Yes

by Colleen Mart

Created on: January 27, 2010

Should you take the kids with you on a campout? 

If you want your kids to learn about nature and come to appreciate it, then you definitely need to include them on your campouts.  Camping out is one of the most enjoyable experiences that a child can have and regardless of the bug bites and scratches from tree branches, the lessons that nature teaches them may ultimately benefit them and our environment as they grow up.  

What was a way of life mankind’s ancestors is now considered recreational or a leisure activity.  As your children help you set up camp, whether or not you have just sleeping bags or a tent, they are learning that the basic necessities of life are more important than the television and video games that have been left at home.  They will learn that water is the most precious resource and that you cannot survive without clean water.  It naturally follows that children will be more attentive to the need to keep earth’s water clean as they mature into adults. 

Hiking in the area surrounding your camp is truly a learning experience.  Should you be lucky enough to observe wildlife, such as deer or squirrels, the expressions of wonder and awe on the faces of your children are priceless.  It is a chance for your children to know that human beings are not the only creatures on this earth and that we need to respect and protect nature.  You can teach them about the geology of the earth by the different rocks that they may see along the path.  Binoculars are one of the things that should be included on a camping trip because children love observing far away nature through them.  You can point out the different trees and plants while you explain to them the need for protecting nature in order to preserve life here on earth.  

Of course, there will be the campfire around which you and your children gather after the sun sets.  Teach them which wood to use and never to cut down anything that is alive.  Show them the proper way to build a campfire and teach them how vital it is to be safe with campfires and the importance of extinguishing a campfire.  After the camp fire is glowing in its fire pit, let the imagination of your children teach you and you will be amazed at their knowledge.  Let them tell you what they know and understand about nature and let them tell you what they would do to protect nature, no matter how silly it may sound, it could be the idea that will save our world in the future.   Let them look at the moon and stars through the binoculars and the exclamations of delight will not disappoint you.  Let them name the craters on the moon.  As you gaze up in wonder at the infinite number of stars in the unpolluted skies, let them make up and name their own constellations and stars.  If you know the names of any constellations and the stories of which mythical being or what they are named for, pass them on to your kids.  If you know any folk tales or legends that have been passed down from natives in the area, pass them on to your children as natives have done for generations.  

As any parent is aware, the minds of our children are like sponges and will absorb enormous amounts of knowledge and the hands on experience is without a doubt the most effective means of teaching a child to appreciate not only our planet and the thing on it, but those we have not yet explored.  Not only is it healthy for our children to campout, it is vital for them to have an understanding of what is needed to keep our world healthy.

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