Tips on Camping with Kids

                                                                                   By Wendi Garcia

     It's true that when you go camping with your kids, you need to double your effort, time, and most of all, your patience in packing, planning, and preparingfor the trip.

     Yes, camping with kids seems a little more tiring and stressful than the usual camping trips when it was just you and your spouse. Aside from the thorough preparation, consideration of the kids' needs take top priority, leaving littleor no room for you and spouse's.

     Although the drawbacks may sound bad, as a parent you know that the rewards are priceless. The precious time that you are able to spend with your kids at the trip—playing, exploring nature, and doing campingactivities are simply rewarding.

     Because you love these little creatures so much, you don't mind putting that extra effort to your camping trips because you know it won't be memorable withoutthem anyway.

     But just to help you get by before they drive you crazy and you want to pullyour hair out, here are some helpful tips for camping with kids:

    1.Get the kids involved with the planning and preparation. Ask for their suggestions and ideas regarding camping activities and places to visit. For example, do they want to go hiking or fishing or both? Allow them to pack their own things while supervising them along the way.

     All these things would make them see that you value their opinions and that you treat them as mature responsible adults. They are likely to act so because they would want to prove to you that they are.

1. Try backyard camping if it's your kids' first camping trip so they know what to expect and they won't get homesick.        
2.  Elicit their help in setting up the campsite. Teach them how to pitch their own tents and ask them to help Mom with the cooking. No, they don't need to chop and slice or boil water over the stove. They should only be involved with kid-friendly chores.
3. Teach them how to use camping equipment like compass and rain gear.
4. Do some campfire singing and story-telling.
5. Show them the wonders of nature by taking them into an environmental tour through a day hike. During the educational tour of acquainting them with the flora and fauna and the creatures that reside in the forest, be sure to incorporate valuable lessons on respect for nature.
6. Don't forget to teach them how to keep themselves safe at the camp. No playing with fire and no swimming in the lake alone are just some of the many rules they have to be familiar about.
7. Create games out of camping chores to make them more fun and interesting. For example, engage them in a race for the fastest clean-up.
8. Do some bird watching.
9. Apply insect repellent and sunscreen on your kids.
10. Flashlights and glow sticks are nice companions during the night when your kids' anxiety grows as night time falls.
11. Do some star-gazing.
12.Don't forget to bring the very important first aid kit for small accidents or mishaps.
13. Have some night snacks. Not inside the tent of course. Before you go to sleep, a few chats and chips will surely be a great finale to a great day.
14. Bring toys that will make the camping even more fun. For instance, a kiddie magnifying glass will make exploring of insects even more interesting.
15.Make sure you capture these priceless moments by bringing a camera and ample film and batteries.

     Family camping trips are a fun way to spend quality time with your children. Although it takes double the effort, just seeing the delight on their facesor hearing their squeals of laughter all make the trip worthwhile.

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