As families look for ways to enjoy the outdoors while keeping a safe distance from others, the popularity of dispersed camping with children is rapidly increasing.
Most of the time, our family prefers dispersed camping instead of designated campsites. I enjoy the fact that the kids (and dog) can roam freely, and we have complete independence without any concerns of disturbing others.
Dispersed camping, as defined, refers to camping outside of designated campgrounds. Forest camping, particularly in national forests, is our preferred method. A bonus of camping in dispersed areas with children is the cost, as it is both free for regular camping and free for RV camping. However, it is important to remember that this does not grant unlimited freedom in terms of actions.
When engaging in dispersed camping, whether with or without children, it is important to adhere to certain general guidelines. These guidelines serve to ensure safety and demonstrate proper respect for our national resources and future campers.
How to Go Dispersed Camping with Kids
When it comes to dispersed camping, you have the freedom to camp in any manner you prefer. People frequently choose to sleep in tents or hammocks, but it is common for us to bring along our camper and utilize it without access to water or electricity.
Although I had vowed to never become a “camper family,” the experience becomes significantly better when camping with five young children. Consequently, if we want to utilize the lights or pumps in our camper, we are constrained by our battery capacity or must rely on a solar option to recharge them.
Be familiar with local rules and regulations
When engaging in dispersed camping with children, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the specific regulations of each area.
In Jackson, WY, you have the option to engage in dispersed camping on the national forest, but it is not permitted on Park Service land. Moreover, dispersed camping serves as a highly favored choice for summer accommodation due to the exorbitant prices in this area. Consequently, numerous dispersed camping areas are restricted to designated sites to minimize potential harm.
To obtain information about your specific area, you can conduct a search on the websites of public lands in your local region.
Plan Your Activities
I have discovered that it is preferable to avoid scheduling excessive activities while camping. Instead, it is advantageous to have a variety of potential activities, such as hiking, swimming, and exploring the camping site. Surprisingly, this can be more thrilling than anticipated. Occasionally, we engage in constructing fairy houses with the children, taking precautions not to damage anything on the forest ground. We simply utilize leaves, acorn caps, and twigs to craft small houses amidst the visible roots of trees or surrounding rock formations.
If you are going backpacking, it is recommended to bring a deck or two of cards for when you have free time. Additionally, it is useful to carry a lightweight frisbee or any other lightweight toy. Moreover, we always make sure to bring a book for each person.
The most enjoyable aspect of camping involves not bringing phones, computers, or any other electronic devices. Therefore, take a break and appreciate the surrounding environment!
Prepare Sufficient Food
In my opinion, the food is a crucial aspect in almost any activity, including camping. Over the years, I have discovered that proper preparation is the key to a successful camping trip. I often begin organizing and freezing items weeks in advance, up until the day before our departure. A few years ago, a close friend introduced me to wonderful meal suggestions that do not rely on dehydrated packages, and since then, we have never returned to our old ways. During our camping adventures, we frequently indulge in fresh breads, cinnamon rolls, and even sushi. Our daughters eagerly anticipate the special meals that accompany our camping excursions.
Here are some suggestions for considering the text from a step-by-step perspective while keeping the meaning unchanged: 1. Start by examining the given passage. 2. Carefully think through each sentence and its meaning. 3. Begin rephrasing the first sentence while ensuring the same message is conveyed. 4. Move on to the next sentence, again rephrasing it without altering the information. 5. Continue this process for each sentence until the entire text has been rephrased. 6. Double-check that the rephrased text accurately reflects the original meaning and does not include any new information. 7. Make any necessary adjustments or refinements to the rephrased text, if needed. 8. Review the revised text to ensure it remains coherent and maintains the same meaning as the original passage.
- A lightweight, flexible plastic cutting board works as a great flat, clean surface.
- Measure out and pack dry ingredients like flour, yeast, baking powder, powdered milk, and oatmeal in separate Ziploc bags. These can be divided among the backpacks.
- Someone gave us a vacuum sealer and I don’t know how I lived without it before! Vacuum seal portions or separate meals. The smaller amounts make it easier to divvy it among the packs.
- Tortillas make great sandwiches and layered dinners that can be baked over a campfire.
- Bring along a pan that can double as an oven or baking unit (we have an old outback oven).
- Bring already cooked and seasoned veggies (these can be added to a variety of meals).
- Personal snack bags: Before your trip, lay out a variety of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds in separate bowls and give everyone their own Ziploc bag. Let each person fill his or her own bag with whatever he or she wants to create their own “GORP” travel mix for the trip.
Leave No Trace when Dispersed Camping with Kids
Breaking it down, this guideline is unequivocally the most important one to remember. In conclusion? When you depart, your campsite should appear untouched by human presence. Let’s further analyze it.
Pack out your poop
Digging a “cat hole” is an accepted practice in various locations; however, with the increasing number of campers in backcountry areas, it is more advisable to bring waste with you instead. The presence of numerous cat holes becomes a potential hazard for future campers.
It is well-known that children will spend a significant amount of time exploring during camping trips, and it is important to prevent them from coming across piles of feces. Find out effective ways to handle poop when engaging in dispersed camping with kids.
Consider your campfire
When camping in dispersed areas with children, it is often possible to find a fire ring that has been previously used by someone else, even if there is no designated one. Instead of constructing a new fire ring, it is recommended to utilize the existing one.
A fire pan is another excellent choice for containing a fire without any mess from coals. After the coals have cooled down, you can simply place them in a trash bag.
Always ensure that your fire is completely extinguished before leaving it unattended. This implies that the fire should be completely cool to touch and can be further doused with water if necessary. It is crucial to avoid any unintentional wildfires for which you might be held accountable.
Stick to already established trails and roads when dispersed camping with kids
If it is wet outside and the natural resources are vulnerable, it is crucial to follow these steps: stick to roads, stick to trails, and encourage your children to do the same.
If children feel tempted to deviate from the path, an alternative can be engaging in a game of “jump over the root/crack/stick” during their journey.
