Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

SHMIV wrote:MamaBear,

You've indicated, several times, that you home school your children. Do you train your children to carry stuff, if need be? Clearly, this would not be an option for the baby, but the older kids could possibly carry a few pounds of whatever, in a backpack. You could set up an obstacle course in the back yard, and have the kids go through it while carrying a weighted backpack. Make it fun, like a contest. Or, maybe there is a neighborhood playground that you could utilize for the same purpose. If any of the other neighborhood moms question you, tell them that you home school and you are having a PE class... which, of course, would be the truth.

Kids are tough. When I was 7, I hiked the entirety of York River State Park, with my father, in a day. That was about 25 miles (Well, 25 miles in 1986, anyway. The mileage may have changed, since then). Oh, and it rained that day. I had about a 20 pound pack. My sister, who was about 5 at the time, did about half that distance, that year, with a same-size pack. That time took less than a day. Which reminds me; your whole family should go hiking on a weekly basis, if possible. Aside from the benefit of witnessing the awe and wonder of what God has created, it prepares everyone for having to take a long walk, should the need arise. And, it gets the little people used to carrying stuff, too.

+10 for all of this...

We home school ours, don't forget Cub Scouts and Scouting, a great resource for like minded folks, and supervised "socialization" .

SHMIV is right on the money with the hikes, though, - nothing like a long walk to make one consider what they really need to take and what they can do without.

That way if and when y'all have to get on shank's mare, there'll be no whining and panic.

That is an excellent idea!. I had planned to start training myself for hiking....why not them too! Get them and me used to hiking and going for long walks! Thank you!

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You're welcome

On the Scouting idea; I had my son in the Scouts a few years ago. In retrospect, I should have found another pack for him. His pack-mates were all spoiled brats. He was the only one who earned anything on his own. The other kids parents were doing everything for them. On knot tying day, one kid cried while trying to tie a knot; pitched a fit, he did. His mother actually tied it, then said "See, you did it." So, should you decide to go that route, attend a meeting, sans children, to observe how the Scouts behave, how they dress, etc. Find a pack that fits the way you want your children to act. There are still plenty of good packs and troops out there, you may have to do a little searching, though.

MBC, I saw the attached pic and figured you needed a copy.

dorminWS wrote:MBC, I saw the attached pic and figured you needed a copy.

I'd hate to be on her bad side.

SHMIV wrote:

dorminWS wrote:MBC, I saw the attached pic and figured you needed a copy.

I'd hate to be on her bad side.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Yup; which is just one more reason it couldn't hurt to suck up a little bit.

SHMIV wrote:You're welcome

On the Scouting idea; I had my son in the Scouts a few years ago. In retrospect, I should have found another pack for him. His pack-mates were all spoiled brats. He was the only one who earned anything on his own. The other kids parents were doing everything for them. On knot tying day, one kid cried while trying to tie a knot; pitched a fit, he did. His mother actually tied it, then said "See, you did it." So, should you decide to go that route, attend a meeting, sans children, to observe how the Scouts behave, how they dress, etc. Find a pack that fits the way you want your children to act. There are still plenty of good packs and troops out there, you may have to do a little searching, though.

True that - the lifeblood of a pack or a troop is parents that are active and involved...
(in the right way!)

So I thought I would report back and tell you how our first little jaunt went. I decided since we were going for our first (non meandering the neighborhood at a leisurely pace ) walk that I would not put anything on their backs at all and just see how they did on a mile run/walk. Get a base line on them and me. I was pleasantly suprised at all of us. The place we went has little exercise stations every 1/4 mile. They were able to run/jog in between each station. They would play on the aparatuses for a few minutes (and I would catch my breath) and we would go to another station. I was surprised even at myself (I have done nothing more than short bike rides and walks around the neighborhood for going on 10 years or so), I was able to jog pushing the younger two children (3 and 9 months) between each station. Even little Elijah (3) ran two lengths (about a 1/2 mile all together).

Going to head out today and get little back packs for them that are better than one shoulder messenger bags. Well put their water in the packs next time and let them go with those on.

Eventually I want them (the older two) to carry a quart of water, their fleece blanket, socks, hat and gloves. I don't think that is unreasonable if we build up to it. Anthony can probably handle more, and I will probably give him more. Just one piece at a time.

Thank you all for the suggestion....I now have a plan for their PE curriculum (was scratching my head on that one) and we have a plan to get them (and me) more prepared come what may.

I really like that pic BTW......cause that is how things are round here!

AND SNACKS MAMA!

We have our three scouts carrying the "Boy Scout" backpack including snacks.

In case something happens? They can at least be fed. HAHAH

Of course...how could I forget those...they were on my list, just not written here.

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Glad it's working for ya, MamaBear. By the way, my Dad used to keep us quiet, while hiking, by keeping us on the lookout for deer, rabbit, or any other wildlife. He'd tell us that making noise would scare them off.

Well it will....I ve been on enough wilderness trip to know of you want to see animals you have to be very quiet, but if you want the animals to scamper (like the more agressive brands out west you talk and sing etc etc.

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Yeah, I've done a little out-west camping. Fortunately, though, I've successfully avoided all the aggressive species. My father, on the other hand, witnessed a pack of bears tearing apart vehicles in a parking lot in Yosemite State Park, one night.

Just a note the Sub2k will shoot the same bullet faster(by a couple hundred fps), and just about everyone can shoot a rifle a lot better than they can a handgun.

Sub 2K is sick nasty - I give it for a truck gun.

YEP! We've talked so much, I picked up a used ACU camo laptop bag to carry my SUB2K without freakin' out folks...

SHMIV wrote:My father, on the other hand, witnessed a pack of bears tearing apart vehicles in a parking lot in Yosemite State Park, one night.

I saw something similar on C'villes downtown mall one night. It wasn't bears though.

SpanishInquisition wrote:

SHMIV wrote:My father, on the other hand, witnessed a pack of bears tearing apart vehicles in a parking lot in Yosemite State Park, one night.

I saw something similar on C'villes downtown mall one night. It wasn't bears though.

coons?