Monday, June 18, 2012

Outdoor Cooking with Kids

Does the blog post make you think we're going to be grilling on the back patio or roughing it with only sticks and burnt hot dogs smoldering over a fire in the middle of the woods?  Well, it could be either one, but hopefully we can find successful ways of teaching our children how to cook even when we're away from traditional cook surfaces.

My kids have learned that just because we're eating outside doesn't mean it has to come from take out and it doesn't have to be difficult.  Here's how we let the kids help out and have a full experience with outdoor cooking.

Meal Planning

I think we underestimate our children because we don't think they can plan a nutritious meal.  A little guidance may be necessary when first beginning this process.  But they are just as capable as anyone to tell you what they'd eat.  And whatever you make at home can certainly be made outside...you just might have to be a bit more creative.

Part of meal planning is trying to guess how much your family will eat.  If it's going to be a scorching hot day, the kids may not eat as much as if it were a cool autumn day in the park.  Also, if your kids are young, they will eat sporadically, their attention moving from food to surroundings and then back again.  Don't get frustrated.  They're learning how to focus and they can't take everything in like you can.

So once you know what the kids want to eat, you need to implement it somehow.

Outdoor Cooking Made Easy

There are so many resources available on the internet for outdoor and survival cooking.  How can I pick just one?  Let me give you two  that have really made our lives more simple as we try to teach our kids about living in the great outdoors.

Linda White has quite a few books that focus on children and enjoying nature.  We were especially impressed with her book Cooking On A Stick.  It had simple (and I mean it!) recipes like roasting hot dogs on a stick with a croissant wrapped around it.  If your child can hold a stick, they can cook their own dinner.  The book doesn't have just stick cooking recipes.  It also contains several recipes for trail mix, foil dinner pouches, and cooking on a grate or grill.  Ms. White has several other books devoted to children and camping.

If you want the foremost leader in outdoor cooking (the one the experts still refer to), check out Roughing It Easy by Dian Thomas.  She gets creative in her methods to survival living and there are some interesting recipes inside (I've always wanted to try frying eggs in a paper bag over a fire!).

Don't get freaked out that you need expensive equipment or exotic recipes.  Start simple and you can do it!  Feel free to post any recipes that have worked for your family so others can enjoy the great outdoors too.  Happy cooking!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Mixing Up Some Kids & Camping

My husband and I love camping, outdoor cooking, and enjoying nature.  We decided this was going to be something the entire family would be a part of.

How do you do this?  We've started them young so they get the experience of camping even before they could walk.  If you don't have this option, there's never a better time to start than now.

I've also come to several conclusions:  1) kids and camping mean dirt, and sometimes a lot of it!; 2) if there's a bit of whining and complaining (and there will be if your kids are even somewhat normal), take a break from what you're doing and go for a walk;  3) stress will happen but will you let it ruin the fun that you could be having?  Here are a few tips that have really helped make camping a family event:


Gettin' Down and Dirty.
Campsite

If it's possible, scout out your campsite a few weeks before you plan to go.  We make a Sunday drive and go visit some of the campgrounds in our area to see which ones are the cleanest, safest, and actually have running water. 

As we drive through camp, we try to see what our needs will be:  1)  do we need to bring shade or will the trees be enough?  2)  is the ground flat and large enough for our tent? and finally, 3)  how close is the bathroom to our site?  A little prior planning will also determine a few safety issues as well (how close is that creek to where my kids will be playing?) and show if you need a little extra space from your neighbors should they decide late night karaoke is their camping tradition.

Recreation.gov is the federal government site for reservations.  If you can choose your spot ahead of time, this takes out a lot of stress and you know your site is guaranteed should the campground fill up.  If your park is controlled by the state or a private company, check out the DNR (state) or ask the campground if they have a website.

Meal Planning

In this category, we've done it all.   Sometimes those last minute camping excursions call for take-out.  But other times we've done dutch oven meals complete with popcorn as a treat after dinner.  Whatever your family needs, remember to take some snacks and don't be discouraged if the kids decide they're more interested in playing than eating.  You're not at home and everything distracts them.  Plan something simple and familiar if the kiddos balk at trying new stuff.  Macaroni and cheese can be cooked on a small one-burner stove.  And it is no dishonor to outdoor cooking.  We'll discuss options on this topic soon.

Gear
Keepin' baby safe by the fire.

So what do you take and what do you leave home?  We try to take the bare minimum because it just doesn't fit.  Seven pillows crammed into the back of a minivan and you quickly find you don't have room for much else.  Try packing the porta-crib and the jackets for the baby...and you've run out of space for food or even a tent.  So, if you're going on an overnight camping trip, you don't need as much as you think.  Week long trips might be a bit different, but that's another blog post.  Keep it simple and you'll do much better.

Activities

While setting up a tent or camp the kids often get curious about their new surroundings and wander away.  We've been setting up a tent and look up only to realize a few of our children are no longer near the campsite.  Scary!  If you can manage it, send Mom or Dad off to entertain the kids while the other parent works on setting up "house."  Older kids can learn to help set up a tent and blow up air mattresses, thus arranging their own sleeping areas just as they like it.  Don't be afraid to educate them about camping.  They'll get it  Even little ones can help.

I have to say it's a lot of work and we usually bring home a bit more than just memories from our camping experiences.  But it's worth it.  Stay positive.  Keep a smile on your lips and a laugh in your heart and you'll do just fine.