Camping Adventure Lapbook

created by Tammy Maddox and Ami Brainerd

Lessons and Information

This unit was created to make camping a fun, educational, and memorable family
time. There are many helpful books on this subject; these are a few I have found
most useful.

Cooking on a Stick: Campfire Recipes for Kids by Linda White & Fran Lee
Cooking in a Can: More Campfire Recipes for Kids by Kate White and Debra Dixon
Sleeping in a Sack: Camping Activities for Kids by Linda White & Fran Lee
Trekking on a Trail by Linda White & Fran Lee
Wishing on a Star by Fran Lee
Fishing in a Brook: Angling Activities for Kids by Fran Lee
Backyard Birding for Kids by Fran Lee
Kids Camp! Activities for the Backyard or Wilderness by Laurie Carlson

If your child has never been camping, you should be able to find some fun camping
stories to read before you go. Some of the information in this unit study is
intended to be done before you leave, some you will do while you are camping. It
may help to have the mini-books cut out and put in a zip lock bag along with the
supplies you will need, such as a pencil, crayons or colored pencils, and some 4x6
cards.

First Aid/Safety
Camping is a wonderful way to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of the great
outdoors. It is also a time to learn about safety and being prepared for scrapes,
bruises, bugs, and the sun. Before you leave, discuss basic first aid with your child
and put together a kit that you will take with you camping. Discuss what things you
will take and why you might need them. Your library and the Red Cross have
excellent resources for this.

Be sure to include a whistle; it is very important to have in case you get lost or
badly hurt and cannot walk back. A whistle is much louder than your voice and is
easier to use. Blow three short bursts then wait a few minutes before blowing
again. This should only be used for emergencies not as a toy.
It is a good idea to have a “traveling” first aid kit also. This would be smaller than
the one you would keep at the campsite and would include items you may need
when you are out on the trail or in the boat etc. We find it convenient to use a belt
pack for our traveling kit. It includes smaller versions of our larger kit. I have found
that film canisters are great to hold smaller amounts of sunscreen, petroleum jelly,
etc.

You can also purchase travel size bug spray to put in your pack. Use the First Aid
mini-book to have your child cut and paste items that need to go in a first aid kit.
You may want to encourage your child to draw or write in other items that should
be included.

Be Prepared
It takes a lot of supplies to go camping; you will be living outdoors and will not be
able to run back to the house to grab something.

Once you decide where you will be camping and for how long you will stay, you will
be able to start making your supply list. This is a great opportunity to teach your
child about list making and responsibility (you don’t want to get to the campsite to
discover the cooler wasn’t put in the car!).

You will need a tent, sleeping bags, changes of clothes (clothes that can be
“layered” work well), first aid kit and medicines, whistle, food and cooking supplies,
towels and toiletries, matches, flashlight and batteries, and maps. There are many
other items you may not readily think of such as a compass, plastic bags, etc. We
find it useful to have a master packing list that we add to as we begin to pack and
we note things we should have brought that we put on our master list for the next
time (i.e. clothesline and clothespins).

There are many great books to help you pack what you need without over-packing;
Sleeping in a Sack has a thorough list of needed supplies.

Use the Be Prepared! mini-book to list some of the supplies you will need to bring.
Perhaps your child can list the supplies he is responsible for and can mark them off
when they are in the vehicle.

Leaves of Three
Use this mini-book to teach your child to identify poisonous plants.
Making Memories:
Use the Making Memories mini-book to scrapbook some of your favorite
memories. Encourage your child to draw or write down the memories.

My Five Senses and Nature

God has given us a beautiful world. Encourage your child to explore it with all five
senses. However, unless you are an expert on what is safe to eat in the wild, taste
should be limited to only the foods you have at the camp.

Be creative! What does the mud feel like squeezing through your toes? Is moss wet
or dry? Can you hear the different animals; can you identify some of them? The
sound of rushing water is very peaceful. The smell of a crackling of a campfire or
the dampness of the morning air. What do you see? Evidence that an animal has
been near, the bright open night sky, a waterfall, or little sister trying to catch a
tadpole?

Use the Senses Flap Book to record what your child discovers.

Recipes
Nothing tastes quite like food cooked over an open campfire. There are many ways
to cook while you camp: popular methods are on a stick, foil wrapped foods
cooked directly on the coals, or using a Dutch oven.

There are many helpful books on this subject; Cooking on a Stick has many kid
friendly recipes.

Some of our favorites include: Hobo dinners, kabobs and of course, roasted
marshmallows.

For a yummy Hobo dinner, take a piece of heavy duty foil lay a cabbage leaf on it
(this adds a great flavor and helps to keep food from burning if left on the coals for
too long) then add meatballs and your favorite cut vegetables and some
seasonings. Wrap the food tightly and cook directly on the coals for about 20-25
minutes. Use long-handled tongs to remove. You can make this recipe with any
meat.

