We’ve been playing with the idea of camping for a while now. David and I loved camping, but like a lot of activities, young kids can make simple events much more involved (and magical, but yes, challenging). Lucky for us, the stars aligned to create an ideal toe-dip into camping.
Saturday morning we packed up and drove down to Lake Keowee in South Carolina. We promised Koda she’d love it; poor pup hates the car.
Mema and Grandpa are in the process of moving that way and between the temperature (80 during the day and about 67 at night) and the location, conditions were ideal. The entire day was packed full of fun. Kaitlyn took her first dip in a swimming pool (LOVED it) and her first ride on a boat.
Lake Keowee is unique because it’s in the foothills, making it a gorgeous place to cruise around and see the mountains. However, with kids 3 and under, we just made sure we had plenty of snacks and other boats to wave to, then crossed our fingers and waited to see how long they’d last.
In the afternoon we took to setting up the tent and Hailey was giddy with excitement, wanting to help with every step along the way.
We debated about Kaitlyn, but decided she’d be best inside in a pack and play instead of in the tent for this first go at it. She still was able to soak up plenty of the outdoor fun, as did Koda.
The girls stuck their toes in the lake, went for nature walks and took some time to swing.
We weren’t sure how we’d handle bed time and had intentions of letting Hailey hang out with the adults until later, but she was so excited about being in the tent that we set her up with books, a flashlight and a sleeping bag around 8:00 pm and she crawled right in. We kept checking on her throughout the evening and she stayed happy as a clam in the tent, eventually falling asleep around 9:30ish.
With this set up, the adults got to enjoy a nice meal and conversation.
I know what you’re thinking— you call this camping?! But yes, we slept in a tent, so yes, camping (winky face).
Hailey didn’t budge when David, Koda and I all piled in the tent later that night. It was at 6:15, with the morning sun, when Hailey stirred and crawled right in between David and me for some snuggles, still excited from our ‘epic’ adventure of sleeping outside.
Kaitlyn was up not long after that and breakfast commenced, followed by another boat ride.
Thanks to the help and hospitality of Mema and Grandma, it was a wonderful inaugural camping trip! Seeing how much Hailey loved the tent convinced me that we will soon be able to go into the wilderness for real, or at least to an approved camping spot in a state park. Perhaps this fall?
We headed home in the afternoon and ended the day with a sweet message
and some cedar wrapped salmon.
A lovely weekend.
Are you a fan of camping?
Where is your favorite camping spot?
What age is a great age to start camping in your opinion?
Heather@hungryforbalance says
My husband and I loved to go camping before we had our daughter, but we have not been since she was born. She is almost 18 months and we were considering trying camping this summer. We live right outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Karenr says
We are campers and love it.
As for an age to start…..as early as possible. The early kids are introduced to the outdoors the better in my opinion. Yes, harder and more difficult on the parents but so is taking them for immunizations and we still do that.
A favorite place….wow, this is a hard one to answer. Here in WI I would have to say Fox Hills which I am reviewing on my blog Friday. Great for families! Check in and take a look then.
Overall, I would say without a doubt, Zion National Park. My little piece of heaven:)
Brittany Dixon says
Have you taken babies (older ones like K- a yearish) camping? Any thoughts on how to set up the sleeping situation? Thanks so much for your feedback 🙂
Karenr says
They do make air beds for young children with sides. Although, we did not use this for our son. When he was younger, we just simply laid him between us and slept like this. I have seen many people with large tents actually set up a pack and play for their little ones right inside their family size tent.
As with any change, kids adjust fairly quickly and honestly may even think its pretty fun. At her age, you may have to lay with her until she falls sleep and then you could have your nice dinner near by and simply check on her every once in awhile.
If you know someone who can sew or you can sew yourself I would make something with sides and this way she may feel a little more like being in her own crib.
Take a look here: http://www.getoutwiththekids.co.uk/camping/kampa-airlock-junior-airbed-review/
This could be a consideration.
Good luck, I hope to see more camping trips in the future.
