{"id":663,"date":"2011-01-01T13:44:43","date_gmt":"2011-01-01T17:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tcblogger.com\/?p=663"},"modified":"2012-08-20T00:28:11","modified_gmt":"2012-08-20T04:28:11","slug":"get-thee-to-a-campground-mitten-kidz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.tcblogger.com\/?p=663","title":{"rendered":"Get thee to a campground! – Mitten Kidz"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"English:<\/a><\/p>\n

Lake of the Clouds in Michigan\u2019s Porcupine Mountains. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

By Joan O\u2019Neill – Mitten Kidz<\/strong><\/p>\n

I can still smell it. The huge ten-person canvas tent that my family had while growing up. It weighed a ton, had that distinct weathered canvas aroma, and came accompanied by an arsenal of no less than 40 tent poles. But oh, once it was set up, it might have well have been the Taj Mahal<\/span><\/p>\n

Of the things I remember most doing as a family growing up in Michigan, camping was in the top two (skiing being the other one). \u00a0Several occasions throughout the summer, we\u2019d pack up the station wagon (did you think a family of seven would drive anything different?) and head to whichever campground my parents had selected for that particular voyage. My mom always tried to ensure that there was a body of water nearby, and now that I\u2019m a parent, I know why. There\u2019s an immeasurable value, come nighttime, in a child well worn out from a day prancing in the water. \u00a0Of course in Michigan, finding water was never a problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lifelong Memories<\/strong><\/span>
\nWhat was it that made these excursions so memorable and so special? Everything. Like the special menu that came along with camping: hot dogs cooked over a bonfire, Jiffy popcorn or S\u2019mores when it got dark, sausage and scrambled eggs in the morning (the morning smells at a campground are always so wonderful) and if we were really lucky, Snack-Pack<\/a> pudding in those little flip-top cans<\/span><\/p>\n

There are also those little family stories that have now become legends that we retell every time we gather as adults and recount our days as youths. Like the time my sister burnt her foot on a bonfire or the mystery that surrounded my Dad\u2019s air mattress. No matter what type he tried, his mattress was always, always flat come morning time, leaving nothing more than the canvas tent between him and the hard ground below it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Priceless\u2026<\/strong>
\nOf course now, as a MittenKidz mom myself, I know the biggest reason. The intangibles. The chatter in the car on the drive up I-75 to Northern Michigan \u2013 and yes, a song or two. Or six (so Brady-ish). It was the five of us kids, sans any of our friends, playing together and, for the most part, free of argument. We had each other and that was it \u2013 my siblings were my best friends on these trips. And it was the beauty of seeing parts of the great state of Michigan<\/span><\/a> that were a world of difference from our sidewalk-adorned neighborhood. No schedules. No TV. No phones. Just us, and Michigan.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you do nothing else this summer, take your MittenKidz camping at least once. Even with a toddler, it\u2019s on our Summer Bucket List. The memories you create will be of the type that just don\u2019t go away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Michigan Gems<\/strong><\/span>
\nHere are a few spots other MittenKidz parents recommend:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

I \u00a0rented a teepee at Traverse City State Park<\/a> with the kids. It was fun\u2026even during a thunderstorm! \":)\" \u2013 Kandy, mom of two<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

There is a federal park between Manistee and Scottville that is wonderful for the kids. Right on Lake Michigan. My family camped there when I was young and we have taken the kids a couple of times. \u2013 Heather, mom of two<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

State park on Higgins Lake. When I was little, my parents took my sister and me there every summer. We would hang out on the lake all day and ride bikes around the campground with the other kids staying there. We would catch tadpoles and just be kids! I haven\u2019t been there in years but for a little kid (0-7 yrs) it was awesome. \u2013 Caitlin, daughter of Sparty<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Fayette State Park in the U.P, amazing beaches and a ghost town left over from the time of iron ore mining. \u2013 Kate, mom of two<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Love the rustic side of Interlochen State Park<\/a>\u2026 It\u2019s so \u201cup north\u201d\u2026 from the look the feel and the fresh woodsy smell. \u2013 Jill, mom of one, Gigi of two<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Higgins Lake\u2026great childhood memories! \u2013 Staci, mom of one<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Sleeper State Park\u2026Port Austin \u2013 Denise, mom of four<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Fort Wilkins<\/a> in Copper Harbor. Its between lakes Fanny Hoe and Superior. I have been going there since I was a kid. My own children love going there. \u2013 Marcie, mom of one<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Ludington State Park<\/a> is amazing. It is right on Lake Michigan, also has a private lake for swimming. Miles of bike trails. Extremely well maintained. They also rent cabins in the campground. Love that place! \u2013 Josh, dad of one<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Porcupine Mountains State Park<\/a> in the western Upper Peninsula. The hiking trails and views are fantastic! Doesn\u2019t feel like you\u2019re still in Michigan. \u2013 Kiersun, dad of two<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Fayette State Park is a good one with kids! Beach is great, you have the ghost town to explore and kids to run around and Kitch-i-ti-kippi isn\u2019t a far drive for a half day, and really fun to ride the raft \":)\" \u2013 Joanna, mom of two<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Cheboygan State park<\/a> \u2013 it\u2019s remote and beautiful. Lots of trails to hike kayaking is available. \u2013 Marie \u2013 mom of two<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Porkies (Porcupine Mountains). Summer. Winter. Nothing else like it. . .anywhere! \u2013 Frida, mom of two and still a kid herself<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Visit Mitten Kidz Website >>>><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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