1St Trip Waterskiing and Camping

We're taking our 21 month old camping next week for the first time, and at the advice of another mamasource mom, we spent the last two nights in a tent in our backyard. I thought he would adjust great since he's always fallen asleep really quickly at night, but the first night he totally freaked out and was up until 11:30! The second night he did much better. It will be different with a younger child, but there are so many different noises when sleeping out in a tent, that it might be worth doing a couple of trial runs before you go.

Definitely find an all natural bug spray; we just bought one (Deet-free!) at Longs, made with lemongrass and citronella and some herbs and things, which I'll feel much better about putting on his skin!

You probably won't need to worry about him getting bored; with so many new things to see, and lots of family to hold him, you might need to worry more about him getting over-stimulated!

Also, don't worry too much about getting dirty... As my husband said, we can get clean when we get home!

Hi J.!

Taking a 6mo old camping is sooooo fun, but it's very dirty. They cannot walk yet, so think of things that can "hold him" for you. Defintely take a CHAIR (like a highchair)that attaches to a table, so she can eat AND play in it. Some of these chairs can attach (by straps) to a picnic table bench, and they are only $15 or so. This would be a purchase that you can use for another 3 years, too. I highly recommend this being a MUST. If I had known how much I would've used that chair, I would never have bought a "real" high chair, and only that "travel high chair".

We also took a Swing that you can hang from anything. My husband took the hardware, and found a place to put it when we got there. It's nice when a husband has those skills :o)

Take a rope/clothes line with pins. You will go through SHEETS & Blankets with those dirty little feet. I always shook them out good, then just hung them up. This made me "feel better" when I "cleaned" the clothes and blankets

Lots of wipees and Lysol Wipes, and all zip lock baggies :o)

WATER if you use Formula. Hand Sanitizer??

Oh yeah, my husband brought Tarps to stake into the ground at the entrance of our tent. He was a genius back then :o)This was SOOOOO easy to sweep, and actually allowed a "crawling area". So, bring a broom if you do this :o) I tried a mop, but it was endless!

It's up to you, but I would "take turns" on the boat. That will eliminate your son having to go on the boat,a vest purchase, plus there's really nowhere for him to go for a long period of time....CRANKY!

Everything else is "the usual stuff" which is ALOT anyway :o)

Have SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Love, N.

We started camping with my oldest daughter when she was 2 months old. She is now 8 and all 3 of our kids are great campers. The hardest thing for us camping was figuring out a sleeping spot. I brought a foam changing pad which snaps to a dresser to change diapers. She ended up sleeping on this because it was familiar.
We later bought a queen blow up mattress and made it like a bed with a pad and sheet. The kids then slept on this with their own blankets and lovey. Just remember whatever you bring will be filthy when you get back. If you can't throw it in the washer (stuffed animals and toys) don't bring it.
One of the best things we brought was a backpack carrier. Worked great around camp and for hiking. All my kids loved riding in it.
But really the most important thing is for you to relax and have fun.

My biggest concern is with the boating. Make sure you get a well fitting life vest. They even make swim suits with floatation devices built in. We got ours at Target a few years ago.
Another thing to keep in mind right now is the air quality here in CA. If the smoke doesn't clear out I would recommend actually postponing the trip.
A friend of mine took her daughter camping and was really careful to keep sunscreen on her and keep her in the shade and the little one ended up getting burned anyway...windburned. Be sure to keep your little one shielded.

If you have a bedtime routine, make sure to bring anything you need to do that. I also recommend a white noise machine to cancel out the noise of the other campers. If you are on the water, make sure you bring a life jacket for him. Better to have your own that you know fits him correctly than try to borrow one from someone else. Also, when my son was that age, we brought a mosquito cover to put over the pack n play. That way, we could have him near us while he slept while the adults still had time around the campfire. When we were ready to go to bed, I just scooped him up and my husband carried the pack n play back to the tent. If you have a booster seat with a tray, that works great for that age for meal times. We didn't bring a whole lot of toys, generally there is enough going on that they don't play with their typical toys that much. Don't forget to bring tylenol or motrin just in case he gets sick or teething etc. Also, make sure he is drinking plenty since he probably doesn't spend that much time outside that often, it is easy for them to get dehydrated. Have fun, our son was a great camper at that age, the hardest age for us was the following year when we couldn't get him to stay put in one spot for more than 5 seconds!

He'll be fine. Our daughter has been on a boat since she was 5 weeks old. She loves it and they fall asleep nicely, especially when they're young, from the drone of the boat motor. You'll have a great time! As far as entertainment, even the mud on the shore will be wonderful! They love new stuff...like mud, waves, branches, rock.

It sounds like you've got just about everything covered! The only additional suggestions I would make is to bring a jogging stroller, if you have one (or have access to one). They make it easier to take walks on dirt, over rocks, etc. than normal strollers. Also, I'd take a pack or two extra baby wipes than you normally would, he'll love touching the dirt and it will get all over him, even if he's not sitting in it! I know you'll have fun and it's great that you're starting him camping so young, he'll really love it throughout the years! (From a mother who has survived many camping trips with newborns on up!)

Some ear plugs or noise canceling ear covers will do just fine if you're worried about the boat's noise, but my kids were on a water-ski boat from a few mos. old on, they loved it and fell asleep almost instantly when on the boat. Of course a well-fitting life jacket is imperative! Don't forget a baby-version of insect repellent just in case. Make sure he spends most of his time in the shade. I've found that when we were with family, there was so much going on and so many different people to see and play with that lots of toys weren't necessary. Have fun!

I bring a plain old sheet to lie down on the ground. Its a little softer sometimes than the dirt and it helps to keep them clean. At least until they crawl away. It gives them an area for their toys and some freedom from time to time.

If your child uses a pacifier or bottles, a favorite blanket or toy, bring an extra one. Nothing is worse than watching something fly off the boat or dropping it somewhere and not finding it. Have a great time.