Archive for the ‘family’ Category
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Children Fishing Safety Tips
Fishing with your children is a very relaxing and fun experience, but it could become a horrifying one if you’re not properly prepared for the worst. Being safe should be one of your prime concerns while out on a fishing boat, especially if you’re taking the trip with small children. This article will outline a few tips and precautions that you should take before going on your boating trip.
Basic Rules
It’s important that before you go out onto the water that you let any children know the basic rules that they need to abide by on a boat. These rules include no running, looking around you before you cast, and making sure that you keep your floatation device on. You should especially explain why each of these is important, as kids might not instantly realize that they could hurt someone else if they hit them with their cast. If they refuse to abide by the rules, find some way to lightly punish them that will make them realize the importance of the rules.
Buddy System
During a fishing trip it’s important that you stress the dangers of the water to everyone. It’s not a bad idea to establish a buddy system in which two people are with each other at all times. If you don’t feel comfortable with two children being the buddies in the buddy system simple pair one child with one adult. This will ensure that each child is properly watched by a respective adult.
Supplies
It’s important that you bring any sort of supplies that you feel you may need while on a boat. It will be hard to get back to shore and to the car if there was a medical emergency so make sure that you bring a first aid kit and any medication that you may need. It’s also a good idea to bring more personal items such as sunscreen or insect repellent. The last thing you want to remember about your fishing trip is how you were sunburned and got bitten by mosquitoes the entire time. If the weather is hot it’s important that you bring a sufficient supply of water or other cold drinks so that your family and friends don’t get dehydrated.
Take some time and read over the supplies listed in this article and consider any additional supplies you may need. Bringing children on a fishing trip can be a hassle, but if you develop a few basic rules and remember to bring any supplies you need then you will be sure to have a safe and fun fishing trip.
Photo Credits: XcBiker
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The Pros and Cons of Family Hiking
You’re out there on the trails, enjoying the feeling of an early-morning breeze and wondering why you don’t get out more often. When you look back to see the companion(s) you’ve brought with you, what do you see?
If you pictured a friend or a spouse, you may not have thought about how fun it could be to take your entire family hiking. And if you imagined your entire family – spouse, kids, and all – with you, you might have what it takes to be a great family hiker. But should you always bring your family with you on a hike? Here are some pro’s and con’s to help you consider the possibility.
Pros
- Exercise for the entire family – If you can get your kids hooked to physical activity at an early enough age, you won’t have to worry as much about their health and fitness. NOt only is exercising good for you, it’s good for the entire family, and promotes a sense of bonding that you can’t get at home watching television on two separate TV sets. Exercising is good, clean, honest fun – and it’s good for you, too.
- Teaching basic skills – the more hardcore family hikers will be able to relate certain skills to their children – survival skills and principles, the right mental attitude for tackling obstacles, and when they get older, even medical skills. Of course, in order to teach these skills, you have to know them yourself – why not making your childrens’ education a great excuse?
Cons
- Loss of solidarity – If you have a busy job that takes a lot out of you, sometimes a jaunt through the woods is exactly what the doctor ordered. As long as it’s alone. Some people simply need to get away, and this isn’t necessarily a bad thing: if you arrive back home re-energized and in a better mood, it will have been worth it. Sometimes you deserve to treat yourself to a good exercise session.
- Whining! Let’s face it: kids aren’t always angels. And when you’re trying to enjoy a camping trip, having two teenagers whine at you isn’t exactly what you envisioned. That’s why you’ll want to make sure you don’t force anyone into doing something they’re violently opposed to.
For many people, the positives of family hiking will far outweigh the negatives. For others, the negatives will outweigh the positives. Ask yourself what kind of experience seems most appealing to you.
Photo Credits: Yatmandu -
Fun Things to Do On a Camping Trip
In this digital age many people have no idea what they can do for fun on a camping trip in the great outdoors. There are so many possibilities for fun, whether you are a family with young children or a group of young adults, there is something that everyone can enjoy doing. This article will outline a few of the choices you have for having fun on your camping trip.
