Foster Families

[rebelopie]

Hey all! I was wondering if there were any other foster families out there who take their kiddos camping. We host a support group for other foster/adoptive families in our area. None of them go camping because of the extra challenges of taking foster kids out and about.

We currently have 3 placements and have been on two camping trips so far this year. Our two youngest have never been outside of town, so they were pretty anxious about the idea. The first trip out we dry camped about a half hour from home. We wanted to stay close to the house just in case of a crisis. They all did well staying close to the trailer and had a good time playing outside between rains.

On our second trip out, we camped a few hours away at a KOA. The youngest ones did better in a formal campground with paved roads and a playground. They are prone to running off in more crowded environments like this, so it was more stressful for the DW and I keeping them wrangled. It was snowy and cold the first day, so we spent a lot of time cooped up in the trailer.

For our next trip in a few weekends, we will dry camp again but try two nights. Our goal for this summer is to do a week-long trip to the beach with them all, so we need to keep getting them prepared for that long of a trip.

Any other foster/adoptive families out there in RV land?

TJ

[Oasisbob]

Yes, we have two adopted girls 5 & 13 and they love to take along others and show them the ropes. Often the kids we take have never camped before. I love taking them. Many good memories. We have taken as many as six at once. O the fun we had. Just love it. BTW In Oregon foster parents & adoptive foster get free state camping. The state realized the value of this program years ago.

[rebelopie]

@Raymon: Glad to hear that having additional kiddos hasn't kept your son from going camping. Good on him for providing them with a permanent home. The adoption process can be challenging, to be sure. We have tribal placements along with state placements. On our current tribal placement, we were told we would never be allowed to adopt. However, in time, we have been able to show the tribal courts our respect for the culture and have integrated elements into our daily lives. They have now cleared up to adopt our 12-year-old boy later this summer!

@Merrkalia: Fostering is certainly not for everyone. The need is greater than those who are willing to give it a try. There are several ways you can get introduced into fostering without committing to taking in a kid long term. The easiest way is to get cleared to provide baby-sitting. Foster parents (at least where we live) are not allowed to call up the teenager across the street to watch kids for awhile. Licensed child care providers are required. The process to get cleared for this is quicker than the full foster parent licensing process.

Another way to get started is to complete training to provide respite. There are times when foster parents have to take care of personal business (like a family emergency) and can't bring kids along. Respite providers care for the children for a full day up to a few nights for the foster parents. Many foster parents start out by providing respite so they can get a better feel for what fostering is like.

[Merrykalia]

We have discussed the idea many times, but we have been "gun-shy" of the whole process. We have a grown son and two daughters, 11 and 8.

Maybe this fall, we may sit down and begin filling out all the required paperwork and take the mandatory class.

God bless you for bringing children into your home and give them some semblance of a "normal" life. You will be richly rewarded.

[Raymon]

Not my wife and I, but our oldest son has four children plus 4 foster children who are all brothers and sisters with the same mother, but different fathers. They have had 2 of the children for almost 5 years.

Our son and his wife have taken all 8 children camping may times over the past 5 years. He has a very large tent plus a couple of smaller tents. My wife and I have also joined them on several Labor Day weekends. We have a motor home. Our younger son and his family also come on Labor Day. He has a popup.

Lots of children but we have a great time. All the children really enjoy camping.

Hopefully, by the end of June 2015 all 4 foster children will be adopted by our son and his wife. Been lots of red tape and jumping through many loops to get them adopted. We realize we cannot save all the children, but we certainly can make a difference in the lives of these 4 children.

I wish you the best and God bless you.

Ray