Camping Party

Updated on February 07, 2014
A.S. asks from Glendora, CA
10 answers

My son who is turning 10 would like to have a campout for his birthday. Is this just asking for a nightmare or does it sound like a good idea? I was planning to have a "girls tent" and "boys tent" and there would be probably 7-8 "campers" including him and his sister. All kids would be 10 or under and I was planning to camp out with them in a "parents tent." I was thinking we could roast weenies and do games/smores etc and then we could put on a movie on our outdoor projector screen which they could watch from their tents with the flaps open when it was time to wind down. Any suggestions for this or nightmare stories that I should be aware of lol?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Washington DC on

We did this in the back yard. No troubles. Kids went into the house to use the bathroom.

The kids loved it and didn't sleep until around 1 am. My then-husband and I spilt shifts in the parents' tent so that we could each get a semi-decent night's sleep.

I made blueberry pancakes at 9 am and parents had to pick the kids up by 10.

I really miss having a backyard because I'd love to do this again for Chickpea.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

Nix the movies. The whole point of camping out is to get away from technology.

4 moms found this helpful

C.T.

answers from Santa Fe on

Sounds awesome to me! We camp a lot and our kids always have THE BEST time. We often camp with other families and kids. It's a lot of fun. Have everyone bring their own flashlight. Make a campfire and let them stay up late. I bet they will all have a ton of fun.

Updated

Sounds awesome to me! We camp a lot and our kids always have THE BEST time. We often camp with other families and kids. It's a lot of fun. Have everyone bring their own flashlight. Make a campfire and let them stay up late. I bet they will all have a ton of fun.

2 moms found this helpful

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

I think it is a great idea. I would just make sure all of the kids have camped before. My son invited a friend over to sleep in the tent in the backyard last summer and his friend (11 years old) had a panic attack and had to come inside to sleep. You won't have that option if you are camping out.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

That sounds like a lot of fun!
Under age 10, would some parents be more comfortable if a parent was IN the tent instead of a separate parent tent? I don't know. I am trying to think back and I guess I was sleeping in my own tent with friends by about 5th grade... so maybe that's an okay age to send them in their own tent.

1 mom found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

sounds like a blast! will you have enough adults to transport 'em? the girls and boys tents are a good diea, and they'll love the weenies and smores. what fun!
have some good ghost stories ready to go.
:) khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Sounds like a lot of fun. I second the suggestion to make sure everyone has their own flashlight and I also second the suggestion to nix the movie. Find something else for them to do like flashlight wars!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I'd never take other people's kids camping to be honest. You don't know what these kids are like during the nighttime hours. Do they wake up every hour to go pee and will need help in the dark outdoors? DO they have a hard time with wandering? I'd put at least one grown up in each tent and have them sleep across the doorway. That way no one could get out without climbing across, and waking up, the adult.

I'd do a camp out with other parents helping in a local place that is moments way from the kids homes but out in the wilderness after hiking or driving half an hour to get there? No.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.P.

answers from Albuquerque on

I think it sounds like a blast! I did a few camping trips as a kid for my birthdays, too! But... I think it should just be boys. Or, if sister would feel left out, let her invite 1 friend. The number of kids would really depend on the campground and how well you know them (how well behaved they are). I'd hate to have even 3 kids out there running amok and chasing them all over the place! But 8 well-behaved kids, who you can trust to stay nearby and follow the rules--yeah that would be great!
If any parents offer to join/chaparone, I'd absolutely take their offer!

You know, if sister really likes the idea, she can do a similar party for her birthday (girls only). I'm just not all about the mixed-gender overnight events, but that may just be me.

Either way, sounds like a lot of fun!

Updated

I think it sounds like a blast! I did a few camping trips as a kid for my birthdays, too! But... I think it should just be boys. Or, if sister would feel left out, let her invite 1 friend. The number of kids would really depend on the campground and how well you know them (how well behaved they are). I'd hate to have even 3 kids out there running amok and chasing them all over the place! But 8 well-behaved kids, who you can trust to stay nearby and follow the rules--yeah that would be great!
If any parents offer to join/chaparone, I'd absolutely take their offer!

You know, if sister really likes the idea, she can do a similar party for her birthday (girls only). I'm just not all about the mixed-gender overnight events, but that may just be me.

Either way, sounds like a lot of fun!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.K.

answers from New York on

Sounds fun, but boys only and just a few and with enough adults,to,help especially since you are having a Campfire. Fire and kids scare me. Could be because my son and husband are firefighters. That would be my suggestion. Just a couple of boys. No girls!!!!!!!!!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions