Camping with kids

[Vtec44]

I have 2 kids, 4 and 2 years old, and have taken them camping since they were about 1. The toughest part for us was how to keep them quiet at night so they don't disturb the other campers. My older one was very good when she was younger so that wasn't an issue. However, my boy is a bit tough. They're much better now and love to go camping whenever we have time. It's nice to see the kids out in nature and learn about things that you don't get to see living in a city. I have seen other parents that have taken their kids out camping at an even younger age. I guess there isn't a set age where you can take your kids camping. You just need to make the effort, and it gets easier after a few times.

[NEJ]

I don't have kids, but I used to take the Boy Scouts camping after the kid down the street joined and talked me into coming along. He needed a dad right about then and I liked to camp and didn't mind checking out the dad thing without having to do it full time.

I learned to camp as a Boy Scout. My brothers and I went camping with my folks many times but they did all the work and we just played in the woods. It wasn't until I joined the scouts, that I had to actually do all the stuff myself. That was when I learned to camp. I still use those lessons to this day.

NJ

[Wardroid]

I don't have kids, but I think portable dvd is your best bet. I have a 7 Inch sony, which is light and easy to lug around. you can also get a cheap, netbook. my lap is super light, 9 inches with 9 hr. battery life. They can play games on it. They're only like $400. dvd player is around $200, but there are cheaper ones.

[Vtec44]

Ah, great idea. The only problem is that my kids don't watch TV much. lol We didn't let them watch TV until at around 2 so they have very little interest.

[NEJ]

I have to admit that I brought a laptop along a few times. I used it once. I have brought TV's a few more times to watch USC games, but my biggest transgression has been the times I brought the movie theater camping.

I have an 80" portable screen, a Honda generator for very quiet power, a portable sound system (SVI self-powered speakers in a Bose Bag with a car stereo equalizer and a small 12v sealed battery), a projector, and a small DVD player.

This works well on a night with little wind or even better when I stay at one of the old mine cabins like the Minnietta.

NJ

[Vtec44]

I love those Honda generators. I don't have one but one of the campers at Lake Perris had it, 2000EU. It's so quiet compare to the traditional ones. They're quiet expensive though, the main reason why I don't own one yet.

[JohnWhite1]

If possible I wouldn't take the dog. It will impact so much on what you and cant do that in the end I reckon will actually diminish the whole reason for going

[Wardroid]

I guess that depends on how rowdy your dog can be.. but yeah, I don't have kids or dogs, so I sleep like a champ at night.

[NEJ]

I have a very good dog, Gunner. He's new to camping as of last year. Before that I took my Basset, Sadie. That was the one way I got to go. My wife told me as long as I took Sadie, I could go. She and Sadie did not get along.

NJ

[Vtec44]

I guess that depends on how rowdy your dog can be.. but yeah, I don't have kids or dogs, so I sleep like a champ at night.

I have 2 kids so I don't know what it is like to sleep at night. lol

NEJ, wow that sucks that you have to pick between the wife or the dog.

[NEJ]

No, don't get the wrong idea. Sadie died a natural death after declining health in old age. I still have the wife and I still get to go camping. She likes the time to herself on the weekends. After you have been married for twenty years, you'll understand.

NJ