Hike-In Camping with Wee Ones

Before we had children, my husband and I did a lot of hike-in camping.  For my husband, there is really no other type of camping.  Since he doesn't like to drive up and camp, we've done virtually no camping since our first child was born 5 years ago (except one drive up to camp trip, in which I ended up sleeping in the car).  We were itching to go camping and get some quality "no electronics" family time... but, hiking in to camp with three small children?  Was I really agreeing to this?

"I'll carry everything... we won't hike in far... it'll be great!" Justin was telling me trying to win me over.

"Ok! We can do this... I think" is what I thought.

 I clicked on a Pintrest board about how to camp with a baby.  I quickly realized it was talking about a MUCH different camping style when I read "Bring along an exersaucer to entertain and contain the baby, bring a bouncy seat, a swing, camping chairs, blankets, etc. etc."  Just so you know, you can't hike in with all that stuff.  I would have to make do with our sleeping bags and a tent!

So earlier this week we headed up to Clayton, GA to hike and camp 2 nights on part of the Bartram trail near Warwomen Dell.  It was a great adventure.  It was a lot of fun.  And we survived!  In fact, I think we'll do it again.  Here are a lot of pictures of our experience:

The one piece of equipment that was vital to this adventure being a success was the jogging stroller.  I was carrying our 7 month old, so the stroller was used to carry the stuff I wasn't packing on my back, and it was useful in carrying the older two kids when they got tired.

Silas spent a great deal of our trip snuggled up next to Mommy.

As we hiked further away from our van, the cares of the world and stressful to-do lists seamed to melt away.  We were surrounded by nature's botanical garden.  The flowers were stunning:

(blueberries)

The kids each got to choose a few small toys to carry in their backpacks.

Helping to set up the tent.

William helped pump fresh water through our filter.

"Like little fairy stair steps!"

The kids were such troopers hiking distances that were... er... longer than Justin originally anticipated.

We told William that we couldn't bring many toys, and we'd have to play with the rocks and sticks that were in the woods.  To me, that means pretending that a stick is a car or maybe draw one in the dirt.  Justin, however, thought he could do better... he took the hatchet and camping knife and built William a car - with spinning wheels and everything!

What a fun trip!

So what do you REALLY need to go hiking with small children?

The obvious tent, sleeping bags and sleeping pads.

Food, camping knife, a pot, some bowls and spoons. (rope to tie food up in a tree)

Water filter and container.

Lighter and flashlights.

Toilet Paper.

A change of clothes (and diapers).

Trash bag.

Watchful eyes (there aren't any doors to keep them contained... and 3-year-olds might like to wander...).

First aid kit.

Bug spray (we picked about 6 ticks off of us).

Jogging stroller and baby carrier.

A GREAT sense of adventure!