5 days of summer . . . Adventure for boys: Camping

I'm joining Sarah Robinson of  Sidetracked Sarah and the team of the "5 days of series" to talk about various topics under the heading 5daysof summer . . . The topics range from summer recipes, games, and crafts for the kids to 5 days of summer . . . for Mom (and everything fun in between). Beginning June 17 - 21 we will be blogging about all things summer.  My topic of choice is 5 days of summer . . . adventure for boys. The specific titles are listed below. I do hope you will follow along to be encouraged, inspired and to get ideas for a summer full of adventure! 

*Girls like adventure too - hey, I'm a girl! This article is about boys because I have them & it's a fun title. You can apply the things that work for you and your family. The real point is to get the family outdoors! 

• Benefits of outdoor adventure  
• Getting out with little ones - where to start
• Exploring in style - outfitted for adventure 
• Boys and camping - printable camp checklist 
• Extreme sports - introducing your kids to  BIG Adventure (safely)

Moms, you can take the kids camping! I love it when my husband is available to go with us, the family time is our favorite thing. However, he does work for a living. Instead of waiting until he is able to go, we take off whenever possible on our own. Here are a few things I do to make things easier:

• don't wait for an emergency to make emergency plans - be prepared 
• have a first aide kit - up to date 
• keep a plastic bin with cooking utensils, pots & necessities next to cook stove - ready to go
• keep sleeping bags rolled up and together to grab quickly 
• keep blow up mattress's and pump together for comfort 
• fans and cords cool things off when the weather is hot 
• sweep out the tent after each use when breaking down camp - small broom or hand sweeper 
• pop up stools or chairs on standby to rest while breaking down or setting up camp 
• stay hydrated 
• meal prep ahead of time for easy on-site preparation (wash & wrap potatoes in foil - chop veggies) 

A simple fan can make a world of difference during hot weather

Packaging food in ways it won't be ruined outdoors. Slice fruit ahead of time. 

Use a tote for daily picnics on the trails or as you explore away from camp each day. 

Set up your home away from home to be comfortable. Use a table cloth. Keep a kitchen bin on hand to pack food up at night - lock it in the car to keep critters out of your tent (ask me how I know this) 

Don't be afraid to explore with the kids in the great outdoors. With a little extra planning and some good common sense, you can have a wonderful time making memories that last forever.

Download:  FREE camping checklist here
                    FREE camp kitchen checklist here
                    FREE emergency checklist here

Giveaway: 

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#31days of Exploring God's Creation - Day 28 - Field Trip'in

This series throughout October is brought inspired by-
My3BoyBarians & The Nesting Place





Day 28 - Field Trip'in



Field trips are a wonderful way to get out and explore God's creation!

Here is a peak at one of our field trips:

Visit a local farm or ranch- We went with some homeschool friends out into the country
to famous Babcock Ranch Wilderness Adventures- except, we were actually on the private part of the property - cause we have special friends- so we didn't have to pay $19.95 for an eco-tour ride in a swamp buggy- we just borrowed one. Too much red-neck fun to even describe y'all!

This sweet little guy was hanging out on the farm: 

 

And y'all may recognize at least one of these wild creatures: 

(that would be Jenn@DazeofAdventure there on the end- far right) These ladies had so much fun 

in the red-neck buggy, you could hear them *squealing from a mile away! 

The kids ran and played and stayed perfectly content with absolutely NO technology! 

(or even electricity- we were wilderness camping y'all) 

It's more difficult than I realized to get good pictures from a bouncing red-neck buggy! 

(and I mean that with all due respect- I love that red-neck buggy)

I'm certain all the happy *squealing scared off any animals that may have been around
but, I didn't care. . . 

I was perfectly content to shoot the beautiful sky 

As the sun began to sink and the shadows fell

That pretty sky. . . 

. . . became glorious! God is good- 

Psalm 19: 1 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Camping at Babcock Ranch- One of our Favorite Field Trips! 

