| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SheilaC |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 11:45:19 AM
We just came back from a SUPER fun camping trip to Myrtle Beach State Park--loved it! We were surprised when a few people said how "brave" we were to go camping with our kiddos (8, 6, and 4) BRAVE? Honestly, now, it doesn't take bravery! It is SO EASY now! After about 6 years of nursing babies/not sleeping while camping, our kids are now old enough that we all have FUN FUN FUN! Also, we have a popup now too, so compared to years of having toddlers and nursing a newborn, in a little tent, hoping everyone will stay kind of quiet at night--it's a piece of cake now! Anyhow, just wanted to remind everyone that camping is a great fun family activity, doesn't take lots of $$ and really is possible for all ages of kiddos. I'm sure many of you all have similar experiences! |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| NikkiBeaumont |
Posted - May 24 2009 : 6:35:07 PM
Funny story, StarMeadow! The Poiseidon Adventure! What an apt comparison! Those are the kinds of events that y'all will be laughing about for years to come!
Because money is in short supply but the need to go places is just as strong as ever, we will be employing every camping and sleeping arrangement that we can at every opportunity we can get this summer and taking as many family members as possible. I expect we will have a memorable, if not always comfortable, time. Ha!
Farmgirl Sister #554 |
| MamaDelz |
Posted - May 24 2009 : 2:32:24 PM
We camp alot with our kids. We even went when I was 8 mos pregnant with my daughter! Don't totally recommend that, but we love being up in the mountains with our little dudes.
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| StarMeadow |
Posted - May 08 2009 : 5:08:36 PM
I go camping alone quite often with my kids too. They are 15 and 9 now. Back in the day, I'd just toss one or the other in the back pack and off we'd go. Now-a-days, I think they have little electronic beepers you can put on your kids to find them in an emergency. Been there...wondering to look in the woods or near the lake first...can be scary. My youngest has no fear. Right now, I'm looking at a possible 2 week trip up north to allow the older sib to attend a "camp" at a college, while the little one and I hang out and do the touristy/hiking/canoeing thing. I used to sleep in front of the door too. :-) Now we have a little pop-up (no amenities...just basically a tent on wheels) The first time I took it out alone, I tipped it over length wise! It was like a scene from the Poiseidon Adventure!!!! Kids climbing up the benches and me handing them out to the "neighbors" who came to rescue us. I had forgotten to put in the extra jacks in the back and when I leaned over the two of them to kiss goodnight....that's all she wrote!!!! Upside down we went. My "heros" were very kind and it took all of about 10 minutes for a couple of the "guys" to right the camper and fix the jacks for me. Boy was I embarrassed. Had one bad storm on the straits of Mackinac in the tent before the camper. Thought we were in danger of getting (literally) blown away or crushed by debri flying around the campsites. I pulled the car in front to block the storm surge from the lake and hoped like crazy I wouldn't have to "abandon ship" in the middle of a raging storm into it. Kids??? They slept right through!!! --When I'm out alone though, I do keep a pepper spray in my pocket...dangerous animals on the trail (2 legged and 4 legged) is the reason. ---
BTW, Kristi, my 15 year old is feeling the "I'm too big for this adventure" anymore too. Hike? Why, if we can drive there? Unless he can text or listen to his ipod....... |
| Michigan Girl in TX |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 6:16:47 PM
Me and my 12 and 6 year old LOVE to go camping! I always get the "Wow, you are so brave to go camping all by yourself with kids!" I am actually pretty proud of myself! I grew up camping so it is one of my favorite childhood memories and I hope it will be my kids too! (The 15 year old is not quite into it!)
Alee.... I use a shoelace to "lock" our tent doors! I am just overly cautious since I am alone with the kids and I used to live in the big city!
In fact we are going again next weekend! I have been looking for a cheap teardrop just because the tent gets HOT here in south Texas! But I love the tent. But no TVs is the rule if we get a trailer! We go camping to hear nature, not Spongebob!
~Kristi
Farmgirl #474
"Grown men may learn from very little children, for the hearts of little children are pure, and, therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss" ~Black Elk |
| jillybeans |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 1:24:05 PM
Our oldest LOVES camping. I have some great pics of her laying in the dirt just smiling with smore in one hand and a stick in the other. We try to go at least twice a year. This year we've got a trailer, which isn't quite what we're into, but will work nicely with little ones on cold mornings.
I agree with Cindy, camp in the yard! My fondest childhood memories include doing just that!
Jill, farm-girl to my country boy, growing our roots one child at a time. Mama to two little farm-girls and one on the way! |
| Mother Hen |
Posted - Apr 24 2009 : 01:26:01 AM
Alee, I have also taken my kids camping when they were little. I did put them to bed before we went. One thing I did was put the tabs for the zipper on the outside as I closed that last couple inches. We were able to get it open but little fingers couldn't. Now that you have a new home with a yard, try camping in the yard one night and see how it goes. The other thing for me, is at a camp site, I don't fall into as deep a sleep as I do in my own bed at home, so I hear everything throughout the night even the kids rolling over. Maybe you would be like that too?
I agree though, it is a lot of fun. Usually the kids get so worn out all day outside playing and running around, that they sleep hard (exhausted).
Cindy
FARMGIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
| homesteaderbelle |
Posted - Apr 20 2009 : 7:18:30 PM
I love to camp. I have so much going on camping trips with my family.
It sounds like you kids are at a perfect age for camping.
Belle
http://www.homesteaderbelle.blogspot.com/
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| Alee |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 5:51:34 PM
ROFL That would be kind of funny, but I am sure I would be less amused about the thought during the night and or the next morning if that did happen!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
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| SheilaC |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 1:30:13 PM
My best suggestion is to sleep in front of the tent door :) or if you put her to bed before you go to bed, sit outside of the tent! But DO try it! It's a really fun time and 2 years old makes everything more exciting :) As far as a twist tie or lock goes, I'm not sure about that. I can just imagine my husband getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and going just about crazy because in his half-awake state without glasses he couldn't get the door open--and waking everyone up in the process. |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 12:50:20 PM
That is great Shelia!
I have thought about doing some camping this summer with Doug and Nora. Nora just turned 2 and is totally independent. She is also very clever at zipping and un zipping things.
Do you think it would be horrible to consider taking one of those zipper padalocks (kindof like diary locks) and locking shut the zipper at night so she doesn't wander? I guess I could try a twisty tie or something. The only thing that I worry about is her getting loose in the night and getting lost before she realizes it isn't a game to hide from Mommy.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
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www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
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| City Chick |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 12:07:27 PM
Bravo! Glad you had a great time. We've been camping since our girls were infants as well. (I don't miss nursing in a tent at all) We too have a grand time. I think many people see it as too much work. I'd like to encourage more people to get out there too. Try it for 1 night - borrow a tent, sleep in your yard if you have too. Just get out there. Your children will thank you. I'm still thanking my parents! 
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