The problem with living in a world dominated by text messaging and Xbox Live is that families lose touch with nature and its true beauty. I grew up spending hours and hours playing Nintendo and Playstation and the thought of spending an afternoon outside, let alone over night, seemed like a complete waste of time.
It wasn’t until a friend of mine wanted me to join the Boy Scouts that I finally communed with nature. The fact is that forests and campgrounds, whether bare-bones or filled with family activities, get your family to appreciate the world beyond a computer.
1. Start early. You’ll have an easier time pulling a piece of raw meat out of a lion’s mouth than getting a 15-year-old interested in roughing it for a few days. They are already in a rebellious phase and telling them they have to go a weekend with no iPod, cell phone or computer just sets them against it from the beginning. Try and start camping when they are still curious about the world, but old enough to enjoy the outdoors safely. I believe the ideal time is around 7 or 8.
2. Don’t be boring. As adults, we can sit back and enjoy staring at a billowing brook or flowing river, because we need to stop every now and then. Our world is a constant blur of meetings, work, baseball practice, etc., and the sheer solace of silence is intoxicating. For children, silence is boring. For your first few trips, choose campgrounds that have amenities for families, such as a pool, archery field and other events. It keeps the kids busy and active, and you might even enjoy imagining your boss’ face on an archery target.
3. Spend time with them. The point of a camping vacation is to spend time with the family. Don’t sit by the barbecue and just tell everyone to explore the woods and become one with nature. Talk to everyone about nature and the plants. Take them on hikes through the woods. Grab some poles and go fishing by the lake. Get out and do something as a family. We can’t stop time and too often we forget that it just keeps moving. One day you’re 25 with a newborn and, the next thing you know, you’re 45 with a child in college.
Have you been camping with your family yet? What are some of your favorite activities to do as a family when you’re out in nature? Leave us a comment.
See also:
- Technology on a Camping Trip: Do or Don’t?
- Roughin’ It: Backyard Camping Supplies Checklist
- Tips For Planning Your Spring Camping Trips
- Camping And Learning About Where The Wild Things Are
- 3 Cold Weather Camping Tips To Consider
- The Great Outdoors: Backyard Camping 101
- Living A Green Lifestyle When You’re On A Family Vacation
- Camping Out: A Garden Camping Survival Guide
- Outdoor Living Ideas: Camping in the Winter
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