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Camped Out – by Brendan Bruce

My five year old son wants to go camping with me. I have a choice: I could run screaming to the garage and bury myself in an “important” project like scrubbing the Rorschach-like oil stains from the floor, or I could take this chance to bond with my little guy and let him have a blast.

I’ve never liked camping. My idea of roughing it is buying generic toilet paper, and I’ve even been known to go so far as to purchase day old croissants. I’m not saying I’m not a manly-man… I mean, I can build stuff, kill bugs and I’ve yet to meet a pickle jar I cannot pop open in less than three grunts – and oh yeah, I don’t eat quiche.

I didn’t like it when the Boy Scouts insisted I participate in long weekends without running water, MTV, or bug free beds all to get a campfire merit badge either. I really didn’t like it when my parents got the idea that “family camping” would be great fun and bought the big tent with all the assorted accoutrement to keep a family of 12 alive in the Andes for a fortnight (Donner family notwithstanding).

I did as much teenage wailing as possible, but reluctantly went along – as my mom’s mantra of “You’ll have a great time,” “When this is over you’ll beg to go again,” etc., etc. faded away across the cornfields; we drove deeper and deeper into the middle of nowhere. At least I had a bag of Cheetos, I remember thinking…

None of my mom’s predictions came true, but it wasn’t her fault. On the first afternoon of our wilderness excursion, the clouds darkened, the wind picked up and – joy of all joy – we were treated to a huge tornado that blew right through the middle of our camp demolishing our bonfire, tents and dozens of trees all around us. Aside from my tender psyche, we all survived unscathed but the torrential downpour that followed right behind the twister mired but our vehicle and us in foot deep mud – guaranteeing we would spend the night in nowhere land whether we liked it or not.

Our accommodations for the night turned out to be a dilapidated, old, smelly barn we hiked to in the driving rain. If you curled up in the hay at just the right angles, you could avoid most of the water pouring in through the leaky roof. The chiggers, fleas and other critters were unavoidable and left a tapestry of bites all over us by dawn.

In an unspoken agreement, our “family camping” days were over and I vowed never again to darken the door of a tent… until recently, when my son thought a campout would be a grand idea. Unlike me, he think hiking through the wilderness, stomping around in a muddy creek looking for “crawdads” and skipping a shower for a few days is cool.

I’m not going to tell him about the harrowing experience of facing a tornado protected only by the vinyl of a tent and a thin sheen of sweat. Maybe he will think I’m playing soldiers with him if I dive into a ditch on the trail every time I hear the wind blow? And he’s a pretty sound sleeper, so any nasty nightmares I wake up screaming in the middle of the night with won’t bother him…

In the end, it comes down to the two of us making memories together. I hope some day he can tell his kids about this great campout he had with dad. Maybe we can laugh our heads off for years about how he fell in the creek and a fish ended up in his pants or maybe how a raccoon stole our bag of Cheetos. If it turns out not so great – coyotes eating our food, fire ants doing the lambada on our sleeping bags – whatever, we’ll soldier on and laugh when it’s all over – I hope.

Sure, we could stay home and “bond” while I mow the grass and wave on each pass as he swings on the play set. He’d think that was cool too, but will he remember that for long? Probably not. We’ve billed this as the “Great Father-Son Campout” and I’ll do my part to make it memorable; hopefully with a few less tornadoes, coyotes and fire ants and a lot more laughs and Cheetos.

This Post Has 16 Comments

  1. Whatever you do, DON’T go for primitive camping. Your reluctance will be communicated to him as unhappiness with him. I strongly recommend you look at cabin camping, and my family have had very good luck with Jellystone camps. (you don’t say where you live, but these are nationwide — try a google search). They are NOT cheap, but they have clean hot showers, most have cabins, and they have a variety of activities. At this time of year, you may have to search a bit to find one that is still open. Making memories is great, but being able to sleep warm in a real bed after a hot shower can help make the memories fun as well. (And yes, get flashlights for in-bed fun)

    If you want to go tent camping, then see if you
    can find a friend that already loves camping and go with them, sharing some gear and expense as well as having joint good times.

    By the way, in terms of bugs, spring is usually better than summer or fall. Also less chance of tornados, although you might get rain.

  2. What a great Dad!!! You go guy and make this a weekend the two of you will cherish forever! I, as a Mom, am so proud of you!!!!!

  3. Watch him by the fire. Don’t let him get too close to it. Be sure to lather him in bug spray. Make sure he’s warm at night. What about his asthma? Will you have cell coverage to let me know how it is going? Here are some extra clothes if he gets wet. Do you have enough water and snacks……OK. I see why I’m not invited. I’ll wait at home with a happy spirit. Thank you for being a wonderful father to our son and daughters! All my love, Wife

  4. I didn’t think that he would ever put that experience to print. I don’t think he spoke again for at least a week, and if I was a gambling man I would bet heavily that he would never go again, but itsn’t it amazing what you do for your kids. This kind of things make memories for grandparents as well as the parents. It was also wonderful hearing a five year old kid telling how great of time he had camping, especially with his dad.

  5. Larry, couldn’t you control that tornado so your son would have better memories??????
    Sounds like he caught the lesson anyway, since he went with his son! Great tradition!

  6. It’s hard to believe “that experience” was the last camping trip our family “enjoyed”! I still shiver when I remember the night in the barn. Many prayers were sent up throughout the night, promising God if we didn’t wake up with a rattler in our clothes, I would see to it that we checked into the “Inn” if camping was ever mentioned again. Thanks, Brendan for laying those memories aside long enough to give our wonderful granson a fabulous experience he will forever cherish. You’re a wonderful son and father. Much Love!

