No cardboard box to carry...
No cardboard box to carry her gear. Instead, we picked the Grommet daypack from Kelty.
Not to be forgotten, of course, is a broader view of the wilderness. Sometimes one needs to simply find a comfortable rock or fallen tree to lean against and take in nature's panorama. For the grand view, and for animal and bird watching, I slipped a pair of Brunton Lite-Tech 12x26 compact binoculars into the pack. Both lightweight and easy for young adventurers to use, they have a field of view of 288 feet, which makes them perfect for spying larger animals at a safe distance.
As with any field pack, Kimi's will certainly evolve. Equipment will be added and removed depending on our camping plans, location, and what she decides to study.
Kids, after all, love to compare...
Kids, after all, love to compare things. Thus, into the pack went a plastic measuring tape, a small steel ruler, and a 4-in-1 whistle that included a compass, a magnifier, and a thermometer by Coghlan.
At best, an explorer's kit will spark your child's inherent interest in nature's beauties and mysteries. At the very least, it will keep them occupied while you drop a line into your favorite fishing hole. Either way, it will certainly do more for their understanding of the world and their appreciation of the outdoors than a flying disk or a marshmallow gun.
Ed. note: Rossi is a contributing writer living in the San Francisco area. This is his first-person account of camping life with kids.
Where To Find It
Field pack
Kelty Grommet backpack, $31.95
www.kelty.com
Observation Equipment
Brunton Lite Tech compact binoculars, $53.63
www.brunton.com
Steel ruler and tape measure, under $10
Any stationary store
Coghlan four-function whistle for kids, $3.48
www.campsurvival.com
Coghlan magnifier for kids, $5.60
www.campsurvival.com
Notepad and pencils, $5
Any stationary store
Specimen Collection
Gardening tools, under $10
Any hardware or gardening store
Aquarium fishnet, $4.59
www.petco.com
Tweezers set, $6.49
www.harborfreight.com
Coghlan butterfly net, $6.60
www.campsurvival.com
Coghlan Field Trip Bug Lab, $6.45
www.campsurvival.com
Coghlan magnifier for kids, $5.60
www.CampSurvival.com
Collecting boxes and jars,
various sizes, $0.49-$3.99
www.containerstore.com
Prices are suggested retail