Camping Contemplations

Children and Camping 

I have been camping in and out of the SCA many times. I have camped with small children, medium children, teens, and with no children. Sometimes the children were mine, sometimes they were in camp, and sometimes they were neighbors. Camping can be a hugely enriching experience for everyone with many opportunities to learn, experiences to remember, and memories to make.

However . . . camping with children can also be a nightmare if you are not prepared with a plan and supplies. From my personal experience and observation of others I offer the following suggestions. You want your children to have a positive experience and you deserve one as well.  No matter what, be flexible and that can mean packing up and calling it quits if everyone is unhappy. Prepare then practice, practice, practice!

Prepare: Talk about camping, talk about tents, talk about animals and night noises (including bugs). Talk about how to be a good camp neighbor to other people and to nature. Teach the buddy system and what to do if you get lost or separated.

There are many books for all different ages and reading levels about camping. Take a trip to the library.

Nature has much to offer, but children (and adults) need down time. Plan some hikes and scavenger hunts (be respectful). Plan some non-camping time - coloring/activity books with colored pencils/markers (crayons melt), bubbles, books, special toys that are age and environment appropriate and only available when camping. Withholding items for special times makes them new and exciting.

Practice: Let children use their sleeping bags, cots, air mattresses, etc in their rooms or in a family room before going camping. I’m not suggesting everyday use (that takes away from the specialness of it all), just make sure they are familiar and comfortable with their camping and sleeping gear. Remind them flashlights can be used for fun, but that they are first and foremost a tool.

If your children have not been taught fire etiquette/safety it is wise to talk about and practice it before they meet the real thing. The most important things to teach children:

a - the fire is under adult control

b - never run near a fire

c - don’t throw or put things into the fire

d - Stop/Drop/Roll

Practice: Move your indoor practice outside. A backyard camping experience helps build confidence and comfort and makes it more real. Build a campfire and add a cookout. I suggest marking a safety circle (3-4 feet) around your campfire and teaching children they cannot be inside the circle without an adult.

Practice: Children (and some adults) can be hesitant about primitive personal hygiene. Look for opportunities to use porta-potty / outhouse facilities before they are the only option.

Porta-Potty (P-P) Politeness Policies 

I had a group camping experience where my allocated space was conveniently (and regrettably) located very near to some port-potties. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE - If you are camping where porta-johns are in use, read the following!

ALWAYS PUT THE SEAT LID DOWN BEFORE YOU EXIT!

PLEASE HOLD ON TO THE DOOR UNTIL IT IS CLOSED! (When Entering and Exiting - Especially When Tents Are Nearby)

Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! All day long and randomly throughout the night. Slam-Ungodly Sounds-Slam! Start to fall back asleep. Slam! Slam! Slam-Ungodly Sounds-Slam! Need I say more? 

While we are on the subject of noise from the porta-loo, bodily sounds are understandable and normal, no matter how unnatural they sound. However, having a conversation on your phone (trust me, no one really wants to hear you pee, etc), having a conversation at the top of your voice with the person in the next porta-potty, or in a stage whisper, or drunkenly serenading your love is, well . . . just don’t! 

BE A SWEETIE AND WIPE THE SEATIE! If you miss, regardless of the body orifice it came from, please clean up after yourself. No one wants that kind of surprise and it could be hours or days before the sanitation crew comes by (and they don't deserve that). 

SEE ALL OF THE ABOVE! Then for your sake and the sake of everyone else - generously use the wash station or hand-sanitizer.