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1st real camping trip with my son
7/20/2011 7:24:47 PM
Well tomorrow is the first official camping trip with my son. Thurs thru Sat. He has been working hard on learning survival skills and building a 3 day pack/BOB. His first run will be interesting as he will have to start fire 3 different ways, build his own shelter and also cook his own meals.
This is quite an adventure for a kid less than 10 yrs old. Hopefully things go as well as we think it will.
Are there any things you can think of that you remember from your 1st real camping trip? Anything your dad did or you did that you still remember to this day. I want him to have some real great memories from this and would do just about anything to ensure he has the time of his life. He already said he gets to carry one of the ARs. LOL.
I had to convince him that we should bring some food and water. He originally didn't want to bring anything besides his BOB. I guess he has watched too many survival shows and read too many survival books. 
Well, gotta go since he wants to go load some mags for the trip. Please let me know if there are any MUST DOs you can think of. 
7/20/2011 8:18:09 PM
I grew up camping, but my first real backpack trip was with my dad. Ill never forget it. We only went about 1-2miles, but I was 10-11years old and it felt like we walked forever, had a couple nice lil creek crossings that were scary, the rest of the hike went well.
We found a nice spot by the river (In Dolly Sods NF, WV). Cooked up dinner and just hung out, found a nice fresh water spring coming out of the mountain and just took in the sights of the area.
I wasnt into "survival" per se at that age, just going out for a nice backpack camp trip. It was still a great experience. I keep telling my dad if he ever digs up those pics from that trip, that I want them.
We found a nice spot by the river (In Dolly Sods NF, WV). Cooked up dinner and just hung out, found a nice fresh water spring coming out of the mountain and just took in the sights of the area.
I wasnt into "survival" per se at that age, just going out for a nice backpack camp trip. It was still a great experience. I keep telling my dad if he ever digs up those pics from that trip, that I want them.
7/20/2011 9:03:21 PM
At almost 9 YO, I took one of my boys on a 4 day, 3 night, camping-hunting-trapping-exploring-goofing off trip.
I let him help plan, esp. menus, let him select and pack gear (with my suggestions), and let him dictate how much of what we would do.
He LOVED starting the fires and preparing all the meals.
And had one HECK of a surprise waiting for him one morning.
Have done similiar trips with our older and younger kids.
Usually TRY to get each one out alone, even if only for a night or two, then some combined trips together.
I HOPE that they carry these memories forever.
I know that I will.
WAY TO GO OP!
I let him help plan, esp. menus, let him select and pack gear (with my suggestions), and let him dictate how much of what we would do.
He LOVED starting the fires and preparing all the meals.
And had one HECK of a surprise waiting for him one morning.
Have done similiar trips with our older and younger kids.
Usually TRY to get each one out alone, even if only for a night or two, then some combined trips together.
I HOPE that they carry these memories forever.
I know that I will.
WAY TO GO OP!
7/21/2011 5:04:30 PM
that is the biggest possum rabbit I've ever seen that didn't have antlers 
7/23/2011 2:08:42 PM
Originally Posted By Defcon:
Well tomorrow is the first official camping trip with my son. Thurs thru Sat. He has been working hard on learning survival skills and building a 3 day pack/BOB. His first run will be interesting as he will have to start fire 3 different ways, build his own shelter and also cook his own meals.
This is quite an adventure for a kid less than 10 yrs old. Hopefully things go as well as we think it will.
Are there any things you can think of that you remember from your 1st real camping trip? Anything your dad did or you did that you still remember to this day. I want him to have some real great memories from this and would do just about anything to ensure he has the time of his life. He already said he gets to carry one of the ARs. LOL.
I had to convince him that we should bring some food and water. He originally didn't want to bring anything besides his BOB. I guess he has watched too many survival shows and read too many survival books.
Well, gotta go since he wants to go load some mags for the trip. Please let me know if there are any MUST DOs you can think of.
If it's his first trip I would concentrate on comfort and having fun. I would hold off on the survival/BOB/alien invasion stuff for when he is older.
Where are you going?
How far from the vehicle? Car camping? State park? Private land?
