Take a kid camping!!!

[ForestCreature]

Excellant topic! We introduced a neighbors boy to camping. Took him with us AFTER our son was grown...we had no reason to take kids at that time. We knew this boy would never experience the outdoors in this manner with his family so we took him.

Here we are several years later and he is an adult. He asks me to inspect his new tent! This is a kid who would have never experienced the outdoors without us... it feels good to have passed it on to a non family member

[cobbs1]

Funny that I came across this tonight.  My husband is up at a north Georgia State Park with his 2 nieces and his sister(first camping trip for them). Girls are 10 and 7.  They are typical big city girls.  They are having a great time.  Hiked yesterday and did Smores last night. Did lots of cool stuff today (haven't gotten all the details yet).  They really needed the grounding that comes with camping.  The other big plus- they have been so excited about going that it gave them something to plan and think about for weeks during summer vacation.  Maybe this is something that will help as we hit the pre-teen/teenager years.

Also, our little boy is 2 years, 8 months old.  We just got back from 5 days at Fort Mountain State Park.  We were completey exhausted, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  When we camp, he really refuses to nap, so it's hard.  At home, we get a nap every day and he goes to bed at 8. Camping  - no nap and not in bed until 9 since it's light out. For the first few trips, he was a little over excited, but now he's kind of settled into it.  He hiked over a mile on big inclines this past trip.  Plus, they had a really nice swimming beach at the lake there.  I guess the only suggestion I can really make is to think through where you camp.  If there are lots of things for the little guys to do, then you will have less of a problem.  The place we stayed over Memorial Day was nice, but not great for him.  Most of the north Georgia parks have short nature trails for kids.  He loves those.  On this trip, I also added a big box of Legos to the camper.  That kept him entertained for hours on the camping mat under the awning. Other than that - I guess the big plan is to not take long trips.  5 days is our max now. We came home a day early this past weekend.  If your child is closer to 2, hang in there, it does get a little easier.  DS actually let both of us set up this time instead of one chasing him and the other setting up.  I think it's the getting used to it part.

[cobbs1]

[We are really asking for it this year as we are taking the 3 yr old DGD and going to visit the now 7 yr old DGD and 4 1/2 yr old DGS in GA and taking the HTT.  Our oldest DD is going with us so that will give us some back up for entertaining.  Oh, and we're taking the dog also.
.[/QUOTE]Hi ilovecamping!
When you are visting the GA grandkids, I suggest Unicoi State Park.  That's been my favorite kid friendly place so far. Plus, if you run out of things to do in the campground, Helen, GA has putt putt, tubing down the river, and a water park (haven't been to it).  Helen is about 15 minutes from the park. These are places in north Georgia.  Not sure where you are visiting.  Helen is a really easy drive north of Atlanta.

[ScoobyDoo]

A 2 yr old in a PUP? HELLo  my nefu would take week long bike runs with his dad and uncle when he was 2. (back when men rode the bike, not a MH to Stugis) He thought he was big ship when he got old enough to sit behind dad. A few years ago, at a famaly reunion, he had a good time telling some of the more sheltered members of the family some of the fun we had at that time. (He is 'bout 30 now). They do remember the trips.

[jarvo9]

Well, here's my two cents...

  I was fortunate enough to be camping at a very early age, as i was the youngest of four. My parents couldn't afford much more then camping for a vaction. Thank goodness for that! We started in a tent and moved to a starcraft pup. More times then not, we went with friends of the family and always had a great time. The daytime activites always had some sort of physical demands such as swimming, canoeing, hiking, biking, volleyball and ofcourse frisbee football. As night grew near there was always a potluck diner with lots of food, followed by a campfire. If all that fresh air and activites weren't enough to wear out us kids, and get us in our bunks, the elders of the group would play the "trump card" a good ole scary story. This was a classic move to keep the kids in their bunks.
  Now it's my wife and I's turn to share the wonders of camping with our boys. We just started our camping adventures this year and we are already making the switch from tent to pup. We will be picking it up next monday. We have already reserved multiple camping trips to enjoy this summer. If previous tent trips are any indicater we should have alot of fun!
  So for me camping is not only to get away from everyday life but to experience the great outdoors and create lasting memories with my loved ones for a lifetime.
  Oh yeah, if you haven't already done it, thank the person or persons that introduced you to camping, i know i'm going too!

[cjpoppin]

Sometimes as parents we get caught up in the everyday of "Life" and forget about the little things that please our kids......Now as Grandparents we have slowed down and can really relate to our grandkids and boy do we have fun camping with them.......Yes, we can't do the really active stuff with them but we can take time to smell the flowers and take those slow walks and listen to their funny stories.....Our grandkids range from 12 to almost 2 and they all have camped with us......Next month we are heading up to Big Bear with three of them in tow....Can't wait!   Seeing nature through little eyes is a thrill so don't miss out on the important stuff in life.......Enjoy camping with any age child........"Just Do It"
We hope we are making lasting memories for our grandchildren and someday when they have kids they'll say; "I remember doing this with my Grandma and Grandpa" As we remember camping with our parents and grandparents.......Happy Camping To All..

[Beerlifter]

Sometimes as parents we get caught up in the everyday of "Life" and forget about the little things that please our kids......Now as Grandparents we have slowed down and can really relate to our grandkids and boy do we have fun camping with them.......Yes, we can't do the really active stuff with them but we can take time to smell the flowers and take those slow walks and listen to their funny stories.....Our grandkids range from 12 to almost 2 and they all have camped with us......Next month we are heading up to Big Bear with three of them in tow....Can't wait!   Seeing nature through little eyes is a thrill so don't miss out on the important stuff in life.......Enjoy camping with any age child........"Just Do It"
We hope we are making lasting memories for our grandchildren and someday when they have kids they'll say; "I remember doing this with my Grandma and Grandpa" As we remember camping with our parents and grandparents.......Happy Camping To All..

That right there was my whole intention when I started this! I had just experienced that for the first time and wanted (needed)to share my good fortune with others. I too hope that I make a long standing memory for my grandchildren and hope they say the same thing to there children.

[markfnc]

That is what it is all about. Making memories.  I don't remeber what toy I got when, but I remember trips in the summer with my grandma (non camping).

We just took our 5 year old tent camping this past weekend.  It was great to lay in the tent and listen to the frogs and crickets and to have him say, "this is great, I love you guys".

Ever since he was a baby every Saturday morning (ok not every but I bet 45/52) We go to the Waffle House together and then to Lowes, or the Hardware store, or the John Deere dealer, or the park.  It is our "day of fun" as he calls it. I hope that is what he remebers when I am gone.

[sequoyausa]

I have camped with my grandaughter for the last 4 years. She's an experienced camper, as her Dad has a TT that he takes to Bear Valley every summer season and they camp and go 4-wheeling. I love to have her with me. I get time alone with her and have gotten to know her on a different level, and, man, the kid can put anything together! This year, I am also taking my 14 and almost 9 year old grandsons camping at Del Mar Campground at Camp Pendleton. The boys lived there until March, so will be visiting with friends, etc. but we will also have them all to ourselves for 10 days. Our daughter and 2 year old grandaughter will also join us for part of the time. The kids are all excited about the adventure and we are planning menus and activities for our time together. They enjoy helping set things up (which is a BIG help). Plenty of muscle there to help poor granny when the going gets tough. What a great way to spend time!

[DOUBBLEJ]

when i was a kid  the best things i can remember was camping in the boy scouts.and thank God i found a woman that loves to camp as well.we took her son,mother camping the weekend before last.we had a great time and wished it didnt have to end.