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
I haven’t been camping since before kids (they are 6 and 3) and I so want to! I asked my 6 year old daughter if she wanted to go camping this summer and sleep in a tent and she said, “With the wild animals? No!!!!” Oh, boy. We definitely should have started younger with this one. 😉
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
Aw I love that you went camping with them! I used to go with my parents and it was always such a fun time. I’m hoping to take a camping trip sometime soon too 🙂 We just go to local places around Pittsburgh, but it’s still fun 🙂
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
I’m just okay on camping. I really like my bed… and soft places to sleep. 😉 However, I do love being at the lake! I’ll be in your neck of the woods in a couple of weeks!
Brittany Dixon says
What brings you this way?! Would love to meet up if there is time!
Brynn says
i camp under one condition- there must be a bathroom! Looks like such a gorgeous weekend!
John J. says
Looked like fun! Was my favorite camp site nearby – the Holiday Inn!?
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I’ve never been much of a camper, but to be fair, the last time I went was when I was 9 years old! I’m just such a huge scaredy cat when it comes to bugs!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
What a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend! I’m glad the girls loved their first camping trip!
Marnie says
I didn’t camp much as a child but I got a little taste of it right after college. Not much, but enough to know that now that we’re in Colorado, I’m sure we’ll be doing quite a bit of camping as soon as the kiddos are old enough!
Heather says
That’s a great way to test out camping with little ones! I love camping and definitely want to try and go this summer. I miss mountain camping in Colorado, but we’ve found a couple of good spots here in Minnesota that we enjoy. Now that both our kiddos are 3 and 18 months I think it will be much easier and I have a feeling they’ll both love it. We already got them cots that they tested out this weekend and loved. :p
Karen says
May I suggest: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/perrot/.
Its right across the Minnesota border and has great hiking.
Heather says
Awesome! Thanks so much for the recommendation!!
Christine says
Where did you get your life jacket for Kaitlin? I need to get one for my son and the sizing is so funny.
Brittany Dixon says
David’s parents actually had it on hand. I need to buy one for Kaitlyn so I don’t have any suggestions yet but will report back when I find a good one!
Nicole says
We haven’t done an overnight camping trip with either of our girls yet, but I look forward to when we do! We have always taken our oldest daughter for day-trips though to lakes, state parks, and things like that, though. She loves it. We haven’t taken our youngest anywhere yet but hopefully this summer we’ll be able to do a few trips!
Morgan @ Managing Mommyhood says
Both my husband and I went on camping family vacations as children and have amazing memories of It. I had a pop up camper so it wasn’t ‘hardcore’ camping but I still can’t wait to take our little dude camping when he’s a bit older!
Char says
Sounds lovely!! I think that’s the best intro to camping with small children ever. I’d love to see what Nia would do in that type of situation, also. Loving Kaitlyn’s little life jacket. It is so adorable!
Laura @FitMamaLove says
We took quite a few camping trips before having kids, but then didn’t go until our son was 4 and we left our 2-year-old with my in laws. Campgrounds are tricky because you don’t want your kids to be screaming at night, waking up the whole campground. My daughter wakes up once a night and can be a very early riser, so we weren’t ready to attempt it with her yet. My son LOVED it, though, and we’re looking forward to going again–maybe next time with my daughter now that she’s a bit older.
Kiki says
growing up my parents took all five of us kids every summer camping on Sebago Lake in maine. It is some of the best memories I have. So far with my boys we have only camped out in the back yard but would love to take them up to maine one of these summers.
Colette says
I love that you braved your first camping trip! We haven’t been since before Reese was born, but hoping to change that this summer perhaps? She will be almost 2, so might be a good time to try! We live near some of the best spots in Colorado so I am hoping she loves it like we do. Glad you had a great Mother’s Day!
Michael More says
We are a family of campers and we love it!
Your kids are so adorable, and I suggest you enjoy the easy peasy bed time while you still can! My boys would always sneak out to hunt ghosts when I am already asleep, giving me mini heart attacks from time to time.
Ha ha
Federico Sapp says
I haven’t tried now that I have my own family. We used to go camping when I was a kid and I really enjoyed it.
Mark Porter says
What a wonderful celebration! My family and I enjoy camping. It serves as a bonding moment for us. It creates memorable experiences especially for the kids.