July 09, 2012

Camping With (Really Little) Kids: Q&A + Giveaway

Camping with babies and toddlers? Yes! It's an affordable, low-stress, fun family vacation if you do it right. We asked Helen Olsson, author of the new book, “The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping With Kids,” for her top tips. To win one of 5 copies of Olsson's book, read on.

It all started with one nightmarish airplane ride when her son was a toddler. “He got really sick during the flight,” Olsson remembers. “High fever, double ear infections, stomach flu … I vowed I would never fly with really little kids again.” Olsson kept that vow – which is why the now mother-of-3 had plenty of experience to draw on when she wrote “The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping With Kids.” A super-fun read that’s packed with useful info, the book covers everything from family-friendly campsites to how to dispose of a dirty diaper in the woods. We asked Olsson for a few extra tips on hitting the trail with “really little kids” – i.e., babies and toddlers.

Is there any age you consider too young to go camping?

Well, I wouldn’t want to camp with a brand new colicky infant who’s waking up every hour, but once parents feel their babies are sturdy enough, camping with babies is great. There’s nothing cuter than a little baby snuggled up in a nest of blankets in a tent. In many ways babies are easier to camp with than toddlers - especially before they get mobile. A baby can cuddle in a car seat while you’re setting up the tent. Babies can be easily contained in a Pack & Play or a portable high chair. And when you’re hiking, you can carry a baby in a front-loading baby carrier and they’ll nap for hours. Toddlers, on the other hand, are constantly on the move. They want to explore but aren’t self-sufficient yet. When you’re camping, you have to watch toddlers every minute. I’ve taken many a hike with a toddler strapped to my back (in a baby backpack carrier), but they’re much heavier than infants and they swing their feet and lean over. Often toddlers get antsy in the carrier, yet they don’t have the longevity to walk a long way on their own.

What type of camping trips do you recommend for babies and toddlers?

That depends on how adventurous the parents are. There are plenty of folks who backpack with small children, but it’s a pretty big endeavor. For most people with babies and toddlers, it’s wise to start with car camping. That way, you can keep food, milk and formula cold in a big cooler. You can pack the car to the rafters with all the requisite gear and have it all at your disposal. Plus, when you car camp, you can make a quick getaway if things go south. We decided to wait until our kids were big enough to carry a small pack themselves before we went backpacking with them. My son was 7 when I took him on his first backpacking trip.

What absolute essentials would you pack for this age group?

Front-loading baby carrier or a baby backpack carrier, depending on the size of your child. This is an essential piece of gear if you want to hike with babies or toddlers, but also handy if you need to get something done around the campsite and your child wants to be carried.

Portable crib or Pack N Play. When we car camp, we bring a huge family sized tent that’s big enough to put a pack and play inside. When our kids were babies and toddlers, this was so critical at night as they slept better in the familiar crib-like environment. It was great for naps during the day and if we needed our little ones to be contained and safe while we worked on some camp job like setting up the tent or making dinner.

Portable potty or potty seat. This is so key! Kids need to pee all the time and some little kids (my kids, anyway) don’t like porta-potties. This is understandable! Even once our daughter was potty trained, we kept a little potty chair inside the vestibule of the tent and she used it all day and—even better—at night.

Battery-powered night-light. Especially if you’re camping during the new moon and your kids are afraid of the dark, a portable night-light is a great thing to have along. You can’t really expect kids who sleep with nightlights at home to sleep in the pitch black (not to mention in the woods…).

Kid-friendly headlamps. Hands-free is really helpful when you’re camping and kids love headlamps.

Any pint-sized pitfalls to watch out for when camping with wee ones?

It’s advisable to choose kid-friendly campsites. While water features are fun for kids, when it comes to camping with babies and toddlers, I advise against camping near water. Unless you can have one parent committed to watching your toddler every millisecond of the day (and that’s a tall order), you’re better not camping on the banks of a fast-moving river. It’s just not worth the angst. Same goes for campsites near cliffs, ravines, and rocky drop-offs. Parents should look for campsites with family friendly hiking and biking trails nearby. Kids also love interpretive trails and visitor centers.

One major pitfall that’s best to avoid when camping with kids is arriving at a campsite after dark, around dinnertime. The witching hour, we call it. Everyone is hungry and crabby and you have to set a tent up in the dark. This is a scenario best avoided on any camping trip, but especially when you have little ones in tow.

As far as stuff not to forget, I can tell you from experience, you don’t want to forget the following: ketchup, diapers, marshmallows, maple syrup, and tent poles. I’ve forgotten all of these items on one camping trip or another, and the results have been near disastrous.

-Jacqueline Burt

Learn more about Helen’s adventures and “The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping With Kids.”

To be entered to win a copy of “The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping With Kids,” tell us about your summer vacation plans in the comments box below. We'll pick winners on July 20. We're picking winners and will notify the 5 winning moms on Monday.

