Dad daughter camping trip

[280Ackley]

I am taking my two daughters 6 and 8 on a camping trip in a couple weeks when mom has a girls weekend at the coast. We will be camping in the Idaho panhandle in my wall tent at a primitive campground with pit toilets. I plan on fishing, berry picking, lake swimming/ paddle boarding. Maybe even an evening glassing for bears.

What are some ways I can make this a memorable experience for them? Activities or just ways to make camping more fun.

 

[MarkOrtiz]

Fun activities for them. Maybe look up camping scavenger hunts, or just bring something that they like to do normally, like coloring etc.. Something for them to keep busy with while you want to relax. We would always throw out a tarp or fake grass under the awning and had a box of misc Legos and Hotwheel cars for my son and daughter when they were younger. Bags to collect rocks, a few toys that they normally play with at home.

 

[survivalistd]

This was the kind of dad I was.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Lots of food, lots of junk food. Spoil them.

Lots of activities. Camping can be boring during the middle of the day, try to fill the day with fun stuff. No long hikes, nothing hard.

Lots of fire wood, lots of marshmallows and chocolate and graham crackers.

BB gun? Potato launcher? Fishing? Atv?

Lots of baby wipes and changes of clothes.

 

[Customweld]

Bring lots of snacks that they like. My girls used to love to catch butterflies when we camped. I always brought this kit along with us. Bring some water shoes and let em play in the water.
https://www.amazon.com/Trasfit-Butterfly-Net-Kit-Scaleable/dp/B08PYKRLXQ?gQT=3

 

[bowhuntersd]

OH Man to have those day back again. I have taken my 2 daughters on a our "daddy/daughter" campouts since they were right around that age. Now their 14 & 18, both still love going but now their busy schedules make it way harder. We mainly just fished and did some hikes but really they just love "roughing it" camping. Make smore's, stay up late and layout watching for shooting stars. They'll love it all,... Great now I'm crying.

 

[ODB]

@280Ackley All of the above and also maybe get one of those regional bird and plant identifier books. Get them to look beyond the obvious stuff and pay attention to some smaller things. Will you be near the Hobo Cedar botanical area? We will be up there (and other places) starting next week as well.

Oh, and stars. If they haven’t experienced a truly dark night it will blow their minds.

 

[280Ackley]

@ODB Will be up by Avery. I can take marble creek and go right by there!

 

[Customweld]

@ODB Will be up by Avery. I can take marble creek and go right by there!

The train tunnels are cool!

 

[adamm88]

Iv jumped deep into cub scouts and taken my kids caming a bunch now 1 boy 1 girl 12/9 now but we started that age.

Keep it simple, Your plans will be changed/ruined if you think your going to glass bears 1 mile from camp but they are playing in the creek let them play. Cook good food, A hungry kid is a grumpy kid, all kids are different so specific things are up to you but make sure the food is good. Bring more/warmer cloths than you think. Cooking over a camp fire is great smores, hot dogs, ect, if you typiclly would cook 6 hot dogs each and are cooking over the fire bring 8, 1 or 2 will fall in. Lastly im not sure how the pit toilets are were your located but here in Pa the ones we camped by needed a good bug spray and are rough(especially at scout camps), i know your not taking them to a hard use thing but for a 6 and 8 year old to being told to suck it up for gross bathrooms will end the camp quick.

 

[7mm-08]

I can tell you what NOT to do - take your kids on a death march type of hike, which an acquaintance did with one of his kids when the kid were about nine. From that day on until today (more than ten years), that kid has never trusted his father again. Way bad outcome. I highly endorse lots of food, slowing down and letting them sort of steer the ship when out doing the wonderful activities you mentioned in your original post. If they don't fish and you have that opportunity, that might be a memorable activity (especially if they catch some). Have a blast!

 

[Dennis]

Been taking kids for years on what they call "Adventure Camp". Some options you might consider are simple map reading, teaching them how to tie a few simple knots (been surprised how much some of the girls like learning those), how to start a fire with one match or with a flint, take them on a short hike and cook a freeze dried meal for them to try, and freeze dried ice cream is also fun. Make it short and fun and let them be successful in a new skill. One BB gun and a few soda cans might add to their adventure. Having fun and bonding with dad is most important.

 

[Jimmy]

1- hot chocolate in the mornings

2- make time to let them wander and explore in a way that they think they're on their own, but you can see them out of the corner of your eye.

 

[justin davis]

I think just the time and being outdoors with you will be lasting memories

 

[elkliver]

I would work fun outdoor activities into the camping experience. What can you cook in an innovative way that they will enjoy? Cooking Bacon and eggs in a paper sack. Try Fishing and cooking the trout wrapped in leaves or on a stick. They may love fishing. dont force it but expose them to it. I think glassing for bears could be a lot of fun for them... for a while and once they lose interest. move on. Forage for mushrooms or other edibles to add to dinner. Make Eggs benedict on the coleman stove or plank grilled salmon.... Something out of the ordinary. and the you could also have the exciting experiences. Rafting, Canoeing, riding four wheelers, etc. Be flexible and see what they might like

 

[elkliver]

PS teach them some tracking skills and then try and follow a deer track. Try some Ax throwing, Just because they are young girls doesnt mean they wont enjoy what seems to be guy stuff

 

[Cannonball]

My girls (now 8 & 11) always want to build their own small fire (supervised next to the large pit) to do smores on.

They also run their own range with Red Ryders and aluminum cans (They call out Range hot/range cold ).

Ive done fire lessons and knife lessons (usually 30min) with them to teach skills and safety

Geocaching treasure hunts are fun

 

[Seth]

Lots of good stuff here from folks who have done it. Make it fun, for THEM. If instead of fishing they are having more fun chasing bugs in the water or flipping rocks, let them. My daughter loved the typical wildflowers, but became fascinated by trying to figure out what made tracks, and especially poop. Stuff you take for granted may be a whole new world for your girls. Let them explore. Answer their questions. Make it their kind of fun, and they’ll constantly ask when you can do it again!

 

[Mr.Ktm]

I remeber camping as a kid my brother and I always wished we had little butterfly nets to catch polliwogs or grasshoppers

 

[ODB]

Just thought of something that friends have done at weddings - disposable film cameras. Get a few and let them take pictures of stuff THEY think is interesting. They learn a little about delayed gratification, you and they get to re-live the trip when you get them developed, and if there are some fun pics they can stick them up in their room or on the fridge etc.