Come school holidays, most parents would be racking their brains trying to cook up a list of to-dos for their hyper kids. How about taking the children outdoors before they start bouncing off the walls?
Camping outdoors is not only relatively cheap, it provides a good outlet for overzealous kids and it’s a wonderful way for families to create lasting memories.
Besides, research (Last Child In The Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv) has shown that children function better cognitively and emotionally in “green environments’’; have more creative play outdoors, develop better interpersonal relationships and have a more positive attitude to school. But careful planning and a checklist of things-to-bring are a must.
Choosing campsites
“Depending on the children’s ages and experience, choose a campsite that has easy access, offers plenty of activities and with minimal bugs around the site,” advises Chadel Soon, a certified wilderness instructor from the National Outdoor Leadership School, the leading outdoor education school in the United States.
Younger kids tend to get bored easily, so easy and fast access to a campsite is important, Soon adds. If it’s a long drive, break the journey into two days by stopping at places of interest.
“If you need to trek to get to the campsite, try to keep the trek to no more than one-and-a- half hours, especially if your kids are new to the outdoors,” says the Klang Valley-based Soon who runs Learning Adventures, an outdoor education school in Malaysia.
To make the hike more interesting, pick a route that is parallel to a stream or river. Wading over rivers and skipping over rocks are fun activities for kids. Apart from the adrenaline kicks, kids can also learn about insects, fish, frogs and butterflies in their surrounds.
Ideally, a kid-friendly campsite should be next to a shallow river or stream but campers should have the option to move to higher ground in case of flash floods, environmental educator Gonthong Lourdesamy adds.
“Not only can the kids get a refreshing dip in the river, they can check out the macroinvertebrates like worms, snails and insects that live under the rocks,” says the mother of two boys aged eight and five.
“Mosquitoes and sand flies can spoil your entire trip before it even begins so make sure your campsite has minimal bugs.”
Types of shelter
In the hot and humid tropical weather, we may prefer tarpaulins and ground sheets but it’s better to use a tent when camping with kids, says Soon.
“In a tent, kids feel more secure, making it easier for them to fall asleep,” he explains. A tent traps body heat so it’s suitable for cold nights and if it gets too warm, just remove the flysheet.
Helping to set up the tent can be fun for kids too, Lourdesamy notes. “They can be assigned the responsibility to clear twigs, branches and dry leaves from their tent site,” she says.
For the non-purist, camping doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pitch a tent. Forest chalets or huts are a good option for a comfortable night’s sleep. It’s easy and convenient; plus, you have the comforts of shower and bathroom facilities.
“Your entire adventure could be ‘centre-based,’ meaning you stay at one spot, head out for some activities during day and come back for a meal and to sleep,” says Soon. The only downside: You don’t get to sleep under the stars.
Most state parks, national parks and recreational forests around Malaysia have chalets and/or camping grounds.
Food, go for fresh!
Most folks tend to rely on canned or processed food during camping. But with extra planning and effort, your whole family can enjoy wholesome, home-cooked meals at campsite.
“It’s easy to cook rice with omelette, and bring along lots of fresh fruits and vegetables that can be eaten raw like carrots and cucumbers,” Lourdesamy suggests. Another option is to forage for forest ferns and bamboo shoots.
Bring essentials like cooking oil, sugar, salt, dry spices, garlic and onions. Bread is a good staple as it can keep for several days.
“A good, hot snack that my boys love – boiled green (mung) bean soup – is easy and fast to whip up!”
Get your kids involved in the cooking or teach them how to cook. Who knows, you might uncover the next Junior MasterChef!
“Go the extra mile and try cooking extraordinary stuff,” Soon quips. “Try making chapati, baking bread, cooking pasta or even baking a cake! There are tons of recipes online and books on camping cooking techniques.”
Rope in the kids to help wash the dishes and utensils and clean up after themselves. “It’s a good opportunity to teach them why animals come to disturb us because of leftovers or food scraps,” Lourdesamy suggests.
