Camping is an outdoor activity that is suitable for the entire family to bond, build endurance, and commune with nature in its purest form. When the whole family goes camping, no one truly has more enthusiasm than the kids who are being introduced to the outdoors.
They anticipate a lot from this experience and see it as an adventure, but also an opportunity to spend quality time with parents away from their work and phones.
There is so much in the outdoors that can be of benefit to the kids, from the wonders of nature which entail bird watching with affordable binoculars activities, to its hidden treasures and dangers. Kids are delicate humans, and extra care needs to be taken when they go out in the wild.
We have rounded up some great insights on safety measures when camping with the kids.
Safety Tips When Camping with Kids
An outdoor activity requires special safety considerations, and kids’ safety has to be a priority. The following safety tips should come in handy when camping with kids.
Stay Together
This rule applies especially when outside the boundaries of the campsite. Inform the kids that they should never go out in the woods alone, and if they must, they need to follow the rule of twos. This includes going to the washrooms too. Always remind them of the power of twos, instill in their minds that this is important for when one person gets hurt, the other person will be able to help.
Create Boundaries
We’ve all set boundaries for different things either in our workplaces or at home, for instance, with our favorite gaming headsets that we wouldn’t want to spoil, or better yet get lost.
When out camping with the kids, establish boundaries with markers, for instance, ‘the big tree,’ and remind the kids not to go past the big tree unless they are in the company of an adult. If you have very young kids, you can attach strings to posts and trees to establish the said boundaries. It is crucial for the kids to know that they need to stay within the limits for their safety.
Avoid massive waters
Kids, as well as adults, enjoy playing in the water, especially on a sunny day. As much as this is fun, children need to understand that they cannot go out into the stream or lake unsupervised. Let them know that an adult must always be present when they are near any large water bodies. Include water play in the schedule, so kids will not be tempted to sneak off to the stream or lake.
Identify the poisonous trees
Out in the wilderness, there are awe-inspiring sceneries, but there are also a few dangers. One such threat is the toxic trees and leaves, like poison sumac and poison ivy, which irritate when it comes into contact with the skin. Encourage kids to wear long pants and enclosed shoes before venturing into the woods. Also, remind them to wash thoroughly in case they accidentally come into contact with the weeds.
Don’t go anywhere without your whistle
Venturing out into the woods can be thrilling until you get lost, and getting lost in something that happens sometimes. Remind the kids that a whistle is a gentle lifesaver, both for the parents and the kids. When lost, blow the whistle so that you can be easily found and saved. A worried parent and a freaked-out child in the forest can find their way back to each other by a simple blow of the whistle.
Other rules that the children can follow to reinforce their safety while camping include:
- No eating in the tent to keep raccoons and ants away
- Respect the fire to avoid disaster in the woods
- The woods are lovely, dark, and deep but no walking barefoot to prevent cuts and burns
- No petting wildlife to prevent disease-causing ticks found on woodland animals
Kids are exuberant, and they gladden one’s heart, but as much as you don’t want them to lose that joy, you must also ensure their safety while in the woods. Hazards that happen at campsites like tents collapsing, or drowning in the water bodies near the campsites can turn a fun activity into trauma. These hazards can be contained if safety measures are taken.
