Camping Is... (With Children)

This summer, the days have felt especially long. Due to COVID, I find myself saying “no” and “we can’t” a lot more than I want to. The restrictions and precautions evoked by parks and outdoor spaces, along with those we choose to abide by as a family, have left me feeling like I’m trapped in a shrinking room! Then one day, shoulders slumped as I sad-sacked around the house, I decided to change things up. All summer long, my husband and I have been missing our regular adventures. Camping has been high on our list because, though he has been camping in our old Westy, our 3-year-old has never been tent camping! Cue, backyard camping! The Pre-Test We figured there was no reason to put it off any longer. I got our tent out of the basement and walked purposely across the living room toward the back door, only to be stopped halfway by my very insistent son. He was VERY interested in setting up the tent… in the living room. And that’s exactly what we did. It was the perfect way to test out this whole camping thing… before we tested it out. Though my intention was to pitch the tent in the backyard, I recommend this “pre-test” to anyone who has concerns about your child actually sleeping in the tent. Our son has always been an early riser and so he is also an early sleeper. To expect that he could get to sleep at his usual 5 PM bedtime with the summer sun still at its peak and so many backyard distractions was a tall order. We had other concerns too but the most pressing was bedtime routine, general supervision, and whether or not my husband and I would get any sleep. With the tent set up in the house, my son was content to “pretend camp” for weeks. We looked for plastic night animals with our headlamps, roasted Lego marshmallows, and slept under a Christmas light sky. It was a major success and was just what we needed to shake up the boredom. However, if you opt to skip this pre-test and head right to the backyard I do have a few helpful tips. Photo Credit: Deanna Curry @shinydayadventures Taking the Tent Outside Though our son is an early sleeper part of the appeal of going camping is that you get to do things you normally wouldn’t (here are some ways to make camping fun for kids). When we finally made it outside with the tent we stayed up until it got dark, around 8:30 pm, looking for nocturnal animals and lightning bugs. By then we didn't have to worry about the sun and all the neighborhood noise had quieted. Not to mention, he was so tired we didn’t even need the bedtime routine to lull him to sleep. We also let my son fill his tiny belly with a marshmallow, hot dog, and Chex Mix dinner. As far as supervision, we actually went to sleep when my son did that night because, well, we are parents and we are tired. But if you’re camping with a baby (check out this post on camping with a baby) or your kids go to sleep before you, a baby monitor, or even an open window, depending on your situation should suffice. Photo Credit: Ashley Scheider Backyard Camping Tip The number one tip I can offer is this, try to remember why you wanted to do this. We did it because we wanted our son to experience all the things we love about camping and being outside. So, we let our kid eat junk food, set off a few sparklers, forgot about bedtime, were noisy and ridiculous, and as much as possible tried to remember what it’s like to be a kid. Need more inspiration? We got you covered: Camping with Great Books Things to Know for Your First Camping Trip Helping children and families sleep better when camping Do you have a favorite family room or backyard camping memory? Share it in the comments! Be sure to join the Hike it Baby Community Facebook Group. It's a great place to ask questions, learn from others, and share your family's outdoor adventures! About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Editors Note:   We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you.   But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.

I don’t know about you, but I am more than ready for a little time away from home and to get outside in nature. The camping season is upon us. But this year it’s going to be different. You all know the restrictions we must follow to keep ourselves, and everyone else, safe because of COVID-19. Social distancing, face masks, overloading hand sanitizer, and all that fun stuff. Camping seems to fit the bill pretty well, being out in the fresh air, with defined space for each tent. And (according to NPR) it truly is a low-risk activity. But that doesn’t mean it’s ok to completely let down our guard when camping. Here are the best safe camping tricks for the post COVID era. Camp During the Week If you can, do your camping on weekdays instead of weekends. There will be fewer crowds around because most people are working. The attractions in and around the campground will also be quieter during the week for the same reason. It will be far less likely to come across an overcrowded nearby attraction. Or have to wear a mask on hiking trails because of too many people. Look for Campgrounds with Big Sites Some campgrounds are already well designed for social distancing because their campsites are large and well-spaced out. Often with rows of trees between them. If you can find campgrounds like this, book there. And some campgrounds have walk-in sites. These are set further away from everything and you must carry all your gear in, instead of parking the car right next to your tent. But these sites are generally bigger and more spaced out than standard campsites. Consider booking one of these if they are available. Book Two Spaces If you can’t find campgrounds with big spaces, or if the place you have your heart set on doesn’t have them, and you can afford to pay a little extra, book two spaces side by side. Then, if possible, put your tent or camper in the middle.  Avoid Drop-In Booking Try not to just head to a campground and book what’s available. You just can’t know what kind of space you will get, how small it is, or how close to the neighbors it will be. It is better to book ahead so you know what you are getting into. Look for Lesser Known or Alternate Campgrounds Don’t go where everyone else goes. This year it will probably be better to avoid the most popular camping places. For example: Instead of booking at a well-known place like Yellowstone (which is so popular you need to book months in advance to have any chance of getting a spot) look for campsites at the National Forests around it. There is far less competition for these camp spots, yet the landscape is just as beautiful. Try Remote (Rustic, Primitive, Backcountry) Camping This is a great way to get a lot of space to yourself without a lot of competition for sites. If you aren’t familiar with the term, it means camping away from everything. Generally deep within a National Park or Forest. You have to carry everything with you and hike to find your campsite. There are (usually) no facilities, no running water, or no electricity… but also, a few other people. This is certainly not something to undertake lightly and without preparation. But if you want to really camp away from it all, this is the best way to do it.   And, of course, continue to practice caution in the places where people gather. Be sure to follow the local area rules and regulations for safety. When entering an enclosed public space, like a bathroom or lodge, wear a mask. Wash or sanitize your hands afterward. Maintain at least 6 feet from other campers around you. And if sharing tools with other campers be sure to wipe them down afterward.  But most importantly, enjoy your summer camping escape! About the Author Laura Raffin is a born and raised Vermonter currently living outside of Chicago with her husband and two daughters. She is a blogger/photographer focused on family offseason and alternate destination travel. She spends every minute possible outside in nature and on the trails. You can follow her family adventures on Instagram @wegalavanttheglobe_ The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and not necessarily the opinions, thoughts, or recommendations of Hike it Baby. About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photos courtesy of Michelle Pearl Gee. Editors Note: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We do not make this ask lightly, but if you are able to afford it, make a donation, and become a Hike it Baby member.  A membership also makes a great gift for that new parent in your life. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. If you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.