Fishing
If you go camping anywhere near a lake or body of water, why not try your luck in fishing? Many people find fishing relaxing and some people even find it to be a competition. ESPN has even aired shows where people are competition to catch the largest bass. You can teach your children how to fish, or you can turn your fishing experience into a competition of who can catch the biggest fish for dinner.
Go Exploring
Preferably if you’re camping you picked a location that is somewhere that’s not right next to a road. One of the biggest appeals to camping is the sense of adventure that you feel being alone outdoors. Kids and adults alike can appreciate exploring and finding neat animals, trees and streams in the woods. It is amazing how something like a climbable tree can go from being just a tree to being a discovery.
Scavenger Hunt
Can’t find a way to make your kids enjoy going for a hike? Why not try a scavenger hunt. All you have to do is compile a list of things that you want your kids to locate and watch as suddenly a boring hike turns into a fun game for them. Be sure to make the difficulty appropriate based on their age. If they’re young make it easy, and if they’re a little older make sure you make it appropriately more difficult.
Campfire Games
When it gets dark out that’s when there are all sorts of opportunities for fun games. You can tell ghost stories by the campfire or you can play flashlight tag out a ways. Be careful when it’s dark, however, as people can get hurt or even lost very easily in the woods. This is much more important if you’re camping in a habitat that supports animals like bears or any animal that poses a threat to humans.
With a little creativity you can turn a boring camping trip into a fun experience for your family or friends. Remember to keep the activities safe and make sure that everyone wants to do a certain activity; don’t focus on what just you want to do.
Photo Credits: wili_hybrid
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Three Reasons to Take Your Kids Camping
The tradition of camping began in the late 1800s as the world became more industrialized, suburbs sprouted around large cities, and people moved away from rural areas. As you can probably guess, camping as a recreational activity grew in popularity the less people had access to the American rural life, and since then it has been not only a national pastime but a way to teach some skills and values to our children. If you have been thinking about taking your kids camping but need a little nudge in the right direction, here are three more reasons.
Reason #1: To teach skills they can’t get otherwise.
You don’t have to be a Boy Scout troop leader in order to relate some of the great skills that camping can teach. One single camping trip can include skills like fire-starting, cooking, setting up campsites, fishing, swimming, rope-tying, and hiking. In other words, it’s a great way to learn some basic survival skills. Maybe your children won’t ever need to use these skills, but it’s a nice thing to pass on anyway. You don’t want to lose touch with nature, and staying out under the stars for a few nights is all it takes to feel comfortable outdoors again.
Reason #2: Confidence-building.
As a child learns how to be self-sufficient, they also learn confidence. Why? Because if they know they can handle themselves in the wilderness, they’ll learn that they can trust their own skills and instincts. This is a crucial way to build self-confidence and is employed by the Boy Scouts. Sometimes we forget just how easy we have it in a world of air-conditioning and indoor heating that we forget the innate value of self-sufficiency and what it does for our self-esteem.
Reason #3: It’s fun without the consequences.
What does that mean? Well, a year’s worth of video games might not always have the most positive effect on your child’s health. But activities you can do outdoors are almost always healthy and help build their level of fitness. This doesn’t mean you have to tackle an obstacle course when you’re out camping – simply being outside will include walking, jogging, and moving around that you can’t always get indoors. Video games are fun, too, but they can take their toll on the body. The more you can get your kids to play outdoors, the better.
Are these the only reasons to take your kids camping? Of course not. But if you take a trip soon, you’ll start to learn that your family has its own individual reasons for heading into the great outdoors.
Photo Credits: RichardBH
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Three Essential Camping Safety Tips for Families
Depending on just how daring you are, your camping trip with your family might or might not fraught with potential hazards. These hazards don’t necessarily refer to the minor inconveniences that come with bug bites or sleeping on a harder surface – instead, the more recklessly you camp, the more you expose your family to real danger. That’s why you’ll want to make sure you camp the right way from the first time on. These three camping safety tips will help you be prepared for camping hazards, hopefully leading to a safe and enjoyable camping trip for you and yours.
