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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10 Ways with Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard is kinda a give-away around here.  I've been growing it for 4 years now. 3 of those years it was all from the same 3 plants.  It grew and grew and stopped in the summers, then grew and grew more.  I cut it back, it came back.  Finally last fall, I wanted it out.  My friend from Small Footprint Family, suggested we take it out and put in a crop just for the winter season.  So, she had seeds and she put some in.  Now, there are about 12 plants, and we're feeding everyone with it.  Lots and lots of beautiful rainbow chard.

Sadly, I will probably pull these out, cut up the leaves, blanch, and freeze for the winter.  I did put in a new row of seeds along my tomatoes so hopefully they will grow.  If not, we will start again in the fall.

We've tried some of these, and some are on our "to make" list.  If you have any recipes you make, please, leave a comment and share with us. 

1. Sauteed  with onion and squeeze of lemon 
2. Sauteed with fried or poached egg (for breakfast)
3. Chard ravioli (use wanton wrappers for fast recipe), with ricotta and and pinch petter
4. Saute with shallot, pinch of sugar (palm or brown), and belachan (shrimp paste)
5. Cut into ribbons and added to dahl curry (yellow lentils with or without coconut milk)
6. Substitute or mix with cabbage for colcannon recipe.
7.  Cut into fine ribbons, stir fry on high heat with mix of turmeric, pinch salt, and handful of fresh grated coconut.  Mix till glossy and slightly wilted.
8. Substitute for Kale in Caldo Verde recipe with andouille sausage
9.  baby leaves in a salad with roasted beets and balsamic (with toasted walnuts or pecans)
10. substitute for lettuce wraps and roll tight like and egg roll.

Bonus: cut into strips and use in spring rolls along with other items.

Hope you get to try some or share your recipes or tips with us!

Thanks!

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The Garden & Easter- In Photos.

I thought I'd try to do an update to my previous garden post.  We're about to pull out some of the winter items and put in the summer crops.  As we added new beds since my last post, we've started filling them in slowly.  Here are some pictures from the past few months and also from Easter when we used up some items from the garden.

Related post: The Garden April 2012

Everyone helped out at the 3rd Annual Gardening Event

 A pumpkin that had been composted whole in one of the new beds sprouted while we were out of town and resulted in this and then days later, below.

 Beans are srouting

 Corn

Round black Spanish radish a variety of small carrots (came free from Baker Creek)

 A guest

Some Shyra grapes

 We used the nasturtiums in ice to decorate the water pitcher

 Almond Jam Patries from a Sunset recipe.  I used homemade apricot jam and almond meal instead of whole almonds. 

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Kid's Tea Party- Kids help Host.

We had a few friends over on Friday for a tea party.  My 4 year old has been wanting to have some friends from school over to play and have tea with.  So, we did.  I learned that it was a great opportunity for her to learn how to host, and how to prepare for guests.  She cleaned up the house and got lots of things ready for them.  I allowed her the to opportunity to decide how to prepare, and organize things.  Giving this opportunity to make decisions and do things her way gave her the chance to feel in charge and happy to do things for her friends.  This is not in preparation for being little miss hostess, but I do hope that it will give her the confidence to make decisions and to feel valid in being able to contribute to the family and more importantly, herself.  I didn't set out for this to be the outcome, but in the process it did.

She washed and set up all the cups for tea.

She decided how to cut and set up all the tomatoes and cucumbers. 

The little one also wanted to contribute by helping, but we didn't server these. We saved them for our home snack.

I attempted strawberry goat cheese spread (chevre) with honey.  Unfortunately, I used too many strawberries so had to add in some cream cheese. 

We had a spread of apricot scones, almond jam toasts, cut strawberries (which she cut up), veggies, quiche lorraine, and apple strudel muffins which her friend and her brother made. 

She also loves pouring tea for her sister. 

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Writing (in cursive) Before Reading.

