Camping with kids
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Anonymous
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I have persuaded DH to sign up kids with cub scout and girl scout. We have done a few tent camping & 1 cabin camping so far. Kids enjoy them, but it is a lot of work and exhaustion on adults before/during/after each group camping trip. My back and legs still hurt. We are so out of shape, and kids are so energetic. Our kids just play and eat, and we do all these planning, packing, carrying, and unpacking. We are not outdoorsy adults, but we do these out of love for our kids to do exposure & experiences. It has been nice that we tag along in a group, and we have been learning something from each camping trip. I definitely overpack and I need to cut down all unnecessary items. What could kids learn or help from all these camping trips? Are kids supposed to do anything? They treat that as mini vacation so far.
I have to go solo (without DH) with DD in May 3 hours driving distance away, and another one solo (without DH) with DS in May 1 hour driving distance away as well. DH bails himself out this time in May and stay with the other kid at home. It has been family camping trips, so it will be my first time doing solo with kid alone in May. The good thing is that all these are troop camp, so I assume that someone will help me out if they see me stressed out or need some help. I will try my best to do it on my own with my kid as learning experience. I need a short caming gear pack list for me to pack. We have at least combined 4-5 camp trips organized from both troops a year. It is often 3 days 2 nights, and all are tent camping, except onr cabin camping. We have not done backpack camping yet. |
Anonymous
This is a good guide. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/family-camping-checklist.html. We used to do go backcountry camping with our kids 2-3 times a year when they were younger, but rarely now that they are teens. By tent camping i assume you'll be able to park the car within a reasonable walk to the tent site (1 mile or less) and cabin camping. Up to you to whether you want to bother with the expense and hassle of camp chairs. The camp site(s) itself migh have lots of logs or big rocks to sit on. I do think good sleeping bags, pads, and pillow go a long way to make the night restful. As far as the kitchen items, that'll depend on the scouts setup. I'm going to assume that you don't need to bring much since you're not backcountry camping. Good pair of sandals are a must. |
Anonymous
| Wouldn’t your troop provide a packing list? You aren’t going to be solo, you’ll be with the whole troop. Just make sure you have weather appropriate clothing and you’ll be fine. |
Anonymous
| Make your kids help tote stuff to/from the car. |
Anonymous
| Why is that lazy DH not going |
Anonymous
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My SO and I just went camping. We are almost empty nesters but have 6 kids between us so we have been there. There were so many young kid at this campsite which was fine, but there were 2 toddler/pk kids who screamed all night. It was unreal. They should have put the screamers in the car.
That is my only advice. I would think the scout camping would be easier than the family camping TBH. |
Anonymous
| The goal of camping with young kids is just to let them have fun. Camping can be uncomfortable sometimes, yes. But if you grow up camping then you are more resilient later in life and can enjoy it all without the stress that you are feeling right now. It’s the long game that counts. |
Anonymous
I am GS leader. Our rule has always been that the girls carry their own gear. They should also be responsible for packing their own gear (with supervision depending on age). Our girls also clean the BFFYS, collect firewood, build the fire and cook over it (with supervision depending on age), wash dishes, take out trash etc. There is no reason that adults are doing it all ever. You may have to give very specific directions in the beginning but little by little the kids take over and do it all on their own. |
Anonymous
| How old are the kids? That definitely defines what they should be doing/ learning but helping should always be required. If your back hurts from sleeping i recommend a foam pad that you can add air to. I use an exped i bought on sale and it's a game changer. You should look up the Bluey "Creek" episode it does a great job of illustrating the ability to have fun in nature versus a playground. |
Anonymous
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The kids should be carrying stuff and helping with setup etc to learn. We have a kid in cub scouts and a younger sib so yeah once they show up and see their friends they just want to run around and play together. That's the fun too but up to you how much you want them to assist.
Agree it's a lot of work and uncomfortable for adults. It's fun in the group setting though and the responsibility and supplies are shared. In terms of stuff, we also bring too much but if parking is nearby I try to have totes etc of "optional" / as-needed stuff (extra clothes, snacks, layers, etc) - can get them if actually needed versus schlepping everything to the tent on arrival. I'm sure others will help you as that's part of the point too - for adults to learn from the experience. |
Anonymous
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Girl Scout troop camping usually has a very different culture than Cub Scout camping.
Cub Scout camping in my experience was very much a family affair, and depending on who was organizing it, involved the parents doing most of the work. Girl Scout troop camping usually involved the leaders, and maybe an extra parent or two as chaperone. But the Girl Scout traditions have the girls working in patrols to do the chores themselves. When I was a GS leader we started camping when the girls were in 2nd grade, and much of the weekend was just learning how to do the things you need to do when camping, starting with packing your own bags, rolling your own sleeping bag, gathering the firewood, lighting the fire, cooking, washing up, putting the fire out. Girls carried their own supplies or else the supplies didn't come to camp. As the adult going camping, I suggest you buy a good backpacking camp pad that you can inflate for sleeping on the ground. It will make you feel so much better! |
Anonymous
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I think its one of those things that the more you do it, the easier it gets. We have gone 2-3 times each summer since my son was born (single mom) and this year he is 3 and seems way less overwhelming.
My suggestions is to get the kids to do some of the work (packing, carrying things) and also to take shortcuts where you need them. Last year, we didnt do campfires or cooking- we brought PB sandwiches, bagels, yogurt, veggies and fruit, we out for pizza. I brought iced coffee instead of making hot coffee in the morning. This helped a lot. For some ppl camp cooking is there thing but it just isnt something im into. This year we are going to do a campfire but only 1 of the nights. I also try to keep all my camping things in a bin so all I have to do is pack clothes and food instead of all the gear too. I also have some special "camping" toys that holds his attention more so that I can be a bit more productive. We have only car camped and hope to do backpacking or a short walk-in next year. Also- its okay to hate camping and just do day trips. Alot of state parks and campgrounds have cabins that could make life a little easier (less gear and set up) that would still be a similar experience. |
Anonymous
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Camping with kids can be a lot of fun and is even better with the right gear.
1) Get a tent that is big enough to put in two nice air mattresses. You can use thicker air mattresses like the ones you use at home, just make sure you can inflate them at the camp out, like it can take a battery operated air pack. 2) Your child can help you set up. They should help you set up. Practice setting up the tent in the back yard so that they can help when you get to the camp site. 3) Bring your pillows from home and make yourself comfortable. 4) Buy one big tub/container. That is what your camping gear goes in, except for the tent. Only bring what fits in the container. You should be able to carry everything in one trip. The best part, if your child continues on with Scouts, especially Boy Scouts, you don’t have to go camping when they bridge over to a Troop in 5th grade. You are not allowed to share a tent with your child in a Troop. And you don’t have to be at those camp outs, just find another way to volunteer to help the Troop if you don’t want to help with the camping. |
Anonymous
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My kids don’t do Scouts, but we camp a lot as a family (car camping— not backpacking). My kids help out a lot (starting at a young age).
Tasks with which they help include: -getting gear out of the car -setting up the tent -setting up hammocks -collecting kindling -preparing food to cook Etc. |
Anonymous
Is that for real? After 5th grade, parents are not allowed to go camping with boy scouts or share a tent with your own child? |