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.
Kelty Child Carrier
One of our readers here at Nature For Kids, Kris from Utah, did a nice write up about his new Kelty FC 3.0 child carrier. He graciously let me use the review as a post today. Take a look…
I skipped out of work early a few weeks ago to take Rosie out on her inaugural hike in our brand new Kelty FC 3.0.
We only hiked for a few miles, but Rosie was entertained the entire time by the two travel toys I hooked onto the backpack’s toy loops. The included sun shade (which is optional on other Kelty FC models) kept the bright sun off her little head, and we lubed her up with plenty of baby sunblock to protect her exposed skin. 
Despite the warmish weather we opted to put her in a sweat shirt to keep the sun off her arms. In the future I’ll buy a lighter weight cotton jacket for her to wear.
I was impressed by the backpack, it was easy to get Rosie strapped down and secure. The waist strap is very padded, and the sliding back panel ensures that both my wife, Lissa, and I get a perfect fit despite our different torso lengths. Since we were going on such a short hike I didn’t load much gear into the pack (just the baby and a few diapers), but it seems like it will have plenty of cargo space, and I think I’ll be able to tie a sleeping bag and sleeping pad onto the frame kickstand for overnight hikes. The child carrier is also adjustable, so when Rosie gets bigger I’ll be able to lower the seat so that she still fits into the pack. The only drawback is that the mesh bottle holders are behind the seat area, which makes them impossible to reach without taking off the pack.
The carrier came with a mirror that tucks away into the right shoulder strap, perfect for checking on Rosie when she’s uncharacteristically quiet or noisy.
Photos taken by Lissa.
Thanks Kris and Lissa! I know you’ll probably have more to say about your pack after using it throughout the summer, so we’ll check in with you then. Your daughter is well on her way to becoming a Nature Kid.
Check out Kris and Lissa’s other great adventure pictures .
Send in snapshots of your Nature Kid to shawna@natureforkids.net and we’ll post them on the Your Adventure Page! Or if you have a review to share about kids outdoor equipment send them in and we’ll get them posted.
Spring Sundburn
Spring sunburns are like driving your car in the first snowstorm of the winter. You’re a little rusty and forget what it’s all about. Stop, Stop, STOP! Why am I not STOPPING?! Owe, Owe, OWE! Why are my arms BURNING?!
I took our youngest out for a hike this afternoon and came home with lobster arms. Luckily she was mostly protected by the shade hood of her Kelty Kids Explorer backpack. But her arms still got a little pink. Next time we go outside for some fun I’m going to make a more conscious effort to put myself in her shoes. How is she feeling? Is she thirsty, hot, or sore?
Everyone out there in Mother Nature land, learn from my mistakes. I’m applying the SPF 45 on me and the kids next time and you should too. For my kids’ faces I like to use the sunscreen that looks like a glue stick. It’s super easy to apply and it doesn’t get in their eyes.
Well, I’m getting the summer itch now. I’m seriously going to go down into our basement to dig through the kids’ summer gear; wide brimmed hats, shorts, flip-flops and swimsuits. Hooray…it’s almost here!
Quick Nature For Kids Fact : childhood sunburns can increase your child’s risk of developing skin cancer as an adult. Check out this link for more information on sun damage and prevention.
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Packing Breastfed Babies
For the first post of Nature For Kids I’m going to break the ice by touching on an awkward subject…breastfeeding! I’ve always breastfed my babies up to 12 months of age. To me, it is the optimum way to feed a baby. All the nutrients needed, at a perfect temperature and accessible whenever necessary…making it especially convenient when packing the little rascals around in the wilderness.
While my husband hiked the South Teton about 5 years ago I was wandering the streets of Jackson Hole, WY, with our, then 8 month old, baby. Having exhausted my allotted spending money in the fun outdoor shops that line the streets, I decided to hike the local ski hill, Snow King. After filling up my Nalgene water bottle and adding a few snacks from the car, I put my son in our Kelty Kids backpack (which I probably will be referring to in many future posts…because it simply ROCKS!) and headed up the mountain. Once I reached the peak I noticed there was a man unexpectedly playing the bagpipes. So I thought I would take a seat and listen to the music, looking over the Jackson Hole valley…while nursing my son, discreetly of course. It was an awesome experience that will stick with me forever.
I’d like to add that it might be wise for a nursing mom to invest in a compact camp chair. We have a Crazy Creek and it is perfect for clipping on to a backpack with a carabiner and then whipping it open whenever you need a seat to breastfeed. I’ve used ours on several occasions, on the beach, at the top of a mountain, even just around a campfire.
Overall I would recommend breastfeeding for any mother who wants to stay in the outdoor loop.
For those of you who bottle feed I’ll pass along a few tips I’ve seen as well. When my sister-in-law is on the move I’ve seen her put a measured amount of powdered formula in a bottle. When she needs it she simply adds water from a water bottle and shakes it up. It’s more compact than toting around a whole canister of formula and it’s nice and neat.I know there are mothers out there who take their babies outside, unfortunately we’re in the minority, so leave some comments or other ideas on this subject so that we may inspire other mom’s to take part in Nature For kids
