Family Camping Tips (Part 2)

Plan Ahead
Keeping the kids involved adds to the excitement and enjoyment of the trip. Even kids as young as toddlers and pre-schoolers can help in the planning process.

*Stake out a site. Talk with your family about the types of trips you’d like to take. Where do you want to go? What would you like to do when you get there? Hike? Fish? Sightseeing? From there, the adults can narrow it down to a few choices then go through the brochures and websites with the kids. If the camp site is local, take a ride and check it out ahead of time. We did this for our first tent outing and it went over well. We were able to take a look at all of the sites and see which suited us best. We also got to check out the parking and restroom facilities. We talked to some campers and met the Park Ranger. All of which made planning go quite smoothly. (hint: state and local parks may be low on amenities, but can be quite inexpensive.)

*Take them shopping. Browse the web sites, catalogs and the local sporting goods stores. Let the kids check things out and see what they like. Be sure to point out both the pros and cons of their choices.

*What’s for Dinner? Getting the kids in on the meal planning is a sure fire way to get them to eat their dinner - even veggies! Keeping meals simple means less food and things to pack. Doing the prep work at home is easier than in the woods.

*Make a list. Make a list of everything you think you’ll need to pack - from the tent to the food to extra socks. Check things off as you pack them. Save your list until after you return from your trip. Cross off the things that you didn’t need. Add in things that you wish you’d brought. Be sure to note anything that needs to be repaired or replaced and save it for your next trip. I keep a current doc file on my computer, print it out for the packing and mark it up by hand as I go and when we get back, then I’ll edit the master list.

*Lay down the law. Go over camp safety rules before leaving home and again once you get there. Set boundaries for your kids to stay within. For younger kids, tie ribbons to trees and let them know that they cannot go past that without you. (be sure to take them down when you leave!) If your kids are visual, make a poster

Day Camp Revisited

With even more snow falling outside the window, summer seems a world away, yet we are already maknig plans. The plans of blogging this last year fell by the wayside due to illness and technical glitches. BUT we've got a new computer, a new tent and the boys joined a new scout den - so you'll see some scout projects for real this time! I do have some kid craft photos from the last year I can post as a bit of a recap....

They built a tee-pee out of random sticks found in the yard (and the neighbors') all on thier own!

Andy's pumpkin won 2nd place in his Wolf Den at the Pack pumpkin decoration contest.

Pinewood derby cars from 2009 - Ryan placed 3rd in the Tiger Den.

We are working on this year's cars now. I'll post the process once the cars are complete.

Back to School!

It's that time again! I'll be keeping posted with any cool craft ideas we come up with - think holiday gifts! and keep an eye on the sidebar - some great ideas in those blogs!

Back to Business

The boys really enjoyed their two weeks of Karate Camp, but Daddy was getting a bit burnt out trying to get everyone out of the house and to camp on time, so we are back to the business of Daddy Day Camp.

We noticed something interesting the last couple of weeks - well, actually, I didn't figure it out until last Thursday. Building up to then, we've noticed the kids fighting more with each other, constantly being negative, beligerent and complaining of boredom. One would think this attitude would have improved with the addition of camp.

It dawned on me Thursday night that we'v ebeen all business inhtis house. Get dressed. eat your breakfast. go to camp. The conversations between parent and chid have been all business. No wonder why we were all so cranky!

Since Friday, we've made a deliberate effort to talk with them and do things with them. Not that we have given control over to them, but we are reminding them that we aren't Ogres and we can be fun too! the change in their behavior was immediate!

off the hook...

I initially planned on Math games/activities for next week. I came up with nothing... I was "saved by the bell" just now. The owner of the Martial Arts school decided to add another week to Karate Camp! They've had a great week, so they are looking forward to another!

As for the math, I am working it into the daily activities:

• asking them to cut and or divide things
• count the towels I am folding
• tell the time
• #2 helped count the change at the grocery store
• #1 got to count my stitches as the doctor took them out
• measuring ingredients while we cook

I am also going to try to work math into the rest of the Daddy Day camp activities.

Karate Camp!

This week, the b0ys will spend their mornings with their karate instructors. They will be doing plenty of karate, but they will also play other games/sports and work on sportsmanship. Each participant will get a trophy at the end of the week. I'll have to make room on the mantle next to their other 6 trophies from the tournament! I hear it was a rough morning getting them going, but I know they'll LOVE it!

It gives me a break to plan for next week too. Math week doesnt' sound too exciting, but I'm hoping they do'nt notice that they are learning math... maybe we'll start with ractios? They both get the concept of multiplication, so it may be a good time to introduce division (and that is all that fractions are).

Field Trip #2

Yesterday's project is still drying, so more on that tomorrow when I can give a full review.

Today is another trip to Grandma's. Daddy and Papa are going fishing, so the boys are spending the day running in the sprinkler in my In-Laws yard. Hopefully, the thunderstorms will hold off...

Happy Birthday America!

We moved play dough day to Thrusday due to the Holiday, but tune in Monday for my dough recipe!

Until then, have a safe and happy 4th!

Camp Rules

We have our house rules posted on the same wall as our family calender and important notices. They know the rules and they know the consequences. (We like Super Nanny!)

