I have camped often with my niece (11) and nephew(8) and now my son (3 1/2). The way I have had a successful trip is to have ideas for things to do, but not a schedule. If I have 5 ideas for a camping trip, 1 will bomb so we move onto the next one, some will be short, others long, and still some I may not get too.
Also, I include the kids in just about everything. From cooking, cleaning, setup, whatever. Even if what I have them do is useless, if I make it seem important for them to hold this tent peg and follow me around the RV, then I ask for it and put it somewhere else.....they think they helped. Although the older one is starting to catch on to me ::)
For my dog.....I put him on the retractable leash and make sure he can't reach the road :dog: . For the most part he learns what is "our" site and doesn't bark at the neighbor dogs or ones on the road. I won't take him with us in July or August when we might go swimming because even though I have AC in the RV, I think it is better for him to be at my MIL's.
I am camping with my sister's family in October. They booked a cabin and I will take my RV. We can hang out yet go back to our own "space".
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
We have Norwegian Elkhounds whose "job" it is to bark loud and long at game (moose = elg) while the hunter runs to catch up for the shot. Although our dogs are "Amercan," they still come with the instinct to bark. We taught our dogs through the years to reak the barking by spraying water right in their face and saying, "No bark!" It worked with most of them almost immediately - to the point I could just wave the spray bottle in their direction and they would quit and walk away.
We occasionally got a couple of barks when loose dogs approached :doh: or little barky ones started, but when the spray bottle appeared, ours quit. Many times I've wanted to go up and spray the other dog and/or the owner. 😮
[quote author=TKnecht link=topic=2513.msg24043#msg24043 date=1370399656]
Don't camp with any of them.
What, are you crazy? I have always had a great time camping with my son :camperkid: and his friends :guitar: :reader: :when they were kids ( and still do) and will miss him when he cant go.I also wish more of my relatives would camp with us.
Kids,pets relatives,radios,tvs,they are all part of camping today. If you want absolute peace and quiet get in your car alone close the windows and go for a ride. As for me I welcome seeing all the kids and pets and even the noise because if it were all that quiet nobody would be having a good time all we would do is sit there and stare at the fire no Mennonites, no catching up, no fun.
I dont think you would enjoy camping next to me.
If you are camping with relatives, or even a group of friends, if there are activities that everyone wants to participate in...such as potluck, or a trip to a local attraction...Set a time for when the eating will begin, or when the convoy will depart for the attraction and each family be prepared to drive itself, plus make sure everyone has directions and the address. Also, if anyone of the group is familiar with the area, they should lead, and next person in line should be the one the least familiar with the area. That way, you have better chances of everyone arriving together, if that is your goal.
I write all this from experience of 2 summers ago.
Plus, if part of your family just isn't as punctual as you are... tell them 15 min to 30 earlier depart time, that way, maybe they'll be ready when you are.
(P.S. My dear DS, I know you are punctual. Just wish I knew how to light a fire under those members of our family who are not, and who shall remain nameless)
(My dear sis, I totally understand)
Also, when camping with relatives, schedule some activities that are just for your family or even just for yourself alone. Sometimes, if the group, or part of, is headed somewhere and I just need some down time, I will stay behind and take a nap, do laundry, read. Vacation needs to have some down time that I don't have to take care of or entertain anyone else.
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