Not quite 2 years old camping?

[PEANUT1]

wow lots of campers out there....

My husband has camped with our 4 year old in the yard, but I do like the idea of bringing the little one out to the backyard too. I think we will try that one first. Thanks for the idea.

I dont' think I have any hang ups...just a worried mommy. Something a little scary about a youngin out in the woods who doesn't talk and can't survive. She does fine in public (as well as most toddlers do). She was a joy in Disney at 13 months and 20 months.

I am warming up to the idea...thanks

 

[mrsscooter]

We started camping while I was pregnant with our third. We started taking him when he was 8 weeks old!! Middle of the night feedings, bottles, sterilizer, baby swing, pack n play, we had it all!! He's now 20 months, and we've gone camping quite a bit. Now he's at the age where he's toddling around and very curious, but I keep him close by or either in his stroller or in his "baby cage" outside under our big Gator tent. I just don't want to let him to walk around and meet up with critters or into the roadway where the cars, RV's etc are driving (sometimes faster than they should). He's fine with it so far, and my older two absolutely LOVE camping! We've created memories to last a lifetime!

I remember those days.....my kids have been tent camping since they were in utero...LOL....really from about 8weeks also. We just brought all of the neccessities (sp?). Its funny though, with my first we brought everything, and I do mean everything, but then with my second, we brought maybe a quarter. I think my two must haves were the pack n play and the exersaucer. Both were great to keep the kids in one place. we also brought the bug net for the pac n play. I did invest in a all terrain jogging stroller though. Lots more than I wanted to spend, but we used it until the kids were like 5 or 6. I like that someone mentioned camping out in the back yard with the kids to give them a taste of camping....we never thought of that one. Usually, the hubby set up the tent and fire wood while I watched the kids and then he watched them while I did all of the "woman" things.....table cloth on the picnic table, made up beds, arranged the inside of the tent, etc. Everyones family is different and it just takes a few trys to figure out how to work but you will eventually find your "groove". Our kids are now 8 and almost 7 and we have moved up to a travel trailer, but they still love camping. They even have their own little jobs to set up the site. Once the snow starts to melt they start asking when our first camp weekend will be. With my husband in the military for so long, all we had was weekends (if we had those) and camping was the perfect outing to spend time together away from home. Now that he is retired, we look forward to taking a week here and there now at places the kids havent been. Ok, I didnt realize I much I have rambled, so I will stop.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

Our kids have been camping from a few months old. Our nephews have been camping sence they were weeks old. Don't worry have fun and pack lots of cloths and wipes. lol

 

[PrincessNana]

I don't know if this will help, but we just took our grandkids--7 and 19 months camping at a state park. Our grandson (19 months) is a full time job no matter where you are, so we were worried about everything. He is high energy, fearless and refuses to hold anyones hand. Before we went, we bought a backpack (monkey) safety harness at Walmart. He loved it! We could hike (had to carry him when he got tired), walk, sit by the lake to fish and he still felt independent. When we took them home, my dil has been using it and it has been a god send for her. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, had a complete hysterectomy and started chemo all within 2 weeks. (Right before our Fort Wilderness trip-had to cancel) We also used our little dog fence (that we always take camping) to keep him safe at the campsite. We were able to have a campfire for our 7 year old but keep him out of harms way at the same time. Our fencing is large enough that we would put all our chairs inside the enclosure. The kids were so tired by the time it was nap or bed time that we never had any trouble getting them to sleep or keeping them asleep. We're the grandparents and not used to being parents to two active kids everyday but we had a great time. Don't be afraid to go!

 

[PEANUT1]

I don't know if this will help, but we just took our grandkids--7 and 19 months camping at a state park. Our grandson (19 months) is a full time job no matter where you are, so we were worried about everything. He is high energy, fearless and refuses to hold anyones hand. Before we went, we bought a backpack (monkey) safety harness at Walmart. He loved it! We could hike (had to carry him when he got tired), walk, sit by the lake to fish and he still felt independent. When we took them home, my dil has been using it and it has been a god send for her. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, had a complete hysterectomy and started chemo all within 2 weeks. (Right before our Fort Wilderness trip-had to cancel) We also used our little dog fence (that we always take camping) to keep him safe at the campsite. We were able to have a campfire for our 7 year old but keep him out of harms way at the same time. Our fencing is large enough that we would put all our chairs inside the enclosure. The kids were so tired by the time it was nap or bed time that we never had any trouble getting them to sleep or keeping them asleep. We're the grandparents and not used to being parents to two active kids everyday but we had a great time. Don't be afraid to go!

Thanks Karen, this helps alot

 

[PIERCEDRN]

wow lots of campers out there....

My husband has camped with our 4 year old in the yard, but I do like the idea of bringing the little one out to the backyard too. I think we will try that one first. Thanks for the idea.

I dont' think I have any hang ups...just a worried mommy. Something a little scary about a youngin out in the woods who doesn't talk and can't survive. She does fine in public (as well as most toddlers do). She was a joy in Disney at 13 months and 20 months.

I am warming up to the idea...thanks

As the aforementioned Hubby,
I SOOO totally think I am going to win this one , but I think its funny my DW posted this question on the "Camping" threads where everyone's opinion will be a bit skewed.
I wonder if she would gotten the same answers on the "Neurotic Anti-bacterial wipe-wielding Mom's" thread.
BOB

 

[Gillian]

Hmmm, I think the DH would fit in on the camping community board.

just sayin'

Anyway, we have taken our kids camping a bunch of times at that age. The only problems are when you're setting up camp. Our DD is willful, and was a handful at 2. She's worse now at 5.

We took the kids camping (popup) at Disney and Sarasota. Trying to set up the pop up at a beach campsite was a nightmare because the kids (almost 3 and 5) kept wandering off toward the water. Once we were setup it was somewhat easier to keep track of them. And at Disney (the second week of the trip), there were no problems at all.

There are several campgrounds in the Jersey shore area, if you want to try a short trip. We go to Sping Gulch in Holland PA (lancaster area) and that's fun for kids. Combine it with Dutch Wonderland. We're near you in Hamilton NJ. It's not too far.

Good luck!