Skeeter Camelbak
For our son’s birthday we got him a hydration pack, the Skeeter Camelbak. He loves it because he thinks it’s a jetpack like Jango Fett wears on Star Wars…and I guess because he can get a drink whenever he wants.
The Skeeter Camelbak product description says it fits kids 5 and up but Corbin just turned 4 and it adjusts small enough to fit him just fine. It also has a lifetime warranty on the reservoir. And it has wicking mesh to keep his back dry and comfy. It also has reflective strips on it for when it’s dark out.
We got this for him mostly because we want him to get used to carrying something on our outings. It’s also nice because he can drink whenever he wants and we don’t have to stop, take off our pack, unzip it and hand him his water bottle. I think it will help him stay better hydrated in the future.
At first I was frustrated that the Skeeter CamelBak didn’t have a sternum strap because I didn’t want it slipping off of his shoulders. But after going on a short hike this morning I realized it fits him just fine. No slipping, it’s fairly secure. Overall I like the new CamelBak, but don’t take my word for it…take his.
Me: “Corbin, do you like your new CamelBak?”
Corbin: “Yes, cause I love it. And I maybe can uh…uh….drink out of the hose. And I look like a hiking person.”
Me: “Is it heavy?”
Corbin: “No”
Me: “Does it make you tired”
Corbin: “No, when I’m sweating I get a drink out of the hose”
And there you have it from a freshly turned 4-year-old! I think Corbin’s older brother, Cru, will be getting a CamelBak for Christmas. I’m thinking I’ll get the larger capacity CamelBak for him however, the Mini-MULE, which has a waist and sternum strap. The Kelty Starfish is also a great option as a hydration pack for kids.
Hydration For Kids
One crucial aspect of hiking and enjoying time outside during the summer is staying hydrated. As a parent it’s important that we stay conscious of our children and the amount of liquids they are consuming. WebMD describes how kids are different than us adults when it comes to hydration, “Parents… should know that active children do not adjust to hot temperatures as well as adults. Their body surface, as a proportion of their overall weight, is much greater than an adult’s. So they produce more heat during physical activity and they sweat less than adults. This reduces their ability to get rid of body heat.”
One of my children will drink anything on the planet if it has some kind of color additive in it. But when it comes to clean and clear water he won’t swallow unless I’m hovering over him like a hawk. He has gotten better with time though and I think that has to do with the way we’ve learned to present it to him. We let him pick out his own water bottle from the store and then had him decorate it with stickers. That little bit of independence seemed to make him more excited to drink from his very own water bottle. Now when we go on hikes or to his baseball games he’s more willing to stop frequently and take a couple swallows.
We went and explored Goblin Valley in South East Utah this last summer. It is an amazing place that makes you feel as if you’re on another planet, with mushroom shaped sandstone scattering the landscape.
We were visiting in August! If you don’t already know it’s unbelievably hot there during this time of year. We decided to go during the cooler part of the day but it was still roasting. This was our setup…
It’s a good rule of thumb to take 16 floz. of water for each hour you plan to be outside in the heat. And that’s just per person. So as a family of five we had to organize ourselves a bit. We took our Kelty Kids pack that we carry our youngest child in. There is a built-in hydration reservoir on the pack which holds 70 floz. On this particular day we filled that reservoir and then we took another daypack, our favorite Lowe Alpine, which held two 32 oz. Nalgene water bottles, a Powerade, a first aid kit and snacks. So that was enough for us to stay out for about two hours. Also, waiting for us back at the car, we had two gallons of water. We try to always keep two gallons available in case of emergencies.
Watch for these signs of dehydration - dry mouth, tongue and lips, no tears when crying, sunken eyes and grayish skin, decreased urination, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, headache, fatigue, muscle cramps.
Other helpful hints
- Plan activities during the cooler part of the day.
- Have your children wear clothing made of a good wicking fabric that keeps them cool and doesn’t trap the heat.
- Kids can get the liquids they need from other things like popsicles, juice and fruit. Have them available for quick access.
Do you have any tips concerning hydration for kids?
Nalgene Water Bottles
When children play outside, usually the first necessity considered to bring along is a water bottle. With all of the talk about polycarbonate and other different types of plastics it leaves many parents wondering whether their child’s water bottle is safe.
Our three kids each have a Nalgene water bottle made of polycarbonate, which has a key element of a chemical called bisphenol-A (BPA). It is said that BPA mimics the femal hormone estrogen and has been shown to cause defective cell division during development. Nalgene presents a wealth of information including the results of several studies done on this subject on their site. It’s really worth checking out if you have any questions.
Nalgene and many other manufacturers have decided to discontinue their polycarbonate bottles. At first I thought it was because they believed them to be harmful. But as I read into it further they are simply doing it because consumer demand is weakening for that product.
Nalgene says they have reviewed the studies and tests done by several agencies, administrations and councils and they claim to have proven BPA to be safe. These studies can be found on the site I linked to above as well. To keep in step with what consumers are seeking Nalgene has decided to transition from polycarbonate to Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, a BPA free alternative.
Overall the studies say that the amount of BPA leaching into the liquid inside a polycarbonate bottle is so minimal that there is no risk involved. As a parent it’s comforting to hear that statement ”no risk involved”, but the idea of even a minimal amount going into your child’s body is somewhat unsettling.
So it seems our choices when coming to polycarbonate water bottles are either over cautious parent or trusting consumer. Which one are you?
Find BPA-Free Water Bottles at REI
Forum
Watch Out! The Nature For Kids outdoor Forum is now fully operational. It’s a great place to share and recieve information. Login to share directions to a specific place you’ve explored, discuss gear you like or dislike, find out more about a specific outdoor activity or just to converse with people like you…people who make nature a priority for kids and themselves! We’re hoping that over the next few months we can have a good crowd gathered, so spread the word!
No Weekend Posts
If I’ve accomplished what I set out to do here at Nature For Kids, you probably won’t be disappointed that I’m not posting on the weekend. You won’t be disappointed because you won’t be indoors near your computer, you’ll be out camping, hiking, fishing or whatever it is your family likes to do. Have a great weekend everyone! Maybe we’ll bump into each other on the trail!
EcoMom
I live in a rural area in which living “green” means you’ve stepped in a pile of manure out in the pasture. Recycling bins for specific items like glass, plastic, newspaper and cans are not a common site around here.
The wide-open space around us and the recycling centers so far away from us contribute to the fact that recycling isn’t a popular option. Just driving the recyclable items to the centers would burn enough fuel to counteract my good intentions - at least this is what I’ve been told by county officials.
But I’ve learned I can still do my part to preserve Nature For Kids in little ways! Here’s a couple I’ve learned from the “EcoMom Alliance”:
- Change normal light bulbs to energy efficient CFL’s (compact fluorescents)
- Car pool, ride bikes (I’m sure your kids wouldn’t mind this one)
- Shop locally
- Reduce consumption
- Reuse items (trash to treasure) it’s amazing what kids can make out of toilet paper rolls, cans and egg cartons!
- Have a compost pile (great for a garden)
- Turn off and unplug unused items (like the TV! on second thought just cut the dang cord!)
- Line dry clothes and wait until you have a large load before you wash
- Plant a tree (keep an eye out for a post on this at the end of May)
- Recycle plastic grocery bags (Wal-Mart has a bin at the front of their store) or buy the reusable bags made out of recycled materials for $1 a piece.
Take a look at the EcoMom Challenge for more in-depth info …you too EcoDads 
Are there any other suggestions for living “green” that you might have? Enlighten us!
