Happy Campers–Part 2
Let’s talk a bit about taking teenagers on a family campout. They may think they’re too good to do anything with the family, and they can think that if they want. They may think their lives are over when they can’t text anymore because their cell phones have lost reception, but they’ll get over it. They may pout and glare at you for 100 miles because they can’t believe you have subjected them to the immaturity and general disgusting habits/sounds/gestures of their nine-year old brothers. Again, this too shall pass. Here are some ideas about taking teenagers on a campout, and how to survive the trip unscathed.
1. Let them bring a friend. They’ll be on better behavior. It isn’t solely a “family” campout anymore, but at least the principal members are present. One more won’t change the dynamics too much.
2. Show them pictographs and petroglyphs. They think this is cool. “Dude! It’s like they were texting into the cliff!”
3. Feed them. A lot. Especially boys. If they start to gripe, it won’t be anything that a handful or an entire bage of M and Ms won’t cure. Make sure you don’t run out of food. This might be a crime for which you’ll never be forgiven. Never underestimate the appetite of youth that are growing inches per month. Whenever you think you have enough, double it.
4. Let them build a fire. They like fires. Just don’t leave them unattended after that. Don’t think about going to your tent or camper to bed, for instance.
5. Don’t be gone too many days. Teens get cranky when they can’t chat or text or IM or just plain talk on the phone, whatever it is they do. Girls can go about 2.5 days without a hair straightener and then they’ve just got to get back to civilization and electricity!
And one more. Let them have their music, even if it means they don’t hear the nature sounds that most people go camping to hear. At this point in their lives, having their presence may be all you’re gonna get.
Any other ideas?
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