Kids in the woods - not a sufferfest

My sister's twins wanted to go camping, so what better time than when "mad uncle Tom" is visiting - someone who actually enjoys camping. So we did some research, looked at the weather, changed our plans, looked at the weather again and again (over a few days) , and changed our plans again. Then we hastily packed up the car and off we went to Wompatuck State Park.


First we set up the tents and then went on a deathmarch (to hear some of the kids complaining you would think that was the case, but it was probably under 2 miles - it definitely wouldn't have made it into the Sierra Challenge). We summited Prospect Hill (I think, it was a little hard to tell where the summit was in the woods - it looked a lot more impressive on the map 'til I realized it was a 10 ft contour interval). There were lots of old stone walls heading through the woods and various dirt paths, old roads, and paved paths. Also there were what looked like drumlins, except sometimes they had vents on top or doors on one end - they were old bunkers from when this was an ammunition facility. When we got to Holly Pond it was a lot brighter. Unfortunately the rocks covered in turtles were pretty far out. Then on back to camp.

trail at Wompatuck State Park

On the shores of Holly Pond

Bunker in the woods

Back in camp we started a fire. First I wasted a lot of time trying to light it with the flint and steel. I got some flames a few times, but everything was pretty damp, so I didn't actually get the fire going. We resorted to a lighter, and that didn't work 'til I shaved a stick down to shavings and used them to get things going. I have spent numerous hours of my life messing with campfires, so I have forgotten how much fun it can be. The twins enjoyed it immensely. For dinner we roasted sausage on sticks, and pepper, and biscuits on the grill. mmmm. Later we had hot chocolate. The fire got more attention before it was time for bed. It was pleasantly cool but not cold at all and the mosquitoes weren't noticeable. This was camping lite.

playing with fire - Wompy the fire demon

Unfortunately some nearby campers had a propane lamp that lit up one side of the tent and my sister had forgotten her pillow, but otherwise sleeping wasn't bad.

The next morning we played with the fire more, cooked eggs, did a little bit of slacklining, and whittled sticks (including a totem for Wompy - the fire demon we had been keeping in the fire pit) before packing up and driving home. A good time was had by all and we cut down on nature deficit disorder in the next generation.