RE: Hard work and flexibility will make our first camping trip this autumn a reality.

[CajunCamper]

 When my kids were younger, my wife and I would just pick a weekend, load up the pop-up and the kids and away we would go. Now that my kids are older, 15 and 10, their schedules require us to plan more and be more flexible. For example, both of my sons play football, the oldest plays for his high school team and my 10 year old plays in a youth league. High school plays on Friday nights and youth league plays on Saturday mornings making it tough to go camping, but if there s a will there s a way and buddy for my mental and physical health, I have to make it happen. So a week from this Friday, I am going to skip out of work a little early and tow my pop-up to a State Park about 40 minutes from home and set up camp. I will then come home in time to pick up my wife and youngest son so we can go watch my eldest son play football after which we will drive 40 minutes to our campsite to enjoy a late night campfire and a good nights sleep in the woods. Saturday morning we will have an early breakfast and then drive the 40 minutes back into town for my youngest son s football game, after that it s back to the campground to enjoy the rest of Saturday and all day Sunday fishing, canoeing and hiking. I have a feeling it will all be worth it.

[ShirleyT]

 CajunCamper
I applaud your dedication to your family and your camping!
 
 Wish my cabin wasn t almost 2 hours away or I would make more trips like yours. I have to wait until Fall Break before making a trip. But at least I will be able to go from Wednesday evening to Sunday afternoon so it will be a nice long long weekend [].
 
 Have a great trip and catch a lot of fish!

[angelsmom10]

 CajunCamper
We used to have the same problem.  Luckily, since we acquired our PU 3yrs ago, the teens were old enough to stay home by themselves.  Scheduling during the fall was hectic since neither drove (1 by choice, the other by age); but we worked it out.  
 
 Now with both driving, we can just up and go, but DH s part-time job requires him to work on Sat eves. unless he schedules off before hand.  I can t wait till he gets a full time job and he can dictate to his part-time empoyer he wants weekends off so we can just up and go.

[kathybrj]

 CajunCamper
For the most part, no matter what extra-curricular " thing"  is going on, family time comes first. Since Blaise has to schedule his vacation time almost 10 months in advance, if we ve planned camping and there s a soccer game (13 yr old DS plays) or other school activity, it gets pushed to the side for camping. With hectic days and not enough time during the week for family time, we take scheduled time away very seriously.
 
 This coming weekend: 3 nighter in VT. DS will probably miss a Saturday game. He s not concerned and we sure aren t. If, when he s old enough to stay alone and he wants to play a game or whatever, then we will discuss it.
 
 We have, as a family, agreed to not load up the schedules with too many sports, music, dance, etc. It creates too much stress on the family as a whole. Besides, at this point, DS would rather be fishing and I m going to take advantage of that for as long as I can.[]

[tlhdoc]

 CajunCamper
Glad you are getting to go camping.  I agree with Kathy though, sometimes you need to put family before all of the extra stuff.  Family is what is most important.

[B-flat]

 CajunCamper
Family is very important and comes first.  However, you have to make time for camping or time will pass you by.  Forty minutes isn t too long and it will be great to get some rest and relaxation away from home.  You will probably get the campsite set up very nicely on your own.  (No one yelling for you to back the other way, put this there, don t put this there, where does this goes, etc. ;>)  Take care and enjoy your camping weekend.  Hey, give us a report about your experience, too