Camping With the Kids

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 15:15:33 +0000

Let’s get the kids outdoors and camping! Woot, woot!

The Risk of Not Camping With Kids

According to Richard Louv (author of Last Child in the Woods) children are suffering from Nature Deficit. In other words, kids aren’t getting outdoors enough and hanging with good ol’ nature. And this is causing them to deal with increased depression issues, ADHD type behaviours, increase the likelihood of obesity (a summer danger in the average North American child), and even increase the likelihood that the child experiences increased anxiety. In other words, nature is good. It’s good for our mental health (I’m including adults in this) as well as our physical health.

What can we do?

Camping!*

A Couple Reasons Why Kids Love Camping

Kids LOVE camping. They love the freedom of being outdoors. Of sleeping in a tent (or in an RV)–both rentable or borrowable so no excuses. Kids love the curious exploration of camping. Kids love doing something new. Kids love chilling with the family. They also love Spider Dogs and S’mores. (Click to sign up and get these free recipes–coming very, very soon.)

The Benefits of Camping for Kids

Camping to the rescue because it solves the nature, being outdoors, and being active issue. Sure we are more likely to stuff our faces full of s’mores while out camping, but think of it this way… It’s easy to unplug. It’s easy to spend more time as a family. It’s easy to increase our communication skills while sitting around a campfire telling scary stories. It’s easy to learn about nature in an interesting and meaningful way. It’s easy to find places to hike to. It’s easy to see the stars. It’s easy to learn about insects (yeah, sorry about that one). It’s easy to learn the value of running water. It’s easy to learn about survival skills. It’s easy to learn independence. It’s easy to meet other kids (campgrounds are often crawling with kids). It’s easy to be active.

Tell me… What else does camping make it easy to do?

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Sharing Made Easy:

Do you like camping with the kids? Reasons why camping is important for the kiddos. http://t.co/nefLln7S Let's get out & active. #camping

— Jean Oram (@KidsPlay) July 15, 2012

*Need more summer fun ideas? I’ve got you covered–including at home camping! Sign up here. (Free & not spammy. Just useful, playful fun delivered straight to you.)

P.S. Giving Indoor Camping a try? Lots of ideas in the newsletter including a little something from this post on indoor stargazing–super-simple ceiling stars. You’ll be surprised you didn’t think of it! (If you are anything like me!)

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Let’s Go Kayaking!

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 23:18:22 +0000

It’s hot. It’s summer. Water is good. Being active is good.

How can we combine it all? In a kayak!

What is a Kayak?

A kayak is a traditional water craft that was invented by the Inuit of the north. Originally it was built using a wooden frame covered in seal skins. Today’s kayaks are made of all sorts of great plastics and other new-age materials. In fact, last weekend out in the mountains we saw a couple out in inflatable kayaks! (They don’t recommend them as they are a lot of work to inflate and put together. The one I am going out in tomorrow won’t be inflatable nor made from seal skin. I’m sticking to space age materials. )

Why Kayaks Rock For Kids

Kayaks are easy for kids to use because of their double-ended paddles. In other words, they have that great scoop on each end making it simple for kids to hold and paddle. As well, kayaks are lower to the water and surprisingly stable meaning it is easy for kids to reach the water to paddle (compared to a canoe), control, maneuver, and basically have a rip roaring good time with little in terms of knowledge or even great motor control.

Kayaks for Kids Tips

If you aren’t sure about letting your offspring out in a kayak alone, consider these ideas:

Try a double kayak. These kayaks hold two people so a parent can go out with their kids meaning you can take longer outings without worrying your child will wander off, get super frustrated, or get tuckered half way to your destination. As well, many of the non-molded seat kayaks allow you to take out the extra seat and move the remaining seat to the middle making it a single kayak.

Tie a rope to the end of the kayak. If your child is out in a kayak alone, consider tethering them. You can tether their kayak to a dock, to your kayak, or simply hold the end of the rope or buoyant heaving line as they paddle about. If they get in trouble, you can reel them back in.

Consider a simple, light weight, wide and stable kayak. In other words, an all round, all purpose kayak (inexpensive–more for fun & mucking about than serious rough water use) that maybe doesn’t even have a hole to sit in. (You sit on top and the top is molded down making it a simple place to sit without worries of having your child get stuck if they do manage to tip the thing over. (Surprisingly difficult to do with most kayaks.)

When learning how to kayak, choose the shallows. Also choose a water area with little to no wake or waves. Don’t use a skirt (tucks around your waist and holds you into the kayak and keeps the waves out) on the kayak that will hold your child in. Let them fall out of the kayak instead. As well, ALWAYS make sure your child wears a proper fitting lifejacket. Make sure the local waters are safe (no undertow, far from weirs, no swift currents, etc.). Also be sure to place the boating emergency kit that is required for your area in the kayak. These emergency boating kits often include items such as a buoyant heaving line, a working flashlight, whistle, and bailing bucket.

How to Get Your Hands on a Kid-Friendly Kayak:

Rent one! See if you like kayaking. Sporting good places sometimes rent them as do some camps, and sometimes there will be a rental place right there at your favourite lake.

Borrow one! Know someone who has the gear? See if you can borrow it or if they will take you out.

Second hand! Check the local paper, check online… you know the drill.

Specialty sporting goods stores! Ask an expert what they think you may need and get yourself outfitted. (Sometimes you can rent an item and if you decide to purchase it, your rental cost will go towards the cost of purchase.)

Ready? Let’s go kayaking with the kids!

Enjoy!

How about you? Have you been out kayaking? Have your kids? What did you/they think?