Quest for Fire or How We Got Our Tween to Unplug & Love Camping

The beauty of Lake Hartwell as seen from a campground. Photo by Ian Linster

Catawba River Women, by Carla Linster – April 26, 2012

It had been over 20 years since my husband and I have been camping, and our children have never been camping before, partly because it is difficult keeping young children safe and partly because it’s such a hassle packing and setting up camp and packing again and unpacking at home.

On a recent 3-day weekend, we decided to try camping again. We over-packed our SUV and headed to Lake Hartwell, located about 2 hours away on the South Carolina-Georgia border. All while our 12-year-old son complained. Ian did not want to go camping. He loves his video games and Lego and, after a hard week at school maintaining his honor-roll status, feels that he should be able to spend his free time as he chooses. I understand, but it’s good to try things.

Setting up camp, Ian helped out but as soon as he could he was on his computer. Was this going to be a disengaged weekend? A friend and educator once told me that the secret to getting teenagers to bend to your will is patient, gentle pressure. We asked if he wanted to explore the campground.

“Not really” he replied.

We asked if he wanted to ride his mountain bike on the trails. “Not right now,” he replied.

We asked if he wanted to rig his fishing pole. “No thanks,” he replied.

Aaahhh, OK, gentle pressure.

A fire turned on Ian to camping!

As afternoon turned to evening, John was trying to start the fire and just like that Ian was engaged. “Dad can I start the fire?”

I think Ian used all the knowledge from fire-prevention week at school in reverse. He had that fire raging in 5 minutes! Then he was off to find a stick to whittle down for roasting marshmallows. The next morning he was ready to fish. We didn’t catch anything, but it didn’t matter. The day included biking, more fishing and then another wonderfully built fire in the evening. 

It was amazing how that one act of starting a fire opened Ian’s mind to other unplugged activities that the weekend had to offer. Before we started packing up for home, Ian was planning our next camping trip, and John and I were wearing the smiles of successful parenting.

About Carla Linster – Carla, 47, is enjoying a “mid-life spring” after overcoming several medical problems. One new joy is working with “an amazing group of women,” the Catawba River Women’s Group, as they seek to create a sense of unity among communities along the Catawba River.