tree roots, teenager texting every five minutes and refusing to get out of the car, eight-year old spilling a huge mug of hot cocoa all over the tent, dirt, critters outside the tent, three-year old peeing in her sleeping bag, runny eggs, dirt, rain, etc. Yes, these are some of the perils of taking the kids camping. There are too many others to name. But I just have to mention the trip when the campground toilet smelled so vile, that the five-year old cried every time she had to go “potty.” Along with the smell, she feared she would fall into the nauseating abyss.
Then there’s some positive things: crackling fires, dirt (it’s not off limits when you’re camping) roasting marshmallows, how bland food tastes better camping, the kids’ delirium over sleeping in a tent, hot chocolate in the morning, learning about insects, critters and animals, family togetherness (could go under “perils,” too), learning to make complicated desserts likes s’mores; breathing in fresh air, learning to appreciate nature’s beauty, learning, learning, learning.
Going camping is a smogasbord of earthly delights just waiting to be explored.
To get your kids excited to be outdoors, buy the book The Bear That Heard Crying. Your children will be mesmerized by this amazing story of a three-year old girl in the 1780s who becomes lost in the forest. When she is found she tells everyone that a big, back dog took care of her. Reading this book on a campout will have kids virtually entranced. It will remind them not to never wander away by themselves. It will become a family favorite.
This week, maybe just consider the possibilities of a family campout.
June 12th, 2007 at 10:35 am
My grandfather took his eight children camping for two weeks. Imagine six boys, two girls and mom and pop in one tent for two weeks…
June 12th, 2007 at 10:35 am
BTW…I like the concept of your blog and look forward to reading it.
June 12th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Thanks Jonathan. I finally figured out how to do a link!
June 13th, 2007 at 6:52 am
My husband loves camping and will bring the kids for the first time this year.
I will go to the spa instead!