Laurie Carlson is the author of Colonial Kids, Westward Ho!, More Than Moccasins, and Green Thumbs. She has taught preschool, primary grades, and children’s art classes. She lives in Cheney, Washington.

Kids Camp!

Activities for the Backyard or Wilderness

By Laurie Carlson, Judith Dammel

Chicago Review Press Incorporated

Copyright © 1995 Laurie Carlson and Judith Dammel
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-55652-237-6

Contents

A NOTE TO GROWN-UP CAMPERS,
A NOTE TO KID CAMPERS,
GET READY, GET SET ... PACK UP!,
MAKE CAMP,
NATURAL WONDERS,
CAMP CRAFTS,
FUN & GAMES,
TAKE A HIKE,
TIME TO EAT!,
LIGHTS OUT!,
SAY GOODBYE,
RESOURCES,

CHAPTER 1

GET READY, GET SET ... PACK UP!

Clothes to Take

Take clothing that will keep you warm when it's cold, or cool when the day heats up. Weather that is sunny in the daytime can turn cold at night. Sunny weather can turn to rain or hail when a cloud blows in. It's important to take clothing that is practical rather than cute.

When you are deciding on clothing to take, think of clothes that you can "layer." Take a loose-fitting coat that can be worn over a T-shirt, sweatshirt, and sweater. When you dress this way, you can add a heavier shirt over the shirt you are wearing when it turns cooler instead of changing into a completely new shirt. You will be warmer when the weather turns really nippy.

Sit down and make a list of what clothing you will need. Start from the head and work down to the feet.

For your head you will need a hat with a brim to keep off the sun and to protect you from the heat. You will need a rainhat if your raincoat or poncho does not have one. You will need a winter hat, such as a knitted stocking hat, to wear at night or when it is cool. Wear it to bed to keep you toasty warm. It is important to keep your head covered when it's cold because you lose a great deal of body heat through your head.

It is a good idea to take a light shirt, such as a T-shirt, for those warm sunny days. If it is hot where you are camping, you should still wear a shirt to protect you from getting sunburned. To keep cool, you can dip the T-shirt in water and wear it wet.

You will need a long-sleeved shirt to put on over your T-shirt when you start to feel cool. A sweatshirt or flannel shirt is great. Over this you may want to layer a warm sweater or heavier sweatshirt. When the air turns really cool, you will want to wear your loose-fitting coat over these. This is probably enough to take for normal weather. In case of rain, you will want to take a rainhat, poncho, or raincoat.

Legs also need to be protected from the weather. A pair of shorts with pockets are handy for your journal, magnifying glass, pencil, and map. You can wear warm-ups over them, too. When the weather turns cold, a pair of long underwear underneath the sweatpants can warm up your legs. If the air is very cold, wear your long underwear, warm-ups, and another pair of pants over them.

You won't need to wear this much clothing often, but it's a good idea to be prepared. Be sure that your clothing is loose and comfortable. If the layers are squeezed too tightly the air will not circulate and you will not stay as warm. Jeans are not a good choice as they can become wet with the dew and rain. When denim material is wet your pants are heavy, cold, and tight on your legs. Denim also takes a long time to dry out. A loose pair of pants made out of wool or wool-blend would be perfect.

Hands and feet also need protection. Hands get cold, and a pair of mittens or gloves will do the job. Gloves are nice when you need to use all your fingers. If you don't need to use individual fingers, mittens will keep your hands warmer.

Feet are one of the most important parts of the body when you're hiking. Blisters caused by wet feet or poorly fitting shoes can keep you from enjoying the hike. Take enough pairs of socks to always have dry socks on your feet. It is a good idea to wear two pairs of stockings. A thin stocking to wear under heavy wool socks is ideal. Make sure there are no wrinkles or holes so that the socks fit comfortably.

Now, most important — shoes. Soft hiking boots are much better than hard leather ones. Hard leather boots take a long time — sometimes years — to break in, and, until they are comfortable, you will suffer from blisters. Soft hiking boots can often be worn right out of the store with no problem. When you go to buy new boots, bring the socks that you plan to wear, and try on the boots over those socks. The boots should not rub or pinch your feet. Walk around the store. Do your heels move up and down as you walk? If they do, then the boots are too big. Do your toes pinch as you walk? This means that the boots are too small or too tight across the toes. Have a knowledgeable salesperson help you with the fit.

If you don't have hiking boots, tennis shoes will usually do fine, unless you plan on hiking many miles over steep or rocky terrain. Make sure that your shoes fit well and that they don't have holes. If you can't fit two pairs of socks under them, pick out one pair of comfortable socks. The socks should not have any holes that could rub your skin. Take two pairs of shoes along. If one pair gets wet, it can dry while you wear the other pair.

Clothes to Make

The section before this one, "Clothes to Take," talks about choosing the proper clothing to take on your camping adventure. It's always important to be prepared for any type of weather or terrain. You would not want being cold or wet to get in the way of the world of fun that's waiting for you in nature.

You probably will have to buy or borrow most of the clothes that you take out into the great outdoors; however, here are a couple of suggestions for clothes you can create. These things are easy and fun to make, and you can tell your family and friends that you did it yourself.

Poncho

MATERIALS

Plastic tarp or vinyl shower curtain
Velcro strips
Markers
Scissors
Heavy-duty glue, or needle and thread

* Make a simple poncho to protect you from rain showers. Spread a plastic tarp or vinyl shower curtain out on the floor, and fold it in half. Lie on it with your arms spread out along the fold. Have a friend mark where your wrists are on the plastic.

Cut the poncho to make a square long enough to cover your arms. Cut a hole in the center just large enough to fit your neck through, and cut the front open. Use glue, or needle and thread, to attach Velcro pieces along the front opening.

Warm Woolies

MATERIALS

Pair adult-sized wool socks
Marker
Scissors
Needle and thread

* Turn a sock inside out and put it over your hand. Draw a "V" between your thumb and your index finger, leaving some space around your thumb for sewing. Cut along the line through both sides of the sock. Use your needle and thread to sew the cut edges together. Make small stitches to prevent it from unraveling. Repeat with the other sock. Turn right side out and wear!

Make Your Own Camp Gear

Camping out means you get to live a bit differently than you do at home, but you still need a comfortable place to sleep, dishes and storage containers for food, packs to carry stuff in, and first-aid supplies.

Plan ahead for your trip. Think about where you are going to camp. What will the weather be like? What activities do you plan to do? What things will you need? Make a list and sort out the items you plan to take. What will you borrow, buy, or make?

Before you pack, set aside some time to make some of your own gear. It's fun to put it together yourself. Here are some ideas for things you can make...