Summer is here and for me that means camping. Last year, the closest I got to camping was packing up the 3 week old and the puppy, and heading out to visit some friends for the day at a local Provincial site. This year we were determined to get in a camping trip or two.
Both Hubby and I grew up camping. We've done family camping in trailers and tents. We've gone backpacking, winter camping, and on canoe/kayak trips. So no, camping doesn't scare us. Taking a baby and dog, together, on their first camping trip? No problem. I remember being 5 and going on a family camping trip with my 4 month old sister, and dogs. If generations of people manage to live without the luxuries we deem necessary for everyday life, then a weekend camping shouldn't be a problem. So we packed up Kahlie, the dog, Monkey and our stuff and headed to a Provincial site about a 1 1/2 hour drive away for the long weekend.
We've got some great outdoor gear. We currently take a light-weight car camping approach. That means a combination of backpacking gear and non-technical gear. Yep, we've given up the Thermorests in favour of a more comfortable air mattress. We still try to travel pretty light since there isn't a lot of space in the Jeep after Kahlie and car seat are installed. With a baby, we knew that there would be some extras that we would have to take.
Both Hubby and I grew up camping. We've done family camping in trailers and tents. We've gone backpacking, winter camping, and on canoe/kayak trips. So no, camping doesn't scare us. Taking a baby and dog, together, on their first camping trip? No problem. I remember being 5 and going on a family camping trip with my 4 month old sister, and dogs. If generations of people manage to live without the luxuries we deem necessary for everyday life, then a weekend camping shouldn't be a problem. So we packed up Kahlie, the dog, Monkey and our stuff and headed to a Provincial site about a 1 1/2 hour drive away for the long weekend.
We've got some great outdoor gear. We currently take a light-weight car camping approach. That means a combination of backpacking gear and non-technical gear. Yep, we've given up the Thermorests in favour of a more comfortable air mattress. We still try to travel pretty light since there isn't a lot of space in the Jeep after Kahlie and car seat are installed. With a baby, we knew that there would be some extras that we would have to take.
Here's what we brought with us to make camping with Monkey as easy as
possible:
A small sleeping bag, Monkey slept on the air mattress with us, but with a little bag for himself.
A playpen, something to contain him on the site, a place for naps, and to keep him out of the goose poop on the beach.
A Rubbermaid bin, to pack his clothes, diapers, etc. in. It doubled as a bath/pool.
Long pants and shirt, where there's water, there are bugs; we needed to keep him covered up in the mornings and evenings.
Small selection of toys, mostly water toys. He was more interested in the dogs, trees, rocks and dirt, but the toys were helpful when we were making or eating dinner and needed 2 hands.
Favourite foods. Camping is already a big change, so we stuck with his favourite foods: avocado, banana, hummus and crackers, Naan bread pizza, baby cereal. He grazed off our food too.
Ergo Carrier we love our Ergo, as usual it was great for short walks or when he wanted to be up, but I needed my hands free.
We took a high chair, but as per usual, he wormed his way out and tried to stand up. I would consider it an optional item.
We had a great time on our first "family" camping trip. The site was surprisingly quite for a long weekend, full, but quiet. We had a great combination of games, good food (which is a must for me while camping!), and relaxation. By the end of each day everyone was ready for bed.
possible:
A small sleeping bag, Monkey slept on the air mattress with us, but with a little bag for himself.
A playpen, something to contain him on the site, a place for naps, and to keep him out of the goose poop on the beach.
A Rubbermaid bin, to pack his clothes, diapers, etc. in. It doubled as a bath/pool.
Long pants and shirt, where there's water, there are bugs; we needed to keep him covered up in the mornings and evenings.
Small selection of toys, mostly water toys. He was more interested in the dogs, trees, rocks and dirt, but the toys were helpful when we were making or eating dinner and needed 2 hands.
Favourite foods. Camping is already a big change, so we stuck with his favourite foods: avocado, banana, hummus and crackers, Naan bread pizza, baby cereal. He grazed off our food too.
Ergo Carrier we love our Ergo, as usual it was great for short walks or when he wanted to be up, but I needed my hands free.
We took a high chair, but as per usual, he wormed his way out and tried to stand up. I would consider it an optional item.
We had a great time on our first "family" camping trip. The site was surprisingly quite for a long weekend, full, but quiet. We had a great combination of games, good food (which is a must for me while camping!), and relaxation. By the end of each day everyone was ready for bed.
