Lions, Tigers and Goats . . . Oh My! Tips for Camping with Little Ones

I still remember the first time we took our youngest son camping. He had just turned the "fantastic four", no bigger than the weeds that overtook the backyard garden. You know, that brilliant age between being mommy's little man hiding behind the shadows of her skirt tail and being an ends-of-the-earth explorer, heart set on discovering all that the world had to offer.

Camping. It was his birthday wish. That's all he wanted. No finely wrapped video game. No hotrod skateboard with matching flaming helmet. No. My son's heart was set on the wild outdoors. 

While I was a bit weary imaging that a four year old could possibly be old enough to venture into the woods with little more than a tent and a bottle of Off, half way to the campgrounds my nerves began to settle as the echoes of "Mommy, are we there yet?" filled the mini-van.

I still remember how adorable he looked trying to help my husband carry the cooler from the trunk, how he brought back the smallest twigs in the forest for "firewood" and how he eagerly insisted that "girls shouldn't have to do any fishing for food because that was a ‘mans' job."

Yep . . . all was going splendid. That was until night fall. "Mommy, what was that? Was that a goat? Are we going to get eaten by a wild goat?" "No, son." I assured. "We aren't going to get eaten by a wild goat." "Mommy . . . do goat's have hands? Can goat's get into my tent? If they did, would they try to nibble my hair?" "No, son. Goat's do not have ‘hands' and I assure you that hungry goats are not interested in your curly mane. They'd much rather have cheeseburgers."

Are you thinking of taking your little one camping? Afraid he'll turn from brave bear to cowardly lion once the stars come out to play? Learn from my now infamous, sleepless night at camp and try these take along tips for a trip sure to end in sweet dreams . . .

• Don't forget the Lovey or his favorite teddy

• Bring along a goodnight story to lull him to sleep

• Bring extra flashlight batteries to chase away the spooks

• Pack a bag of "fairy dust" (Shh . . . it's just simple glitter you sprinkle around the tent to draw the good fairies near. Don't worry. Lightening bugs pass off as fairies just fine.)

• Camp with sense. Expect the unexpected and welcome the unplanned. The greatest memories happen when you least expect it.