Happy trails!

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Comments (106)

Laurie K
July 20, 2012
We are planning to go up to Sevierville with our baby and my husband's group of friends!
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Susannah
July 20, 2012
I need this book!!!! My sister-in-law organizes a camping trip every year for all of her daycare kids (my 22 month son is one of them). However, I am reluctant to go since I don't feel prepared at all to take a toddler camping. We are the only parents not going on the camping trip. They literally left today for the weekend. I would love to have this book to be prepared for next year when they go camping since I'm already being pressured to go! And it would be a good information piece for me as well since I haven't camped in years!
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Chrysta
July 20, 2012
We are staying close to home this summer, but considering a big camping/travel trip in the Fall. I'd love a copy of the book for suggestions to keep the lil' one safe and happy.
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Jayme
July 20, 2012
Our summer vacation plans include CAMPING!!! We love to camp! We have a 13 month old...we camped once last summer after he was born...was about 6 weeks, so he really couldn't do much! We camped once so far this summer...for 3 nights and he LOVED it! We are going again next weekend, and I'm hoping to get at least one more trip in this summer as well! For us...it's no different than any camping trip we took without our little one...it's just better because he enjoys it so much and loves to run around...and we just bring a few toys and his necessities! We do cloth diapers...and it's so great! I think camping is one of the best vacations to take!
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tami roach
July 20, 2012
I grew up camping with my folks and loved it but haven't gone in over a decade. My husband, high-energy sons (1 and 3), and me (due Dec.1st with boy #3) are moving to Arkansas (aka the "Natural State")in less than a month, and I am eager to introduce my little ones to the joys of camping and hiking. I've been hesitant as I didn't know how to get started, but "The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping With Kids" looks like the perfect resource!
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Laura
July 19, 2012
I have a 5 ur old who is turning 6 in sept and a 11 week old, took my kids camping wen my 11 week old was 2 months old it was fun and not as hard as I thought it would be, I did forget the stroller and a playpen but it was still fun the front baby carrier was a life saver that's for sure! Ive always loved camping and love sharing the experience with my own family of 4.
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Tara
July 19, 2012
My children, ages 11, 10 and 4 absolutely LOVE camping, and we usually car camp every summer. This summer our camping plans have been put on hiatus due to the birth of our fourth child in late June. After reading Helen's tips and suggestions, we may be able to squeeze in a trip before the kids go back to school! The kids will be so excited (especially since having a newborn around is not so fun for them!!).
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Tanya
July 19, 2012
I am so inspired by this!! I have a 9 month old baby girl plus a 6 yr old & 10 yr old boys. The boys are dying to go out camping but my husband & I weren't sure. Now I have some tips & ideas and I'm ready to pack up the family and make some memories!!
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Stephani
July 19, 2012
We have 3 kids ages 4, 2, and 4 months and have been camping twice so far this year and have LOVED it! Thanks for answering some great questions and I would love to win the book!
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tina moreno
July 19, 2012
HELLO!!...WELL I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS MY FAMILY AND I WILL BE GOING CAMPING NEXT MONTH FOR 3 DAYS WE LOT'S OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY.WE ARE A LITTLE SCARED BECAUSE WE HAVE A 5 MONTH OLD WE DON'T KNOW HOW SHE IS GOING TO REACT TO THIS OUT DOOR LIFE.MY HUSBAND HAD 1ST SUGGESTED THAT WE LEAVE HER BEHIND WITH MY MOTHER-N-LAW BUT THE PROBLEM IS I CANT BE AWAY FROM HER FOR THAT LONG SO LET'S PRAY THAT ALL GOES WELL AND THAT THIS TRIP TURNS OUT GREAT!!!!...
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Martha Reynoso
July 19, 2012
We just went camping for three days two nights with my three kids, one a toddler and the other a three month old baby. How did it go? Great! Was I surprise? Yes! The only difficulty came the second evening where baby was fed up exhausted because being outdoors and busy with all the family's commotion he wasn't napping throughout the day much. I couldn't put him down at all for four hours. All he wanted was to be soothed, tightly held and sleep. He knocked out for hours that early evening. Perhaps too soon for camping? Aside from that he slept great at night loving being cuddled versus crib sleeping. Lol. My toddler too was exhausted by that same evening Cus he conked out before dinner.
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Renee Davis
July 19, 2012
We're heading to Kansas to visit my husband's family. It'll be our little girl's first airplane ride at 4 1/2 months old, and the first chance her great grandparents and great aunts and uncles get to meet her.
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bethany ann
July 19, 2012
We love to camp! We just took our first one of the year in June, to the mountains in Pennsylvania. What a trek that was! It was our 4 year old and almost 2 year old's first camping trip. They both did fantastic! But the downside...it was also MY first time camping, and I was in charge of packing. Let's just say it was a very good thing there was a Walmart 15 minutes from the campsite!
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Kcollins
July 19, 2012
I have been looking for tips like this. I took an extra curricular class in college about outdoor skills and wanted to expose my children, but felt hesitant. Your article has given me new inspiration!
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Michelle High
July 19, 2012
We love going to the cabin! We have 3 annual cabin trips and this yr we're planning a fourth! We're also planning a camping trip with friends. Since we have a 3 month old it would be awesome to get this book!