Kabobs on a stick (any meat, vegetable, and pineapple) make for a fun and yummy
dinner. If you happen to be cooking over charcoal as opposed to wood, your food
will cook much faster so be careful!
Write your child’s favorite recipes on 4x6 cards and place them in the “Camp Style
Cooking” pocket.

Building a Campfire
The campfire is like the kitchen, it is where everyone gathers. Take the time to
teach your child both how to build a fire and how to be safe around one.

Your campsite will probably have a fire ring. If not, create one by clearing an area
of ground (about three feet in diameter).

Place small stones in the bottom and make a circle around it with larger stones.
You will need to bring or gather three types of wood (fuel): tinder, kindling, and
larger logs.

Tender is used to start the fire and will give immediate burn; this could be dry
leaves or grass, bark, dryer lint, wood shaving, small twigs etc. Kindling is small
sticks usually about one inch around or so. You will also need logs which are your
main source of fuel once your fire is lit.

Once your pit is ready and your supplies are gathered, be sure to have a bucket of
water nearby to put out the fire. Begin by putting a small mound of tinder in the
middle of the pit then teepee style, place kindling around it being sure to leave “air
holes” for circulation. Then you can build either a teepee style fire with your logs
around the kindling (this is good for a quick hot fire to cook over) or a log cabin fire
(good for a longer “night-time” fires) by placing your logs in a square around the
kindling. Proceed to light the kindling and enjoy!

Be sure to teach and/or remind your child to stay back from the fire and to never
play near it or run around it for their safety and to always completely put out the
fire before leaving the area even for a short time.

You can use the mini-book to either teach your child how to build a fire or to
reinforce what they already know.

You may want to visit the Smoky Bear website to learn more about fires and safety.

Bird Observations
Use the bird mini-book to record the birds that you spot as you are camping.
Tree I.D.
Use the mini-book to write the name of trees you have identified and draw a
picture of it or make a bark rubbing. If you keep a nature journal at home, you may
want to take a left to do a rubbing of when you return.

Watching Bugs
Use the bug mini-book to record the bugs that you find as you are camping.

Directions
Camping is a great time to learn about directions and what to do if you become
lost. Knowing how to use a compass, map, and the sun are great skills to have.
When you arrive at your destination, you will want to orientate your child with
where your campsite is in relation to landmarks, natural or manmade. Each
camper should have their own whistle (see first aid section).

Maps: Most DNRs and other camping areas will have maps of the grounds. Please
ask for one; they can be invaluable. If not, make your own with your child using
signs and symbols your child will recognize. When you are hiking through
unmarked areas you will want to bring pen and paper to create a map, this is a
great lesson to do with your child. Make sure they are able to orientate the map to
figure out the cardinal directions (North, South, East, and West) and what
landmarks to look for when coming from different areas. *Tip: If you become lost
or disoriented climb to a higher area to get a good look around to help locate
familiar landmarks or other people.

Compass: Show your child a compass and spend time practicing how to use it
(again be sure they know the cardinal directions and where the campsite is in
relation). You can practice using the compass as you hike together.

Sun: This is the trickiest way to tell directions but it is a good skill to acquire.

Day time: find a stick about three feet tall and place in a flat open piece of ground.
Mark the end of its shadow with a rock or another smaller stick. Wait about thirty
minutes and mark the tip of the shadow again. Connect the line and it will run from
West to East with the first marking indicating west.

Evening: The direction the sun is going down is west. Once you figure out the
direction you need to be traveling walk in a straight line. To help you do this, set
your eye on a landmark and walk toward it. If you need to go around obstacles
alternate going around them once on the left side, the next time of the right side,
this will help you stay in a straight line.

Write one way to find your way on each piece of the fan book provided.

Nature Hunt
Use the clipboard for a nature hunt.

Trash Hunt
Use the trash hunt mini-book as a scavenger hunt. This is a good time to discuss
our role of taking care of the earth and leaving things better than we found them.
You can use the mini-book to have your child pick up either before you set up
camp or as you are packing to go home.

Starry Nights
Use the mini-book to have your child dictate, write, or draw any constellations you
spotted while star gazing.

Psalm 19:1
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship”.

As a family, memorize this verse together. Use it for devotional time to attempt to
discern how awesome our God is. He and only He could create the glory of the
skies and of the earth. You may want to use Genesis and creation as your
devotions for this week and focus on how wonderful God is. Use the mini-book to
write in the Bible verse.

