Just Listen

Doing Dishes

I just got back from our annual "kids and dad camping trip".  In a previous post I mentioned Sibley State Park, but our plans were change due to severe weather forecast in that area.  So we decided to go to Helmer Myre State Park instead.  It was closer and the forecast was better.  We weren't going to let a threat of ruin ruin our camping plans!  Although we had to cut our trip short because of rain, we still had a great time including a wrestling match in the tent while it rained.

Chopping wood

Making Pancakes

I know how busy and stressful things can be in summer for dads; work, family and household responsibilities take all of our time.  Even I was tempted to cancel the camping trip and maybe take a rain day to catch up with things around the house.  But the kids have been looking forward to camping for almost 3 months, so I knew we had to make this happen.

Whenever I go camping with my kids I always divide out the different tasks that need to be done:  fire building, cooking, and dish-washing.  They learn from these things and even enjoy them because they are camping.  But one thing I try not to do is try to turn everything into a lesson, and give out too many orders.  I know as a dad I tend to think that I always need to improve my children, or teach then how to do stuff right.  And I sometimes miss the little things about my kids that make them unique.  I know that I could go up north and camp in the Boundary Waters or backpack in the Rockies or hike the Continental Divide Trail - the scenery in these places is beautiful, no doubt.  But when I was at Helmer Myre State Park in southern Minnesota, I saw the most breathtaking scenery ever.  My kids smiling and laughing, and so excited to be camping.  So to take this  beauty in I just had to be quiet and listen to what they had to say.

Taking time out with kids is important - we all know that.  But taking a break from being their school teacher and taskmaster and just being with them to enjoy them is even more important.  So dads put away the cell phone and forget about work for a while and get out there with your kids and learn to just sit back and just listen!

Just sittin' around

So Much Fun, So Little Time....

Pickerel Lake - Nemadji State Forest

Right now we are snowed in and winter is still carrying on.  I am so looking forward to spring so I can get out into the woods, set up a tent and relax by a fire.  My oldest son and I have been talking about doing a winter camping trip in order to really put our sleeping bags to the test.  I don’t know if we will make it happen or not, so we will see.

We already have our first “Dad and Kids" camp trip planned for sometime in the Spring.  We chose Sibley State Park.  It looks like a nice park with some fun stuff for the kids to explore.  I told them that the campground is not up a super steep hill like last year's trip to Afton State Park. They liked the sound of that. 

One thing I want to do with my family is check out as many of Minnesota's State Parks as we can.  I hope one day I can say that I have camped in or visited every state park in Minnesota.  Minnesota has 76 state parks in all and so far we have visited 14 of them.  We have a ways to go in order to reach this goal so...shucks...we may have to go more than once a year!

Crossing Whitewater River

Other great camping opportunities are in state forest campgrounds. There are quite a few campgrounds offered in Minnesota State Forests and most are out of the way and primitive/remote.  These campsites are harder to find because they are mostly considered rustic and/or primitive sites, but if you feel adventurous they are a great place to go.  

So, all I can say is keep camping and get outside into nature where you will find the coolest and most beautiful sights.  I can guarantee you won't find those experiences on a LCD screen. Taking your family camping is still one of the best ways to connect with your kids.  There is no app that can replace good old fashioned family fun time!