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Kristin
July 19, 2012
This summer we'll be sticking close to home with our toddler, spending lots of time at the pool!
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Elaina Morgan
July 19, 2012
We will be headed to Old Forge Camping Resort for a week with our 19 month old son, 11 month old and 4 year grandson. Yup, that was "Son" and "Grandsons". We will be staying in a cabin away from the water and are sure to have a blast at Water Safari one of those days. I defenitely wonder how we will keep track of these 3 very active boys? :-) This book would surely come in handy!
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HeatherB
July 19, 2012
When our now 3 year old son was 10 months, we went cabin camping to Rickett's Glen, PA. We loaded him up in the backpack carrier and hiked to see more than 20 waterfalls. He did AMAZING and fell asleep along the hike. My parents took me camping as a baby and all through my childhood - it was THE only way we traveled. A favorite memory of theirs is changing my diaper on a rock along a creek. How adventurous is that?! This summer we are cabin camping with our 3 year old and 3 month old boys. We'll do light hiking and exploring. I can't wait to continue the family traditions!
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caroline
July 19, 2012
We live near many hiking trails and would like to the safest fun way to enjoy the trip with baby. My husband and also like camping. We trying to do it every year but a new baby would like to get tips.
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Heather
July 18, 2012
We live right by the beach and mountains and have plenty of options for camping...the only thing holding us back is not being sure how to camp with an 8 month old! We love the outdoors and want our children to have the same appreciation.
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Kate
July 18, 2012
We don't really have any big vacation plans for this summer, since we're busy house-hunting and then we have our daughter's big first birthday coming up next month, but we'd love to take her camping sometime in the near future!
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Tiara
July 18, 2012
We took out 3yr old and 10 month old camping this summer. we enjoyed swimming, walking, fishing, whew tired yet? then there was s'mores and hotdogs, coloring. Amelia the 10 month old was continually eating dirt, sand, rocks and anything she could get her hands on. James the 3 yr old was not so quietly informing dad and me everytime she did. Playpens work great and we bought those new flashlights that light up different colors, have flashlight, they can blink and they float worked great for nightlight. Fishing is always fun with the little ones, my husband set down the fishing pole to fix up james' line and james told him that a big fish was gonna come take his whole pole and wouldn't you know it a big fish came and that pole started sliding good thing James was quick he helped reel in a big rainbow trout then helped cook it and eat yumm!! we plan to many more times this summer as long as we can.
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Tracy
July 18, 2012
Thinking about going camping at the end of August with Grandma, 2 1/2 yr old, and 5 mth old...
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Kelly
July 18, 2012
We took our 1-year old daughter rv camping in the smokie mountains. We had a blast! We hope to take her on another rv trip closer to home before the end of summer vacation.
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Stephanie
July 18, 2012
We are headed to Raystown for an 8 night camping trip. We have a popup. Our boys did great at a young age but our daughter, 9 months, does not seem to care for camping. She hates the pack in play. We took a mini long weekend and she cried almost the whole time. I am worried about the long week. We never had problems before with kids/babies.
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TwinMama
July 18, 2012
I would love to go camping with our twin 2-year-old girls. They love running and nature and camping would be a great opportunity to bond as a family with my husband that works way too much! This summer we just planned on vacationing in Door County with family, but maybe next year we'll try camping!
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Abbie
July 18, 2012
Camping in a rv at a lake
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Nicole
July 18, 2012
We have been trying to plan a vacation before our oldest starts kindergarten but everything is so expensive. So camping has crossed our mind as an alternative but we have been so worried about how our youngest, who is one, will do. Though she seems very flexible she has never really had to sleep anywhere but her room. This article has definitely helped!
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Jane Ireland
July 18, 2012
My husband and I have a 15 week old baby and have never missed a summer camp trip so we are attempting camping with baby. We are car camping as suggested in the article. We also chose the mountains for a cool climate. Catoctin Mountains here we come! We are ready for some family hiking with our baby in the front pack.
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Amy
July 18, 2012
My husband deployed in January to Afghanistan and missed the birth of our baby. I'm a full time working Mom and this is a 10 month deployment. I'm trying to determine a fun vacation for when he returns in October for the three of us to connect as a family. We like to camp and my son will be 8 months old when he returns. I'm thinking, a baby carrier, pack n play and a possible pop up camper.My husband and I are active.Sounds like it might be a good time for us.
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Julia
July 18, 2012
Our 4-month already has his own camping chair. We've been hesitant to take him tent camping this summer, especially now that the temperatures are higher and the storms are stronger. Hopefully we can go this fall, when the temperatures get a bit cooler.
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Genny Kinsey
July 18, 2012
