Kids first wheeling/camping?
Greetings All! I'm new to the this forum, and am looking for some guidance. I used to live in KC (now in Ft. Worth), and still have friends and family there. One of these dear friends has several boys around 10 years old that haven't ever been wheeling or camping. Their (single) mom just isn't interested in this sort of thing. When the boys were younger and I lived in KC, she and I talked about me someday taking the boys camping. Things have been rough for them recently, and I'm thinking that it might be good for the boys to get out of the house and get dirty. Not to toot my own horn, but I think it'd also be good for them to have some time with an upstanding, trustworthy adult male. Their "dad" is . . . not a good influence. :evil: I've got a pretty much stock '99 Jeep TJ with the inline 6 engine and 30" BFG ATs. I've added an engine/transmition skid plate. I've also got a good assortment of recovery gear including a HiLift Jack and their winch kit, small compressor and the usual safety gear, fire extinguisher, first aid kit etc. The plan that I'm forming is to pick the kids up Saturday morning, drive down and spend the day wheeling. Then camp overnight doing basic camp crafts, cooking, fire, knots and other fun outdoorsy stuff. Then Sunday, hike in the morning to show them a different kind of backcountry experience, and then drive home that afternoon. What do you all think of this plan? Is there enough stuff to spend a day wheeling with a stock rig? How is the onsite camping? Are the trails designated foot or vehicle only, or is the hiking done on the vehicle trails? Are there fire rings in the campsites and is firewood gathering permitted and if not, is it available for purchase in the park or nearby? What else comes to mind that I ought to think about or know? Any ideas, assistance, criticisms etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Adam

Adam it sounds like you have a great plan. There is plenty to do for your vehicle at the park and I'm sure the boys will have a great time. Camping is primitive and the bathroom is the only ammenity. We do have fire rings and you are welcome to gether you own wood, just bot cutting any trees down..:) The hiking is on the same trails but with a map you can pretty well avoid any vehicle traffic almost completly. Thanks for thinking of us for oyu outing and thanks for taking the time to make a differnce in someone elses lives. let us know if we can be of any assistance, Jake

What date are you planning on going. My 10yr old loves to go with me and we need to get out. I've got a 89 XJ w/ 4"s of lift and 31's. It needs a few things before I'm ready to hit the moderate trails. Let me know and I'll try and get down there that weekend. Parakeet

Thanks for all the info Jake. The park sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Parakeet, thanks for the offer. I'd planned on going down on May 19-20, however it looks like that weekend isn't going to work out for the boys. At this point, I'm going to continue to try to coordinate a camping/wheeling trip, but dont' wait on us. With several families, summer activities, work schedules etc. this thing is getting really complex! :lol: I'll post our plans when/if I manage to get them made. If anyone else wants to run the trails with us they'll be welcome. Thanks, Adam

update
Well, things have changed, as they do, and this weekend will be the last opportunity I have to take the boys camping until the fall. Therefore, I'm planning to come up this weekend with the same plan as before. It looks like there has been a change in the camping policy, and this Saturday there will be a night run. If it's possible, I'd like to sign us up for the night run as well as the overnight. I printed the trail map from the web page, but the resolution is pretty low. Are there better maps available at the park, or for download? I'll go online tonight to get a park pass for Saturday and Sunday for the three of us. Do I need to add an additional $5 for the night run? Is there a camping fee? Where are the camping sites located? Is there drinking water available, or do I need to plan to filter/treat natural sources? Thanks, Adam

Yes we have maps at the park. The night run will be guided so dont worry about getting lost. The camping sites are across from the 4x4 playground. NO water availible, you will need to bring water with you. I would pay for the night run there just to make it easier on the park attendent.