Excited to be a part of a group of homeschoolers who camp

on a regular basis this year! Our camping season is upon us-

we cannot wait to be a part of the fellowship and fun in the great outdoors!

linking up with:

                        

I'm truly grateful and I've been working on my gratitude list 

My "joy pockets" My "1000 gifts" 

#10 - soft music playing in the background

#11 - rough hands, hard working, soft heart- the man who still adores me

#12 - pain, yes- because without it I my journey would be different

#13 - unbridled laughter of brothers in the yard

#14- visit from a special sister in-law

#15 - eyes wide open, boundaries 

#16 - cooler mornings that warrant hot tea with sugar and cream 

#17 - true friends even far away who remain close to the heart

#18 - big shiny blue eyes - excited, full of love 

#19 - courage to do what is right, when it is the hard thing 

#20 - special "sisters" new friends I've never even met who are bonded in a way that 

some will sadly never understand 

#21- the woman, the "stranger" who went to her knees - quietly in her closet today 

petitioning God for my healing - thank you! 

#22 - parents who taught me to dream 

 

#23- my dream come true (there they are! my beach boys! all 4 of them!)

 

#31days of Exploring God's Creation - Day 18- Stopping to Smell the Wildflowers

#31days of . . . is a series started by
 Nester of  "Nesting Place"  and
Darcy of "My3boybarians"   along with
about 6 other most fabulous bloggers from
around the web- fortunately, for this year's
October creative marathon, they've opened
it up for others (like me) to join in. There are
literally hundreds and hundreds of bloggers
involved in writing on a single topic for #31days!

Welcome to day #18 -of "Exploring God's Creation"

Stopping To Smell the Wildflowers: 

On our camping trip this past week, we had some wonderful quiet family time to 

simply stop and smell the wildflowers! They may not be fancy like roses, but there is something

refreshing about the fact that they just grow where they grow because they are supposed to! 

Know what I mean???

Luke 12:27 

"Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labor or spin. 

Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor, was dressed as one of these."

 I'm  thankful that all three of my energetic, rugged, dirty faced little boys can appreciate their beauty!!!

 

It may not last forever, but for now, they are perfectly willing to stop their running- just for awhile, 

and consider the flowers which grow in the fields - to "oooooh and aaaaaah" with mommy

over some pretty weeds; to discuss the vivid colors and abundant variety 

                   

and even maybe take the time to see who lives nearby. . . . .

"Exploring God's Creation" is SO about the lovely little details He shaped for you and me! 

If you're interested in reading my other #31days articles: 

Day#1- The Value of the "Family Walk" 

Day#2- Nature's Stimulus Package

Day#3- Have No Fear- Just Be Prepared 

Day#4- Nature Family Bootcamp 

Day#5- Camp Gear Printable Checklist

Day#6- Camp Kitchen Printable Checklist  

Day#7-  Camp Checklist-Travel Pack + Fun Xtras (printable) 

Day#8-  Everyday Exploring  

Day#9-  It's the Simple Things

Day#10- Lesson Plans, Naturally  

Day#11- Aussies Say "Barefoot Kids Are Smarter"

Day#12- National Earth Science Week

Day#13- Nature School

Day#14- As the Deer Panteth For the Water 

Day#15- When Cat's Attack 

Day#16- All Creatures Great and Small

Day#17- Creativity, It's a Good Thang

Thank you for visiting! Y'all come back now- ya hear? 

Other #31dayers I think you'll enjoy:

 Mandy- Biblical Homemaking                               Heathalee-ButterflyGenes:           

Melanie- Only A Breath                                  Amy- Missional Mamas Soul

         

Amanda-ImpressYourKids:             Coleen-MuralMakerandMore:

                                

#31 days of Exploring God's Creation - Day 13 - Nature School

Welcome! I'm truly glad you're here-

I'm participating in a #31days of . . . series 

started by Nessy of  "Nesting Place"

There are actually hundreds of 

bloggers participating in this 

challenge to dig a little deeper by 

posting on the same topic for 31 days straight

Throughout the month of October 

I'll be bringing you posts about

"Exploring God's Creation"

Getting the Family Out in the Great Outdoors

Day #13 - Lets talk about a little thing I like to call-

"Nature School" -  One of our favorite ways to have school is in the outdoors 

While it may not seem like the "correct" way to do school - and it certainly isn't the 

conventional method- I've found that our boys retain a whole lot more of the 

information we are studying this way. Maybe it's the activity while they are learning.