We also have a Toddler, 2 boys with ADD/ADHD and a Dad in charge who also has ADD. I can not overstate how important structure is in our house. It is crucial to survival.

I found a couple of tips on Let's Explore (my new favorite blog!). The first is a "Chore Bucket". The kids pull a chore out of the bucket and that is the chore for the day. They are all things that they can do and can feel good about doing a good job. #2 in particular LOVES to be a helper. #1 would rather sit in front of the TV... I'm thinking Dad should pull out a chore to set a good example ;).

Another cool tip I found on Let's Explore is the Marble Jar. you set out a basket of marbles and an empty jar. When they do something worthy of praise, they got to add marbles to the jar. Once the jar is full, they get a special treat. We tried giving them each a jar of pennies and taking away pennies when they misbehaved, but they threw a fit at losing pennies and I think it focused too much on the bad behavior. I think the marble jar will not only get them more praise, but it will encourage them to work together.

We started the Marble Jar last night and it was met with great enthusiasm. #1 & #2 got the jar going by doing such a great job reading while I got #3 ready for bed. We have not even decided what the "surprise" will be yet. I try to keep rewards to non-material things, but I'm thinking maybe a book from the book store... or better yet a trip to the Public Library! To avoid starting too much at once, we're holding off on the Chore Bucket until the weekend. Daddy and I will be picking chores too. Chores done with effort and enthusiasm will be rewarded with marbles - even if it isn't done "right". It is the effort and the work ethic we are going for here.

I also plan out our menus every week, which not only gets dinner on the table at a reasonable hour, but it saves a lot of money in groceries. I also plan out lunches and snacks. Daddy has also requested we sit down and come up with a "Camp Schedule". This may be too rigid for some families, but again, with the abundance of ADD/ADHD in our home, it is a necessity.

Camp Starts Tomorrow!

Last day of school.. which means that tomorrow is day 1 of Daddy Day Camp. I had one request from Dad - "go easy on me the first week or so...". About a month ago, he spent a week in the hospital and about 2 more at home in bed getting his strength back. he is more or less back to himself, but pretty apprehensive about running the camp.

With that request in mind, I hit the craft stores. I was pleased to find so many kits ready to go for fun summer projects. So, yeah, some of the early projects may be cop-outs, but so be it! gives me time to get some better ideas....

Last year, I had daily themes like "Monster Monday" where the activitys all had something to do with monsters. It quickly became a stretch to get things to fit. This year, I'm thinking about weekly themes.

Week 1: Setting up Camp
Week 2: Dinosaur Days ? we'll have to see how this pans out...

Look for more "getting started" tips tomorrow. I will post the activities on a delay, so that you can see the finished product along with the instructions.

Getting Started Tips

Some of the things I learned last year:
each kid gets their own project bag/box/basket/container

• whenever possible, put everything they need in the project bag/box/basket.
• keep things simple and fun (and low maintainance)
• schudule in "free" days and outings.
• try doing activites that build on one another
• Kids get dirty... accept it and move on...
• check the $ stores, www.orientaltrading.com, and the "value" baskets/bins at joanns & other craft sores for ideas and simple kids.
• Keep a bin of crayons, markers, construction paper, cardboard tubes, empty thread spools, glue sticks, kid scissors, stickers, paints, brushes, pom poms, pipe cleaners, egg cartons etc. handy.

add your tips in the comments!

The Concept

Last summer, our oldest son (6 at the time) went to day camp for 4 weeks. He has minor speech/developmental delays resulting from PTSD and his camp was a camp for high functioning "special need" students in the school district. So, really, he needed to go. He had fun and never realized it was "therapy".

It only took a few days for our middle son (4.5 then) to get jealous. Not only was he lonely without his brother, but he was quite envious of the fun his brother had every day.

My husband, a SAHD, was at his wits end trying to entertain him and care for our almost 1yo. I was heartbroken to see the middle child so bummed.

SO

Daddy Day Camp was born! (before the movie came out!)

Every night after he went to bed, I put a "surprise craft"/activity and all of the materials he needed in a special bag with his name on it. He wasn't allowed to open it until after breakfast.

The activites were usually simple and on his level. I made sure they were projects that required little to no assistance from Dad. He was proud of himself for being able to complete his project on his own and it freed dad to tend to the baby - who was rather ill and extremely under weight at the time. Once my oldest was done with day camp, we enrolled him in "Daddy Day Camp" as well.

This summer adds several new dynamics:

• #1 & #2 have both been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.
• #3 is healthy and strong... and likely going to want "in" on this camp thing.
• none of the kids are enrolled in outside "camp" activities, but #1 & #2 are both in karate class 2x/week.
• The kids are older, gifted and learning new skills that I'd like to reinforce without making it feel like school.
• My project ideas from last year willmost likely bore them to tears.

I suppose I'm the camp's Activities Coordinator, but Daddy is certainly counselor, medic, chef, and director. So, join me us as I prepare my projects and ideas. As I gather sources and information, I'll add them to the sidebar. Feel free to comment and add your own links, ideas and suggestions.

Camp officially starts on Tuesday (6/24/08).