Tips for a reluctant 10 year old swag user

[Socks]

We have decided it will be easier for us if the kids use swags rather than setting up bunks and stretchers in the annexe.

However my 10 year old son is going to be a reluctant swag user. I can feel it - mothers instinct! He doesn't like the dark and is already concerned that it'll be dark when camping. He hasn't done a lot of camping in his short life and when he did it was in a tent in a caravan park.

Any tips for how to ease him into this and have him a happy camper would be appreciated. I'm sure some of you have younger kids than mine using swags &/or reluctant campers.


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[Bird]

if he doesn't like it, then don't force him or it will put him off even more and off camping.

Why not use a camp stretcher? We use 2 for both our kids, I wouldn't like to try them in swags...

[Nay-DMAX]

I don't have kids but what about some camp outs in the lounge where the swag would not be zipped up and his own torch for camping or some type of battery night light that might help with the dark worry.  But like lost said not forcing him to like the swag.  Good luck

[DannyG]

Try and borrow a swag first?

Can't blame you for wanting the ease of setup of a swag, our kids use them.

You don't have to set up a swag so it's fully enclosed and dark as such, they can use them just as a flat swag first.
At times our kids just use their swag mattresses and a sleeping bag inside the camper and leave the canvas part at home!

[Socks]

Thing is lost he decides he doesn't like something before he even tries it. Hes not good at giving things a go. And he needs to learn to try stuff i.y.k.w.i.m

Wile he hasn't camped a lot he is keen to camp and has loved it in the past so hence why I'm looking for ideas to ease him happily into the swag concept


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[Dan]

Hi socks
I'd give the kids a lounge room camp out with torches and damper and any other camping things you can think of.  Making everything normal before you even leave the house.
good luck Dan.

[Socks]

Can't blame you for wanting the ease of setup of a swag, our kids use them.

Thanks Danny

How old are your kids and do they like them?

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[heath74]

It's weird, one of my sons sleeps with the light on every night at home, 8 yrs old. However sleeps happily in his swag. I was surprised to be honest.  A couple of things that I do.

Make sure he has his head torch in there and it's working, show him how to keep it in the same pocket.

Always put the zips in the same place.

He had a few nights in it in his bedroom, opened up when he first got it.

Let him bring a couple of teddies with him.

Use the same pillow he has at home.

He also has his iPod in there with him.

No problems at all. In fact it's the one place he tends to sleep in !

[Socks]

Hi socks
I'd give the kids a lounge room camp out with torches and damper and any other camping things you can think of.  Making everything normal before you even leave the house.
good luck Dan.

 Great idea


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[D4D]

Swag night in the lounge room, then swag night in the backyard and make sure he has a big arse light sabre LED torch

[Socks]

Thanks Heath. Some great ideas there


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[DannyG]

Thanks Danny

How old are your kids and do they like them?

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Our kids that use the swags are 10 yo girl and 16 yo boy. Our 18yo boy uses a mattress and sleeping bag on the rare times he camps with us.

[edz]

Our little miss 5 likes a light on at night at home, but for camping she settles for those thin coloured  glow sticks that can be connected together... A pack of twenty is only a few dollars and they throw just enough light inside the camper, outside a few cheap solar garden lights lighten up the camp area .

[GraemeL]

I agree with others, set it up at home and make it fun, invite some friends over and make it a swag night. make sure he has a good light and anything else that will make him feel comfy.

When actually camping keep him very close to you, that way he still has some security knowing that you are right there should he feel the need.

[speewa158]

l made an LED strip light with only 4 lights on it for just such a Swagger  . Seems to work well just enough light to be safe by , empowers them as it had a switch to turn it off . Worth a try 

[Brumbypt]

As per above, swag sleep at home, then in your annex like u normally do when camping, then when he is used to it move in out after a few camps or when he is ready to.

[GGV8Cruza]

As all other suggestions, start at home then outside and then into the bush. Also get some glow sticks/bracelets, the kids love them and they light up the tent/swag all night long once activated, will give him a nice glow in the swag

GG

[Swannie]

Agree with all above comments. My son who was out in his swag for the first time last weekend had a little "freak out" in his new swag, he then jumped into mine and slept like a baby so not sure what was going on...

Swannie


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[GUEY]

As all the above has said then go one step further back again. Take him to a camping store and let him play around in them with your other kids.
Try and make it fun that he has his own little area.
I have trouble keeping my kids out of them at the shops or when mine is set up.
Note - tell the shop assistant what you are up to so they don't just think your kids are running feral. Most will be more than happy to help out.
Or be like me. I let the other half and kids have the camper and I'm happy to sleep outside in my swag. Ahh the tranquility.

[Tim - Stratford]

As all other suggestions, start at home then outside and then into the bush. Also get some glow sticks/bracelets, the kids love them and they light up the tent/swag all night long once activated, will give him a nice glow in the swag

GG

The glowsticks are a top idea. The cheap bracelets are great as they can be threaded onto the zippers - makes the camo bivvy easy to find after a 3am pit stop! For youngens they make the swag zippers easy to find with a soft glow in the swag.

Tim

[paulo]

Also, what about the style of swag?? There are plenty around now that have hoops or ropes so the weight of the canvas is not laying on top of him and he'll have stacks of room. This might help with any claustrophobic dramas.

[chester ver2.0]

With the nieces  before the Wilpena Pound trip we actually let them set the swags up in the back yard and wet them down themselves. This then became a great game of one being in the swag seeing if the water came in whilst the other one tried to drown her sister and swag and the back yard in general with the hose (at least they would not leak with the wetting they got)
The girls were showed how to set up and roll them back up and their job at each camp was to make their bed so to speak and pack it up, they seemed to like the fact that they had a dedicated job to do each day
If this then became an ownership thing I do not know, but they loved sleeping in them to the point we had to get a texta to write their names on them as the fight that went on one day cause one thought they were in their sisters one (OMG Trent so icky according to the youngest) and vice versa was a doozy.

[Socks]

Love the idea of the solar lights near each swag! Will definitely be getting a couple

The glow sticks could work too

We've already purchased the swags and they are the type that are rounded on the top so don't sit directly over the kids. Will let the 3 kids do some backyard swag nights once the weather is better.

The ownership idea is also a great idea. Hopefully that'll give him a reason to want to make this work also


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[JCOJ]

l made an LED strip light with only 4 lights on it for just such a Swagger  . Seems to work well just enough light to be safe by , empowers them as it had a switch to turn it off . Worth a try 

That would be me and I use it every camping trip! 

My six year old has had enough of being in the camper and wants his own pop up tent. I am happy to let him try but the wife thinks Azaria's dingo will be at every campsite we go to. However my 8 yr old would be in our bed every night if he could.

I guess it is a matter of doing things when THEY feel comfortable doing so and not pushing them into it.

[Marschy]

Just remind the missus that you're south of the dingo fence John. The boy's will be OK.

I think my daughter had 3 trips away in the camper before she decided she was too 'cool' to sleep in the same tent as the 'oldies'. I don't care personally, just as long as I can keep her interested in coming with us for as long as possible. I just hope I've been able to give her some memories from her childhood that will last as long as some of mine.

Cheers Marchy