Being out in the woods with a little child and seeing them absorb the environment around them in a very tactile manner is an immensely gratifying experience (at least if you’re a nature lover). It has the potential to make you cry.
What else may make your eyes well up with tears? Because it’s a full moon out, you may as well have a 60 watt light plugged in over your baby’s camping bed, and you’re only getting 4 hours of sleep. Or attempting to prepare a gourmet dinner over an open flame while your “new to camping” kid is perilously near.
Read these tips from Christian camp Pennsylvania first if you’re thinking of bringing your baby camping this summer.
Bring Some of Your Favorite Outdoor Toys
You may enjoy self-play on the campsite if you bring a few outdoor toys that your kids are comfortable with. They don’t need you to teach them how to play or make them feel secure in a strange new environment if they choose toys they play with regularly. Christian camps in Pennsylvania believe that if your infant or toddler has familiar toys, they will feel more at ease, including some of their favorites.
Get In the Habit of Sleeping In a Tent
It’s difficult for adults to sleep in a new area, so imagine how difficult it is for children. So you’d have to educate children that tents are exclusively for sleeping, not wrestling, and you’d also have to deal with calming down in the tent before going to sleep. A night of backyard tent camping might help you better prepare for any problems.
When Camping With Children for the First Time, Start Small
Christian conference center Pennsylvania suggests starting small when bringing your infant or toddler on their first camping vacation, regardless of age. Keep your eyes set on a nearby place and start with only one or two nights. Even the most mature individuals may get irritable if thrown into the woods without warning.
Nothing would be more frustrating than traveling 8 hours to a campground where you planned to remain for a week (you paid for it! ), only to have your kid change into an uncontrollable version of themselves. Instead, plan a quick weekend break a few hours away and be ready to return home if things get out of hand. Keep your expectations modest and your excursions short at first, and then work your way up!
Before You Travel, Get Some Practice Sleeping In a Tent
Christian retreat centers pa suggest arranging a practice camping trip in your backyard to get your child acclimated to sleeping in a tent rather than the regular bedroom setting. Make it clear that tents are just for sleeping, not for causing trouble! Also, ensure that their sleeping environment is pleasant.
Get Ready For the Weather
Keeping everyone safe from the elements is one of the most challenging parts of camping, much alone camping with a toddler or newborn. It’s evident that being cautious while going outside is a good idea.
Check the weather forecast ahead of time and be prepared to call it a day if a thunderstorm is predicted, particularly if you’re tent camping with toddlers or newborns. But, if all that stands between you and a relaxing weekend in the woods is some moderate weather, we’ll take care of it.
Take a Lot of Food with You
Bring plenty of food (that won’t spoil) and prepare fast and straightforward meals. You can prepare chicken skewers, hot dogs, spaghetti, and bacon and egg sandwiches when you bring your child to the camping, and they will indeed enjoy them all. Desserts like hot chocolate and brownies were always a hit. The more camping you do, the more adventurous you can be.
Sweep the Entire Area
Camping may become a dangerous endeavor once your children grow mobile. Allowing your children to walk and explore is part of camping fun, but do your homework and clean your campsite and the surrounding area beforehand. Do some study to get acquainted with any plants or animals that may hurt your kid and seek for them before releasing them?
Stock Up On Extra Diapers and Wipes
Make sure you bring enough diapers and wipes with you on your trip. If you’ve picked a campground near local facilities or with an on-site store, this isn’t a problem, but you don’t want to run out if you haven’t. Pa Christian conference center would strongly advise carrying a potty with you if you have recently begun potty training.
Accept the Mess
When bringing newborns camping, dirt, and exposure to the outdoors, a lack of showers and other factors may make for a messy experience. Don’t try to stop it. It’s a fruitless endeavor. Instead, embrace the misuse of baby wipes to keep things in check until you arrive home and can soak them (and yourself) in a warm bath.
Maintain a Flexible Schedule
Suppose you run a tight ship at home (skip below if you’re a more laid-back parent!). Naps, meals, and bedtimes are all on a set schedule for your child, and they are primarily non-negotiable. You may attempt to keep some schedule when camping with your child but do so cautiously.
Additional Camping Advice for Families with Children
Suppose you’re camping with a breastfeeding kid, Christian retreat center Pennsylvania insists on including some nursing-accessible clothes. It would be a waste to be cooped up in your tent for feeding sessions every couple of hours.
As enjoyable as it is, camping is not a vacation to do on the spur of the moment if you have a newborn or toddler. Planning and having the correct supplies and gear is key to making camping an excellent experience. So, even with little children in tow, you can have an enjoyable camping vacation if you’re ready to do some study and preparation work.