DS has our trips planned!

When my kids bring their friends along they are required to help setup and breakdown camp. At the lake they get to dump the grey tank into the portable tote and empty it by the bathhouse. They also start and maintain the fire and help cook. We enjoy having their friends along as none of them get to go camping outside of being with us. Funny note, I checked out my son and his friends from school in the spring to go camping and the principle was so excited she came out and looked the fiver. Told us to have a great time and she expected a full report on Monday morning.

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me. You might want to specify that the soda be cold. Saves on "starving" teenage time.

The kiddos I camp with (ages 9-14)make their own breakfast 3 days outta 7; are required to make an appearance at lunch and dinner time with clean hands, set the table and wash the dishes(I checked my contract. Dishwashing isn't listed and the maid is NEVER anywhere to be found despite being taken on vac with us every year. Whadda lazy hussy!).

I set up a specific snack area in the camp kitchen where they can scoff stuff with wild abandon. Saves me from planned dinners/lunches being snuffed out.

Have fun!

happybooker1 wrote:
Oh there will DEFINITELY be rules to follow about trash pick up, keeping drinks stocked in the cooler,etc. I'm not going to be a maid. There will be rules to follow in the park too -- I'm not about to get kicked out because of teenagers acting stupid. I'll be kicking some a$$ first! And my son knows it.

Luckily I know all the kids and they're good kids. No "troublemakers" among them, but you know get some teenage boys together & ........... So I'll definitely be riding them pretty hard & keeping tabs on where they are. I've already had this speech with my son & he agrees to keep his friends in line.

We've taken one friend before but never this many. I guess the first trip will determine if there'll be a SECOND--LOL.

You have some great ideas abut this trip.

My advice, don't start out "riding them pretty hard." If they deserve it, then mount up, but give them a chance first.

Full Electricity. This Texas Gal can't live without her AC!! I'm sure they'll even bring DS's Xbox for downtime at night. They don't usually head out for the night fishing until 11pm or so.

Good idea on the meals! I might furnish the recipes & let them prepare it!

I also "encourage" use of the CG showers. DS always showers in the CG -- he wants to run the hot water till the cows come home.

Definitely have them bring their own drinks and snacks. I would add a jar of drink mix like lemonade, etc. in case they run out mid-trip (it's amazing how much teenage boys can go through in a day). Be sure they know it's up to them to make their snacks and drinks last through the trip - there's no running out to the store if they run out on the second day.

I would have each boy plan one hot meal and be the head chef for that meal. That will give them some input into the meals and reduce your workload. And, after the first trip, it may build a bit of fun competition between the boys as to whose meal is the best.

Are you limiting electronics? If not, will you have hookups to re-charge devices on demand? If you don't have hookups at the campground, then you need to be clear on generator usage and/or house battery limitations. 4 teenagers' worth of electronics could run through a battery pretty quickly.

Other than that, I think it will be fine. You know them, they're good kids, and they've got a wilderness to enjoy. Just a reminder here and there about camping etiquette (check voices late at night and early mornings, etc.) and they'll be fine.

Oh there will DEFINITELY be rules to follow about trash pick up, keeping drinks stocked in the cooler,etc. I'm not going to be a maid. There will be rules to follow in the park too -- I'm not about to get kicked out because of teenagers acting stupid. I'll be kicking some a$$ first! And my son knows it.

Luckily I know all the kids and they're good kids. No "troublemakers" among them, but you know get some teenage boys together & ........... So I'll definitely be riding them pretty hard & keeping tabs on where they are. I've already had this speech with my son & he agrees to keep his friends in line.

We've taken one friend before but never this many. I guess the first trip will determine if there'll be a SECOND--LOL.

You are off to the right start.

Don't forget having them police the campsite when leaving.

Teaches them to pick up after themselves. Valuable lesson.

All "Kids" need to be sat down and be given a set of rules. Exactly what is expected of them.

Happybooker you are off to the right start.

I think it's good training to suggest they contribute with their snacks and drinks. Maybe you could also suggest they help build campfires and grill some cowboy packets or burgers/dogs with your supervision. I loved doing stuff like that as a kid.

I'd also suggest dividing up a few chores like dishwashing and trash removal, as an educational experience. You have a great opportunity in a relaxed, fun setting.

This is fresh in my mind because we just spent our 40th annual multi-generation week at my brother's beach house. Some of the "Kids" are now in their forties, and don't do much to contribute or seem aware of the cost to my brother of hosting them (lost rental that week, cleaning fees, linen service, utilities, etc.) They didn't get the right lessons as teenagers in how to be a good guest.

The "Kids" (not mine) make big salaries, drive expensive cars, own all the expensive electronics of course, etc etc. We four old siblings are all retired and watch our pennies. None of the kids prepared a meal, emptied the dishwasher, bought groceries, even glanced at the check in a restaurant on their parents anniversary, etc. They ran off to go boating or up to their oceanfront rooms to read, leaving a greasy popcorn pan, pizza boxes, empty water bottles etc on the table. Meanwhile, us old people, cooking dinners for 15, have a variety of disabilities that come with age.

At the end of our annual gathering, two of us proposed hiring caterers next year. One of the kids (a Vice President of a major corporation earning six figures) said, sort of pitifully, "Would we all have to share in the cost?" Yes.

End of rant. I applaud the original poster's plans.

Reasonable request. Have fun - you will actually get to enjoy your son and see his face. Enjoy! Let the boys help and do things. No waiting on them. All will enjoy the trip more. I always ask them to bring their pillow as i like mine best.