Last night Craig and Hannah went camping. It wasn't a long hike in (about 50 feet), the citronella and the fan kept the bugs at bay, and the campfire was just the perfect size for our two S'mores and Craig's one hotdog. Emma joined us as long as she could keep her sweet eyes open, and she too enjoyed the camp scene.
We had discussed taking Hannah hiking and camping as we love to do both and she loves to be outside. She also has shown no signs of being afraid of the dark so we thought she would really enjoy the night adventure. While at a good friend's porch party, Ms. Sherry proposed that we have the first few camping trips in the backyard, that way if Hannah didn't want to sleep all night out of her bed we wouldn't have far to travel home. Great idea!
The experience is a great learning tool for both mom and dad and kids. Here are a few things I learned and made an effort to teach Miss Hannah.
Preparation
We knew the supplies we would be using:
tent
sleeping bag
pillow
citronella candles
S'more ingredients
hot dogs
hot dog buns
skewers
journal
books
flashlight
lantern
I had all of this (well, most of it) ready to go so that when the sun began to fade we were ready to camp.
Hannah learned a little about packing her camp backpack. We put in extra socks, pajamas, a pull-up, her journal, a pen, and books. She wanted to put in as many books as she could, but she quickly saw that wasn't going to work. So, she picked her favorite 3 and she was ready to go. I think is was good for her to choose what books she wanted and then she how her choice carries with her when it was time to read. Packing a backpack with purpose is a good skill for anyone.
Nature
We all felt how soft the grass was when we sat in the tent. Craig picked a perfect location for the tent, right on top of our best backyard St. Augustine. We heard the birds singing and saw them mingling with one another. Hannah is picking up on the various birds that frequent our house. She sees the red birds, the bright bluejay, the small porch wrens, and the head bobbing doves. Craig started our fire and we watched the sticks we collected fall to ash and the smoke rise through the trees, causing the leaves to dance with the heat. It was partly cloudy so we didn't get to watch the stars come out, but I knew they were up there somewhere.
Time Together
Hannah spends a lot of time with me because I stay home with her and Emma, so she really loves her time with Daddy. There are many things he can teach her that she responds to better with him than me. And that is so great! Hannah knew that Daddy was out there with her and would protect her should a nosey squirrel come around the tent. He taught her about making S'mores and why it was good to have a long stick to roast marshmallows with so she didn't get burned or have to drop her stick in because it got too hot. They read together in the tent, and I am sure they chatted, though that was their time and I respected that.
Valuing Home
Being in the back yard like that, at night, when you don't usually get to play out there allows you to see your home/yard/nature/ in a new "light". From our small brick lined campfire to the plush grass, to the tall trees that overhang our lovely yard, it is a great feeling to appreciate what you have and look at all we have been given and worked for and smile.
I hope you get the chance to learn from a backyard camping trip. What other ideas have you tried around the house?
Peace
Laura
