how kids should be spending time.

**mickg** · 08-28-2019, 05:55

my 10 yr old girl.
IMG_20190812_135244.jpg

**dscotthep** · 08-28-2019, 07:36

That's some good dadding right there!!

**Shug** · 08-28-2019, 08:08

Breakfast from the Hammock!
Shug

**Malcolm** · 08-28-2019, 08:50

My 9-year-old daughter is interested in going hammock camping with me. Any advice on taking a young kid out hammocking for the first time?

**TrailSlug** · 08-28-2019, 08:56

Originally Posted by Malcolm

My 9-year-old daughter is interested in going hammock camping with me. Any advice on taking a young kid out hammocking for the first time?

Yes, make it fun at all costs even if this means a shorter hike or car camping, etc. If it's not fun then they will not want to go back. If it's cold make sure they have more than enough insulation, getting cold and being uncomfortable = not going back. You can ease them into the longer more uncomfortable trips as they mature.

**Shug** · 08-28-2019, 09:12

Originally Posted by Malcolm

My 9-year-old daughter is interested in going hammock camping with me. Any advice on taking a young kid out hammocking for the first time?

Let them dictate the pace.
Bring fun food. Chocolate.
Make the trip about her.
Shug

**jeff-oh** · 08-28-2019, 10:47

Originally Posted by Malcolm

My 9-year-old daughter is interested in going hammock camping with me. Any advice on taking a young kid out hammocking for the first time?

Echo the fun and pace. Also fun food.

If her first time camping then also consider.
Hang from a common tree on one end so she feels connected., and let her know she can wake you up for any reason if she needs too. While the fire is burning down with her in your lap have a night sound listening and identification secession so you can identify Owl, frog, whippoorwills, etc. so she'll not be scared.

**sidneyhornblower** · 08-28-2019, 14:18

Originally Posted by mickg

my 10 yr old girl.

Just hangin' out, eh?

**SilvrSurfr** · 08-28-2019, 19:23

Originally Posted by Malcolm

My 9-year-old daughter is interested in going hammock camping with me. Any advice on taking a young kid out hammocking for the first time?

My greatest fear, as a parent, was taking my kids out camping, and them having a miserable time that soured them on camping forever. I really put a lot of effort into making sure they had the right equipment, the proper tarp, and proper insulation. While I was usually a bit aggressive in terms of getting off the beaten path (no cell service; 10-15 miles from the nearest highway), I always made sure they were gonna stay warm and dry.

My oldest son did not make things easy. Once, on a canoe trip in the Adirondacks, I told him to go back to the car and get everything out of it (last load before departing). I emphasized to him that he should get EVERYTHING in the trunk.

After a .3 mile portage, and six miles of canoeing, we arrived at our campsite a few hours later. When my son went to set up his hammock, he had no suspension. I asked him, "What part of 'get EVERYTHING in the trunk' did you not understand?" Luckily, I had brought some extra continuous loops and Amsteel so we were able to fashion a suspension out of that.

The one thing I learned from that trip: don't trust your kids to look after themselves. That's a parent's job. My kids are now 27, 25 and 20 years old, and I still don't trust them to pack properly. To this day, I load their packs with every item they'll need. If a trip is going to fail, I'd rather it be my fault. So far, that hasn't happened, so I hope I've instilled in my kids a love for hiking, canoeing and camping that will last their lifetimes.

**ecologito** · 08-28-2019, 19:36

I took my girls (6 years and 2 year old) backpacking twice this season. hiking 2 miles in was far enough for the old one to hike herself and carry some water, and her snacks.

They both had a blast playing by the creek and watching the campfire. It is not that complicated and they will enjoy it.

girls.jpg