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Kids in the Wilderness:  Safety and Survival Packs/ Questions for parents.  |
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Elizaray
outspoken
680 Posts
Elizaray
680 Posts |
 Posted - May 09 2007 : 1:36:34 PM
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When I was growing up my dad always had us hike with a little survival pack. It had matches, a granola bar, some hard candy, a whistle, some bright colored nylon 'tape', a compass and a map of the area. My sisters and I were taught how to read a map so we could make good use of the survival items in our packs. All this fit quite easily in a little fanny pack and I think we even had some basic first aid supplies like bandages and wipes. We knew to never use anything in the pack unless we really needed to.
When you are out in the woods with your kids, do you have them wear anything like this? Do you let them wander out of sight (within reason) or do they always have to stay right by your side?
I have mixed emotions about this. I _loved_ wandering the woods as a child. It gave me a great sense of confidence in myself because I _never_ got lost. I learned how to find my way and I felt comfortable with the animals and plants. However as a mom myself now, I can't imagine feeling comfortable letting my baby wander off by herself.
I remember when I was 4 we started building our cabin. At that point I had to stay with in my parent's sight, but within a year or so, as long as I could see the cabin it was fine, and then after that- as long as I checked in occasionally it was fine.
So what are your feelings?
Elizaray |
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Lily
outbound
28 Posts
Lily
Moss Landing
California
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 10:09:55 PM
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When we are camping or hiking in a new place, I never let my girls (6 and 3) out of my sight. I do worry about them getting lost or mountain lions – but this fear of mine is the same when we are at large on city streets (replace mountain lion with sexual predator). I hate to be paranoid, but the regret I’d feel if something did happen just isn’t worth it. Around our home, however, I am a little more relaxed. Our house is surrounded by sand dunes with cypress trees and standing and fallen eucalyptus trees and the girls scramble up and down the hillside where they have forts and fairy trees and secret hiding places. I do like to have them be within shouting distance – so they can hear when I call them home. Sometimes I worry about them, but my husband and I both believe that it is so important for them to run a little wild so they can indulge in their imaginary world without an adult hovering near-by. This freedom to roam is so rare these days and I feel lucky that, for the time being, we live in a place where we can allow them to do that.
Your idea about the survival packs is a great one, and one that has never even occurred to me. I still don’t think I’d let them roam free when we are at large in the wilderness (not at this age anyway), but if one of them was to wander off and get lost the pack would definitely increase their chances of survival – so thank you!
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Elizaray
outspoken
680 Posts
Elizaray
680 Posts |
Posted - May 10 2007 : 12:09:24 PM
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When we were in a new area, my parents wouldn't let us wander at large either- just areas where we were familiar with. I am glad to hear that other mothers worry too- Mine isn't even crawling yet, and I am already worrying! LOL
Elizaray |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2007 : 11:12:00 AM
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I think I planned and fretted more before my 1st could crawl, too, Elizaray! Now that we have 3 kids (6, 4, and almost 10 mos), we've definitely relaxed a bit, but I'm still too paranoid to even let the girls run loose on our 25-acre farm unless one parent is outside too. I agree wholheartedly with Lily's feelings that kids must go wild; how else are they going to develop a sense of independence and true respect for their natural surroundings? I also agree, though, that certain risks aren't worth it at this point. We're still getting the feel of this place. True, my hub & I both grew up in this country, but a parent's-eye-view is so different. We have yet to run across a poisonous snake, but we know there are copperheads & moccasins somewhere along our 3 creeks, and the kids can't ID them yet. And of course there's potential for bears, bobcats, cougars, etc to wander through. People, though, are generally my #1 concern no matter where we are - you just never know where malice may be lurking. It sure is a fine & delicate line, though, to raise kids safely & still allow them their own judgement.
There is one basic survival tip we've tried to drill into their heads: if you get lost, stay put - someone will find you.
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Elizaray
outspoken
680 Posts
Elizaray
680 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2008 : 10:55:09 AM
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I just wanted to bump this topic up again as it is getting to be time to start strapping those packs to little bodies and letting them wander loose! It's even a good idea for the bigger people to have a pack like this when you go for little day hikes. You might also want to include a ziploc baggie and one of those really small water purification pumps or water purification tabs. That way if they get stuck out in the wilderness they can pump water in the the baggie or put tabs in a baggie of water and then drink out of the baggie.
Water is so important to surviving in the wild!!
Elizaray |
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Kids in the Wilderness: Safety and Survival Packs/ Questions for parents. |
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Safety and Survival Packs/ Questions for parents.
