Camping!

by Outdoor Fun

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Basic Adventure

GOAL: 

Increase family member's well being by spending time in nature.

 

 

The ADVENTURE:

 

Will Shafroth, President of The National Park Foundation, said “There are biological benefits to being in nature. . . For people who really want to do something good for their kids, get them into nature.”

 

One great way to do this is by going camping! Summer in Utah is a great time for this, but you can also head out during ANY season if you check the weather and choose your location wisely.

 

For this adventure, head out camping with your family! This might just be overnight or for a week long vacation. Whichever you choose, there are hundreds of great camping spots! Utah is, after all, the "Great Outdoors"!

 

***For ideas of where to camp in Utah, use this link! It has GREAT resources and ideas!***
https://www.visitutah.com/things-to-do/camping

 

 

The "visitutah" link listed also includes an entire article on winter camping if that's something you want to give a try!

 

TIPS:

 

The reward here for EVERYONE is spending time with loved ones uninterrupted by technology while you're in nature. Take this time to really talk and play with your kids! Put your technology aside and be present!

 

Let kids be a part of the planning and the prep-- what will you do? what will you eat? what clothes will you need? Let kids be part of making those decisions and then helping to pack for it.

 

We create safety when we listen more than we talk.

 

 

 

 

 

10 tips for making camping a success with kids:

 

🏕 Talk about what you’ll do.

Talk through what it might be like. Reinforce it with books about camping from the library and then watch shows of favorite characters going camping.

 

🏕 Practice.

Before you go to a campground try sleeping in a tent one night in the backyard or even inside your home. Go on a hike or walk on a trail to explore the outdoors for a shorter amount of time before going on a bigger trek or taking a trip farther away from home.

 

🏕 Involve the whole family in the effort.

Camping requires a fair amount of gear and planning for a night away. Think through together what you need and what you don’t need. Talk about what you’ll eat and what that requires you to bring for each meal. Have kids help pack their own clothes, pillow, and favorite toy, and then put their things in the car. Once you get to the campsite let them play an active part of getting it all unloaded and set up.

 

🏕 Bring comfort items.

Camping changes your surroundings, so finding ways for your kids to feel comfortable with a favorite blanket or toy can go a long way. Let kids set up the sleeping bags and stuffed animals inside the tent. It will make the transition to bedtime much smoother.

 

🏕 Set realistic expectations.

Whether you’ve never been camping before or have been dozens of times, there’s always a chance something unexpected might happen. You might encounter bad weather or wake up more often throughout the night. Remind yourself and your children that each time you go, you learn something new and will feel more confident and prepared for next time.

 

🏕 Explore your environment.

See what you discover on a nature walk or make a list of possible things to look for on a group scavenger hunt. Search for “nature treasures” such as a pinecone, acorn, mossy rock, and seeds. You might be surprised by what you find!

 

🏕 Equip and empower your kids.

When kids have their own resources like a flashlight to see, a guidebook to refer to, or a map to help navigate, they build confidence and make connections on their own.

 

🏕 Go with others.

Camping can be a great bonding experience, so sometimes going with another family or group means sharing the responsibilities, discoveries, and the fun!

 

🏕 Ask what’s different.

You might eat different foods (like s’mores!) or hear different sounds while sleeping outside. Welcome what’s different as an adventure, but acknowledge the parts that might feel scary.

 

🏕 Celebrate the adventure!

Enjoy your time together, embrace the opportunity to face new challenges, and live in the moment.  Shafroth shared this advice, “You plan a lot to get there, to create the opportunity for a successful trip. And then when you get there, you kind of let go of some of the planning and you just ‘be’ in the experience together, which is pretty cool.”

 

 

 

Pre-K Adventure

Take an extra pair of shoes/clothes in case young kids get theirs wet or muddy.

Also, set realistic expectations!

Be sure to check out the PBS kids tips. These are perfect for this age group!

 

 

 

SUPERAchiever Adventure

Invite another family to go with you. Camping can be a great bonding experience, so going with another family or group means sharing the responsibilities, discoveries, and the fun!

 

 

Teen Adventure

Teens can help plan and pack! Ask them for input on meal and activity ideas. Then, let them be responsible for getting and packing the needed items.

 

 

Photo Location

Take a picture of something that your family enjoyed together while camping.