Kids Camp!: Activities for the Backyard or Wilderness
that might pose a danger Ask what hazards might be in the area weather terrain fire or flood Are there animal problems with bears cougars or poisonous snakes Ask the ranger about precautions for deer ticks Follow his or her advice use common sense and good judgment and you'll all enjoy yourselves more First Aid Get a first aid handbook the Red Cross publishes an excellent one and a first aid kit with extra supplies for whatever may come up Use com mon sense and be prepared Know the Rules Find out ahead of time whether animals or plants are protected and can't be gathered Know if you are on public or private property and what the rules are Learn what s allowed in your campground pets campfires or when lights should be turned out for example Supervise Children at All Times There is always the possibility a child will become lost and the results can be very serious Be firm about the rules against leaving camp alone Try to Iose proof your older child ahead of time with instructions about what to do Never allow young children to wander away from camp alone it's an exciting time for them but you are ultimately responsible for their safety Realize that in mountainous areas dark falls rapidly after sundown take no chances Find Out Get some field guides for plants animals and rocks so that you can help your child identify
things he or she sees Maps and guides are available from forest rangers campground supervisors and local bookstores Respect the Outdoors Think green remember your impact on nature and teach your child how to leave things in better shape than you found them Respect Other Campers A campground is a small community so be a good citizen Pets noise litter and rude behavior can disrupt everyone else's enjoy ment Make the Most of It Try to enjoy everything even a rainstorm can become an event when remembered back home next winter Family camping can be a wonderful way to introduce your kids to the wonders of nature and to enjoy each other's
A NOTE TO KID CAMPERS Camping out whether you go for the day or overnight is a lot of fun Hiking through the woods searching for insects under a log and finding pebbles by a stream are all a part of camping It's amazing how much you will learn about nature while you're enjoying yourself Remember that you are a part of nature too and it's important for you to learn about it This book is full of activities to do so that you can have fun camping and discover new things at the same time To get the most from this book read it before you go and pick out the activities you want to try at camp Then gather the supplies and tools you'll need to take along to do the projects Here are some simple things to remember Be Careful What You Eat Don't eat any plant or berry unless an adult who knows what it is tells you it s OK If they're not sure don't pick it Pitch In Help out with all the chores It will be easier for everyone and more fun Respect Nature Leave it cleaner than you found it and never destroy plants animals or their homes Stay With a Grown Up Don't walk away from camp without an adult It's very easy to get lost and diffi cult to find your way back in the
Nature Note The outdoors is our precious resource and by camping out you can learn about it
