Polentswa with young children

[George]

I've been to Polentswa a couple of times, and returning next year, but this time there's a twist that quite frankly scares me a bit - the children are going along for the first time - 10 and 13 years old. Apart from the normal awareness and setting up camp strategically, the idea of kids, used to wondering around and exploring when we wild camp, is something new I need to prepare for, especially with me being quite risk averse. (yes, the no risk option is not taking them along or staying only in the SA camps)

Apart from teaching them to be on the look-out, we know kids will forget that and be more interested in searching for bugs etc. I've searched quite a bit for learnings of what measures others have taken with children, but haven't found much, so perhaps good to consolidate all the do's and don'ts in one space.

I can think of restricting certain areas for them (behind the caravan where I can't see), no kid outside after dark, adding windbreaker nets in front and at the rear of the caravan to buy some time should an animal approach from behind / blindspot etc.

What measure have you taken to lessen the stress levels, in general, and with children?

[Stranger]

For me, when the kids where younger, we spent hours role playing scenarios from a young age as to what we wanted them to do and how to behave. Especially having a daughter, she was taught when to scream and when not to.

It is not only fun to do this at home but hugely practical when you get to your destinations. We had a German tourist at Skukusa who stepped on a scorpion that zapped him. I was hugely impressed with my then 14 year old son who quickly grabbed a bowl and caught the scorpion while we called the Dr. The Doc was also impressed when my son showed him the scorpion and commented that it assisted him greatly knowing what species.

[ChasingSunsets]

My folks started taking us to the bush at a very young age, I was 5, my sister was 3 on her first trip.

Think places like mana pools, matusadonna, moremi etc.

Rules were rules, and they were maintained. No need for nets or anything, but it was simple. Kids in the cars or tents at sunset (my folks would sometimes reverse the rear of the car to the fire if still braaing. Toilet, dad/mom always accompanied us no matter the time or distance. Kids must always be visible, absolutely no going where the parents can't see you.

Like stranger said, help them understand when to stay calm and how to react. Do not run (partcilary not to the toilets for example), and back away slowly while facing the predator if they do intrude into camp. At night, a light helps keep them at bay if you need to back up.

Tents and zips must always remain closed, help them understand why.

Absolutely no food in tents, and obviously no leaving scraps around camp.

A fire is very valuable as a safety net.

Teach them to listen for noises, there's usually a heads up something is coming. Teach them to laugh and speak softly at camp. We always camped with less light, it casts less of a shadow and you aren't so night blind.

Once they spend enough time in the bush, they'll get a sense for when there is danger and when it's safe. Just generally be observant, when you drive into a camp, do a quick sweep before getting out.

And lastly, enjoy it.

[Andre N]

. . . . adding windbreaker nets in front and at the rear of the caravan to buy some time should an animal approach from behind / blindspot etc.

What measure have you taken to lessen the stress levels, in general, and with children?

Our Kids have never not camped with us, no matter their ages.

Above is what we did when they were crazy toddlers. At night the rules were you only stay in the light and there where mom or dad can see you.
And as another poster mentioned, Talk to them and explain the do's and don'ts and more importantly the Why's.

Now that they are older - more or less your Kids age group. They now have their own Torches and is actively encouraged to look for "Eyes" at night. Makes everyone more aware.

[Imvubu]

My kids travelled with to Botswana and wild camped with us when my youngest was 3 ( the others were 7 and 9).

We drilled a lot of camp site rules into them, and also taught them a few hand signs (not that type ) that they knew to obey instantly.

The 3 year old had to be accompanied by us or an older sibling at all times.