Camping, hiking and fishing

[Anonymous]

I need reasons to explain to DH why it is great fo our city kids need to learn camping, hiking and fishing. We are not outdoorsy, and I need DH's helping hand to come with me to be able to pull it off in a group outing. I cannot manage by myself to take care of 2 ES kids and drag those supplies along even though there are other people in the group. I can do 1-3 hour hiking trip at most by mself with them. I need DH's help to build tent, and I need DH's help to carry things. The group manage the activities to entertain kids, cooking and etc... Our kids enjoy these activities, and DH do not enjoy and I am fine to do it on behalf of our kids.

[Anonymous]

What things are you needing to carry? Are you hiking in to your campsite?

I suspect your kids can carry more than you think, and if they want to go, they can do it.

[Anonymous]

Join a scout group or other. You can go on your group outing without DH. Let people know ahead of time it's just you and the kids, they will understand and help ES kids can carry things. You can go car camping. If you married the DH and haven't done camping and fishing with him before kids it's much harder with kids. I am not outdoorsy but kids and DH love it so I have learned and can make a tent, pack what's needed, hike etc. we go on plenty Cub Scout camping trips where it's one mom or dad and a couple kids and we all pitch in to help them set up. do the kids want to do it??

[Anonymous]

I used to not want to go camping without dh, but let me tell you. It's so empowering to be able to do it all myself!

If you're kids are in scouts, there generally are training sessions for parents. Some REI stores offer the outdoor trainings, too, and would be happy to show you how a tent works.

If you want to do it the easy way, you can bring all foods that don't need to be cooked. That way if your fire or camp stove doesn't work you don't go hungry.

If you have physical limitations, hopefully someone in your group will be able to help you. Many campsites you can drive your car right up to your tent pad.

[Anonymous]

How old are the kids? I feel they can start helping for things like pitching a tent at around 8 years old.

[Anonymous]

Hiking is fine, but why bother with the other stuff?

[Anonymous]

Learn to put up a tent alone. It’s not hard with most tents these days.

Or just don’t if neither parent enjoys it. That’s a good option too!

[Anonymous]

If he doesn’t want to be there he’s just going to make everyone miserable.

[Anonymous]

It’s a little known fact that you don’t in fact have to like to hike or camp. Like it’s totally fine not to. Send your kids to sleepaway camp for a couple weeks for outdoor stuff.

[Anonymous]

If you’re car camping, you definitely don’t need his help and in fact I can tell you that you’ll have much more fun without a reluctant camper along! I have a good marriage with my DH but I’ve learned that some things are better done alone.

[Anonymous]

I married a rural southern guy who does all this stuff with our kids - but I grew up in the NYC area and basically got my exposure to this kind of thing entirely at sleepaway camp. I had a wonderful childhood and had a million other experiences instead.

[Anonymous]

Glamping is the way to go.

[Anonymous]

for fishing, you can take them to Friday Night Fishing at Navy Yard or other DOEE activities...if you don't live in DC there are similar events other places. And you can take two elementary kids camping if you want--buy a 4-person tent and go somewhere close in like Greenbelt Park or Little Bennett. Or start with a cabin or glamping pod at one of the Nova Parks (I really enjoyed Pohick Bay last year) or Cherry Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Learn to put up a tent alone. It’s not hard with most tents these days.

Or just don’t if neither parent enjoys it. That’s a good option too!

My 3yo can basically put up our tent with minimal help- they are pretty simple.