My husband and I live in Salt Lake City and are avid hikers so we decided to take a trip down to Arches, Canyonlands, and Mesa Verde National Parks with our 2-month-old. We figured we'd start with a motel rather than camping, since this was the first time we'd gone anywhere away from home with our baby. We brought an ergo sport carrier along and a pack n play and that was it! I was expecting the worst but we had an absolute blast and blew our families minds back home with the amazing pictures we came back with! The trip was a total success and we got in much more hiking and were much more relaxed than we'd expected to be!
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Heidi
July 18, 2012
Our twin boys are 3 months old and my husband cannot wait to take them camping. I am nervous about it, so needless to say maybe this book would give me the advice and motivation to go for it!!
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Sarah White
July 18, 2012
I took my 4 month old camping a few weeks ago at a KOA campsite east of Ashville, NC. He loved it! There was a river for older kids to float down, as well as cornhole,mini golf, and a pool! the Blue Ridge Parkway was about 12 minutes away for plenty of hiking, and downtown Ashville wasn't far either. We tent camped, and it was nice that my son was old enough to enjoy being outside but young enough to be happy in his carseat while we set up camp. We're going again next weekend at Mt. Yonah outside of Helen, GA
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Kristine
July 18, 2012
We are going tent camping this Friday for the first time with our little 9 week old to Lake Hemet! I grew up road tripping and car and tent camping with just my mom and me and have camped several times with my husband and 18 year old daughter but this will be our first with such a young one with us! I'm nervous but excited at the same time. Wish us luck! I had fun reading the above and would love to win a book so I can read further ideas and suggestions for future camping trips! Thank you!! Kristine and baby Liam
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Francina
July 18, 2012
We are taking our 1 month old camping at the end of August! My husband is completely at ease with it, but I'm a nervous wreck!
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Patty Hartshorn
July 18, 2012
We just moved close to a state park recently, so we now have a chance to take our kids through the north woods, on family-friendly biking and hiking trails, and even kayaking! We love to kayak, and each kid can ride with one parent for a little bit of special one-on-one time or even kid/parent team kayak races(wearing life vests, of course).
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meghan
July 18, 2012
We have 2 busy boys and a popup camper, we started our youngest son camping at 8 weeks old, he is now 15 months old and has already been camping 10 times! Really young essentials for me were his pack n play, a small portable swing {good investment, easy to find at most kids consignment stores), backpack carrier and my best tip for camping with bababies is to bring disposable liner bottles, and a bag of extra nipples for the bottles, and powdered formula, so all u need is water to make a bottle on the fly and your're not trying to sterilize bottles on a campfire, you make em and toss em, clean the nips only!
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Jennifer
July 18, 2012
We are planning a weekend camping trip for Labor Day weekend. We took him once at 6 months to the beach which was easy because he couldn't go anywhere on his own but being that he'll be 20 months, it's going to be a whole different experience. We have a camper but it's so small there is no where for him to safely sleep right now so we bought a large tent that we can put the pack and play in (and it has an air conditioner port). Looking foward to starting him young and having a great time.
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monica fifer
July 18, 2012
Wow this book seems to be quite informative. Just took a summer camping trip to big bear lake with my 4 kids, ages 10, 7, 3 and 18 months. It was a learning experience to say the least, 3 days in the wilderness. Wish I knew then what I know now. I'm sure this book would make our next experience much better.
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Rochelle Herron
July 17, 2012
Our Summer vacation plans included a trip to Palm Desert, first outing with our 6 month old and it went pretty smooth. The following trip was up to Pebble Beach, CA for a week and that did not go as smooth. She ended sleeping in my bed the whole week after a few failed attempts of the CIO method! Last is a trip to San Diego in September and we plan on taking the little one to the San Diego Zoo. We'd like to go camping with our little one, but everyone I have suggested it to, looked at me like I was crazy so I dropped the idea. But I don't feel quite as crazy knowing other people do it. I actually thought it would be pretty stimulating for her seeing nature, sunshine, trees and bugs! :)
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Amy
July 17, 2012
Oh man! It's so funny I've been asking all of my friends for camping advice. I've been camping since I was baby myself and my mom said it was so easy. I didn't believe her and I will find out for sure in a couple months when my husband and I take our what will be 7 moth old. I'm almost hoping she won't be crawling by then :/ hehe. She sleeps so well at night and is such a good little baby, camping with her would be a blast. Sadly we're leaving the dogs behind to venture on this family vaca. We are also bringing her to a cabin at Clear Lake with friends and their family...do at least we'll have a grandma around! And in a couple of weeks we'll have our first sand experience in Lake Tahoe at the place my husband and I were married. My parents and aunt and uncle rent a place each year now and go have a vacation, but my sisters family and mine are so close to Tahoe they let us stay with them for the weekend. But with two infants the same age how could they resist?! All these will be old places revisited but new experiences with a baby!
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Kate
July 17, 2012
