A slow and steady flow of hearty campers brave winter's frigid temperatures, but its Easter weekend that truly kicks off the busy season at the four campgrounds I currently manage. After staying cooped up inside for several months, most families are anxious to dust off their tents and spend a night under the stars.
All Kinds of People Love to Camp
Every day new families from all over the country begin camping. They come from big cities, small towns, and everywhere in between; some are well-off while others are just starting out. Their experience as campers is just as diverse as their backgrounds, and many have never camped at all.
In some cases, the camping bug skips a generation, so a lot of grandparents step in and haul the little ones away from the comforts of civilization for a weekend of outdoor fun. Kids learn age-old traditions like roasting marshmallows over an open fire and listening to ghost stories that scare the daylights out of them just before bedtime.
Two Types of Camping
When it comes to camping excursions, there are two main types of places to go.
· Campgrounds- These include places like KOA-style locations within a city, national parks like Yellowstone, or local places that sit tucked away somewhere in a forest or along a beach.
· Undeveloped Camping Areas- Undeveloped sites are locations where people just decide to pull over and camp. They often exist in remote areas and have no defined camp sites, no camp host or ranger, and no facilities.
Before getting into the unique safety challenges for each of these categories, it's important to discuss what to do before the trip.
Planning and Preparation with Safety in Mind
Just about every week throughout the summer a worried mom will go to the camp office with a crying child at her side. Invariably, the youngster has some kind of injury that looks worse than it is. They may be anything from bee stings, fish hooks stuck in fingers, slivers, skinned knees, burns, cuts, bruises, twisted ankles, and more.
One of the things that is rarely seen is a first aid kit. Everyone should take a first aid kit camping with them no matter where they go. The following is a list of items that should be included with every ones camping gear:
· First Aid Kit (be sure it includes sun screen, bug bite cream, and tweezers)
· Meds and Prescriptions
· Lots of Dry Clothes - If water is nearby, kids will find it.
· Walkie Talkies or Cell Phones to stay in touch.
· Recent Pictures of each child in case they get lost.
· Backpack for each person that contains at least the following items:
o Flashlight (change the batteries every time you camp)
o Whistle (sound carries better than a child's voice)
o Water Bottle
o Energy Bars or other snack food
o Emergency Blanket
o Poncho
o Jacket
o Contact Information of parents or other family member
Finally, after you have everything ready, have a talk with your kids so they are aware of potential dangers and how they can avoid them. Life isn't like a video game where you can keep going back to the start to get another life.
Safety in Established Campgrounds
Conventional campgrounds offer quite a few safety features to help keep your children protected. Here are a few:
· Lifeguards frequently watch over beaches and pools.
· Many have a perimeter fence so children can't wander too far away.
· Park rangers and camp hosts are available if you have a problem.
· There are other people nearby who will help find a lost child or if there is an injury.
Despite these safety aids, there are plenty of things parents still need to look out for. Kids love to play and explore, so you have to keep an eye on them no matter where you go. Consider the following danger areas in a traditional campground.
· Dogs- Many other campers bring dogs that your kids will want to pet. Get permission from the owner first and be sure the dog is kid-friendly.
· Stranger Danger- In today's world you just have to be careful and always know exactly where your children are at and who they are with. Use the buddy system if they use a public restroom or bathhouse.
· Campfires- These aren't unique to campgrounds, but statistics show that about three quarters of all of children's camping injures are fire related.
· Cars- Let's face it, some people drive a little (or a lot) too fast. There are still others who drive giant RVs and cannot see behind them when backing up.
· Geography- Many state and national parks are located atop lookouts or other places with steep drop-offs. The Grand Canyon, for example, is beautiful, but can also be very dangerous.
· Hydration- Kids sweat when they play. Meanwhile, the sun beats down on them all day, slowly sapping the water from their small bodies. On hot, active days they should drink at least two quarts of water. Going to the bathroom three times every two hours is a good indicator that they are drinking enough. Warning signs are sunburn, skin that isn't soft and pliable, dark urine, or lethargy.
The more you are aware and prepare, the better off you'll be.
Camping Dangers in Undeveloped Areas
Getting away from crowds and out into the wilderness has tremendous appeal for many people. There's just nothing like gazing up at a million stars in the sky, smelling fresh evergreens all day, or watching wildlife wander into your camp.
Remember that for kids this is just one great big adventure. Everything is new and exciting to them and they will want to explore and touch and taste. Sometimes the most beautiful things in nature can be the most dangerous.
Think about the following potential threats before you take your kids camping in the backwoods.
· Plants- Poison oak and ivy, stinging nettle, and thorny bushes are everywhere so wear long pants. Water hemlock looks and smells exactly like wild onion, so unless you are an expert, never eat wild plants and berries.
· Animals- One time a Life Flight had to be called to take a young girl to the hospital for petting a wild deer. She had an allergic reaction to oils in its fur that caused her throat to swell up. Many animals, such as squirrels, have razor sharp teeth while others, like skunks, are known to carry rabies. Look, but don't get too close.
· Bugs and Insects- When gathering firewood or playing and exploring, be careful where you put your hands. One bite from a spider (or snake) can have dire consequences. If your child is allergic to bee stings, make sure you have a plan in place if they get stung.
· Getting Lost- Remember those radios mentioned earlier? This is a good time to use them. Kids love to hike trails and investigate their surroundings. Never let them go alone. Following a butterfly or searching for a secret place in the wilderness is a huge temptation for kids. Several times each summer staff from the park has to mobilize to search for missing children.
· Moving Water- Wilderness campsites are often located next to streams that offer soothing sounds, cooling waters, or a place to fish and swim. However, during spring runoff in the mountains or after a heavy rainstorm, even the smallest brook can become swift and dangerous.
· Knives and Hatchets- Camping is a good opportunity to teach children responsibility about many things, including knives. And, most kids I know enjoy splitting firewood; there's something primitive about tending a fire that draws people in. Teach your children the proper use of blades and always supervise them.
Making Memories
By planning ahead and taking a few smart precautions while camping, you will bring everyone home safely and have a passel of fun memories that will last your children for the rest of their lives. And, hopefully, just like you did, they will pass a love of camping down to their children some day.
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