Questions about traveling with grandkids

[path1]

Grandparents looking for advice in todays world about grandkids. And I understand everybody is different.

Our kids have lots memories of camping with us when they were young, and they talk to their kids (our grandkids)about how much fun it was. Back then (we)as young parents, we camped because it was cheap. Our thoughts back then and probably like most parents today were to get our kids somewhere they could have fun and not cost much money. Load up kids, dogs, tent and ice chest in 1963 station wagon and go. We didn't worry about much. If we broke down, lucky for you...you'll get a chance to meet other people on the Greyhound bus going back home. As far as buying stuff, Didn't have the problems that kids have today. We usually got them post cards and ice cream cone. And they were happy, or atleast pretend your happy or walk.:)

OK now 45 years later, US (grandparents) planning a 3 week trip with grandkids ages 8-15.


---What age should kids have and carry ID if any? (we do have medical info).

---As far as buying stuff...when we take them on shorter trips closer to their home, it seems like they blast thru money like our back pocket is overloaded and never going to run dry. And that's OUR money and that's going to stop. But don't want to be a jerk about it. Here is what I have in mind.

Giving each one of them some money and getting a gift card. Minors can use plastic right? Half cash and half on plastic. When they blast through what they know they had, then that's it. They are out of money. OK, welcome to the real world, time to learn about budgets and make your buying decisions more thoughtfully.

What do you do?

Please tell me what you think. Too harsh? Just right?

Thanks

As a side note...older grandkids still talk about our "pioneer" trip. We did a one week trip. Grandkids picked black berries for pies and jam. Had to fry up their own fish they caught. Bought fruit from roadside fruit stands and canned corn and tomatoes along the way. Good thing our RV has two propane tanks, canning takes a lot of propane. Also I cooked few meals with Dutch oven with no charcoal, only twigs and small sticks. Lot harder to control heat, so I learned something also.

P.S. Not leaving country just states.

[WNYBob]

If you are going to Canada, check wtrh both gov agencies first. I belive you need a letter giving you permission to have them with you.

Such are the times we live in!

[mleekamp]

1. State ID's are around $5-10. Worth getting! We have them for our girls and renew them every few years. We make them carry them on their person so if lost, whatever, they have an ID.

2. We do the exact same thing with ours...sometimes $40 per kid on a trip, sometimes zero! Depends. You can do more. Have the parents chip in a few bucks per kid too. We have them use cash so they understand the value of money better, but cards work too!

No matter what, they will remember trips with Gma & Gpa without a doubt! My kids used to camp with my parents; in 2012 we bought a rig and off we go!