| Author | |
Kelly
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 21 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1211
|
| Posted: May 10 2006 at 11:31pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
You know, I think I'm most afraid of Bad Guys, lurking wierdos or something. Not too worried about the "nature" part, more the human factor. Though I think I'd probably be a little nervous about Grizzly Bears, too  -they're not named "Ursus terribilis" for nothing!)
Kelly in Grizzly-free FL
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
alicegunther
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1992
|
| Posted: May 11 2006 at 1:03am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dawn wrote:
Is anyone else here a reluctant camper, or is it just me? 
|
|
|
Dawn, I'm such a reluctant camper, that I've been nervous about even reading this thread! Seriously--I've avoided it up until now.
If we ever do make our first foray into camping, our intrepid friend MacBeth is sure to come with us, so I really have little to no excuse. LOL!
__________________
Love, Alice
mother of seven!
     
Cottage Blessings
Brew yourself a cup of tea, and come for a visit!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dawn
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3191
|
| Posted: May 11 2006 at 4:13am | IP Logged
|
|
|
alicegunther wrote:
| Dawn, I'm such a reluctant camper, that I've been nervous about even reading this thread! Seriously--I've avoided it up until now. |
|
|
Kelly wrote:
| Oh Dawn, I empathize, I really do. I love nature and hiking, I've done mountain climbing, scuba diving, saddle trips, I'm a big animal fan, I even like spiders and snakes!...but I have never been a camper. |
|
|
Thank you, Alice and Kelly! You have both made me feel better about my insecurities, and made me smile too. I am so glad to hear I'm not the only one intimidated by camping ...
__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys 
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MEBarrett
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 15 2005
Location: New York
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 596
|
| Posted: May 11 2006 at 9:30am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dear Dawn:
I would rather be thrown off a bridge than go camping. That being said I go every year. The kids love it.
I am like you in that I encourage and enjoy nature study but I am not by nature an outdoorsy person. I was raised by a woman who thought nature was a vast conspiracy to muck up your shoes or drop things on your head. Her idea of roughing it was a 3 star establishment.
This may have rubbed off on me a bit.
We did used to go to cabins in Maine for vacations when I was a child and those are some o my fondest memories. They are not my mother's fondest memories. I wanted my kids to have those same kinds of memories.
So about three years ago I called a lovely woman in our rosary group who has camped everywhere alone with her three kids and asked her what I should do. She joined us at a local camp ground that was perfect for kids. There was a pond and a playground and tons of nature trails. Two other famiies joined us and the children loved every minute. It is a tent campground.
Me, I'm still not a fan but I slap a happy face on and go along.
My oldest is also PDD so I know how anxious being in the great outdoors can be for you. Honestly watching him was not more stressful than keeping track of him in a mall or crowded museum. Actually because there were several families with us it was a little easier. More adult eyes.
I find my guy really benefits from time outdoors. It calms him somehow and he is better able to focus. He seems to feel more like a regular kid and participates with the other kids a lot more easily. He also finds it easier to go off and be by himself a bit if he needs a break.
If you are concerned about your guy escaping a tent you can lock up the zipper or just sleep in front of it. That way he would have to climb on you (sounds like a husband job) to get out.
I recommend air matresses, sleeping on the ground is for lions and tigers and bears and things.... not people.
It is intimidating at first but you will soon discover how much the kids benefit from the experience and honestly I have had a lot of fun on our trips. It is definitely worth the trouble.
__________________
Blessings,
Mary Ellen
Mom to seven beautiful kids
Tales from the Bonny Blue House
O Night Divine
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dawn
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3191
|
| Posted: May 11 2006 at 2:37pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
MEBarrett wrote:
| I would rather be thrown off a bridge than go camping. That being said I go every year. The kids love it. |
|
|
!
Mary Ellen, you are my kind of gal! Thanks for all the great advice.
__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
teachingmom
Forum All-Star
Virginia Bluebells
Joined: Feb 16 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2120
|
| Posted: May 11 2006 at 11:30pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I am another reluctant camper who goes every year. I agree completely with Mary Ellen.
MEBarrett wrote:
| I would rather be thrown off a bridge than go camping. That being said I go every year. The kids love it. |
|
|
I just found a quote from a post I made on another thread awhile back that describes my camping experiences:
"I also have good memories of camping during childhood. As an adult, I honestly don't like camping. A hate the dirt, the bugs, the heat, sleeping on the ground (even on an air mattress), and the walk to the dirty public restrooms.  BUT, here is one place where I can identify with my mom. In an effort to be like my mom, I try to bring my children camping at least once each summer, just for the sake of memories and the girls' enjoyment. Unlike my mom, I tend to lose my patience in the heat and discomfort.  To make it more fun, we camp with at least 2 other families. Our kids have a wonderful time. In the end, I can usually admit to enjoying myself as well, even with the discomfort and hard work. One thing that helps is that we usually only go for 2-3 nights, so my difficulties are limited. "
I think it's worth the effort to try it out, especially if the rest of your family is excited at the prospect.
__________________
~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dawn
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3191
|
| Posted: May 18 2006 at 5:17am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I had to post this here since it is so fitting for those of us getting our feet wet with backyard camping:
Great American Backyard Campout
It sounds neat! And it so happens on that date we are planning my oldest son's 11th b.day as a "camping" party! The dads will take the boys on a hike through our woods and we'll pitch tents in the yard and have a hot dog and marshmallow roast etc.
__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: May 18 2006 at 9:32am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sounds like alot of fun!
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: The courage to camp?