Keep them busy
With so much fun outdoor stuff to do, it’s unlikely your child will ever get bored.
“One of my favourite adventures involving kids is kayaking or canoeing,” says Soon, a father of a seven-month-old daughter.
“The boat carries the load, you could multitask: Fish, eat and travel and there’s less chance of getting lost as opposed to jungle trekking,” he adds. Safe paddling destinations in Malaysia include Chenderoh and Banding lakes in Perak or Kenyir, Pahang.
Examples of activities:
- Give them a cheap, digital camera and ask them to snap as many insects or birds as they can find.
- Try fishing or catching prawns under boulders and rocks by the streams.
- Bring out the sketch pad, and get them to draw and catalogue what they see.
- Teach them how to build a fire or make a compass using a needle and a magnet.
- Get them to record animal sounds or noises and play back during dinner time to guess the animal.
- Play board games or cards for after-dinner entertainment.
- Star-gazing if the weather permits. Learn the constellations and Greek myths.
- Create a sundial using paper or cardboard.
- Educate your kids about minimal impact principles: We are the guests in the jungle. We don’t destroy animal or insect habitat. We don’t take anything home except litter. And we leave the campsite like we were never there before, or in a better condition.
“Please take your garbage out with you! It’s common to see campers or picnickers leave dirty nappies by the river or stream,” says Lourdesamy. “And do not throw cooked food into the river or stream.”
Safety
It is important to set ground rules as soon as you arrive at the campsite.
“Set the boundary for where they can or cannot roam around, what they can or can’t do and, in case of an emergency, what they should do (stop, stay calm and shout for help),” says Lourdesamy.
Keeping hydrated in the outdoors is vital, Soon points out. Bring flavoured oral rehydration salts (orange or grape flavour) to encourage the kids to drink more fluid.
Kids tend to scratch tiny wounds and insect bites, resulting in an infection, so stock up on your adhesive bandages and insect repellent. Your First Aid kit should include medication, tweezers, bandages and antiseptic cream.
“Teach your kids about hygiene, especially when preparing food, during meals and after using the toilet,” says Soon. “The consequence is very real here. We need clean hands!”
And most importantly, have a great camping trip!
Pitch your tents
Camping is cheap and here’s why: Most recreational forests, and state and national parks in Malaysia charge an average of RM5 to RM10 a night for a site to pitch your tent. And most of these sites come with shower and toilet facilities.
If you don’t own a tent, places like Perlis State Park rent out a 10-person tent for RM10 a night. Unless you are an experienced outdoor person and resourceful about finding free camping spots, try to stick to designated campsites for safety reasons.
For the uninitiated, you may want to camp in your backyard with your kids for a couple of nights so they get accustomed to sleeping in a tent and on hard surfaces. Nothing spoils a vacation like whiny kids who can’t rough it out.
Here’s a short list of popular campgrounds, huts and cabins in wilderness areas around Malaysia:
Selangor
- A 15-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur city centre, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is great for families on their first camping trip. Unfortunately, their camping sites are frequently booked by big groups, especially during school holidays. But a family of four (with primary school kids) can sleep comfortably in the A-huts that cost RM50 a night. For more info: www.frim.gov.my
- Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest in Hulu Langat (www.sungaicongkak.com) and Taman Rimba Komanwel (Commonwealth Forest Park) in Rawang (www.cfpresort.webs.com) are two popular, family-friendly getaways with waterfalls and jungle treks. Privately managed Taman Rimba rents out camping sites (RM10/night), dormitory, private chalets and individual rooms.
Pahang
- Tasik Bera is a great way for the kids to explore the outdoors and learn about the Orang Asli communities. The local Semelai folk offer a community-based eco-tourism experience with jungle trekking, canoeing and homestay with the villagers. Contact: Semelai Association For Boat And Tourism (Sabot) tasekbera.jones.dk/
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
