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By Glenn H. Kipps Camping with the kids! You knew the time would come! Jimmy has outgrown the backyard campsite. “This isn’t real camping.” he says. Janey always echos her brother. “Yeah! This isn’t like real camping!” she says, as she glances at her brother for approval. Camping with the kids. You’ve heard all of the stories… the nightmare… and especially that thousand-decibel cry, “I wanna go home!” at two in the morning right after a coyote somewhere out there howls at the moon. It’s a right of passage, they used to say for the father to take his son camping. Now… guess what?! Mom and the girls stick out their chins and say, “We’re going, too!” You hope for the best, but all of those stories from your friends with children… they’ve “been there”. Fifty Million people can’t be wrong. Best friends Randy and Jane insist they’ve been emotionally “scarred for life”. So here you are… with a loaded SUV ready to make your own nightmare. This is where the prayers come in. The campsite is beautiful, but kids don’t notice such things, or do they? Hey, Dad,” Jimmy says, “This place is really beautiful!” “Yeah, it’s really bee-yoo-ti-ful!” echoes Janey with a giggle. Guess you were wrong. But kids don’t pitch in. They just run around. As you prepare to drive to the camp store to get some important supplies you forgot at home in your haste to get on the road, you glance at the pile of tents, coolers, equipment, etc.,and sigh thinking of the work ahead. Coming back from the camp store with the necessary items that were forgotten at home, you are sure you have come to the wrong campsite. The tents are up. The food is stored properly. The folding table and chairs are in place, and a cold drink awaits. “The kids did it,” his wife says jubilantly, “with a little help from me.” Wrong again! It’s getting late. To get an early start in the morning everyone agrees to retire early. You are expecting that two a.m. cry, “I wanna go home.” You can’t sleep. Your watch says two. The next thing you know, your watch says seven. No one woke up. Wrong again! Everyone’s ready to hike the trail. This will be it, you think. They’ll be complaining about aching feet, hunger, you name it. We’re halfway. You’re tired. They’ll be whining in a minute. “Whatamatter, Dad? Here, let me take your backpack.” Jimmy is sympathetic. “Yeah, you’re tired,” says Janey as she tilts her head at you and pats your head. Can’t believe it! Wrong again! The day was wonderful… and the next day… and the next. We sang all the way home. Camping with the kids! …One of the great experiences in life. It’s a lot of fun, too! You always knew it. (Also, it’s great to have someone along to carry your backpack, lol.) |
Cosy small site near Baldock in Hertfordshire