Since it is waaaay too hot in south Texas to camp with our 5-month-old this summer, we plan to wait until a bit cooler weather this fall. But we can't to take our little guy on his first camping trip! A large portion of my greatest childhood memories are from family camping trips. This is a legacy we want to pass on to our children! While waiting on the weather to cool, our summer vacation plans include tempting fate and flying with him to introduce him to his entire extended family in California. Lots of snuggles in store for him!
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Mckenzie
July 17, 2012
My husband and I love camping, but camping with a baby is a whole different story. Our little one is 5months old and we plan on taking her camping up in the Uintahs for a week long family camping trip with all our extended family. There was no way we were going to attempt camping that long in a tent, so we bought a very old small camping trailer and fixed it up. we're so excited to go camping with our little baby and make some fun memories. I was camping in a tent when I was less then 3 weeks old so I know it's do-able :)
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danielle
July 17, 2012
I have a one and two yr old girls and I have a campsite I would love to take them to I would love advice on what to bring and what activities are best for us to do. I used to go camping all the time and I would love to start my own tradition with my girls.
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Becky
July 17, 2012
We just had a new baby, so have mostly let people come to us. We have lots of camping options nearby, but are a bit wary of going - we also have a 2-year-old who has never camped. We'll probably start in the back yard and then move on to a campground about 15 miles away from in case we have to make a quick exit!
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Denise
July 17, 2012
We have been camping several times with our three year old, and twice with our 8 month old baby boy! I would agree that the pack and play is key to having a successful trip for the baby! Would love to have more tips on successful camping with little ones!
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Julie Schwarz
July 17, 2012
We have already traveled to Chicago and Indianapolis to visit family. We plan on doing some camping later in the year when the temperature drops below oppressive triple digits. I can't wait to get my little guy (he's 3 months old) out in the woods but would love any & all advice!!
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Lorna Castillo
July 17, 2012
This summer I have taken my 18 month old to the lake and she loved it. It was just a day trip but the baby had so much fun... It was hard to get her to stay close and was a little scary for me. I have taken her camping for two overnights... I wish I had more tips on how to keep her busy.
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Marianne
July 17, 2012
We love camping! But instead of campfires and trails, this summer we hit the beach instead. The little ones loved the water and the sand. Of course we had to prevent our 10 month old baby from eating the sand!! And everyone loved trying to catch the crabs at sunset with nets (and then setting them free). We can't wait to go camping when the weather turns cooler, one of our favorite spots is FDR State Park in GA. I highly reccomend it for families.
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angie
July 17, 2012
My husband and I love backpacking and camping. We are taking our 1 year old out for her first tent camping trip at the end of the month. We will spend three nights at a state park near Lake of the Woods MN. We would love to use this book and look forward to someday taking our daughter backpacking.
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Samantha
July 17, 2012
I think you read my and my husband's mind!!! We just returned from an amazingly successful trip across country to Chicago over 4th of July. I'm originally from there, and my family had yet to meet my 8-month-old. She did so well, flirting and waving to passengers on the plane. She even took a 2-hour nap. We use to be avid campers, and some friends of ours invited us to camp with them later this month. We are just so nervous about bringing our little one "into the wild." This book sounds like exactly what we need to alleviate our fears about camping with her.
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Jessica
July 17, 2012
I would love to own a copy of this book ! When my sister and I were kids we used to go camping all the time, I haven't been camping in a long time. And I haven't gone camping alone ( without my family ) so it will be different. So the book would be helpful. My husband and I have a 20 month old girl. I don't have plans for the summer really but in October we are visiting my family .
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Megan K
July 17, 2012
Our summer plans with our 5 month old is traveling to GA to visit with friends and take her to the beach. I"m interested to see how she handles the water since she just stated liking bathes.
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Allison
July 17, 2012
I wish we could go camping! Hubby won't be able to take time off for that. No big plans for summer trips =(
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Lovessa
July 16, 2012
We are planning a camping trip on the wisconson river and are seriously considering an RV one for the air conditioning for our 2 year old and 3 month old and its mid to late aug our hottest months. We camp every year in the same area but haven't been right on the river. We will be using tents for my husband daughter (8) and nephew (13) so any pointers are a wonderful help!
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Crystal
July 16, 2012
We're borrowing parents' timeshare in Palm Springs. We were just talking about how we haven't been camping since having kids (our sons are 2.5 years and 4 months). I'd love to read this book; maybe we'd go sooner!
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Heidi
July 16, 2012
I am so excited to get my copy of this book! My husband and I lost a baby at two weeks old to a heart defect about a year and a half ago. Soon after, we decided that we would not wait for "one day" to do the things with our family that we wanted to do and we purchased our RV- affectionately named Harvey- the RV. We have gone camping so many times in the past year and a half with our three year old and now five month old. We are building amazing memories as a family, and taking time to just be together. I can't wait to read the rest of the book! We just got back from camping in Georgia, and plan a long trip from Texas, up to Washington state to visit family! If it wasn't for the loss of our little daughter, we would probably still be waiting to take out first camping trip, so despite the loss, we are blessed in each others presence today.
