What ages are appropriate for camping

[Talbot Biff]

Age- and rank-appropriate guidelines have been developed based on the mental, physical, emotional, and social maturity of Boy Scouts of America youth members. These guidelines apply to Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, and Venturing crews.

[Gone_camping]

 We have taken our kid camping since they were infants, but always chose a campsite were the noise wouldn't bother anyone.  I'm actually afraid my daughter's won't want to go camping when they get older. Camping with kids creates lifelong memories and some great picture.

WWW.BESTCAMPSITE.NET

[brianwisz@gmail.com]

I wouldnt take a baby unless you have a camper.  I will be taking my 6 year old this summer and plan on having a few dress rehearsals in the back yard first.  I need to train my helper! lol

[seabee62]

   We took our kids when they were around 2 years old. We also took our grandson when he was a year old. I000001487ts fun to take them so they can get away form the TV & see what its like to rough it (ahaha).  The friends they make are endless. We used to go camping in a tent but now we have a RV. We enjoy going camping more than ever.

[RJD]

When they're old enough to pay for their own campsite.LOL. I don't have kids but I watch my freinds pulling their hairout when they take their kids and their cousins on outings.They are consantly chasing them around yelling " NO, put that down. Dont touch that. Stop fighting. Blah,blah,blah. I would suggest leave the kids with Grandma and take your wife out for alittle romantic camping trip.

[SilverMaggie]

I love this question!

I can't even remember my age when I started camping, I was probably a toddler!
My Dad taught me to shoot, fish, and start campfires at a very young age.
Those experiences have trickled down to my children.
My youngest boy, who is now 8, we took camping at 2 weeks old.
As long as you are prepared and have all the comforts you and the baby need, it's great!
Hardest part was getting out of bed to warm bottles in the middle of the night...BRRR!

[Bigdog57]

I'm like RJD - go camping to get away from neighbor kids and other distractions!  I'm single with NO kids, and like it that way.
But, if you do have 'curtain crawlers', I'd start them fairly early, and get them involved in helping to set up camp.  I didn't go camping with Dad til I was around twelve or so, and didn't really get the camping bug til much later in life.  Hate to think of all those good camping years I didn't go!

[familycampman]

Hi there,

I love to see that this thread is still going on. Since my original post I've taken both my boys out, now 8 and 2.5. Kids make camping awesome, though they do require supervision and activities. I cannot argue against a nice romantic getaway for two.

BTW, camping is in tents, not RVs

Eric

[OutdoorDad]

The youngest age we took any of our kids camping was at 6 weeks old.  OK - that was too soon. Not for the little one, it was too tough on mom.  Wait until your kids are no longer breast feeding! 

If you're an active, engaged parent - there is no other reason to not take them camping.

Get good equipment - don't cheap out - especially on the sleeping bags.  Search high and low for one that is good for under 30 degrees. You may not intent on camping in those temps but you never know when the temps will drop and nothing worse than cold kids.  Will they really develop a love of camping if all they remember is long miserable nights?

I have some really great memories of my little ones out at camp.

[Silverlion]

I started taking my son at 5. Now my daughter is 5 and she's gonna start going with me. They were 5 and 3 the very first time we did a family trip. I started my son off at campgrounds so he would have a sense of security and could acclimate to the outdoors. He soon tired of campgrounds and asked if he could go with me where I camp with friends. So, off to Tillamook Forest we went. He had a blast. This year, he wanted his own tent(so I could use my hammock. His excuse.) so we've gone out 3 times this year and he has done fine. I'm just happy they have my liking for the outdoors. I have to force my wife to go. When she gets there she's fine. She's worse than the kids when it comes to leaving. She never wants to go home.

[lizrfoust]

That would really depend on the parent. I've heard of some campers that actually bring their kids camping while they were still babies. Others wait until they are a little bit older.

When the time comes that I have my own kids, I'd probably won't take them camping until they are about 5 years old. At least, by that time, their immune system and they could appreciate the outdoors much more.

[Hikey Dorey]

It really depends  on the child and the parents.  If your children enjoy the outdoors and you have the patience

But at 8 months old, they dont know what they want!! just saying.  Its one heck of a parent that can do that, i think.

[Bushcraft101]

I would have to say ANY AGE is ok for base camping. I have heard of people backing with infants but that is them. When taking young children out to go camping you just gotta make it fun for them. I have a 2yr, 3yr and a 10yr old daughter. The best thing to do is start off with short weekend trips or if you dont have time for that, set the tent up in the backyard and let them get involved with the set up and make it fun as possible. That is the way I introduced my girls into camping or as they like to call it "Adventure Time". Dont make the mistake of going out to your camping location and expect to be putting some miles on your hiking boots. That takes a while to get your little ones up to  speed on that. But the best way to get your children involved is to have them be a part of the trip planning, as in what they wanna do and see, use visual aids and have them show you what they like. When it comes to setting up the campsite, take your time and let them help. Yes it will take a bit longer but the more they are involved the more fun it is for them. Also bring toys for the area you are going to. When we went to the Great Sand Dunes NP we took beach toys so that the girls would have a great time and not get board. So just think what they would like to be doing while they are there. But like i said don't plan on some long hikes. Just take it day by day. Also when they are younger it is better to go to places that everything can be accessed by road or a short walk.  Good Luck and i hope you guys have fun when it comes to your Adventure Time. What else you might wanna do is have as much stuff as you can already set up so that food prep is quick and same with clean up. You can just about pre-pack every meal you are gonna eat out camping. this will cut back on alot of wasted time. Carry SNACKS!!!! and drinks in a small pack to