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RV Camping on Silver Lake
Explore one of Michigan’s true gems, situated along the south shore of Silver Lake in Traverse City, Michigan.
Activities and Services
Holiday
Swimming and Fishing • Canoeing and Kayaking Play Areas • Volleyball and Basketball Courts Propane • Trailer Storage • Dump Station
info@holidayparktc.com • 231.943.4410
HolidayParkTC.com
that they are still fairly portable. They can be comfortable in a backpack while you take a hike. Another benefit is that if you introduce camping and outdoor pursuits earlier in a child’s life, the more “normal” this lifestyle will seem to them and the more likely they will enthusiastically share your appreciation. Plus, they learn early to be flexible and develop independence. A third advantage of camping with younger kids is that they get to spend a lot of time outside, which helps with sleep and overall encourages good health from an early age.
WHAT CAN KIDS DO AROUND THE
CAMPSITE TO HELP OUT?
There are lots of jobs for kids! The key is to incorporate kids into the routine and give them opportunities to be responsible. This may entail giving the same job to the same kid or mixing it up so that the kids can get familiar with many types of chores. The age of a child helps to determine what jobs are suitable, as does a child’s personality and areas of interest. All children can help with keeping the interior of the RV neat and tidy, start-
ing with their sleeping areas. Putting shoes away in the same place, picking up any trash, and generally taking care of their belongings are good places to start. When it comes to camp- site operations, older kids can help with setting up and tearing down, loading and unloading, packing (as long as everything is in its proper place), preparing meals, or taking care of younger children to free up mom and dad.
WHERE SHOULD I START CAMPING
WITH MY FAMILY?
You may have grand ideas of traveling cross-country or driving to a national park several states away for your first expedition
as an RVing family. Honestly, don’t. It’s better to pick a camping destination that’s close to home so that you can get familiar with your RV, the RV lifestyle, and get a better idea of whether you and your kids actually like camping. Camping close to home is helpful if there is an emergency or the weather forecast takes a bad turn. This way, it’s easy to return home or find any assis- tance you may need in a location that is familiar to you.
If you’re new to camping and RVing, start off slowly, rent a cou- ple types of RVs, visit your local parks, and get outside on the trails. Do only as much as a youngest child can handle, or split up activities by taking younger kids to do something while older kids do another. You may be surprised at how far their little legs can take them. If you’re more experienced, then it’ll seem rela- tively seamless to bring the child or kids along on your trips. In fact, they may even be better trips now that you’re sharing them.
Don’t feel you need to wait for a certain age; you can go camp- ing whenever you feel like it. Your family will benefit from the effort regardless of the age(s) of the kids, and you might just pass along a love for the outdoors in the process.
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POOL & HOT TUB
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Cedar Valley
2 Golf Courses • Amusement Park • RV Park
M-33, COMINS 989.848.2792
ExperienceCedarValley.com
MichiganRVandCampgrounds.org
2024 MICHIGAN RV & CAMPGROUNDS • 63