Teach Them Tuesday: Lessons from the Campground

It has become a yearly tradition for our family to go on a weekend camping trip with two other families each fall. The weekend takes some planning and work, but the time put into it is so worth it. Besides the fun memories our kiddos make together, there is never a shortage of teachable moments on the campground!

Upon arrival, the kids learn the first task to be accomplished is pitching the tents and setting up camp. They are all pretty eager to help.

They learn the importance of having a good fire going long before dinner prep and definitely before nightfall! This year, they each learned how to use a flint rock to start a fire.

They learn how to cook their supper over the fire and that hotdogs and marshmallows taste best a little burnt!

They learn how to entertain each other with the silliest little tent puppet shows, and that the best “ghost stories” are told by the dads because they’re punny.

They learn to sleep under the stars and moon,

and they learn how refreshing waking up in a tent on a chilly morning is!

They learn to ease into the day with hot chocolate and early morning conversation around the campfire.

They learn they don’t need electronics and screens for entertainment. Bike riding, football, hiking, and running in wide open spaces are the best play!!

We camp at a historical site which sometimes has reenactors around on the weekends. This year, while exploring around an old fort, we were greeted by a historian who taught the kids how this fort was built and how the soldiers would have defended their fort in battle.

It did not take long for these three to put into play what they’d just learned, honorably defending their own pretend fort.

There are also several nature walks during our camping trips where the kids learn to utilize all their senses in nature.

They feel the warm sun streaming through the treetops,

hear the leaves crunching under their feet,

and see life everywhere!

They learn how the tiniest seed or spore can be transported by a breeze or animal, and then deposited into the smallest crevice, creating new life.

They learn when they come across an interesting seed, nut, or pod on the ground, they should cut it open and study it.

They learn to read historical markers and to be curious about the history of the area and those whose feet crossed these lands before us.

They learn to judge the speed of water flow in the river by throwing in a leaf or stick and watching how quickly it floats away from them.

This year they enjoyed a read aloud of the book Leaf Man, followed by a craft to construct their own leaf man or leaf lady from treasures gathered on a nature hunt.

With this and any project, they learn that their work does not need to match that of everyone else’s, and their unique styles, gifts, and personalities add to the beauty of the world.

They learn about sharing supplies and waiting their turn, and encouraging each other in their work. I can’t tell you how many times I’d hear them say to each other, “Oh, yours looks so great!”

They learn consideration for others on the campground, not just with our group, but with all other campers in the area, being mindful of spaces, privacy, and noise level….

and to let sleeping babies and doggies lie!

Most importantly, these kids learn a reverence for God through the wonder of His creation, leading us with grateful hearts into our Sunday morning worship around the campfire.

I love these families! It is not only fun to camp with them, it’s EASY. The adults are all easy going, and the kids are just the sweetest! They appreciate every single little thing done for them–a craft, a cup of hot chocolate, a game–anything at all given to them would bring “thank you” after “thank you” from their lips. Can’t wait for next year!