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Heather
July 16, 2012
We are visiting family one last time before our tot turns two and we have to pay for a plane seat for her. We went camping once and it didn't turn out well so we would love some tips to make our next try more fun for all!
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Anna G
July 16, 2012
We recently had our first child, a boy in May. My husband loves camping and we got a new pop up camper and would love for our entire family to go camping. Hopefully we can get our son started soon! He loves the outdoors and we really think he'd love camping too!
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Melissa C
July 16, 2012
We have a 4 year old and a 4 month old. We just bought a pop up camper and need all the advice we can get!
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Stacie
July 16, 2012
We're staying close to home with our three-month-old while the relatives take turns visiting us!
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Jill Clegg
July 16, 2012
It was so funny to see this posted on the email because I am going camping for the first time in my life and doing it with a 4 month old baby. It's a trip that my husbands family does every year and for one reason or another we can never make it This year we both have off the same week and our usual trip to the beach just didn't seem fun. We also have a 13 year old boy that has never been camping. I'm very nervous but I think we will have a great time and hope that we can make this an annual trip. We are leaving August 9.
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Brandi Rothweiler
July 16, 2012
Hi, My name is Brandi and my families summer plans are that I am hoping to take my husband that grew up in the city and my 5 month old baby camping. when i was growing up my family used to take us camping and it was something that meant allot to me and i feel it brings families closer. I am nervous about taking a baby with us. and would love to have the guide to help make it easier on my husband so he can have a great time as well as make it easy on our baby. i want both of them to enjoy the trip so that we can do it every year. and not just this one time and done event because everything backfired. thanks for your time have a great year. Thanks again, Brandi
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Sami
July 16, 2012
We are planning on taking a toddler to the Redwoods.
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Jen Dean
July 16, 2012
Loved the tips! What our girl to love nature as much as we do!
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Halley Lambert
July 16, 2012
We hope to take our darling daughter for her first look at the Atlantic Ocean. Thinking about just a day trip, no overnight stuff.
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jennifer
July 16, 2012
no summer vacay plans for me! i had my baby 1 month ago! but i would love the book for furture endevors!!
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Jenn
July 16, 2012
Like Rachel in a previous post, some of my favorite pictures is when I was camping as a child and also when my Godson was 6 mos., we took him on a hiking/camping trip. We are currently in the process of planning a first camping trip in late August with our 8 mo. old son to eastern PA by our family.
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Tonya
July 16, 2012
Just bought a used pop up camper and after years of tenting it, have decided to upgrade to a camper now that we have a toddler. We are excited to check out all the Minnesota State Parks with our new camper and new little girl this summer and fall!
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Katie
July 16, 2012
I feel we hit the prime camping time! Our son is 6 months old - has a routine down, sleeping through the night, and not yet mobile. The 7-yr old sister is a big help, and can go off by herself or bond with little brother. We are looking forward to camping, hiking, and water fun...as soon as the temperatures cool down a bit!
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Angela Large
July 16, 2012
Our summer plans are to go camping on the weekends. There is nothing better than to spend time with family and friends outdoors! We are lucky enough to have 7 family's that have been frieds since high school and we all love to take our kids camping together! You always make new friends while camping too!
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Rachel Leighty
July 16, 2012
Me and my husband are bring our daughter camping for her first time in late Aug. She will be 7 mos old and we are kind of nervous about it but think it will be fun! We're going to Strawberry Park in CT. Camping in a tent. I'm nervous about the mosquitos but have nets for her pack n play and stroller, so it should be ok! Hoping to win a copy of this book so I can see what tips I can get before our first time camping with our little one!
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Heather
July 16, 2012
This summer for our first time camping since my daughter was born my husband, daughter (almost 2!), & I went camping at the Big Basin Redwoods SP in California. We stayed at a walk in site and it was beautiful. We did arrive after dark which was pretty much how the author describes- "witching hour" is right!! My daughter woke up the next morning giggling and rolling around in the sleeping bags. After breakfast we played "roll things down the hill". So fun! Unfortunately we had to come home early due to car trouble. We are not giving up though! We have plans to camp at Folsom Lake and in the Los Angeles area next month. Wish us luck!!
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Elizabeth
July 16, 2012
Love nature! Camping, hiking, is my thing! Planning on taking my 2 month old to Tonto National Park. Carrying a stroller fan ofcourse. With the heat here in Arizona we can't wait for December. Having a white Christmas in cabin since baby will be 8 months. (:
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Brittany