- Tip #1: Set clear rules for the campfire.
- One of the most obvious hazards involved with campfires. If you have smaller children who are in the stage of their life when their legspeed far exceeds their common sense and they feel like they have to explore, you’ll have to make it explicitly clear that the fire pit is not the place to explore. The campfire serves both practical and aesthetic purposes -it doesn’t need to be played with.
Once you’ve established clear boundaries for your children, give them viable alternatives to enjoy when it’s time to light the fire. Toys, stories, and even a portable video game can help them keep their mind occupied – and away from the fire. Remember to be acutely aware of where your children are once you light the fire.
- Tip #2: Scout out water yourself first.
If you’re near a new lake, pond, or river and aren’t exactly sure about issues like water depth, temperature, or potential hazards like animals or insects, you’ll want to take a dip yourself to make sure that everything will work well for your children. In destinations with higher traffic, this won’t typically be an issue. If you’re a little further out into the American frontier, however, you’ll want to make sure to act as the scout for your family.
- Tip #3: Make sure your children are aware of the dangers of provoking animals.
Even seemingly harmless creatures might carry diseases, so it’s important to make sure your children know how to react when they come across an animal. Larger mammals like raccoons can be potentially deadly – don’t just leave these situations to nature. Even if animals are generally scared away when they detect human activity, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t let your children know about animals. Don’t send them into situations where they might confront a dangerous animal.
Photo Credits: Joi
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What Kind of Boat Should You Buy?
If you’re an avid fisherman, you’ve probably had consistent access to one boat or another during your tenure out in the water. But if it’s come time to upgrade – or buy a new boat entirely – you’ll have to ask yourself what kind of boat is right for you. In this article, we’ll explain the different types of boats and why they might or might not fit your specific needs.
Boat Type #1: Aluminum fishing boats.
Many fishing boats are made from lightweight aluminum and include a simple steering motor in the back. These boats are typically built with no-frills: they’re simply about the fishing. If you are buying a boat simply for yourself, or are on a tight budget, this might be the boat for you. You can use it to fish or to take relaxing cruises around the lake.
Boat Type #2: Bowriders.Bowriders are some of the most common boats you’ll see on the lake, a sort of all-purpose boat that is targeted to the whole family. They work well for fishing, cruising, and typically will have more seating as well as accommodations for swimming. This is the type of boat to get if you have a family with different needs. You can use it in the morning for a fishing trip and in the afternoon for water skiing.
Boat Type #3: Pontoon boats.
Pontoon boats are the slower boats built as “floating docks” that you won’t really be using for water skiing. These are also a good boat for the family, and the amount of space will be great for fishing. If you have an adventurous streak, this might not be the boat for you, but it is frequently the type of boat that lakeside families really enjoy.
Boat Type #4: Walkaround boats.
Called the “ultimate family fishing boats,” walkaround boats are popular on the Great Lakes as they typically are capable of hauling in larger fish like salmon and other anglers. These boats will often be equipped with rod holders, making them great for deep-sea fishing, as well, and leading to many walkarounds being used in coastal areas.
Boat Type #5: Houseboats.
For the true boat and fishing enthusiasts, what could be better than living where you fish? Houseboats can be parked along coasts and rivers and some people even choose to make them their way of life. They can also be fantastic to rent and experience for a brief period of time before returning back to land, or as a “trial period” to see how you really enjoy the houseboats.
Photo Credits: Jiths
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Should You Go on a Safari?
Imagine it – you’re out there in the middle of a land that’s been called Eden, looking at some of the most impressive wildlife you’ve ever seen. Elephants, hyenas, leopards, and maybe even lions. Except this isn’t the zoo – the distance between these animals and you is only filled by air.
Sound thrilling?
Then maybe you should consider an African Safari, an outing typically the length of an entire vacation in which you are guided around wilderness that retains its prehistoric qualities and animals that don’t know what year it is. For many people, this is the only way to experience wildlife, while for others, a Safari can actually be a great challenge. Here are some tips on finding out if a Safari is the right kind of vacation for you and yours:
-Remember the financial commitment involved.
