Post by: ctwiggs1 on March 29, 2017, 12:04:25 PM
I'm excited as ever to get them into the outdoors as much as possible, and my oldest is showing that he loves everything about the outdoors. Anytime we can get his jacket, hat, and boots on him he is ready to roll. Even if he's sick he wants to "go outside play".
My wife and I want to up the camping game this year, and frankly the stuff we have just isn't going to cut it. Ideally, we'd like to take both our dogs as well. I don't think my dogs, two kids, and us are going to fit inside my Marmot Tungsten 2 person :chuckle:
The three tents I'm leaning toward are an Alaknak 12x12, the Kodiak Canvas 10x14, and the Cabela's Outback Lodge (not liking this as much... floor looks like it'll last 2 seconds with my dogs). My thought with the Alaknak is that if we do it right, we could all fit comfortably with plenty of space for friends to come along, and it would be great if we ever get back into big camp hunting (doubtful on that but it's possible). Yes we will be bringing a Pack n Play.... Feel free to shun me for that but I'm terrified of rolling onto my kid when I'm sleeping.
Any advice from others with small kids is appreciated. Or overall family camping advice. I didn't do a lot of camping growing up and my intro as a young adult was more back country camping so maybe I'm overthinking this a little bit?
Thanks in advance guys (and gals)
Post by: Woodchuck on March 29, 2017, 12:09:33 PM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on March 29, 2017, 12:10:22 PM
I think the 12X12 Alaknak will get pretty small pretty quick with kids, pets, coolers, sleeping bags etc. I have the 12x20 and have taken it on several just camping trips. It really is pretty easy to set up with two adults and you have lots more space. When folded up and put away it takes less space than you might think.
Just curious how big are they when they're packed up? Thanks for the response!
Post by: jackelope on March 29, 2017, 12:13:28 PM
Post by: Fl0und3rz on March 29, 2017, 12:14:50 PM
Post by: BeWitty on March 29, 2017, 12:16:40 PM
Post by: Woodchuck on March 29, 2017, 12:19:36 PM
Post by: jrebel on March 29, 2017, 12:23:21 PM
Otherwise just make sure you have plenty of activities planned for the young ones. We always took a bug / insect collection kit, small shovels / rakes, plenty of balls and toys to keep them occupied. As they grew older a BB gun was a must.
The hardest part to having little ones camping was keeping them comfortable in weather extremes...cold or hot. We were pretty selective on the weather when camping with our kids when they were super young.
Post by: WSU on March 29, 2017, 12:33:52 PM
Post by: bracer40 on March 29, 2017, 01:01:23 PM
Good times.
Post by: ctwiggs1 on March 29, 2017, 02:18:31 PM
The hardest part to having little ones camping was keeping them comfortable in weather extremes...cold or hot. We were pretty selective on the weather when camping with our kids when they were super young.
Totally get that. I told my wife I don't see us doing a lot of camping in July or August if it's a hot summer, and that we should be thinking May-June and Sept-Oct. July-Aug would be better months typically I think for AirBNB or cabins.
Is a camp trailer out of the question?
Yeah, we have a Durango but I just don't see the tow capability for anything over the pass except an ultralite, which would be too small. We've looked at a lot of camping trailers and I think they would be fine... Until I add humans, dogs, gear, food, and the pass.
Post by: Buckmark on March 29, 2017, 03:15:23 PM
I have had 3 in my life, 1st one i towed with a 2wd toyota pu, then a Ford Aerostar van V6 went to montana, yellowstone, glacier and all over washington with 3 boys and the wife till we upgraded to a big trailer and a suburban..
Post by: jrebel on March 29, 2017, 03:23:29 PM
These look totally legit and you can find a smaller model that will tow with your durango. It would give you more room to have gear as well as you have the trailer deck. I was considering the largest so I could take the side by side with me on a more regular basis. I wish it had a stove jack sewn in though.
Post by: Buckmark on March 29, 2017, 03:26:29 PM
https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/rvs/6060138434.html
Post by: Mudman on March 29, 2017, 05:08:11 PM
Post by: Mark Brenckle on March 29, 2017, 05:36:31 PM
Nice little setup right hereThis is what I'd recommend as well, we had one when I was a kid (4 kids, 1 adult and a dog). Sets up quick, a little heat if you need it and running water sure makes it a little easier to clean up. My older brother continued using ours when he had 2 kids, I'm pretty sure we got 25 years of use out of that old thing.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/rvs/6060138434.html
Post by: syoungs on March 29, 2017, 06:37:21 PM
Setup of the 12x20 only takes me about 10 minutes longer then setting up an outback lodge 12x12, if I do it by myself, with a partner, it's equal.
The 12x20 allows room to grow, and a place to hangout in bad weather if needed, plus the stove option is great. The price difference is worth saving a little more imho, and I believe resale value to be higher on the 12x20 then the 12x12.
92xj has a sweet springbar, I think it might get cramped for 4 with dogs, but I do envy that tent, would be great for when I'm rolling solo or with only one other person for sure!
Post by: rosscrazyelk on March 30, 2017, 06:13:58 AM
We camped in a 8 man Westwind by Cabelas until the zipper on the rain fly broke. Now we have the Guardian 8 man. We fit no problem. Plenty of room to play if it's crappy outside. I mean unless it is bad you are outside most the time anyway.
