camping Archives - Mom's Ups and Downs

Honing Survival Skills for Kids

RosselApril 26, 2014April 26, 2014Leave a comment

The importance of equipping kids with survival skills becomes more apparent with the effects of climate change. A week hardly passes by without an incident of flooding, earthquake, or unusual weather condition being experienced in different parts of the world. It is hard to tell when disaster may strike and one of the best ways to protect the family against these events is to prepare them. When it comes to teaching kids about dealing with disasters, a lecture is the last thing that you would want to do. Fortunately, there are fun ways to teach survival skills for kids.

Books, videos, and movies offer an entertaining way to learn about dealing with disasters. Mickey and Friends Disaster Preparedness Activity Books, Safety Patrol Cartoon Series, and movies like The Day After Tomorrow are some examples of tools that subtly teach the kids about disasters and how to deal with them. It would be best if parents can guide their kids through these activities to make sure that the kids fully understand the concept of surviving through disasters. Parents can also take advantage of some fun summer activities like camping and swimming for a more practical approach.

Camping is a great way to hone survival skills for kids. Summer camp activities usually include finding or building shelter, making a fire, fishing, and sometimes even foraging for food in the woods. Exposing kids to somehow rough conditions under less stressful circumstances is one way to help them prepare for situations wherein families are left homeless or displaced after a disaster. Learning how to swim is another survival skill that children have to learn. Parents may opt to enroll their child to a swimming school or teach the kids themselves so they can have extra bonding activities with their children. It can be a regular recreation activity or a fitness regimen for the whole family to help develop strong swimmers.

No amount of preparation can guarantee your child’s safety when disaster strikes. But a set of survival skills for kids can help increase their chances of getting through it. Camping and swimming are good starts for those who have been living a techie lifestyle or those who are dependent on modern conveniences.

In family adventure

Planning a Family Camping Trip

RosselSeptember 17, 20131 Comment

Since the start of the school year, both parents and kids have all been busy dealing with office work, school work and household chores. And just a couple of months with these hectic schedules, you are surely longing for short break. A family camping trip could be a fabulous activity for your family especially during the balmy spring/summer season. It does not only take you off the hubbub of the city, it also gives you a break from your gadgets, the television and your chores. Here are some pointers to help you prepare for a short camping trip that will give your family more time to talk, bond and simply enjoy each other’s company.

camping trips — *“A family camping trip could be a fabulous activity for your family especially during the balmy spring/summer season.”*

Choose a Date and Location

A public holiday could be the break you’re all waiting for. Start looking around for a camp ground that is not too far from your area and checkout the activities that you might want to engage in near the area. Some camp grounds have a resort like amenities while others offer outdoor adventures such as hiking, kayaking or fishing. Also consider the influx of campers if you intend to camp out during a holiday as there might also families who have the same idea and some places can get jam-packed with vacationers.

Establish Your Itinerary

For a first family camping trip, three days and two nights is a good recommendation, but if you have limited time, an overnight weekend will do. Call up the campgrounds or resort for availability and check out any special events that they might have while you are camping. You may be able to join some activities while you are there too.

What to Pack?

Between now and the date of your trip, build your family’s excitement by starting to collect items that you will use on your camping. Here are some items that should make it on your list of things –

Clothes and toiletries
Food and drinks
Trash bag
Camp chairs
Tent, sleeping bags, inflatable pillows
Flashlight, camp lights
First aid kit
Cooking set
Books, deck of cards, games

Enjoy Your Camping Experience

Before you leave for your camping ground, check the weather. If there’s rain in the forecast, include some rain gears such as ponchos and canopy to keep your tent and camp area dry and comfortable. Afterwards, evaluate your first family camping trip experience so that you’d have a better and more exciting trip next time.

In family, family adventure

Our First Family Camping

RosselFebruary 12, 2012December 12, 20121 Comment

We had our family day once again at Quezon Memorial Circle but this time it was different. We brought not ony a picnic mat but in addition we also had a tent with us. It was our very first camping and RJ was filled with excitement. She did not only enjoy, she also learned that there are lots of things she can do that do not require electricy. It was an awesome day without computer, video games and television.

child and music The first time campers…

child and music Hubby and RJ while sleeping…savoring the fresh air.

child and music Camping is not complete without picnic.

Camping is one of the most affordable family activities. It could be a car camping, canoe camping or backpacking. But most camping family starts out doing what we call tent camping. Here in Metro Manila I know only two areas where you could camp out…at Quezon Memorial Circle (for day camping only) and La Mesa Eco Park (for overnight camping).

Why not take your family to camping now? It is a wonderful way to build a closer connection amongst parents and kids plus, your kids can get truly close to nature…something that is often difficult when living in the city.