Ready for your child’s first camping trip? Follow these tips for a great experience! Written by experts at Global Emergency Medics.
Camping is a wonderful way to spend uninterrupted quality time with your child, free from technology and the constant distractions of daily responsibilities. Spending time in the outdoor world is a valuable experience for your child that allows them to learn important skills, stay physically active, appreciate all that they have, and disconnect to reconnect with not only the environment but themselves. If this is your child’s first time camping, they’re in for the ultimate treat. Or if they’ve already practiced some skills on a Cottonwood Institute program, they might have a thing or two to teach you! As a parent, however, it’s normal to feel a little nervous on your child’s first camping trip. Here are some tips to ensure your child stays safe while in the great outdoors so they can maximize the fun and fulfillment camping has to offer.
Practice at Home
If your child has never gone camping before, it’s always helpful to ease them into the experience by practicing in a familiar environment like your home. All you need to do is pitch a tent in your backyard and put out some sleeping bags so you can spend the night outside. You can also introduce other camp elements by building a fire and having a meal outside. If you don’t have a backyard, you can alternatively set up a tent indoors in your living area! And if you don’t have a tent yet, try laying out sleeping bags or blankets outside or in the living room.
Involve Them
When it comes to setting up the campsite, while it may be easier to take care of everything yourself, involving your kids by giving them camp chores will give them a chance to become more familiar with the whole experience and even learn some new skills. This will not only help your child feel included but the responsibility will likely give them a confidence boost as well. From setting up the tent or rolling out sleeping bags, to helping with meal preparations or simply filling water bottles, there are plenty of age-appropriate tasks that can warm them up to camping.
Look For Teachable Moments
Regardless of your child’s age, there are plenty of opportunities for teachable moments while camping, and learning is, of course, always more enjoyable when you’re having fun. Teach your child how to enjoy nature while also respecting the natural world and becoming a custodian of it. Look for opportunities to teach them basic camping skills, how to identify and respect wildlife, how to dispose of trash and leave no trace, and anything else you’re interested in.
Remember, Safety First
When it comes to camping, you’ll likely be out in the wilderness away from immediate medical care, so safety is paramount, especially with kids. It’s important to set some camp rules which are probably different from the rules they have at home. It may be helpful to talk about boundaries of where they can venture off to, a time they should be back at the campsite, and what to do if they get lost.
For parents, good preparation makes everything easier, so it’s important to be fully aware of what hazards may be in the area, and don’t forget to pack a high-quality wilderness first aid kit. Out in the wilderness, accidents can happen. To be fully prepared for anything, consider taking a Wilderness First Aid course as this will ensure you know exactly what to do if an injury does arise. Having this knowledge can help you protect your loved ones, which is an incredibly valuable ability to have while adventuring.
Disconnect From Technology
In today’s world, technology has infiltrated just about every aspect of our lives. While useful at times, the constant use of technology makes it hard to live in the present and truly appreciate nature in all its glory. Make your best effort to leave laptops, tablets, and video games at home to limit distractions and help teach your child to truly connect with their surroundings. Bringing a phone along is, of course, important for safety reasons, but try to keep it packed away and limit its use for emergencies. Don’t forget to turn your phone on airplane mode to save battery.
Get a Little Dirty
At home, your child may have certain standards and rules on how to keep things tidy, but out in nature, embrace the dirt and allow them to get their hands dirty. Keep a close eye on them as they jump in puddles, identify and pick up bugs, roll in the grass, dance in the rain, or walk barefoot in the mud. Clothes and bodies can be washed afterward, but these experiences are incredibly enriching. Camping, hiking, and other adventures in the great outdoors help children connect with nature, gain an appreciation of the natural world, and create experiences that will stay with them through their lives.
If you’re looking for suggestions on where to go, check out some of Cottonwood Institute’s best spring trail recommendations. We hope you and your family enjoy your child’s first camping trip together!