In a Montessori classroom we say that after a child learns his/her sounds they are introduced to writing before reading.  It is usually the opposite from traditional schools.  After they have learned their sounds with the sandpaper letters they practice on a chalkboard.  Then they are introduced to the moveable alphabet.  This is a box that contains cut outs of each letter with consonants in pink and the vowels in blue.  AMI training these days encourages cursive handwriting due to the natural circular motion.  There are many exercises prior to language that prepares the child and helps them develop their gross and fine motor skills so they are ready.

There is also a lightness in touch where children learn not to press too hard when they write in cursive.  Observe a child who writes in print and you will notice that there is a force in which letters are written.

I had purchased a moveable alphabet years ago when I had thought I would be doing a different project.  It ended up not working out and so I had it at home.  Once my daughter started using it at school and noticed the one I had at home, she wanted to practice at home.  I do not make her practice any of her lessons from school at home.  The beauty of Montessori is that a child learns at his/her own pace and the classroom provides enough time for them to work at school.  This is also why Montessori children never have homework- oh goodness, what a blessing!  So, when we did the moveable alphabet at home, she chose to write her own words and write them as she hears them.  This is where the "writing before reading" idea comes in.  When a child writes, they write what is in their head.  They write as they hear the word.  We do not discourage them by correcting their spelling.  The key is to develop the love and interest for learning and the desire to repeat.  Once they practice, then as a gentle guidance, we can help them recognize sounds they miss, or we introduce additional sounds that are created with multiple letters such as "sh, ch, ar, oo, " so and and so forth.  Then much later, do you help them with "spelling."  This step in learning to write before reading allows them to master the language so that when reading, it is smooth and they already know to recognize the sounds to "put together".

 These were taken back in January.  I did help her with the "ou" in house.

The last one is steller's jay, a local bird she loves.

The entire process is just beautiful.  I miss seeing it in the classroom and I miss seeing the small steps in which my child must be blossoming in the classroom.  It was a total surprise when last week I saw her writing her name in cursive on a piece of paper.  It all happened so quickly.  She still has trouble recognizing and remembering some letters, but I know that it will click as she continues to repeat and practice writing.  In the past 6 months she has been recognizing letters here and there and points them out trying to read.  Gradually, we have noticed that she is trying to read whenever she can.  Sometimes when we read at home, she wants to read a page or a sentence.  I allow her to as much as she can and to the best of her ability.  These are times when I also explain that two O's make the sound "oo", or something like that.

It's hard not to be excited and happy for your child when they reach these milestones.  There is so much joy in them that it fills your heart with joy and in many ways, pride.  I'm not sure why we are proud, but that is the word we often use, and it's silly.  What right do we have to be proud of their abilities, but it is the way it is, and it is true.  I guess that's part of being a parent vs being a teacher.  In my home, I'm my child's parent and not her teacher.  This I had to accept early on.  I burdened and guilt-ed myself for almost 9 months trying to think of the right way to be when I realized I had to let go of being a "teacher" to my child and just be her mother.  This freedom was the best thing as I allowed myself to make mistakes and learn from them.  It allowed me to enjoy her and enjoy the process of being a parent.  The pressure to be "on top" and be prepared before her is impossible when you are a new parent and a first time parent.  In many ways, we are learning as we go.  There are lots of things we can be prepared for and we should, but when it comes to our own children and how we respond to them, we learn our threshold and our abilities at the given moment.  It's ok to recognize and embrace it.  We are human, just as our children are.  We too are still learning.  Life is far too short for perfection, so enjoying the journey is far more satisfying.

 These are from yesterday.  As you see in the corner, this is a sandpaper letter from my mother tongue.  Montessori comes in all languages :)

 Notice, how in the previous photos she spelled frog with the "r" and here she did not.  Also, this time, we used objects to bring a new interest to the activity.  This also allows children to work independently.  The last one is supposed to be "okapi," but as we all know there are two letters in the for the "K" sound.  Again, a point in how you don't need to correct and it will come naturally later on.  Best part, is it has the little one saying "okeeepee" around the house! 

 I'm trying to keep some anonymity to my children, but let's pretend you don't know her name and just recognize her handwriting instead :) 



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