Taking a group of "First Time" campers ! HELP !

[coaldigger]

Well, its that time of year ! The weather is almost right to take the kids campnig ! I'm planning a trip next month to take my boy's (Twins age 7) & my 2 nephews (age 8 & 13) I asked my brother (Turkey George on here) to come along & help me out. This will be the first tent camping trip for all 4 of these young men. My 2 boys have both been hiking with me on short day hikes several times but the other 2 haven't really been in the woods, their father works all the time & doesn't like camping or fishing or anything like that. So I'm trying to introduce them into our world so they can decide for themself if they like it or not. Other than fishing what else can I do to show these young men a good time ? Something to keep them interested in this ? I couldn't imagine growing up & not going camping or fishing

 

[Anrkst6973]

Coaldigger! Knowing you as we do there is only 1 peice of advice to be rendered here..."Calm down Bro!" If fishing water are avalible then make em up a hand fishing kit (ala Dave Canterbury) and let them try their hand at it. Take the supplies for building them with you and spend a little bit of time showing them how its being put together then let em go fishing. Show them a firesteel and let them play around at getting proper tinder and sticks and show them how to properly lay a log cabin or tepee fire. Man there aint been kids made yet who dont like fishing and building fires! My bet is after this trip your gonna have a couple of "extra kids" up under your feet! LOL! You the man! Kudos! for giving your time, to pass on the love of the outdoors that SO MANY kids dont get to experience.

 

[neeman]

The ten essentials

Frizbie
Football
Base ball bat
Kite
Marshmellows
Hot Dogs
Ketchup
Bug cream
Sun cream
stuff for Upset tummies

And they might watch you lighting a fire or throwing a line in the water to fish

 

[dartanyon]

kids love learning ...
show em how to collect the right wood and make a fire
show them a couple of simple traps including the figure 4 deadfall
search for animal tracks
cook a fish on the fire
build a simple shelter
tie a bit of rope in a tree for a swing
make simple bows and arrows
show them a compass and simple orienteering skills

 

[kvaughn]

Grab a book on edible wild plants. Spring is a good time for that kind of thing and a good knowledge to have. --KV

 

[Wildewinds]

Whatever you do, don't try anything strenuous. Nothing can turn a trip sour faster than a bunch of tired kids. First comes the tiredness, then comes the complaining. Don't ask me how I know. :-/