Do you have any tips on camping with a 7 month old?

Answer
Camping with a baby just means bringing lots more stuff. We camped with friends of ours several times over the last few years and they started with the oldest one at 3 months! What I've learned from them is that

babies will sleep quite happily in the pack and go play pens.
A bouncy chair is great fun in the grass.
Bring the swing chair if your child likes it!!
Put up a tarp for constant shade
Keep BBQ away from where you will be sitting, put it up high so baby can't pull it down (it was stone cold and just a small hibachi but could have been much much worse)
Anything you wouldn't leave on your coffee table at home also needs to remain in the totes if you are not using it. (2 year olds are fast and sneaky and camping stuff is new and shiny)
have a fan that you can either plug into the car or run on batteries in case it gets really warm (also helps to keep bugs away)
an electric cooler (one that you run from the car for 3 hours and then it stays cold for 8) works great
Don't let the car run out of gas or battery die!!!
Bring twice as many diapers as you think you will need (especially if breastfeeding or if baby is starting on eating off your plate, what you eat when camping is so different than normal that baby's system might get a little off)
know where the closest hospitals and walk in clinics are, make sure the camp site is serviced by 911 (learned that their second child is severely allergic to certain bug sprays - she wasn't sprayed with it but was held by several people who were wearing it and she got the most awful rash and was having problems breathing - that was scary!!)

Basically pack everything you could ever need for the baby and use common sense. Always keep the baby in arms reach. If you can enjoy a vacation like that then go for it!

We plan on going camping next year when our little one will be around 8 months and I'm not worried at all except about where we are going to rent a big enough trailer to bring everything with us!!

Camping at Pinecrest?

Shelly H

What are some activities that are fun to do with friends while camping? Any good camping stories? Good camping pranks to play on friends? Traditions? We are going camping at Pinecrest Lake this weekend.

Answer
The whole area is like a huge summer camp for everyone so I'm sure you'll have fun with your family.

"Pinecrest Lake is located 30 miles east of Sonora on State Highway 108. The Lake lies in a timbered setting at an elevation of 5,600 feet. The California Department of Fish and Game regularly stocks Pinecrest Lake with rainbow trout. Groceries and other services are available nearby at the Pinecrest commercial center.

Pinecrest summer visitors enjoy swimming, boating, hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking, interpretive programs and biking.
* http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/summit/biking.shtml
* 300 camp sites with tables, grills, flush toilets and piped water in 2 campgrounds (Pinecrest Campground and Meadowview Campground)
* 3 group sites with tables, grills, fireplaces, vault toilets and piped water in 1 group campground (Pioneer Trail Group Campground)
* Day Use Sites: Pinecrest Boat Launch; 50 picnic sites with grills, flush toilets and piped water in 1 picnic area (Pinecrest); Designated swim area. No dogs allowed in Day Use Area (between Pinecrest Lake Road/Pinecrest Avenue and the boat launch and the fishing pier) from May 15 to September 15.
* Fishing (accessible fishing pier)
* Hiking: Pinecrest National Recreation Trail, a 4 mile hiking trail around the lake; Paved pathways connecting points of interest."
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/visitor/pinecrest.shtml

There's also the resort with activities: http://www.pinecrestlakeresort.com/Activities%20in%20Pinecrest.htm

Here's a story and some traditions:
"August is the month my family makes its annual escape to Pinecrest Lake, a pretty little jewel north of Yosemite. We've been carrying on this tradition for decades, and now my own children jump into the cold water just as I used to, heart willing and teeth chattering.

As lakes go, Pinecrest isn't particularly spectacular, and it isn't even large enough to allow waterskiing. Nevertheless, when I read our cover story on best lakes (page 86), I thought of Pinecrest because it's the setting for so many of my best summer memories. I caught my first fish there (a brown trout I carried back to camp clutched in my hand after my brother took off with the creel). Made old-fashioned peach ice cream and roasted marshmallows. Learned to drive my uncle's outboard, and did more bailing than sailing aboard the Suzy Q his ancient wood sailboat. When I think of summer, I think of these pleasures at the lake...."
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1216/is_2_207/ai_77875543

I actually caught my first trout here too, and just thought of it after reading this story. Here's the pic: http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z106/yahooanswersimages1/PINE1.jpg

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Who out there has an extremely extroverted autistic child?

camping tables for children image

Sarah C

An autistic person is typically withdrawn, and reclusive.
Please in truth and life experience, give me an example of a child diagnosed with autism who is very social and out going.
If you are familiar with the diagnose, and someone with it, who maintains the traits of isolism as I briefly described above- your response and information/opinion would be useful and greatly appreciated by myself, as well. I thank you for your time and input.

Answer
My daughter (9-1/2) might fit both sides of this. She's very social at school and out in the community. She tries to make conversation, and will greet sales clerks by name (reads their name tags). She will talk to other children, though they often don't respond because her social skills are pretty awkward, and sometimes her communication attempts don't make sense to those she's talking to. She has no problem walking up to a clerk to ask for directions, change, or information. She will walk up to the butcher counter and politely order "I need two pounds of ground beef to make taco meat please" She is very outgoing when she needs to be.

