beachball42
Indiana
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We allow our kids to bring their Nintendo DS and the DVD player but the DVD's are only for traveling. Once we get to the campground then no movies, even in the rain. We will allow some of the Nintendo. Mainly its outside activities, games, etc.
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happybooker1
Magnolia Texas
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Joined: 03/03/2007
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We're like Pawz4me -- we go camping for the amenities of the park or close by. Sometimes DS takes his Wii and we always have movies. After he spends 3 hours or so tubing down the river and/or jumping off the rope swings, he's ready for some 'down' time. During the heat of the day we'll chill in the camper and he'll watch a movie or play games (even on the laptop) while I take a nap.
It IS, after all, both our vacations. But since he LIKES swimming, tubin', etc. I don't have to talk him into it. Everything in moderation of course. I personally like midday naps on vacations -- I would HATE for someone to tell me I couldn't NAP!! 
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Chock Full o' Nuts
GA
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Joined: 02/02/2007
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colochoclab wrote:Ok. I just read this one to my 14yo son and this was HIS reply:
He said it was okay to bring the game system along, but NOT okay to be playing it all day long! He said it is much better to be out riding bikes or doing "stuff"! In the evenings or when it is gross outside, it's ok to play then.
Straight from the horse's mouth!
But I do have to say my kid did set up his RockBand game outside during a party and it was a huge hit with kids and adults alike! All things in moderation I guess!
-Lab
We never really had a problem with this. When our DS23 was of age to still camp with us we had a pop-up--no tv. At that time we pretty much all stayed outside all day long. Now my DD16 isn't interested in video games, but we do allow her to watch videos on her computer when we're traveling. I can remember those long car trips with my parentals--boring as heck! There is a limit to how many lakes, trees, deserts, and mountains a kid can look at and comment on.
I did want to applaud the Rock Band idea. Last summer we attended a family reunion at a Methodist retreat center. Lovely for us grown-ups, a little boring for the teens & young adults. So I had DS bring his Rock Band set up. He put it up in a small conference room that we were renting for our get-togethers. OMG! That was the hit of the reunion. Our family is scattered over 11 states so the young cousins haven't had the benefit of growing up together and don't know each other very well. Rock Band is the great equalizer.
We adults got a real kick out of watching these kids bond over Rock Band. We even had a couple of teen boys who were staying at another family's reunion come wandering in to ours when he heard we had Rock Band. The kids were only allowed to play for a couple hours after lunch, and then from 9-11, after our eveining get-together. A side benefit is that the kids got interested in playing real music together and pretty soon they had broken out their many guitars and mandolins. What a concert! And what great memories they made, too.
"Those who dwell...among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life."--Rachel Carson, environmentalist, 1956
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mecreature
Indianapolis, IN
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moderation is the key. If you cannot exercise moderation, then it probably is best to leave it at home.
We have free time to do what YOU want to do. I usually ride the bike or go on a small hike (smoke a yucky cigar). My wife reads in her books she brings and my son might enjoy a video game.
we have several board games.. yatzee, checkers and some puzzles.. and outside games. And like to dance in the rain. (don't stare)
Someone mentioned respect.. it goes a long way. and is contagious.
98 Skyline Nomad 1950 Compact
2004 Silverado 1500 EXT. 5.3 3.42 Axle 2wd
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dieharder
Ottawa, ON
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Personally, I mix some relax time in with the various things I do while on vacation. If we're sightseeing, taking tours, beahc, whatever, of course the games and books stay in the RV. On relaxing days, if I'm relaxing and taking it easy, why shouldn't my daughter be?
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StaceyE
Chicagoland
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I guess it depends upon how you see video games. While it is true that we adults are able to relax however we see fit, generally speaking we choose to do it in a somewhat healthy manner. Is there a benefit to napping, reading a magazine or book, going for a walk, visiting with a friend - probably. Relaxes the body, uses your brain, energizes the soul. Would you say that those are the kinds of benefits that would come from playing a few hours of video games - probably not. As adults, we have to help our children moderate what isn't that healthy for them (and video games are not healthy), much in the same way we wouldn't hand them several dozen cookies and say eat up. A couple of cookies - fine, enjoy in moderation. Our families attitude is the same concerning computers, TV, and video games - okay in small doses.
Our purpose for camping is to connect with one another. My hubby recently said to a friend who doesn't 'get' camping "Where else is my 11 year old going to hold my hand to walk to the bathroom for teeth brushing - that certainly doesn't happen at home". We leave ALL electronics behind with the exception of a radio and our kids LOVE to camp. When we are camping we devote our energy and attention to just being a family. In four years of camping, our kids have never said, "I wish we had our TV here", but many weekends at home where they have access to TV and video games, they've said, "Wish we could camp this weekend".
All of that being said, my oldest is 11, and still enjoys family time, campfires and playing in the woods. As our kids get older, if the only way I could get my teenagers to camp with us meant bringing the video games and a TV, I might change my mind. We'll see!
Tom and Stacey
DD Nikki (11) and Kate (6)
Wrigley our big black dog
'02 7.3 Excursion with '93 Prowler 27BH
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sneakers145
CT
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Quote:Would you say that those are the kinds of benefits that would come from playing a few hours of video games - probably not. As adults, we have to help our children moderate what isn't that healthy for them (and video games are not healthy), much in the same way we wouldn't hand them several dozen cookies and say eat up. A couple of cookies - fine, enjoy in moderation. Our families attitude is the same concerning computers, TV, and video games - okay in small doses.
Just because *you* don't find video games relaxing doesn't mean your kids don't. I disagree that video games are not healthy. And kids can only truly learn moderation when they've been allowed to experiment with excess. Unlimited video games, cookies, etc allows a child to determine their own limits. My kids have unlimited access to both but have learned, on their own, where their own limits are. BTW, my kids are the ones eating vegetables instead of chips and cookies at buffets and picnics. Why? Because they choose to, because they like them, and cookies and other sweets are available anytime they want them...there is no lack.
Allowing your child to make decsions that concern them enables them to make bigger decisions later in life.
Jay
Two kids and two Brussels Griffons
Nights camped in 2009: 27
2000 Fleetwood Bounder 32H
2007 Ford Focus
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StaceyE
Chicagoland
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The original poster was simply asking for opinions, and I was giving mine. We all parent differently and experience success in different ways.
* This post was
edited 10/21/09 07:36pm by StaceyE *
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mecreature
Indianapolis, IN
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My son started first grade this year. He is pretty saavy in newer technology. He does not own a playstation a Wii or any of the fancier gadgets geared towards games. We do have a couple full blown Macs with big screens with some games.
that said...
kids these days are using the technology right out of the box. They must get up to speed and stay there.
I can see it getting in the way of developing social skills needed too...I work with people who have played games all their life.. Web developers, IT specialist.. they seem to be fine.
moderation and diversification.
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resmas
Alaska
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mecreature wrote: kids these days are using the technology right out of the box. They must get up to speed and stay there.
I seriously have to wonder sometimes how we survived as kids 20, 30 or more years ago. How? We had no cell phones, no video games, no portable music devices (well, there were boom-boxes, but they were never very portable!). Yet we still had loads of fun, and we USED OUR IMAGINATION to entertain ourselves. This is what we strive for with our children.
* This post was
edited 10/22/09 11:21am by resmas *
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