July 16, 2012
We live in Utah and are taking a camping trip to Arches National Park and Canyonlands in about a week. We have a 28 month old and an 8 month old. We are staying in a basic cabin so we don't have to bring as much equipment. We are sure to be doing a lot of camping with our small children because there's so much to see in this state!
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Meagan
July 15, 2012
We just took my 2 year old son and 5 week old daughter camping at my family reunion. We have a small cabover camper that we stayed in. While lying in bed one night it felt so cozy and nice sleeping with my little family in the tight space.
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Melissa
July 15, 2012
What is a vacation when you have a 2 1/2 month old and a 20 month old? It's doing the same stuff somewhere else without all the usual amenities!! My husband and I enjoy camping a few times each year and want to continue the tradition with our little ones. When they are older we don't want them to ever be able to recall a year we didn't go camping! Our tentative plans are to test our commitment to this ideal this fall when we are planning to take the kids to a campground. Wish us luck!
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Shauna
July 15, 2012
I can't wait for my son to go up and have the experience to be actually apart of our adventures. We already take him rock climbing and hiking and can't wait to take him camping. Still workig on all the supplies though... And the guts. He's almost 8 months old. Hoping soon we will go. He's starting to sleep better all the night so hopefully in September we can go for my birthday.
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Amy Rohrer
July 15, 2012
My family would camp all the time when I was a kid, and we always brought my cousin, Rob, along in tow. I was from a family of three girls, so Rob was like the boy my dad never had! This year, both Rob and his wife and me and my husband each had kids of our own....they had a girl and we had a boy! We have already planned our first five camping trips, hopefully starting next summer! Rob and I are so close, a lot because of the camping trips we took when we were young. We are beyond thrilled our kids will have the opportunity to begin creating their own memories!
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Jessica Lewis
July 15, 2012
We bought a camper last fall and have been camping a few times with our 3 yr old, but now we have a newborn and are eager to take them both camping again. This book would be great for me being new to camping and having two little ones to entertain while we are away from home. I need all the tips I can get!!
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Jacki
July 15, 2012
I would love to go camping with my 22 mo old son, but my husband is skeptical and apprehensive about taking him along. I have planned 2-3 short weekend trips that have ended up canceled because my husband isn't sure about camping with a small child. I do understand his view though... he grew up in Alaska, where camping is rough and tough and hours and hours away from any real civilization! He just doesn't believe me that here in WA we would be 45 min. from a real city with hospitals and cooked food or hotels! I've planned an overnight trip for next month when it will be the warmest night temps... we'll see if we get to go! Wish me luck :-)
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Carol Underhill
July 15, 2012
Our son is not yet 5 months old but has already been camping and hiking. My advice is going somewhere where temps are mild and with no bugs like mosquitos! We have a Jeep stroller and front carrier that we like to use.
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Kristen
July 15, 2012
This book sounds amazing! I have always loved camping but honestly didnt think it would be possible with my 4 month old daughter. Our summer vacation this year is staying in a cabin at the guadalupe river with my entire family in tow to help with the little one. I figured it would be the easiest option since we would have access to modern conveniences!
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rachel lawrence
July 15, 2012
We plan to take our new baby camping over labor day weekend. She will be 5 months old, and since we are avid campers we want to.share this with her right from the beginning. My favorite picture of me as a child is of me camping at 6 months old.... I can't wait to take a similar picture of her
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Traci
July 15, 2012
We love camping with our 3 boys, age 21 months to 7 yrs old, but still could use all the help we can get. Sounds like this book would be great for us .As for this summer vacations, right now we are at Grandma's in Ohio. Our other vacation planned for this summer is a beach trip to Hilton Head. Maybe a mountain weekend camping trip is in store for us.
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Nancy Garvey
July 15, 2012
Unfortunatley we are staying home all summer. No plans for any summer vacation. We had Brayden in April and used up all of my husband's vacation days.
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Sarah
July 15, 2012
We took our 9-month-old son camping last year, and the Baby Bjorn was invaluable. It had just rained, and he wanted to be down on the ground (in the mud!) crawling. Having the carrier meant I could hold him and still have my hands free. He's now 19 months, and we're planning a camping trip for the end of the summer. These tips sound great.
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Christin
July 15, 2012
We have taken our 2 year old camping ever since she was 8 weeks old and she loves it. Even to this day she loves road trips. Now that we have a 8 month old little boy we can't wait to go camping at the end of the month as a complete family. We can't wait to make memories as a family and to take our kids on so many different vacations just like our parents did with us. It would be amazing for our family and how much we can actually get from this book.
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Tanisha
July 14, 2012
