Notes from a Recent Campout

We went camping this past weekend and I realized I'm still waiting on updating my Camping with Kids 2 post.  In the meantime I wanted to share some notes on why it's so important to just get out and be in nature.

Last week, SD county was ravaged with 9 fires.  We evacuated our school and were closed for a day.   The heat in the city has been brutal with almost 100 degree days, and about 90 in the house as we don't have A/C.  Getting ourselves ready to leave after work on Friday seemed near impossible.  But we did it, and I'm so thankful we forged ahead and left our home behind, an utter mess.

With that, here are my "notes" I'd like to share.

• Book a site and go
• Plan ahead, but if you forget something, you will make do.
• The more frequently you get out and go camping, you can fall back on the "usual" necessities
• We have our camping clothes, so packing gets pretty easy and fast
• Always be prepared for cooler weather.  
• Going with friends helps in motivation and having a back up in case you forgot to bring things
• Pack lots of drinks and snacks (adult beverages included).
• Be flexible- things never go as planed and you just have to adapt and move on.  It's the best skill to be learned as a child and an adult and being in nature is the best test to this.
• Take wipes and hand soap- I don't buy wipes for daily use or even around town. I hate the waste, but for camping, you just never know and it helps to have a small pack to rely on.
• Head lamps and lantern are a must.
• Pack a few books for bedtime.  Nature based books while out really ignite the imagination.  We read about monarch butterflies and we now hope to plant lots of milkweed plants.
• Have a few dollars in quarters in case there are hot showers- helpful for kids who play in muddy ponds.  
• Nature journal with pencils and colors for writing and drawing.

As difficult as it was for us to get out, it was worth it.  Watching my two run around with their friends and seeing how much fun they had getting dirty was worth it.   Being woken up to birds and woodpeckers- priceless.  Having my daughter wake up saying she didn't sleep well and the hawk woke her up- memorable.  Watching them play in the tent pretending to be princess astronauts - Ridiculous! Having them both brood and complain that they didn't want to go home- Worth it!

Nature discoveries that are impressionable lessons:

• Baby dragonflies stuck to our legs 
• Eared grebes only a few feet away from the children
• Colony of ladybugs that have newly hatched and discovering them in the larva stage (click here for life cycle activity)
• caterpillars in various stages of growth 
• Baby lizards
• Moss and lichen and the symbiotic relationship with fallen trees
• Wild flowers in the spring

'Tis the season to get out and play.  Hope you find time to do so this summer.
p.s. I hope to get that second post out on camping soon- I promise!

 The children discovered a wild chamomile.  The flowers and smell were identical. 

 Some one had made a pretty cool house of bark and branches.

 The group we went with was almost 100 people. It was one of the biggest groups we've gone with but we shared a site with our friends and the kids had a blast hanging out together.

 Foil pack smores.  Let it be said that the 365 dark chocolate makes for excellent melting chocolate!

 Even when camping the children can help with chores.

We still need to look up what kind of caterpillar this is.

The Adventures of Camping with Kids

This is a post that has been long time coming.  Each time we go, I think oh goodness, the stories I could tell.  All is forgotten days after our return and only the good memories last.  Well, that's just it.  You have to endure it all and only the good and fond memories will remain.  Those that seemed troublesome, well, those will also add humor and be remembered as an adventure. 

My husband and I have been camping with each other since we met about 12 years ago.  I've camped with my family and he with boy scouts.  Together, we learned how to camp with each other.  We mostly did car camping and just when we were ready to take a leap into back country/ backpack camping, we decided to start a family.  We traded one kind of adventure for another, and I do believe we took the greater and more rewarding route!

I suppose we had a routine and a level of comfort camping before having children, so it wasn't that difficult to think of taking them with us.  Our first trip with the oldest daughter was when she was about 7 months, and the second one had her first trip at 5 months.  They both LOVED it.  Living in southern California, we're privy to lots of beautiful places and most of the year to camp in, however, we also experience cold nights that are trying with young children in tents.  It is also an ordeal when you are still nursing at night.  Oh the stories I could tell you on this one, but let's not.  I do believe the most comical and arduous adventure to be the campout with family in Texas while I was 6 months pregnant.  You see, we still only use tents, sleeping bags and those pocket warmers.  Not until a few months ago did we invest in inflatable pads to go under our sleeping bags.

We have enjoyed camping all over the country and even in different parts of the world either in tents, cabins, or our only RV trip for our honeymoon.  This has been a source of excitement, adventure, and a lot less expensive when planing our travel budget.  Taking the kids on these kinds of adventures has added a level of stress, but the overall outcome is far greater.  Now as they are getting older, they remember some trips and want to go back an recreate them again and again.  Last year we camped out for a night in Maui and waking up right by the water was one of my daughters favorite memories of the trip.

Both girls love the tent.  To them it is a small home that is their size.  They love pretend playing in there as we set up and unpack.  Often, we hope to get out for a hike soon after setting up, but the kids would rather play in the tent.  Our most recent camping trip was a few hours north along the coast.  We stayed a night at a beach site and then went inland to stay in a yurt.  Both kids, enjoyed the yurt, but insisted that we pitch up the tent next to, so they could play and spend their time in there instead.