To get a lot out of an African Safari, you’re going to actually have to – naturally – travel to Africa and arrange about a week-long trip. Many programs will be able to offer tour guides, lodging, the whole package – but this will cost you. The first thing you’ll have to consider when planning an African Safari is the kind of money you’re willing to spend in order to have a good time and long-lasting memories.
-Where should you go on your Safari?
In this article, we’ve been addressing African Safaris, but that doesn’t mean you still won’t have plenty of options. You can consider options along the Indian Ocean, or East Africa in countries like Kenya. South Africa is also a frequent destination for people on Safari. Look up the local accommodations and the wildlife to see which trip best suits your ideas of a real African Safari.
-Make sure everyone else is on board.
If you’ve got a family, especially, you don’t want to drag along two kids that weren’t interested from the get-go. If you’re dead-set on going on a Safari but no one is as enthused as you and your spouse, you could plan on dropping the kids off at a relative’s. Make sure to get feedback on your Safari plans well before you even start thinking about the trip itself.
-If you plan on going, do your research thoroughly.
This includes checking testimonials from previous customers on specific Safari trips, requesting detailed itineraries from your Safari operator, and knowing exactly where you’ll be lodging. These are crucial questions that you’ll need answers to before you make any set-in-stone decisions about going on a Safari.
If you’re willing to front the cost and do your research, you won’t only find that you’re ready for a Safari, but that you’re already open to a wonderful new experience that the entire family can enjoy.
Photo Credits: yaaaay
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Take Your Children Hiking
Not sure what to do on your next vacation? Why not take your children hiking! Hiking can be an enjoyable experience for the entire family. There are many benefits to hiking as a family. Whether you’re going out for a day, a weekend, or for a whole week, this article will outline a few reasons why you should take your children hiking!
Exercise. These days it’s hard enough to get your children to eat right, let alone get enough exercise. Taking your children hiking can make exercise fun instead of a chore. There are many different types of trails to choose from. You can choose between paths around your local park and the longer trails in the state parks. Pace yourself and find the right trails to suit the abilities of yourself and of your children.
Education. There’s no better place to learn about nature than in nature. While you take your children to enjoy the great outdoors you can teach them many things. Teaching them to be responsible outdoorsmen can provide skills to serve them all through life, and show them how to enjoy hiking even more. In addition to these skills you can teach them about the different plants and animals that they can encounter while hiking. You can show them that hiking is not just a long walk, but a wonderful adventure.
Quality time. It’s harder and harder to find ways to spend quality time with your children. What better way to spend time with your kids than in the great outdoors. You don’t need to spend a great deal of money in order to make your time with your kids worthwhile. Hiking lets you get out and do something physically active with your kids. As we said earlier, you can even combine that physical challenge with a mental challenge while teaching your kids about nature.Conservation. There’s more concern now about nature than there has ever been. Just talking about conservation can have an impact, but what does it all mean without perspective? By taking your children out and hiking with them you show them why they should be concerned about nature. Your kids will gain an understanding about why conservation is important that’s more than just words. By teaching your children how to care for the outdoors you’ll be doing much more than what words could possible accomplish.
Ultimately hiking can be so much more than just a trek in the woods. It can help keep you and you children healthy. You can teach them about nature and how to navigate with a map and compass. Hiking gives you a way to spend time with your kids and teach them to love the outdoors and give them reason to want to take care of it. So the next time you’re stumped for what to do with your family, take them hiking!
Photo credits: Jonf728
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Taking your Kids Hiking
If you are planning on going hiking, the thought of taking your kids might have crossed your mind, for a brief second, and then you might have dismissed it by just imagining the sound of their cry after fifteen minutes of walking, the whining that they are hungry, or the moan that they are bored. After all, who would even consider taking a child on a hiking excursion? While filled with challenges, hiking with children can enrich their lives and yours. When you’re tired and frustrated on the trail, remind yourself of the many benefits of hiking with your children.