Materials and information on this website may be used for your own personal and
school use. Material may not be shared electronically or be used for resale.
© Homeschool Share
 Directions: Cut on solid lines. Fold on dotted lines. Use the inside of the
book to list the items needed to build a campfire, or write how to build a
campfire.

© Homeschool Share
 Cut out both pieces. Using an exacto knife, cut a slit
in the trashcan on the dotted lines. Stick top of
trash can in to the bottom piece. Put adhesive at
the very top and very bottom of the trash can.
Make sure the slider can move up and down freely.
© Homeschool Share
Directions: Cut on solid lines. Fold (in thirds) on dotted lines.

© Homeschool Share
Directions: Cut out shapes. Stack together with cover on top and staple. Use the
mini-book for tree identification. Identify a tree, write its name on the line, and draw
its leaf on the page.
© Homeschool Share
Directions: If desired, print extra file folders before you assemble the book.
Cut out file folders. Stack together with cover on top and staple.

© Homeschool Share
Directions: Complete the scavenger hunt. Cut around clipboard shape. Paste
the back of the clipboard to your lapbook.

© Homeschool Share
 © Homeschool Share
Glue this area to your Glue this area to your
lapbook or notebook. lapbook or notebook.
Directions: Cut books out. Fold on lines (matchbook style).
Directions: Cut out pocket as one piece. Fold back up. Wrap flaps around the back and
glue down.

side tab
side tab

your lapbook.
Glue this area to

© Homeschool Share
Directions: Cut out pages. Stack together with cover on top and staple.

© Homeschool Share
 Directions: Fold in
half on dotted line.
Cut around first aid
kit shape.

Have student make a

list of what he would
include in his kit. A
younger student can
cut and paste pic-
tures from the next
page.

© Homeschool Share
© Homeschool Share
Directions: Cut on solid lines. Fold (like a pamphlet) on dotted lines. Use images on previous
page to paste inside to your book.

Directions: Cut on
solid lines. Fold on
dotted lines.

© Homeschool Share
Directions: PRINT ON CARDSTOCK. Cut out each piece on the solid black lines.
Attach with brass fastener where indicated.

© Homeschool Share
Directions: Cut out book as one piece. Fold left side under. Fold right side under (it is the
cover). Unfold book. Cut on the solid lines to form five flaps.

Glue this area to your

lapbook or notebook.

© Homeschool Share
 Directions: Cut on solid lines. Fold on dotted lines. Use the inside of the
book to list the items needed to build a campfire, or write how to build a
campfire.

© Homeschool Share
 Cut out both pieces. Using an exacto knife, cut a slit
in the trashcan on the dotted lines. Stick top of
trash can in to the bottom piece. Put adhesive at
the very top and very bottom of the trash can.
Make sure the slider can move up and down freely.
© Homeschool Share
Directions: Cut on solid lines. Fold (in thirds) on dotted lines.

© Homeschool Share
Directions: Cut out shapes. Stack together with cover on top and staple. Use the
mini-book for tree identification. Identify a tree, write its name on the line, and draw
its leaf on the page.
© Homeschool Share
Directions: If desired, print extra file folders before you assemble the book.
Cut out file folders. Stack together with cover on top and staple.

© Homeschool Share
Directions: Complete the scavenger hunt. Cut around clipboard shape. Paste
the back of the clipboard to your lapbook.

© Homeschool Share
 © Homeschool Share
Glue this area to your Glue this area to your
lapbook or notebook. lapbook or notebook.
Directions: Cut books out. Fold on lines (matchbook style).
Directions: Cut out pocket as one piece. Fold back up. Wrap flaps around the back and
glue down.

side tab
side tab

your lapbook.
Glue this area to

© Homeschool Share
Directions: Cut out pages. Stack together with cover on top and staple.

© Homeschool Share
 Directions: Fold in
half on dotted line.
Cut around first aid
kit shape.

Have student make a

list of what he would
include in his kit. A
younger student can
cut and paste pic-
tures from the next
page.

© Homeschool Share
© Homeschool Share
Directions: Cut on solid lines. Fold (like a pamphlet) on dotted lines. Use images on previous
page to paste inside to your book.

Directions: Cut on
solid lines. Fold on
dotted lines.

© Homeschool Share
Directions: PRINT ON CARDSTOCK. Cut out each piece on the solid black lines.
Attach with brass fastener where indicated.

© Homeschool Share
Directions: Cut out book as one piece. Fold left side under. Fold right side under (it is the
cover). Unfold book. Cut on the solid lines to form five flaps.

Glue this area to your

lapbook or notebook.

© Homeschool Share
Terms of Use:
This product may be used for your own classroom or personal use. It
may not be shared as a pdf file, on the web, or in any other way.
© Homeschool Share

Camping Lapbook Copyright Thanks:

Clipart.com