7/23/2011 10:05:42 PM
Fun time or a not so fun time.
Take pictures!!!
I hope this trip is all you both are hoping for!!!
Take pictures!!!
PITA45
Take pictures!!!
I hope this trip is all you both are hoping for!!!
Take pictures!!!
PITA45
7/24/2011 1:46:14 AM
Mission accomplished.
We had one heck of a great time in the Rocky Mountains and I don’t think
things could have gone much better.
We got up there on Thurs afternoon and 4-wheeled for a few
hrs after we found out the road we were going to go in on was shut down for
logging. Oh well. We tried some new trails and found a few nice
little hikes we could do to get to some campgrounds. We found one nice site at the top of a good
sized hill but there was so much beetle kill, and it was exposed to winds, we
didn’t want to become a statistic on people killed by falling trees.
After 4-wheeling for a while and checking out quite a few
spots my son fell in love with one particular site and all thoughts of a big
hike were nixed. We had a nice secluded
spot, built a fire pit, and went on a hike.
Soon we noticed that some dark clouds were moving in and we better get our
butts in gear and get camp set up. We
got the tent up and within a few minutes it was raining pretty good with some
thunder. It rained for about 25 mins
where we just hung out in the tent and chatted.
Over the next 2 days he made more spears, shot more rocks
out of slingshots and gathered more firewood than a small village
combined. The first evening he started
fire with only a strikeforce. When he
got the fire going his eyes were as big as hubcaps and his sense of pride
swelled. It was really cool to
watch. The second night I gave him one
strike-anywhere match and he got the fire going again with very similar
emotions in the end.
Other than that, he tracked deer, hiked 4 miles at altitude with only one small break, did a bunch of recon missions, climbed
boulders, pooped in the woods (boy that was a highlight for him… lol), and even
discovered mountain lion tracks. Not
really sure they were mountain lion tracks as they were in pine needles; but
they could have been.
We took a few photos but were so wrapped up in the moment we
forgot to take more. Overall, it couldn't
have been better. On the way home today
he said, "Dad, I love life.” Almost has
to pull over after that one, it got dusty in the cab of the truck.
Not sure what this was.
I thought it could be wild red asparagus? I need to get it verified as I have never
seen it before:
He's already planning the next trip.
7/24/2011 7:25:46 AM
[quote]Originally Posted By Defcon:
"Dad, I love life.”
He's already planning the next trip.[/div] [/div]
GREAT JOB OP!
That right there makes it ALL worthwhile!
"Dad, I love life.”
He's already planning the next trip.
[/div] [/div]
GREAT JOB OP!
That right there makes it ALL worthwhile!
7/24/2011 2:45:46 PM
That is awesome!
7/24/2011 7:10:53 PM
I could win a million dollars and it wouldn't mean anything compared to spending time with my boy and girl.
7/24/2011 7:39:39 PM
I don't even have kids and it's dusty in here! Well done!
7/27/2011 12:13:51 PM
Dad - check his bag so he is not loaded too heavy.
7/27/2011 1:16:42 PM
Originally Posted By zipzipzipper:
Dad - check his bag so he is not loaded too heavy.
Dad - check his bag so he is not loaded too heavy.
That's a great point. I use the rule of MAX 20% of body weight.
7/30/2011 12:21:01 PM
Looks like a great trip.
He will remember it forever and be telling his kids and grandkids about it some day.
He will remember it forever and be telling his kids and grandkids about it some day.
7/31/2011 3:47:55 PM
I've been reading this thread since day one, the first day the OP posted this I was going to say "no matter what you do or how your trip turns out, he's NEVER going to forget it, specially when you're so worry about showing him a good time, I know I haven't forgotten the first time my dad took me on my first hike-hunt all together, and that was 29 years ago!"...after reading your homecoming report, it made me realize I should have posted-said something the first day you started this thread.
So many good memories, glad he and you had BOTH a blast, thanks for sharing. Two thumbs up for the best hunting-hiking buddy each other is going to have.
HTR.
.
So many good memories, glad he and you had BOTH a blast, thanks for sharing. Two thumbs up for the best hunting-hiking buddy each other is going to have.
HTR.