She has "friends" at school, but is not at all interested in having any come over for playdates. Friends belong at school, home is for her to be alone. We have a pool and I've tried encouraging inviting a friend but the response is always the same "I'll have her over for my birthday." I even tried "J is coming over next Wednesday" only to have her respond "No, that's ok, I don't want to play right now" We recently went camping and a 6 yr old girl befriended her. She was very persistant and kept trying to engage my daughter. My daughter played "throw rocks into the river" with her and "rescued" her when her tube when out too far. When my daughter had enough, she pretty much turned her back on the other girl "I do not want to play any more. I want to make a castle" and wouldn't engage any more. All attempts by the other girl were met with "I said I do not want to"

When my other children have friends over, she may play with them for a short while, especially if it's physical rough and tumble stuff. Then she retreats to her room. When she's at home, it's like her sanctuary. She's used up all her resources for dealing with other people and most of the time just wants to be alone to regroup. She prefers to eat alone, or at least at a different table, she also prefers watching tv by herself. Her current "best friend" is a paper super hero that she made. It's pretty cute actually, and the paper friend is much more predictable to her than real people are.

Where is the best place to camp in the Grand Canyon with young children?

Tara O

Where are planning a trip to camp at the Grand Canyon this summer. I have a 3 and 5 year old. I also would appricate details of what kind of things we can do with small children while at the Canyon. Thank you so much!

Answer
First off, you need to decide which rim you want to visit: the North Rim or the South Rim.

Most people go to the South Rim because it is easier to reach and is more developed with more overlooks, lodges, cafes and several good-sized towns (Flagstaff and Williams) nearby. The North Rim is harder to get to, only has one lodge and no large towns nearby. Because it is a thousand feet higher in elevation, it is cooler than the south rim and closed during the winter (mid-October to mid-May). During summer, I prefer the North Rim because it is cooler and less crowded, but young kids might find more things to see and do at the South Rim.

At either rim, you only have one real camping option for kids that young and that is the drive-in campgrounds (one at each rim). They are both very similar and pretty nice with a picnic table at each site and central bathroom facilities. They are also both a ways back from the rim, which make them a bit more peaceful, but also means you either have to drive to reach the rim and overlooks or go for a fairly long walk. You can reserve campsites online and should make reservations well in advance (see links below).

Beyond the car campgrounds mentioned above, there are also primitive backpacking campsites in the canyon itself (not recommmended for kids that young) as well as camping 'at large' in areas of the National Forest surrounding the park (the better locations being on the north rim to the west of the park - but these can be tough to reach).

As far as things to do for kids at the South Rim... kids at that age are probably not going to be entranced with scenic natural views for long or up for long hikes. There is a nice free shuttle that runs along the rim from the lodges out to Hermit Rest with stops along the way and the driver telling stories about the canyon - most kids and adults would probably enjoy it. They would probably like watching the burros and their attending cowboys at the corral near Bright Angel lodge. The large patio area along the rim behind Bright Angel lodge is also a good place to see squirrels, ravens and sometimes condors (not to mention ice cream from the nearby snackbar).

There are usually a number of ranger talks each day, many of them at the Shrine of Ages auditorium near Yavapai Lodge. The park also has a junior ranger program where children go to various exhibits and talks to get stamps and win a junior ranger award. The 3 year old would probably be a bit young even for that, but the 5 year might enjoy it.

There are fewer attractions for kids at the North Rim, but it has the benefit of having more open space and less roads and traffic. There are lots of places there for kids to run around in the trees and play with pinecones and sticks (my main memories of going there as a small kid). Along the road to the Cape Royale overlook there is a nice little hike called Cliff Springs trail that would be suitable for kids that age. It goes a mile into a small side canyon to a pretty little seep spring - it is fairly level and despite the name, you are not walking along any cliffs.

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Do you have any tips for camping with a toddler?

camping tables for children image

littlbluey

We are taking our son camping for the first time over labor day weekend. He is almost two. Any tips or tricks on activities, first aid, hints to keep him from driving us crazy in the middle of nowhere?

Answer
Find someone to take him for the weekend. Just kidding.

Best things to bring with a young child on an outdoor trip (may sound obvious): good bug spray (mosquito and tick repellent), sunscreen, hat, place to change him (maybe a mat on a table, but something you can wash to rid of bugs/dirt), off the ground playpen (to avoid crawlies and dirt getting into the kids play area), favorite toy, new toys (something to keep them captivated that they haven't seen before).

Activities really dependent on your child, but something with tactile interaction, like a petting zoo or kids museum where they experience something different from home, usually work.

How to decorate for a backyard summer camp party?

Q. My 3 year old daughter is having a camp theme party and want to decorate so you really feel like you are camping

Answer
Make a large wooden sign at the entrance to the "Camp Site" and have other signs pointing the way to the toilets and showers, picnic area and wildlife trail.
Set the tents around a central seating area with the campfire as a centerpiece. Lay out low benches for sitting on or just use mats or planks of wood balanced on rocks.
Decorate the inside of the tents with streamers and balloons
Around the edges of the camp, erect some citronella torches. These will keep the bugs away and add to the camp atmosphere.
Place cuddly toys in the tress and bushes for the younger kids to discover or for the older kids, hang plastic bugs around the camp. Use glow in the dark bugs and stars which will be fun later on when it gets dark.
Hang multi colored Chinese lanterns around the garden. Some kids just can't help playing with candles so be careful where you place them.
Set up a food table and cover with green or camouflage cloth. Use plastic tableware or tin plates and cups. Provide bug stickers for each child to personalize his/her own plate and mug. It saves muddling them up.
You can also add:
Bug stickers and tattoes
T-shirts with the name of the camp and date of the birthday camping party

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