Maybe it's the hands on approach that works well for boys. 

Maybe it's the fresh air and sunshine! But, it works for us. 

 

Australians say that children who go barefoot and get dirty are smarter than other kids. 

You can read that article for yourself right here. 

Griffin Longely, chief executor or Nature Play WA 

(Western Australia) - states in the article

"Our childhood used to be an outdoor, imaginative, free ranging experience" 

And that today it has become an "indoor sedentary experience". 

The realization that I couldn't just "turn my kids loose" to play in the outdoors 

is what prompted our journey as a family - back to nature. 

I didn't want them to miss out on what had been some of the best of my childhood. 

 With boys in particular, I find it difficult to have them sit all day long at a desk to learn.

They learn better when they are happy. They are happier outside. It may be the 

natural light- or the fresh air- or a combination of both- but, for my family it is a fact. 

We certainly don't spend all day - every day out in nature. 

Sometimes we go to nature centers! (I thought that was pretty funny) 

 

Although we do actually learn about more than just the things we find in nature!

You can read great literature outside too- We love reading in the shade of a tree. 

Math can even be done with a stick in the sand - or by counting acorns or sea shells. 

I'd like to encourage you today to grab a pencil and a notebook and head outside.

Have the kids sketch a picture or two - read a story under a shade tree. 

Relax and enjoy your school time (if you homeschool) or just the outdoor family 

time (if you don't) and take a moment to look around and appreciate God's creation. 

 

We're heading off on an adventure in the great outdoors. 

Somebody has a birthday - and it's 

This Guy: 

 

Yup, he's my silly one- And, for his birthday we'll be doing his favorite thing-

CAMPING! This time it's just mama and the boys! 

I'm sure we'll have new pictures and we'll be learning new things as we study 

God's Creation together in the great outdoors!

Job 35: 11

"Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, 

and makes us wiser than the fowls of heaven." 

Thank you for visiting! Y'all come back now- ya hear? 

Other #31dayers I think you'll enjoy:

 Mandy- Biblical Homemaking            Heathalee-ButterflyGenes:           

Melanie- Only A Breath             Amy- Missional Mamas Soul

         

Amanda-ImpressYourKids:             Coleen-MuralMakerandMore:

                                

If you've enjoyed the article- please take a moment to leave me 

a comment letting me know!   

#31days of Exploring God's Creation- Barefoot Kids Are Smarter. . . . . . .Day #11

 Thank you to "The Nesting Place" and

"My3boybarians" for hosting the #31day 

challenge! 

Their blogs are MUST READS! 

Exploring God's Creation - Day #11 

"Barefoot Kids Are Smarter" 

 

Australian kids are being told to "get barefoot, wet, and dirty to make them better adults" 

This article claims that children's brains work better if they spend time barefoot! 

I tend to agree! 

Here is a list that the kids downunder are being challenged to do in the outdoors:

Fifteen things to do before you're 12

1. Climb a tree
2. Build a cubby house
3. Sleep under the stars
4. Invent a game that lasts three days
5. Learn to swim
6. Catch a wave
7. Play in the bush
8. Play in a creek
9. Visit a national park
10. Play in the rain
11. Catch a tadpole
12. Make a mudpie
13. Build a sand castle city
14. Plant something and watch it grow
15. Learn to ride a bike

Please go to the site here to read the full article which inspired this post and find

out WHY they are saying that being barefoot makes kids smarter! 

It's all part of a movement geared towards getting your children back outdoors-

and we love it! 

Job 35: 11

"Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, 

and makes us wiser than the fowls of heaven." 

Thank you for visiting! Y'all come back now- ya hear? 

Other #31dayers I think you'll enjoy:

 Mandy- Biblical Homemaking            Heathalee-ButterflyGenes:           

Melanie- Only A Breath             Amy- Missional Mamas Soul

         

Amanda-ImpressYourKids:             Coleen-MuralMakerandMore:

                                

If you've enjoyed the article- please take a moment to leave me 

a comment letting me know!