Training Kids to Be Good Campers

There’s a reason the Boy Scout motto is “be prepared.” Great camping trips don’t just happen. Pre-planning is essential whether you're is considering an overnight sleep-out in the backyard or a 10-day backpacking trip in the Alaskan wilderness. Experts and seasoned campers alike always have a system for preparations, from gear checklists (found at rei.com) to pre-planned menus. Use the tips here to plan for your next stay outdoors.

For more camp inspiration, tune into the new NBC series Camp, which premieres July 10 at 10 pm E.S.T.!

Stop anticipating the worst, and just get out there, says Jennifer Aist, an Anchorage, Alaska, hospital parent educator and author of Babes in the Woods: Hiking, Camping and Boating with Babies and Young Children.“The rewards are so great when going outdoors. Find a way to balance fears, and get out there and do it safely."

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Ease into the process. Never been camping? Or are you skittish about nature? Build confidence through local hikes or activities sponsored by the Sierra Club or other outdoor organizations. Not ready for tent camping? RVs are an option. Or book a deluxe tent cabin or room at a lodge in a national park where organized family activities are plentiful.

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Birds, squirrels and scavenging bears may be attracted to supplies, so box them up tightly. Campgrounds can be noisy—a baby’s cry seems magnified outside, car alarms go off, and fellow campers can be inconsiderate. Pack some patience. The kids will get dirty, the bathroom will not be like a five-star hotel—or any hotel for that matter—and the ground will be hard (a portable blow-up mattress is a good idea).

And yes, it can rain!

On the flip side, connecting to the natural world brings a peace of mind not often found in today’s hectic, always-on lifestyles. Children amass a new set of practical skills without much difficulty. Being in tune with the daylight hours, living in a simpler way and appreciating the diversity and beauty found in nature are abilities worth passing on to the next generation.

No matter the destination, some basic outdoor skills are indispensable. Knowing how to set up a campstove, build a campfire and pitch the tent are crucial: Practice at home before heading out to the campground. Outfitters like REI offer classes in the fundamentals, while L.L. Bean has a hotline to camping experts, (800) 226-7552.

If a parent has a specific fear factor, define what it is, recommends Aist, and take a relevant training class to reduce that stress. For instance, there are bear-safety classes for those afraid of bears and first-aid classes if minor injuries are a concern. On the first outing, camp close to home, so if there’s a need to return home ahead of time, it is not a big deal.

For many families, a school or group camping trip is an easy introduction. Seasoned campers will likely be along for support, parents will have allies, and kids will have friends to play with. There’s no need to schedule play dates; they will happen organically. And campgrounds are ready-made playgrounds, especially if there is a water element. The scene is set for kids to play together where parents aren’t the sole source of entertainment.

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Keep kids involved every step of the way when organizing supplies. Younger children can test out battery flashlights—an instant enthusiasm builder. Give kids their own list of clothes and personal supplies to gather for the trip, and review them before packing. Bikes are a fun addition in many campgrounds. Children can manage a gear check and confirm that tires are inflated, bike lights are working and helmets are ready to go.

“Some people downplay the food; we never do,” says Aist, whose Wilderness For Kids website offers helpful advice. One truism of camping: Everyone will be hungry, and food will taste better. Always pack more supplies than necessary. Aist packs an outback oven on the trail and adds just-picked wild blueberries to fresh-baked brownies. Ask any now-grown-up-kid-camper about their best memory of campouts and cooked-over-the-open-flame treats. Doughboys (canned instant biscuits cooked on a stick) and s'mores top the list.

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Portland, Ore.-based parent Sandra Aris took her 2- and 3-year-old daughters RV camping for the first time last summer. To avoid campground showers, she brought along a large plastic tub. Naps were skipped, so kids slept soundly through the night. Her peace-of-mind tip: “I wrote our camping spot number on their arms with a Sharpie pen and tagged them just in case they got lost,” she recalls.

Camping is a commitment, more so than other kinds of travel, but nothing beats it for a sense of accomplishment. A good camper learns that when lights go off, rather than being scared of the dark, this is the best time to look up and take in the night sky.