Hiking is a special activity to do with your children. Getting away from all the stress of everyday life gives you a chance to talk to your kids about their interests and dreams, not just what they want for dinner or this week’s homework assignment. Bring a field guide if you can or even a book about birds and plants and have fun identifying the birds and plants you see with your child. Some field guides will tell you about the traditional edible and medicinal uses of plants. If you’re hiking in the Southwest, you might pass archaeological sites. Hiking can be a great way to learn about nature and history as real things instead of just words in a book.
Helping your child develop a lifelong habit of exercise is one of the best things you can do for his or her health. Hiking is a fun, exciting outdoor activity that doesn’t require a big expense. Nature encourages imaginative, creative play, and experiencing nature is an important part of childhood. Kids that get to experience nature firsthand will be more likely grow up to respect and love the world around them. Hiking can be a physical and mental challenge for kids, and completing a trail may give them a sense of satisfaction and increase their self-confidence. Just be careful to choose trails that are an appropriate difficulty level for your child, one that is not too hard or frustrating.Hiking with children can be a great way to introduce young ones to the wonders of nature. By planning successful, enjoyable hikes when they’re young, you’ll set your children on the path to a lifetime of outdoor adventures. The best advice about hiking with kids and what they are able to endure is to remember this, children 2 to 4 years old can hike ½ to 2 miles on their own. They should stop every 10 to 15 minutes to rest. Children ages 5 to 7 can hike for 1 to 3 hours each day, covering 3 to 4 miles over easy terrain. Rest stops should come every 30 to 45 minutes. Older children, up to the age of nine can hike a full day at an easy pace, covering 5 to 6 miles over variable terrain. Set your group’s goals based on the youngest child’s ability. Generally, children over 4 will do better with a fanny pack but be prepared to carry it out for them. Stay flexible and know when to stop and go home.
Photo Credit: pmorgan
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A Camping Trip the Family Can Enjoy
When it comes to camping trips, many people first imagine a fading-fire-filled, mosquito-swatting nature experience that doesn’t feel very natural at all. Especially for parents with families and children to take care of, getting into the Great Outdoors can feel more like a chore than a vacation.
Thankfully, there are ways to make sure you end up enjoying your camping trip, and these ways won’t necessarily cost you more money. Having a fun camping trip that your entire family can enjoy is about following some basic strategies that you won’t have to change your schedule around too much: and you can do many of them at home. Here are some great strategies for having a successful camping trip that everyone in your family enjoys.
First, remember that preparation is key. Doing all of your work up front means that once it comes time for camping, you’re prepared for anything that might head your way. While this is the “boring,” “safe” way to go camping, the way that seems rigid and inflexible, you’ll find that solid preparation is really the key to maintaining flexibility and providing for the ability to pursue a number of options. Does your family notice a chance to go hiking? If you’ve prepared with the right equipment, you’ll be ready.
How do you prepare for a camping trip, and what are the things to consider? First, you’ll want to mentally run through a typical day at camp. How will you wake up? Will you be under a dry tent, and will your sleep be comfortable? How will you eat breakfast, how will you wash up, and what activities can you try throughout the day that you’ll enjoy? These are some great questions to ask yourself.In particular, pay attention not only to a typical day for yourself, but what a family might need to do while camping. This will depend on the age range of your children, but you should already have a solid grip on what your specific children’s needs will be.
Out of this process, you’ll be able to form a “to-do” or “to-pack” checklist that will ensure you don’t forget anything on vacation day. You’ll not only be more likely to pack everything you’ll need, but you’ll feel more confident and secure when it comes time to leave.
Second, you’ll want to do some solid scouting. Make sure you’re choosing a campsite that isn’t too rustic or adventuresome. You want your family to have a good time, and many times, going the safe route and just letting your kids get a “taste” of nature is all that’s required to create a really authentic experience.
Keep in mind that these two strategies will help you remain flexible in the future: preparation should include preparing for the unexpected, and potential adventures that might come up. Be open-minded about your options and you’ll find out just how successful of a family camper you can be.
Photo Credit: Just-Us-3
