Local Locations For Roughing It
Getting down and dirty with Mother Nature requires a little bit of guts and a lot of gusto, resulting in pure glory for those granola munchers in your back seat. Whether you’re a grizzly bear or a teddy bear when it comes to the great outdoors, Central Florida has just the right fit for your wilderness excursions.
Written by Jenny Fauser
Photography by Abby Liga
Modeled by Justin, Angela, Jake and Gracie of Orlando
Shot on location at Wekiva Island
You prefer to traverse the jungle via the beaten path. Making friends with the forest is a priority to you, but you’re not quite ready to take Pocahontas and her little sidekick paddling over any waterfalls. Take camping up a notch. Put away the preschool pop-up tent in her room and grab the inflatable air mattress; it’s time to welcome her to the woods.
CAMPING Well, more like “glamping” (glamour + camping)
Disney’s Fort Wilderness
www.disney.com
HIKING
Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve
8777 S.R. 535, Shore of Lake Tibet-Butler, Orlando
407-876-6696
CANOEING/KAYAKING
The Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka
407-884-4311 www.canoewekiva.com
Deuter Kid Comfort II Child Carrier Pack
Carry your tot in comfort while freeing up your arms and giving him a bird’s-eye view of all the action. This carrier holds child and gear up to 48.5 pounds. If you can carry that load, it can too!
Keen Kid’s Newport H2 Sandal
With more coverage, these are the perfect all around summer shoes. They’re easy to take on and off and good for tough play.
Baby BanZ Ultimate BanZ
Comfortable and adjustable, these polarized lenses offer 100 percent UVA/UVB protection for those little peepers.
You want your kids to love the outdoors and realize the practicality of having a portable potty and your minivan within walking distance. Short trips, helpful gear and new challenges are just what your tree huggers need. Grab the sunscreen and battery-powered Coleman lantern, and let’s explore our environment.
CAMPING
Trimble Park
5802 Trimble Park Rd., Mt. Dora
352-383-1993
HIKING
The Nature Conservancy in Florida
2700 Scrub Jay Trail, Kissimmee
407-935-0002 www.nature.org
CANOEING/KAYAKING
Wekiva Island
1014 Miami Springs Rd., Longwood
407-862-1500 www.wekivaisland.com
First-time and toddler canoeists are going to see that water and want to jump in. They’ll wiggle and want to constantly switch seats. Experienced canoe mom Amy Weeks of Winter Garden says it’s a high-energy trip with kids at this age, recounting that most of her trips consist of holding on to the backs of life vests to prevent any “dancing” in the canoes, and of lots of nature-seek games: “Look! Do you see that bird over there? Look at those BEAUTIFUL flowers. Do you see that turtle?” Be sure to bring your A-game, parents, in order to keep everyone topside.
You think the term “car camping” is ridiculous. Your summer project with the tykes was carving your own canoe out of the tree in your neighbor’s backyard, and last Christmas Santa brought everyone hiking boots and a compass. Watch out, wilderness, hear you rrroooarRRR!
CAMPING
Ocala National Forest
352-625-2520 www.myfwc.com
HIKING
Florida Trail
www.floridatrail.org
CANOEING/KAYAKING
Little Big Econ State Forest
407-971-3500 www.canoe-suwannee.com/Econ.htm
Get Their Hands Dirty
I Love Dirt! has 52 activities to help you and your kids discover the wonders of nature. A nature-lover herself, author Jennifer Ward has done an excellent job creating a collection of fun, interactive ways for children everywhere to connect with the great outdoors.
PLANNING
- Plan your location and route.
- Create meal menus and only purchase food items you need.
- Check equipment to make sure it’s in good condition with all parts intact.
PACKING & PLAYING
- Freeze all the food and liquid possible so perishables last longer.
- Flip-flops are a necessity. Middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks are much easier when you can just slip on shoes quickly.
- Don’t forget s’mores, a fun and tasty treat the whole family can enjoy (especially for the reluctant campers).
- Essentials: trash bags to keep your campsite clean and the critters away.
- Leave behind the daily toys. Instead, bring a ball, kites, his bike and perhaps a deck of cards.
PRECAUTION
- Establish boundaries as soon as you arrive. Fire pits are off-limits to kids. Create an imaginary perimeter around the fire pits.
- Know where the nearest ranger station is in relation to your campsite.
- Bring a first aid kit.
