Backyard Camp Out

This is just something I wanted to share with you guys .Last night I finally decided to try sleeping outdoors with my 8 year old son I was convinced that it would end with "Dad I don't like this it's cold /damp /scary" any one of a dozen reasons
How wrong was I he loved it he must have been up and down about 10 times during the night inluding star gazing about 01-30 hrs I on the other hand did not share his degree of excitement and am rather short of sleep but the memory of his face was worth the effort
Cheers

very nice. i can't wait to get my kids out camping when they get a little older.

The lack of sleep for parents during a camp out has always been an issue. Put the little ones in a folding play pen so they can not escape. You will sleep better. For family camping you can't beat a cot.

I really think you revert back to a more normal/natural sleep pattern when in the woods. Watch any animal at night and you will see periods where they are alert and then doze back off. I think this slight awakening to check the surroundings is quite natural and definitely leads to better survival success. Zombies only come at night you know.

Sounds like the boy had a great time. I can imagine he will want to do this for years to come and will look forward to camping now that he has experianced the magic of sleeping outside.

Great story bro!!!

My honeybear is really wanting to go camping...We have a pond near our house that looks promising

hmm do they arrest 5 year olds for tresspassing?

Started camping with my kids before they could walk.
Great times to be had by all when done right

I also highly recommend the ice cream ball. I think LLBean makes them. Fill them with mix, rock salt and ice. The kids roll for hours in the grass/weeds and enjoy ice cream when done.

That's great. I started my kids out at camping at 3 years old. That was tough because of the dangers of fire, my knives etc. At 4 it got a bit easier, now that my boys are 5 and 7 they are much easier to deal with. I took them both on 2 winter trips here in AZ and the younger one was right at home in 14 degree weather. My 7 year old did a fair bit of complaining, but once the fire gets going, the complaining stops. It's fire stick time.

I have seen them at REI and wasn't sure if they worked? Is good yes?

I saw those at cabela's the last time I was there. I really really wanted to get it.

Every year you and your son grow older and busier, this experience will become more priceless jd01. If you feel gratification for your efforts at spending time with him now, your memories of it 10 years from now will be even better!