  7. I like your idea “of roughing it”. Did you know there are campgrounds with Wi-Fi! Wheee!

    Thanks for letting me know that I am not the only father that is not trilled with bugd in his bed.

  8. Make the most of it! My son and I started a camping tradition when he was 7 and able to read. They’re our training trips! Year 1 I taught him how to study the bible, year 2 we learned about integrity, and this year was self-discipline. We throw a lot of run things into it too. We stop at the grocery store on the way and he helps pick out the snacks. Special treat for that weekend… he gets to ride “shotgun” next to dad! Most of all I take the opportunity to let him know he is loved and that he is special to me!

    While we like to rough it, I would suggest you find somewhere that’s a little more a suitable to your tastes. Likely his definition of camping isn’t completely defined yet so make it whatever you want.

    I wouldn’t trade them for anything and I look forward to the memories we will share in the future!

    Keep up the good work!

  9. Gotta camp, it’s mostly about the big camp fire at night. Leave the wifey at home, as they just seem to make it so complicated! no offense ladies, just honesty! Make it simple although sleeping on the ground is tuf, your son will remember it forever and it can be fun. Oh yea, camping is not what is use to be, turns out on summer holidays it’s a big party 🙁

    bring a good attitude and make him do activities like hiking, i.e. tire him out, eat a big easy to cook meal and your both sleep well!

  10. I recently bought a pick up truck, it’s a Ford F-150 1994. Nothing fancy, but I needed wheels and thought it would be good to purchase a trailer for the family to go camping.
    But lately, my heart has turned to thinking of taking my 2 boys on a father son camping trip just us. Money is more than tigh as Mom stays home and home schools, and all the other things Moms do. Please pray that God will provide the money needed to obtain a camping grill and few other items. We already camp, so we have most of what we need. Also pray that God will provide the money to go and the perfect spot for me to bond with my boys. I had left for Iraq for a little over a year and this very much broke the bond I had with my oldest and pray that this bond will be healed.

  11. I agree with Troy & Luke …“find somewhere that’s a little more suitable to your tastes.” & “bring a good attitude and make him do activities” My boys and I have been doing the Fathers Day camp out for about 7yrs now, we started out in a tent and have upgraded over the years to a popup. We go to campgrounds that have activities planed and we do them or makeup our own. The boys love it and now we camp on Mothers Day and at least 2 or 3 other times in the year. Lots of fun and good memories. Hey and remember you the Dad.

  12. A family/marriage conference speaker said as he traveled around the country speaking to gropups he would look for the family that looked the happiest, then would interview them after the session.
    The ONE activity that EVERY family had in common was camping.
    It may have to do with working together to overcome hardships.
    He had never been a camper himself and reluctantly decided he “had” to as well.
    My son and I have over 50 trips ourselves with another dozen trips as a family of 5.
    One thing we learned long ago was, every trip we forget some important item. One weekend it was charcoal, firewood and matches. We improvised the menu ingredients and the next day the Lord provided us with someone else’s campfire. (Never leave a fire going-always put it out, you’ll know if there is divine instruction to do otherwise)
    MAKE IT FUN by keeping a positive, can-do atitude.
    Prepare menatlly by thinking through some of the things you may need.
    Leave the cell phone turned OFF, except after bedtime and then be sure to call home with an “I love you” and “we are fine”

  13. Nowadays camping takes a lot of different forms, especially as “city slickers” give it a try. Did you know some national parks now offer handicap-accessible camping?

    Camping can be in a full cabin with electricity and running water, a simple cabin without amenities, tents on “electrified” sites (a fence pole with weatherized outlets), rough camping with no electricity, and primitive without any amenities.

    What are you trying to accomplish with the camping? Typically family time in a “foreign” environment that is unlike a hotel/motel or a visit to the relatives. It includes a bunch of outdoor time and activities, and a campfire. In fact for many campers the whole deal is really the campfires. They are sort of fixed in our minds as a camping experience.

    Depending on what your family is interested in, it can include day trips to museums and historic sites, a pro ball game, microd racing, or any other day activities you like. Remember to get feedback, suggestions from the kids! You might be surprised by their suggestions and choices.

    Also, don’t be the workaholic parent. Don’t take office work with you, or your pager, or anything else. Stopping to work really tells the boy that no matter what happens, he’s really second (or lower) on your list. If you have family cellphones that you know won’t be called by work, go ahead. It might be fun to call Mom, Grampa or someone else during the trip to tell them about it. However if you really get out in the boonies don’t count on it as a rescue point. The more remote areas have poor to no coverage.

    It’s great that you are willing to go out on a limb and get a little adventurous for your son. When everything is said and done, you’ll be glad you “inconvenienced” yourself for this.

  14. I can;t believe that all that happened to you. I have camped for years and I know nothing that tragic has never ever happened to us. A flat or something minor but never a tornado. Remember that was one experience to not base the rest on. If you are apprehensive, go with another camper who is experienced and then you can work in slowly. It is still time with the son and you are making memories. It is quality time that you are spending with him. We often have taken families that have never been to show them how it is done. We also share the things that we have forgotten. No matter how many times you go you always forget something. We also go in a RV. (You can rent them.) It provides good shelter for the little tikes. It is a little more enjoyable.
    Happy camping.

  15. Most airlines have cheap fares everywhere! Take it from someone who keeps trying the “fun” camping experience. DON’T Go to Disney, Sea World or Discovery Cove! Expensive, but you’ll only get wet if you want.

  16. I remember the story that your Dad told of the excursion to Wayne’s farm. The most amazing part was when Rob said that he saw the tornado actually pick up the Blue River! I know that Larry and Brenda enjoy their grandchildren as much as we do ours. Thanks to all of you younger generation folks for having ‘em!

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