Taking my son on his first camping trip

[WiseOwl]

I said forget the State park pay site stuff, I am taking the boy to the wilderness!

He is 4 and is getting to the age where he is a kid and not a baby anymore, even though he still throws fits in public.

Taking him to the Chatahoochie Nat'l Forest with another buddy and his 4 year old. Primitive camping up in the middle of the woods. I think this experience will be very good for him. He will be "making" a campfire for the first time, sleeping on the ground, eating just camp food, drinking filtered water from the streams, no milk before bed and waking up in a tent in the cold, not his comfy lil room, all for the first time.

I am praying that this goes well because this will be the first of over 1000+ camping trips in his life. Just doing the ole 1 nighter to start out with and will progress as time goes on. Its going to be beautiful this weekend in N. GA, high 70's during the day and low 50's at night, maybe lower because of our elevation.

I like camping like this because I can go comfy, dont have to get it to all fit in my backpack. Stay tuned for a report and I am testing out some new gear, the new phone will get some video of it.


Everyone have a great weekend!!!!!!

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Awesome! Let us know and keep an open mind with the youngsters

[miked2345]

If it goes good, you could have a future Eagle Scout in the family! My son took to the woods like fish to water, then to scouts, (Plenty of camping) all the way to Eagle Scout.

Good Luck! Hope it goes well...

[WiseOwl]

My son had the time of his life. He didnt "learn" much for a 4 year but he played, had fun, became comfortable with the woods, he observed a lot.

I showed him and the other dad, how to start a fire with the mag striker, some toilet paper and some birch bark. We got stormed on early Sunday morning and I'll be danged if I didnt find 2 coals still burning in the fire pit and was able to make a fire from them, with a very small dab of white gas to help.

Climbed some waterfalls, fell and busted my tail but no injuries for either one of us, fell carrying him.


Here are some pics.

We will go again in a month.

[blackhawk]

THATS THE BEST PART ABOUT GEORGIA YOU CAN DRIVE 2 HOURS AND BE AT THE BEACH OR MOUTAINS OR LAKES.

[610Alpha]

Wife and I were just talking about doing some backyard camping with the kids this year...daughter is 2.5 but my boy just turned 4 last week. Did I see a typical boy in the water picture :D Seems like boys are just drawn to water...more so than fish I think... lol

Sounds like it was a great time...look forward to the gear reviews!

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Awesome, you will be suprised at the little things they "learn" while out and about. if nothing else you spent time with him in that environment and that is Golden!

[xdpatriot]

Too cool! I know I enjoy every second in the woods with my kids. I hope you guys have 1,000 more trips!!

[WiseOwl]

Kid went to bed at 9pm, woke up once at 4am and then slept through a serious thunderstorm til 9am. I loved it. He was in that sleeping bag like a champ. Walked over a snake, Northern Water Snake, thought it was a Copperhead)....it didnt budge so neither did the sidearm. He learned to respect the balance.
When I showed him to start that fire he looked mesmerized.

Now...if he could only set up the tent and carry firewood 150 yards................

[miked2345]

Now...if he could only set up the tent and carry firewood 150 yards................

Sounds like a goal for next year! :)

[blackhawk]

try cumberland island sometime it a great place for camping.

[WiseOwl]

I want to do Cumberland in the early spring or late fall. I heard the sand gnats were bad there

[blackhawk]

whey are bad, but the wild horse's and wild life are worth it. a true survival test on the far end of the island wild horses,wild boars racoons deer gnats smelly water atrip you will never forget.plan your season warm days cold nights. also shark theeth in the sand.