I put down a outdoor rug on the inside so the dogs claws don't year it up. Also we put the dogs straight into the kennel once inside.
Post by: ctwiggs1 on March 30, 2017, 06:14:39 AM
http://www.jumpingjacktrailers.com/index.php
These look totally legit and you can find a smaller model that will tow with your durango. It would give you more room to have gear as well as you have the trailer deck. I was considering the largest so I could take the side by side with me on a more regular basis. I wish it had a stove jack sewn in though.
Too rich for my blood! :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on March 30, 2017, 06:41:18 AM
Honestly, I really disliked camping with small kids. It was a full time job to keep them alive :chuckle: they are 4 and 7 now and we have a blast. They don't try and eat dirt or crawl in the fire. They don't trip over EVERY SINGLE stick, rock, or dimple in the ground :chuckle:
Post by: cbond3318 on March 30, 2017, 07:02:41 AM
If done right camping with the little ones is the best thing on earth!! Good luck with whichever way you go, being out there with them is number one , the rest is just static. :tup:
Post by: ctwiggs1 on March 30, 2017, 07:43:07 AM
Camp trailer with a shower :chuckle:
Honestly, I really disliked camping with small kids. It was a full time job to keep them alive :chuckle: they are 4 and 7 now and we have a blast. They don't try and eat dirt or crawl in the fire. They don't trip over EVERY SINGLE stick, rock, or dimple in the ground :chuckle:
I would be lying if i I didn't admit I'm at least slightly terrified of this.
Post by: Fl0und3rz on March 30, 2017, 01:39:29 PM
Post by: WSU on March 30, 2017, 02:02:36 PM
Post by: grundy53 on March 30, 2017, 02:24:05 PM
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Post by: Alchase on March 30, 2017, 02:32:53 PM
https://www.campersland.com/weathermaster10.html?gclid=CJqg24mS_9ICFRBxfgod0AAL8Q
The wife and I on one side with a queen blowup mattress, the kids on the other with blankets and sleeping bags. Once the kids started getting older we let them stay in a cheap dome tent.
I upgraded to a Cabellas West Wind 8 man for hunting.
Kids the age of yours are easy to entertain, but they need to be entertained constantly. There are some fantastic state parks in Washington, they are great for kid camping. Most even have story time when park rangers come in and tell cool stories around the campfire. Our kids loved these and the guided tours. Remember they do not know what "real wilderness" is yet, so Snipe hunts, trips to the bathroom in the dark with flashlights are an adventure to them. Exploration games go over really well. At that age they zonk out pretty early after an active day, then Mom and Dad get a little alone time. Meals can be easy, hotdogs for dinner, you can even put them on sticks and let them cook the dogs over the fire with Mom and Dads help. Lunchables are always a hit for lunch. Keep the meals simple and easy to prepare.
It is really fun to see how exited they get with simple things like tidal pools and small streams, star gazing!
Keep them dry and warm, and wear them out.
You and the kids will make memories that last forever.
Post by: JDHasty on March 30, 2017, 03:09:02 PM
Bridget's first trip she was about five month's old. It was in April, to Sprague to meet up with a guy and get one of the dogs bread. She kept taking our covers off and the wife and I nearly froze solid. I had only my Compact II by Hunter that I had when I was single back then and it had a single double bed and I didn't bother with the heater unless it was in the dead of winter. Then we got a Stealth 2216 Toy hauler and Elise's first trip was to Omak Stampede when she was about two weeks old. Dale was born in May and I think his first trip was to Scootney Reservoir when he was a couple weeks old.
For our kids going camping all summer is just a normal part of life. I am probably going to buy a wall tent w/frame soon because Bridget is really interested in tent camping more.
Post by: CJ1962 on March 30, 2017, 05:21:39 PM
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Post by: Fl0und3rz on March 31, 2017, 10:09:40 AM
Post by: Alchase on March 31, 2017, 12:20:23 PM
Never and I mean Never forget the Smores!
You night make it through one night with only marshmallows to roast, after that their will be mutiny and blood!
The kids will be really disappointed as well
Post by: Fl0und3rz on March 31, 2017, 12:30:23 PM
Post by: trapp01 on March 31, 2017, 01:35:24 PM
Post by: JDHasty on March 31, 2017, 05:06:17 PM
Awesome get them out there. me, wife , kids 2 & 4 two labs have been boat in tent camping aat banks lake Since the kids were 3 months old. Defiantly bring a pack and play. if your kids still nap and it's gonna be hot out, we picked up a battery powered fan to move some air. Also we'd bring a silver tarp to throw over the tent to darken it down for nap times. My wife doesnt understand "packing light" so we'd have to make multiple trips or sometimes tow our jon boat behind our wakeboard boat. Bug spray was huge. My kids have hardcore allergies and asthma so I made sure to have backup power, nebulizer, epi-pens and an extensive first aid kit. We used a 10x14 cheapo fred Meyer tent. Glow sticks and sun block. Have fun!
Every type & brand of bug spray known to mankind & AfterBite is a must have along.