So, how do we do it? Lots and lots of planning and prepping.  Yes, it is fortunate that I'm at home to prep a few thing in advance, but as they are getting older, nothing gets done until the night before anyway, so really it's all the same.  There are a few basics which I think are key to how we get out, eat well, and have a good time outdoors.  We have enjoyed camping just the two of us, as a family, as an extended family, and as groups ranging from 15 to groups as large as 25.  It's all in the organization, the people you go with, and mostly the attitude you have throughout.

How to Plan Ahead:

• Plan out your meals (I'm trying not to be so elaborate anymore)
• Prep and freeze most meals in ziplocks or tupperwarre
• Have a set of dishes, cups, utensils and other items ready to go just for camping
• Have the children pick out their clothes and help pack their bags
• Pack games, activities, books, maps, binoculars, and anything else they might need (have them help)
• Buy what you need 3-4 days in advance to prep, cook, freeze, and pack up.  You will need more than you think.
• Pack snacks and dry good early and keep apart
• Frozen food doubles up as ice for your cooler, portion out your veggies per meal, or in portions just for the trip (ex: peas, corn, chicken, etc). 
• Double bag all meats- you'd be surprised how water gets into everything.

Things you need to have:
Cooking

• Basic kitchen items (cutting board, knife, utensils, bowl, can opener, etc)
• Sices, salt/pepper, olive oil, or spray (I've stopped using this)
• Foil, ziplock bags (various sizes), paper towels, napkins, dish towels, matches, and lighter
• Small bottle dish soap, brush, bucket or container to wash things in.
• Nut butter for (just in case), soup, mac and cheese, or rice boxes for last min meals, pancake mix, beans, etc.
• Pot and a fry pan (I love my cast iron). 
• 2 burner stove or backpacker burner. (we started out with a backpacker and then bought a 2 burner when I did my cross country trip with a friend, the time it saves is worth it, especially with kids)
• Gallon water jugs

Extras: marshmallows and things to make smores.  Griddle. Charcoal or grill.

        *Firewood should always be bought on site!
 
Sleeping and Clothes:

• Sleeping bags for each, or a few you can open and cover with blankets.
• Pillows for those who need them, or roll up your clothes into a pillowcase.
• Pads, or yoga mats to go under, or an inflatable mattress (to get fancy:)
• Enough clothes for 2-3 days (if you go longer, take small packs of laundry detergent and stop to wash)
• We tend to have our "camping clothes" so it's usually the same ones we pack. Layers, socks, hats, gloves, thermals, long pants, and short are all good options.
• Winter hat. I've found that no matter where we camped, a winter hat was essential when we camped.  
• Hiking shoes, and and easy slip on shoe for around the campsite
• Bikes, balls, games, things to do around the campsite
• Wet wipes, or wash cloths
• Bar or liquid soap for washing hands at site or in the bathroom
• Toiletries (I'm amazed how many people bring make up and hair dryers, wow!)
• Quarters for showers- if available.  If we go for the weekend, we just come home and shower on Sunday, a little extra dirty is all part of the fun.
• Extra bags for dirty and wet clothes!

Food Menu Ideas:

• Hobo packs (anything all cooked in foil packs in the coals, or on the stove)
• Chicken tacos/ fajitas
• Pancakes or french toast
• Bacon and eggs
• Salmon filet (prep and freeze ahead) cook or campfire on foil or on griddle on stove
• Muffins or breakfast toast cups (make ahead)
• Oatmeal (usually on the last day for us, so packing up is fast and less clean up) or cereal which I don't buy.
• Stuff to make sandwiches when hiking or at the site
• Arroz con pollo
• Chilli (make there or we make ahead in crock pot, freeze and then reheat at site)
• Kababs (kids love to help with this)
• Salads (wash, prep, cut and bag before, or bag salads)

 

Since joining our Family Adventure group, we have gone camping with some larger groups.  This has been nice since everyone is independent for their own things, but we come together for large hikes and a potluck meal.  The kids have had a blast running around with other children and wandering off.

We still love our small family trips, and those with just another one or two families.  These intimate gatherings bring us all closer in how we parent, manage our stress, live with minimal items, and think in critical times.  Being outside is not as primitive as it should be these days with all the gear and amenities.  However, the basic need it fulfills in each of us is a primitive need to connect to all that is in nature.  Children and adults need this time outside.  Often, we believe we need the comforts of our bed, but 1 or two nights without is not going to harm or hurt us.  Unbeknownst to us, we have had friends who were first time campers who pulled through and joined us at various times.  Some may never return, but I do believe they all remember those trips one way or another!

Even if you think you will never make it camping, I highly encourage all of you to join in this year's Great American Backyard Campout. It's a nationwide movement that is slowly growing and helping families get outside, even if it's in your own backyards.  There are many things we do for the sake of our children, I hope that getting outside for a hike and at least 1 campout while they are young will be one that you put on your calendar for this year.

