Took the boys camping for the first time last month and everything went wrong. Tent flooded, forgot the camp stove fuel, and one kid got food poisoning. We bailed after one night. I really want to try again this summer but I'm nervous. What am I missing? Any experienced camping dads have tips for camping with kids ages 4 and 7?
Man, that's rough but honestly you're already ahead of the game just by taking them out there. My first attempt at anything with my son was a comedy of errors too. The fact that you're learning from this camping trip means the next one will be way better.
Food poisoning is the worst part there, that had to be scary. Once you figure out your setup for next time (new tent, fuel sorted) it'll go smoother. Start small maybe, do a backyard camp night first to work out the kinks before heading out again.
Everything went wrong at once, that's brutal. But here's the thing - your boys will remember that you tried and that matters way more than perfect execution. Low and slow on rebuilding that camping confidence. You got this.
Flooded tent sounds miserable. Did you guys bail and head home or try to salvage the weekend? I'm planning our first trip soon so I need to know what to avoid.
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The fact that you got them out there is what matters though. My first camping trip was a disaster too but the kids remember the adventure part, not the failures.