Camping with kids is one of the most rewarding things a family can do together, but it comes with real risks that every parent needs to understand. This category covers the safety topics that matter most when you’re taking children into the outdoors: wildlife encounters, weather hazards, first aid, navigation, water safety, and more.
The content here is written by a mom who has camped in bear country, navigated remote trails without cell service, and handled real emergencies in the field with children present. Every article draws on documented experience and where relevant, academic sources and expert guidance.
Understanding risk doesn’t mean being scared of the outdoors. It means being prepared so that when something unexpected happens, you know exactly what to do. From snake safety to carbon monoxide awareness to knowing when a child is showing signs of altitude sickness, this category gives families the knowledge they need to camp confidently.
The risk of a bear attack while outdoors is incredibly low. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t practice bear safety tactics when in bear country, one of which is carrying bear spray. There are a lot of misconceptions around bear spray though, and also a lot of mistakes which can result in injuries. After years
I pride myself on being someone who prepares for everything. I’m always imagining worst-case scenarios and how I’d deal with them (it actually drives my husband crazy because I’m so “pessimistic”). Still, I wasn’t fully prepared the first time I got sick while camping. I’m not talking about a bit of the sniffles. I was
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Making a campfire (or what I like to call caveman television) is by far one of the most fun parts of camping. It’s also a really important survival skill to know in case you ever need to signal for help, dry wet clothing or purify water. Here’s what you need to know to make a
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After over a decade of family camping adventures across national parks and backcountry trails, I’ve witnessed countless camping disasters that could have been easily avoided. From electronics disrupting wildlife to dangerous fire accelerants causing evacuation scares, these experiences taught me valuable lessons about what not to pack. While there are plenty of lists of what
Things You Should Never Bring Camping Read More »
How Much GORP to Bring Backpacking? After countless backpacking trips with my daughter over the past 10 years – from beginner-friendly day hikes to multi-day wilderness adventures – I’ve learned that getting your GORP portions right can make or break your trail experience. Too little, and you’ll be dreaming of gas station snacks by day
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Why You Should Always Use a Camping Checklist (Trust Me on This) There’s something magical about camping, fresh air, crackling campfires, and the feeling of being totally prepared (or not!) for whatever nature throws at you. Well… unless you forget half your gear because you didn’t use a checklist. Another side benefit, if you are
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