I'm no pro and don't claim to be, but just like many families that get out often, it's on our list to go camping at least every other month.  In an ideal life, we'd go every month, but life just doesn't allow for this.  We have added this to our New Year's Resolutions for the second year, and so far, so good for both years.  Sometimes, it's a tent, and in the cooler months, it maybe a cabin, or even a lodge as was the case for Zion, but no matter what, the destination and the time outside is the goal. 


Here are a few picture collages from all our trips over the years starting from before kids to after.

Along the 1 all the way to Olympic National Park- when we were getting started. 


Joshua Tree to Death Valley- pre kids.


Road trip to Grand Canyon, Brice, and Yellowstone- pre kids.


 Around the country before the kids.
 

 Norway, Yosemite and some in between.

 Texas, Portland and some here and there.

 Return to Death Valley
 



 The last two years nearby and at Zion.

 And finally one of our more recent trips this January when there was still some snow left in the mountains.

For an amazing outdoor blog with kids check out this site: The Big Outdoors.

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Parks vs. Playgrounds

Most of my friends know how I feel about playgrounds. In fact, it's a running joke now whenever a new article or post is written by another mom about how they shudder at the thought of taking their children to a playground.  Well, I figured it was time I articulated my feelings and sentiments.  Today, was the perfect day for this.

In the last few months we've been frequenting both playgrounds, and wide open spaces for hikes such as parks and canyons.  Even during our holiday travels we managed to squeeze both in checking out the newer designs of "natural" playgrounds, and Texas trails which included 2 live armadillos.

We even had a white Christmas which was a lot of fun for the kids.

So, what's my beef with the playground?  I'll get right to it.  4 years ago when I had my first, and I was more of a sensitive mom, attending to her needs and listening to the chatter, I felt as though I was not attentive enough by the other moms' standards.  I didn't hold her hand the entire time, I didn't help her down the slide, I would feel eyes on me questioning if I was the nanny or the mom.  I didn't care, but it got to me.  Besides, that, I was frustrated in having to explain that I didn't have to clap each time my child came down the slide (even thought I was elated on the inside- at first), I didn't want to fall pray to the continuous praise of "good job," "you can do it," and my all time favorite "share".  I grew tired of the same structures, the same routine, and the exhaustion of being on guard.  It was nice to let me husband go with her and for me to stay home.  Somehow, I don't think Dads get this feeling.

Anyway, rather than focusing on this, let me tell you why I prefer the unstructured parks.  In an open space where things aren't orderly and organized by age or skill level, a child must figure it out for themselves.  Today when my 2 year old and I went on a hike, I was reminded of this.  You see, at their height, and still introduction to this world, all things present a challenge.  Each one unique and one that develops strength, agility, and eventually mastery.  When we decided to climb the small rocks and boulders, she approached them with caution, looking back at me and reaching out for my hand while still clutching to her apple slice with the other.  As much as I wanted to talk and explain and tell her things, I recalled Rachel Carson's wisdom "it is not half so important to know as to feel.  If the facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow."  It's far more important for us to allow children to explore nature with their emotions than for us to teach them at these moments. At this time, it was far more important that my daughter come to realize she needed both her hands, her balance, how to use her feet to guide her over each rock and boulder, to examine that each one was different in shape and size, when to go over and when to go around.  The lessons that nature presented in this small patch of rocks allowed for her to develop far greater skills than any "structured" playground could offer.

These days, all playgrounds are void of rocks and boulder, of tree limbs to climb on, pebbles to fall and feel.  Instead their senses are refined through synthetic tactile experiences.  The feeling of falling on rubber or mulch.  The foamy squishy stuff where you don't get cuts and scrapes.  The "natural" plastic trees and painted branches and nylon ropes to climb and swing on.  Don't get me wrong, as cynical as I am about this, I'm also glad that playgrounds are being updated and a bit more thought and care are put into it.  I'm just trying to also say that this is not enough.  These experiences are not real, and for a child we must give them what is real from the start so they can experience it fully and understand the consequences of nature as well.  Falling from a plastic log onto a rubber mat is not the same as falling from a tree limb onto rocks and pebbles, or mud.  They way in which the body feels this fall is quite different.  (btw, I'm not advocating to let your child fall and get hurt, but if it needs to happen, well...).

When is the last time you as an adult climbed a tree and took a look at the world from that perspective, when did you hike over boulders and realize you foot slipping in that fine sand between your rubber sole and the rock.  This past weekend, we went camping and did quite a bit of hiking with the kids.  Both my husband and I put ourselves in a position where we were off the trial and on boulders and rocks and having to have our knee up by our ear to climb over something.  The perspective this gave me as an adult and how we need to continually challenge ourselves and our bodies was thrilling.  We truly need to get off the beaten path often and frequently if we are to raise our children to do the same in nature and in their lives. 

A few pictures from this weekend (a whole post on that coming soon):

Few more pictures from this morning:

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