Any Other SCA Moms Out There? Campers?

I am a camper. We took our son camping at 1 week. I breast fed also. We continually still go camping and he is now 6 years old. He loved it! At one week he was happy in nature. I thought we were crazy for attempting it but we did and it was fine. We had a pop up at the time and he had baths in the pop up's sink. They were all great times!! As for hints- my son just enjoyed himself greatly. I do not think I did anything to assist. I did have to watch that he did not get too hot because he would (and still does) break out in heat rashes. As long as he was comfortable, he was happy.
I read a lot about extra gear- I had tons with me! Items that he could sit in and so forth. I have to say- my son was always able to amuse himself so that may have made it easier on us.

just be prepared, we went camping with our infant and it was fine. we took some fave toys, and new ones, a pack n play, a portable swing, old blankets to lay on ground under baby and a superyard (this is a play yard that is made up of 6 panels so you can keep your baby corralled). i'm gonna sound like a commercial, cuz i love this thing!! you can make it as big or small as you want to because all the panels seperate from each other. i bought 2 yards and made a big enclosure. i've seen them at k-mart and walmart, but they are also at www.onestepahead.com, product #01512. i used this alot with the child when i was in the back yard gardening since we have lots of woods around us, she loved being outside and i didn't have to worry she was getting into mischief. a large blanket fits right under it so you don't have to worry so much about dirt, just find all the rocks that are poking up before you lay down the blanket! have fun camping, we just got a van so we can do lots of it this summer too!!!!

Hi M.. I was skeptical of taking my baby camping too. But everyone else in my family wanted to go, so I just resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't going to have any fun. But I actually had a good time with him. He loved it. I just made sure I took a playpen, lots of toys to play in the dirt with, and a lot of clothes. He went through an unbelievable amount of clothes.(It's really dirty where we camp, and there's a stream.) I used the playpen for his afternoon nap in the tent, and moved it back outside afterward for when I felt tired of chasing him around. He also used to run away from me, but by the time we left the woods for home, he was turning around and coming back to me whem I said he'd gone far enough. It's a little more work than if you left him behind, but I enjoyed camping with my baby, and I think you will too.

I camped in a tent with 4 children for about 3 months. Just a regular campground but... I had a portable crib (pack and play) set up for my youngest who was 7 mos at the start and still nursing. It was a really great experience for myself and my children. Their ages at the time were 7 mos, 2yrs, 5yrs, and 6yrs old. I brought lots of sun screen and bug spray. They have a soap that contains natural citronella that I just found (haven't tried it yet) that might be better. herbaria.com But if you bring the essentials that you can't go without (stroller some favorite toys etc)all should be fine.

You are going to have a great time, because its something you & your husband love and you are just going to introduce your son to some really cool experiences! As always baby's can get into anything anywhere we are parents now so we are on call 24/7 its our job to be proactive and carry with us at all times more stuff than we ever imagined! We haven't gone camping yet but have traveled alot and one thing that might come in handy is a bin (like a storage bin) you can use it as a bathtub and also to put all the toys, ect. in it. Also bring a spray bottle you can use like a mister or maybe one of those blowup pools. Have a great time, think the best not the worst but be prepared for it all, know that it will be different this time but still a lot of fun! M.

You may be surprised at how good baby can be camping. what you will need to be is prepared. Bring the port a crib and an excersaucer so you don't have to hold him all the time. also don't forget to bring your carrier of choice (ours is a moby wrap) for nice walks in the woods. Remember to bring a hat and sunscreen. also whatever layers you have for yourself remember baby needs one more than you. I remember my first camping trip was when my little guy was about 2 1/2. It was so cold at night and we were on the ground all three of us under blankets with no air mattress. We had a great tiem though and we all survived. We are going camping again this summer for a week our big guy is now 5 and his bro will turn 1 year on the trip. (i must admit we are cabin camping this year because I am too tired to "rough it")

Have fun and good luck!!

I am not a SCA mom but my boyfriend is a member of the SCA and he told me that overall people don't suggest bringing very young children because there is just to much going on. I would suggest talking to someone you know from the SCA.

I think you'll do great! We camp alot and started when the boys were all young. It just take more organization and more 'gear' but you should have a great time. It sounds like this is something important to you and your husband, so continuing this with your son is great!

