NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1510624
42 Nebraskaland • November 2023 I n Nebraska, high summer reigns as the busiest season for family camping, but I'm the kind of mom who prefers to avoid the distractions of busy campgrounds. Unfortunately, opportunities for isolation can be limited in the summer. So, when my children were young, I heard tales — near legends — of families embracing cold-weather camping. Then in March 2003, a single car camping trip to see the sandhill crane migration launched nearly two decades of cold-weather camping. On that fi rst trip, my oldest was 3 years old and my youngest was 5 months and still nursing. Yes, there was a diaper change in the middle of the night when it was below 20 degrees outside. Yes, it was more traumatic for me than the baby — but it was worth it. Although these trips were not always easy and comfortable, they've become some of my kids' favorite and most memorable outdoor experiences. My boys have grown to become resilient because of those experiences. The Advantages of Off -Season Camping Camping is closely tied with the communal fi re. While summer campfi res are for cooking and keeping the bugs away only, in the cold, the warmth of a fi re becomes enjoyable. I am an advocate for letting kids play with a campfi re. Poking at a fi re or tossing in pine cones are great ways for children to develop their risk assessment of fi re and learn to respect it. Cold-weather camping also means you are working with sunset near 5 p.m. in December versus 9 p.m. in June. Earlier bedtimes are a symptom of camping in the off season. My kiddos were always ready to climb into their sleeping bags a couple of hours earlier than their regular bedtimes. Cold weather clears out insects and most people, too. Fewer people means less noise and more wildlife viewing opportunities. Gear When we started cold-weather camping, we simply took our summer gear and extra layers, and then slowly over the years, started upgrading. As any gearhead knows, quality camping gear is expensive, but please, remember that cold weather camping is accessible without having to spend a lot of cash on fancy new gear. Borrow from friends, buy used or just pack more layers until you know you are dedicated to continuing this pastime. SLEEPING BAGS – If you don't have the extra cash for a cold-weather bag, line your existing sleeping bag with another blanket or bag liner to increase the temperature rating. A tip: The transition from shedding outer layers and hopping into a cold sleeping bag can be a tough go for kids. A hot water bottle will warm up a bag, but I worried about it leaking. So, I switched to hot rocks! Set the kids out to collect rocks and warm them up by the fi re. CAMP MAT – Without this barrier, the cold ground will pull heat from your body, making for a miserable night. Sleeping mats don't have to be rated for cold weather — use your summer camp mat and an extra blanket to lie on top. TENTS – If you have a two- or three-season tent that keeps COLD- WEATHER CAMPING By Jamie Bachmann, Wildlife Educator