What ages are appropriate for camping?

[jason]

What ages do you think are appropriate for camping?

[sarahlorrain]

Children need to be old enough to understand safety concerns, know how to swim, etc. They should know to look out for snakes, dangerous bugs, poison ivy, etc. I'm sure this age is different for each child, but I would think somewhere around 6 or 7.

[dtinnan]

when I was 3 my parents toured the west in a tent. my brother was old enough to remember, but I don't. point is my parents have instilled a love for the outdoors that predates my earliest memories. so have I with my son. we've spent weeklong tenting trips together since he was 4. we've got pictures of us in about half the state parks in Ga, tenn. and ala. the only way their gonna learn safety in the wild, is to load them up and take them to the wild. there's no magic age where they suddenly "understand" you just have to keep educating and applying the principles of safety from the beginning. start small. camp in the back yard till they follow simple instructions, then hit a state park. you'll be amazed at how well they'll do!

[HereToday]

As our son had a bit of a history of slipping away for an adventure or two, we waited until he was about to start kindergarten and his sister was three before we took them camping. At that age they could understand what we expected of them. They can still remember that trip, and think of it fondly.

[HereToday]

As to the other spectrum of age, my grandma was a keen camper and loved to go off to a beautiful lake for camping. When she became an age that she couldn't walk safely on trails, was in danger of slipping or falling, and found it worrying instead of fun, we realised she wasn't in shape for camping. We took her instead on sight seeing tours and a nice hotel room after dinner.

[chocoguy]

I think that 5 years old would be enough provided that they are accompanied by an adult with enough knowledge about the woods. The willingness of the child must be there too.

[rubybeetle]

We've taken them when they're babies. When my daughter started walking she wore a leash and we tied bells to her shoes. A snuggly is handy at camp and to go hiking with. There's no way they understand safety so they are watched very closely.

[mom2manyboyz]

I don't think it depends on the age, so much as the specific child and the location you are camping in. Some areas have additional concerns snakes, gators, etc that you wouldn't have everywhere. The child should always know about the safety concerns and be cautious and appropriate before camping would be safe.

As far as monitoring them closely, I am a very heavy sleeper. When my kids were small, I always worried that no matter how closely I watched them during the day, they may wake up at night and get into danger.

[LeviDonny]

Age- and rank-appropriate guidelines have been developed based on the mental, physical, emotional, and social maturity of Boy Scouts of America youth members. These guidelines apply to Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, and Venturing crews.

[Kitten]

It definitely depends on the individual kids and how 'extreme' the camping is going to be. If it's away from water, just an overnight trip, etc, then I see no problem with some toddlers even being "old enough" to enjoy it.