Customer Reviews

Babes in the Woods: Hiking, Camping & Boating with Babies and Young Children

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a great book for parents of young kids who miss the outdoor activity of their "carefree" days before parenthood ... with it as a guide you will learn that you don't need to stop and wait for the kids to get older to resume the camping, backpacking and adventuring trips, and maybe more importantly give your kids the kind of outdoor experiences that can help shape a life.

I personally know this author and can tell you that she was an inspiration long before she decided to share her passion in this book. Jen was hitting the trails of Southcentral Alaska with her young kids (even after twins) more often than most of our active friends who were "not so encumbered" and started teaching others how to do it in classes that were in always well attended. Now you don't need to live in Anchorage to benefit from her experience and desire to share with others.

Disclaimer: I have a good number of photos published in this book, but they were given freely to the author for use here and I gain nothing by its sale -- I would not have been supportive of the author in this way if I didn't truly believe she had something worthwhile to say on this topic.

I was delighted to find this marvelous book. It is the ultimate "how-to" guide for parents, grandparents, or anyone who wants to enjoy nature with little ones. The book covers everything from what to pack to improvising a bathtub. The author is thorough, easy to read, and obviously enthusiastic and knowledgeable about her subject. "Babes in the Woods" is the perfect guide for new parents as well as those with previous experience who are looking for fresh ideas. I have purchased two copies and given them to friends for their grandbabies. Both grandparents and parents have been very impressed with the book. I plan to purchase several more copies. Aist's book is a unique and useful gift. But don't wait for someone to give it to you as a gift. Buy your own copy. I highly recommend it.

Jennifer Aist has created a wonderful resource for enjoying the outdoors with kids. I was especially impressed with the section on children with special needs. This is an area that is frequently overlooked and Aist covered it well. "Including" kids with disabilities in outdoor activities is every bit as vital as including them in all other aspects of life. Kudos to Aist for being an advocate for ALL kids and providing the tools for successful outdoor experiences.

After returning home from taking our 6 kids (ages 13 to 4 months) to camp for a week, I walked in the library and saw this just inside the door. I wish I had found this before we went! Lots of good suggestions and advice on everything from basics like clothing, food, bugs, and dirt to transportation, backpacking, and hiking. The last section of the book is on connecting with nature and includes some really great activities. (Does anyone else read suggested activities sometimes and think, "My kids would never want to do that"? These were good ones.)

Tons of great resources in the appendix - websites for more information, checklists of what to pack, and even a food checklist.

Loved this quote from an anonymous Boy Scout:
"What I like about camping is you can get really dirty. Either you're all by yourself, so no one else sees you, or everyone you're with is just as dirty as you are, so nobody cares."

This was a great book. I couldn't find much out there on this topic, but this book covered all my concerns about backpacking in the woods with my 9 month old daughter. It covered much more too, including what to do with your exploring and busy toddler at camp, something I wouldn't have thought about until we hit camp - YIKES! I especially liked the resources and checklists in the back of the book.

I won't repeat all the praises already mentioned however, I do agree this is a great resource for active parents ready to continue their outdoorsy lifestyle with babies, toddlers, and kids in tow. Includes many tips and suggestions, broken down by age of child and activity type.

My only two complaints are:
1. the author is very specific to her home region in Alaska. If you are in a location with a very different climate, the points of reference are a bit more limiting.
2. majority of the book does not focus on casual daytrips, so if your looking for step by step suggestions for the less experienced hiker, camper, etc... you would need to start with a book about the basics of camping or hiking first and use this book's tips as a supplimental resource.

This guide has been a real gift for our family! Although our kids are school-age, the information in the book applies beautifully to them as well. We are relatively new to Alaska from warmer climates, and the Babes in the Woods has helped us learn how to camp and hike in a way that is enjoyable and safe for everyone. I especially appreciated the information on how to dress in order to stay warm and dry. It may seem commonsense, but dressing for our weather can be tricky. There's a lot of suboptimal gear out there, and this book helps to weed out the stuff that really won't keep you warm or dry enough. We have even used the information to teach our college-age exchange student how to dress so she won't be miserable on our family outings!

I give this book frequently as a baby gift. Although some of the information is specific to cold-weather outdoor play, much of the information can be applied to camping and hiking with children wherever you live. Jennifer Aist has made camping with kids much less intimidating, and much more enjoyable. Her information down-to-earth and helpful, and addresses an audience that ranges from novice car-campers to backcountry enthusiasts. Let her teach you how to teach your children about outside!

Babes in the Woods: Hiking, Camping and & Boating with Young Children was a gift in more ways than one. Our family loves the outdoors but we sometimes are intimidated about embarking on larger excursions by the idea of purchasing all the accoutrements associated with camping and have stayed closer to home focusing on day hikes, etc. This book gave us the confidence to take the plunge and we're so glad we did. The book was just what we needed to figure out a budget-friendly, headache-free system for camping as a family. The sections on dealing with food prep and cooking, and how to get a good night's sleep were especially appreciated. Even though our kids are a bit older, the resources are still spot-on especially for a family that doesn't want to dip into the kids' college funs for a weekend in the woods. Thank you Ms. Aist!

I've found getting out more difficult since the kids came along, but Jen Aist's practical advice makes it all so much more do-able. Thanks for this invaluable resource and the can-do spirit. I just bought 4 more copies (great and unique baby gifts).

The book is a great source for practical information about camping with kids - What ever kind of camping/outdooring you are into! I would strongly recommend this book to all new (and old) parents who want to get their kids outdoors. Makes a great babyshower gift!