Would LOVE this book! My 13 month old son and I are flying to Oregon to visit family for a whole month! We are planning a camping trip with not just my son but 4 other children! Any tips we could get would be grand! We are so excited! I have gone camping every summer since I was a baby and living in Tennessee with all this humidity, it's almost impossible to camp in the heat! Can't wait to make memories at our favorite camp spot with my little one!!
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Erica
July 14, 2012
I wish I had read this book a week ago. I took my 2 1/2 and my 6 month old boys to Bryce Canyon to meet there with my sisters. The 6 hour drive each way wasn't bad. But taking care of my toddler while camping was hard(there was a steep hill in the campsite we stayed in, and my toddler loves to throw rocks down hill). But it was worth it. We are planing to go to bear lake next month; but this time I will make sure to take my hubby. with us.
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Michelle
July 14, 2012
This article was awesome for me to find and I would love the book because my parents have a permanent campsite at Pride of America in Portage, WI and we love taking family camping trips! My parents are there every weekend from May through November for the most part. I had my daughter in April and was bummed about not camping because they had a smaller camper that her pack n play wouldn't fit inside and I prefer real camping anyhow! I wasn't sure if it was safe to camp with an infant or not. I am excited after reading this because now I feel that it WOULD be Okay to take her!! I can't wait to spend a quality weekend with my whole family at the campground we love going to! I thought I was going to have to miss out doing the one summer thing I absolutely love! The book would completely benefit me to know more about camping with my little one! Even if I don't win the article was very informative! Thanks so much!
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Becky
July 14, 2012
We've been camping with our boys sinc ethey were infants. My now 6yo went on his first trip when he was about 3.5mon. My kids are never happier than when we're camping! We have several camping trips scheduled for this summer :)
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Shawna Riddle
July 14, 2012
My daughter was born May 5 so this summer we are driving to summer destinations rather than flying. We have a trip planned to drive from Buffalo to Ohio to visit Cedar Point. My fiancé has a 9 year old daughter and we love the roller coasters. Then we will visit the Cleveland zoo before heading off the a resort in central NY called Mohonk. It is an amazing mountain house surrounded by 40 miles of hiking trails. It will be a big challenge with the baby but we are willing to give it a shot.
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Peggy Tiani
July 14, 2012
My husband and I are taking our 9 month old twins camping next month to meet about 40 cousins. Although we are avid backpackers, this will ne a brand new adventure for us. We've never taken them away for the night, and an evening at Grandma's has me packing multiple diaper bags... I just don't want to forget Anything. And who in their right mind wants their multiples to learn to walk sooner, rather than later?! This momma, just because it will be easier than supervising crawling babies. Right??
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Michelle
July 14, 2012
We are taking our 3 month old to the beach, staying with family while we are there. I love this post though! So maybe we will try a short camping trip this fall before it gets too cold. We went camping last fall while I was pregnant and that was not fun at all! But hopefully camping with our daughter will be a lot more fun!
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Jesica
July 14, 2012
My husband and I are taking our son (he will be 10 months old at the time of the trip) camping. It will be his first camping trip! We are excited and nervous to see how it goes. We are going to Twin Lakes, so should be fun!
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Mandy
July 14, 2012
My husband and I are taking our 7 month old son camping in West Virginia this summer for a week. He already had a camping weekend at Salt Fork State Park in Ohio, so I am sure that a week will be fine. Especially in West Virginia - what could be better?!?
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Heather
July 14, 2012
We took baby on his first beach trip! We typically camp but it has been too hot this summer... We hope to take him on his first camping adventure in the fall
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Christina
July 14, 2012
So far, we have only done a beach trip this summer but we are a mountain/camping family. My girls, now 8, had their first camping trip at 13 months and we have been a couple times a year since. We plan to take my 8 month old son in August for the first time. It's one of our favorite things to do as a family.
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Alyna
July 14, 2012
We are spending lots of time with family and good friends...BBQing, baseball games, getting outside!
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April
July 14, 2012
My daughter is now 19 months old and we have plans to attend the annual "family camping trip" in a couple of weeks. We took my daughter last year when she had just turned 8 months old and life was good. She was just starting to get mobile, so we had a tent with enough space for her to crawl around. The pack and play was also a lifesaver. This year's trip, however, is stressing me out big time. I don't know how we'll keep her happy on the 7 hour drive to Nor Cal where it's much colder...which then leads to the stress of trying to keep her warm. Additionally, the trip is at a campsite near the beach by Santa Cruz, so we're expecting it to be damp and windy at night. Even if all the "worst case scenario" options don't happen, I feel like I'm going to be so on-edge about all the campsite dangers that I won't enjoy myself. Maybe we'll skip this year after all and just go next year when we can better communicate and negotiate with our little wild child.
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Is there any age you consider too young to go camping?

What type of camping trips do you recommend for babies and toddlers?

What absolute essentials would you pack for this age group?

Any pint-sized pitfalls to watch out for when camping with wee ones?

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