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Camping with Kids
By Monique Cole
Sammy,
my first daughter, started her camping career at the age of 3
months. My husband and I marveled at her ability to sleep a solid
five hours tucked snugly between us in the tent. We even joked
about pitching our tent in the living room just to get a good
night's rest.
The novelty, beauty, and adventure of
camping are enjoyed by children of all ages. Here's how to get
started.
First you must pick a campsite. The
less experienced may want to make their first foray close to
home (like in the backyard), gaining confidence in such skills
as tent pitching and stove starting. While we like to pull off
the side of Jeep roads for rugged and secluded car camping, "official"
public and private campgrounds usually offer such family friendly
amenities as picnic tables, potable water spigots, and toilets.
State departments of tourism are a great
source of information on both public and private campgrounds.
You can reserve sites in advance at National Forests and National
Parks by calling 800-280-CAMP. State and county parks and Bureau
of Land Management areas, also often offer million-dollar views
for fees ranging from free to $15 per night.
Before hitting the road, educate yourself
about the dangers specific to your destination such as bears,
mountain lions, poisonous snakes, ticks bearing Lyme disease,
hypothermia, heat exhaustion, high altitude, and weather. If
camping abroad, be sure to get the required vaccinations for
the whole family ahead of time.
When you first arrive at your camp site,
you should scan the area for additional hazards such as broken
glass, precipitous drop-offs, and poisonous plants. While streams,
lakes, and beaches are attractive, they also require more parental
vigilance.
Nothing can spoil a camping trip quicker
than forgetting a necessity (like the tent). Be sure to make
a list and check it twice.
Camping Check List:
- Tent (or two if your children are old
enough to sleep alone)
- Ample sleeping bags and pads
- Stove & cooking gear
- Plates, cups & eating utensils
- Plenty of food and snacks
- Large water container
- Lantern
- Special blankets, stuffed animals and
bedtime books
- A few toys
- Toilet paper
- Diapers & wipes
- A natural non-toxic dish/hand soap
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- First aid kit
Conveniences:
- Folding table
- Camp or lawn chairs (especially nice
for nursing moms)
- Portable play pen (to keep crawlers
out of harm's way)
- Sun shower
- Extra tarpaulin (can be a play mat,
sun shade, or rain shelter)
Ending:
For more information on camping and other outdoor activities
with kids, read "Adventuring With Children," by Nan
Jeffrey (Avalon House Travel Series, 1995). This indispensable
guide, available through Amazon.com, will convince you that anything
is possible, even a two-month bicycle tour through Morroco with
twin 9-year-old boys.
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