by Joan H. Young

Created on: August 13, 2010   Last Updated: November 25, 2010

The scent of a campfire, marshmallow-sticky fingers, damp bathing suits and sand between the toes, the sound of trees rustling in the wind for a lullaby... these are the pleasant memories you have the power to create for your kids when you take them camping.

Since the important Louv book, Last Child in the Woods, was published, more people are aware of the value of taking kids outside. As a society we have lost touch with the natural world. Things we do not know, we do not value. If we do not value the earth and care for it, it will not be healthy enough to provide for our needs.  Something as simple as a yearly camping trip can be a contribution toward preparing the next generation for feeling a lasting connection with the earth.

Camping can be as simple as spending the night in your backyard. Sleep under the stars during one of the meteor showers. If you aren’t comfortable with even that level of “back to nature,” begin with a cookout. Let the kids collect firewood and teach them to start the fire. Lessons learned will include the basic need for fuel and heat to prepare a cooked meal. Catching fish for the pan and cleaning it will add another level of knowledge about our connection to the planet.

Certainly, don’t do all the work yourself with the justification, “I’m letting the kids be kids and have a good time.” Living for even a few days in the outdoors provides hundreds of opportunities for children to understand how the world works. Possible lessons include:

Light does not appear magically when you flip a switch- you may need to build a fire or light a lantern.

Cooking food requires heat, which requires the collection of fuel, a spark and oxygen.

Traveling without a car (hiking, biking, canoeing) can be fun, and seeing the world at a slower pace allows the time to learn about plants and animals, or to collect rocks and shells.

Chores in camp are usually accomplished with few appliances, and this should be encouraged. Kids need to understand that dishes can be washed by hand, water can be carried and treated if necessary, heated and disposed of in a way that doesn’t damage the environment. They will begin to appreciate the amount of work this can require.

Working together is more likely to be required in camp than at home. Tasks can be large enough that one child cannot accomplish it alone, and teamwork must be used.

Unplug yourselves and the children too. Leave the electronic games at home. Encourage active pursuits and do them with the kids. Of course, if you are having a miserable time and whining in an adult sort of way, your kids will pick up on this. Find activities that you can enjoy and let the boys and girls see that you are having a good time. Even if you, personally, are not ready to take to the backwoods for a week of primitive living, find ways that you can stay outdoors without communicating your discomfort to the kids.

No matter what, don’t make camping just an extension of your home life. Encourage kids to get wet and dirty. Let them explore where worms hide; let them catch frogs and then release them without harm. Let them learn the shapes of different leaves. The closer you live to the earth for even a day or a weekend, the more benefits there will be for you and your children as they grow in relationships, responsibility, and appreciation for the earth.

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