I don't know if this will help you or not as I have mixed feelings. I took my oldest daughter camping when she was 11 months old and we were in a camper. It was a horrible experience for me. She had just started walking so she didn't want to be carried everywhere, yet if we had let her walk, we would have missed all the activities. The bugs were horrible (mid July) and she was very scared of them. Yes, everything she saw and touched went in her mouth. The regular nap schedule was completely derailed as she didn't want to sleep in the hot camper so she was extra grouchy by dinner time. We did have a lot of fun at times, but I would not do it again. I was supposed to go camping right after Mother's Day this year and have a baby who will be 6 months old by then and I said "NO THANK YOU!!!!" One advantage you have is that you breast feed - I had to tote along powdered formula and bottled water which was a real nuisance! Make sure you pack plenty of baby gear -- you'll need it! And make sure you pack books or Sudoku or something to do if you manage to get him to take a nap as you won't want to leave him alone in the tent.

Best of luck,
K.

I've attending Pennsic for years. I've seen babies of only 1 month on up. If you do not have a camping group, their is a kids/parents group called Hundred Acre Wood - they camp up by the archery area, set back, quiet - and parents take turns staying in camp to give other parents a break. Myself, mine was 2 last year when I took him and we camp at Hunters Home.

Think of him being in your yard crawling - you would still be watching him and aware of his surroundings - I don't think he'll be crawling into the streams without you noticing first!

I have a 5 year old, a 3 year old, and an 8 month old, and My husband and I go camping every summer. The best things to do are be prepared. My kids have a great time, and so do my husband and I. They make bug off stuff that is safe for kids. We make sure that we take lots of toys for the kids to play with. I always have a blanket ready for when the kids wanted to get down and start crawling. The hardest part for me was the fact that my kids were all bottle fed. It was a little bit tricky trying to wash bottles and everything, but you make things work. I just always make sure that I have enough water and diapers and things like that. I hope you guys have a good time... If you need any other advice, let me know... ____@____.com... this is my primary e-mail.. use it if you need it... good luck!!!!

I've been camping since I was little , I'm prego with my fourth and have never stopped camping. This one is due in early Aug. I believe I will be camping till then and then after as well. Porta crib in the tent, many blankets. One time a few years ago, my now 4 year old daughter was a baby,, the temp dropped,we were actually in a cabin, but a very cold cabin. We all, (me hubby, and two boys, 9 and 15) slept in the full size bed to stay warm, our daughter wwas in the porta crib in a heavy sleeper with many blankets.I htink she was the warmest. lol.

We usually camp at campgrounds, not jsut in the woods, and jsut be careful bout the fire. They will get dirty, but hey, it's camping, and there is always the shower. They have grown up to love camping.

My husband wouldlove that midevil style camp fair. Where and when is it??

L.

Hi M.,
I'm actually in the same boat as you--we have a camping trip scheduled for the first weekend in May in Lake George, New York, but I have the same concerns as you. Not even all of that so much, but our daughter is a little fussy and needs to be entertained at all times, so we're worried that we're going to spend the whole time trying to keep her happy and we won't end up enjoying ourselves. Plus, she is crawling and might even be walking by then, so we're nervous about that. All in all, I think we have decided to cancel the trip (sorry I'm not more encouraging :( I know it can be done--my parents took me camping into Canada when I was 9 months old and managed, so it can be done. Good luck whatever you decide!

While I have no experience with SCA camps, I have camped all my life, and my kids were part of that when they were very little, as well. My youngest was a breastfeeding infant when he went on his first camping trip. Breastfeeding made it more convenient, in fact, but I caution that you should pay special attention to your nutrition and hydration when you're camping since your home routine will be different, it's outdoors, you'll be active, and will need additional fluids, etc. You have to plan well, make lists of what you need to bring, and then check and double-check when you pack.
I still camp with my youngest child, only now it's backpacking and he's 6'4" and hikes waaaaay faster than me through the woods. He's soon to be an Eagle scout, as well, and wants to make environmental science his career. I'm proud! :)

Camping CAN be done with small ones. I took my son camping for his frist time when he was about 3 months old. He was breastfeed so that was easy. I took his pack n play to sleep in and a stroller and a sling. It was perfect he has never slept so well. We have taken him about 4 times last summer and each time it got better and better. Can't wait for this summer! Good luck and have fun!!!!!