Any time a child master's a new task it builds his confidence in his ability to succeed. A great skill to teach a child is fishing. Teaching a child to fish can do so much more for him than simply helping him learn a way to provide food or participate in an outdoor sport. His self-esteem is heightened as he master's the new skill and, in the case of fishing, his appreciation for God's creations can become enhanced.

All this from a bucket of worms and a hook? Why not.

When teaching kids to fish there are several things to keep in mind. First, make sure they understand what the local rules and regulations are and the importance of following them. The obvious thing here is to make sure you do this yourself. No point in telling kids what to do if they see you bend the rules! Give them the gift of integrity.

Avoid the kid stuff

You've seen the cute character fishing lines. Your kids may want one, but they are more likely to lead to frustration than fun. Instead choose an ultra-light spinning or spin casting rod and reel combo. They are usually easier for kids to use.

Keep it simple

Don't start with spinners and jigs and such. We recommend small, barbless hooks-no larger than size 10 (the bigger the number, the smaller the hook). A light line, like 6-pound test or less, will do a great job.

Try a slip bobber

A slip bobber will let you and the kids see where the bait is as well as alert you when to set the hook. Slip bobbers work well for kids because they are easier to cast.

Correctly use sinkers

Sinkers are put on the line to get your bait down to the fish. It's best if your bobber just barely floats on the surface of the water. Split shot sinkers the size of a BB will work well if you put one at a time on the line until you get the right weight.

A little bait goes a long way

When you're ready to put on bait, remember you don't need to have a huge wad of worm on the hook. Keep the bait cut to about the size of your hook.

Preparing to Fish

Remember, this is about the child. She needs frequent praise to build her confidence. Help her want to come back and fish another day. Some things to help your fishing trip be successful:

• Fish mornings or evenings, not during the heat of the day.

• Think safety first.

• Dress for the weather. Layers work best. Bring an extra pair of socks for wet feet.

• Know your surroundings.

• Bring mosquito repellent if needed.

• To avoid sunburns, have kids wear hats and sun block.

• Bring a first-aid kit and know how to take care of someone if they get hurt.

• Keep an eye on the kids. Anytime you have activities around the water there are dangers of kids falling in.

• Bring plenty of water to keep them hydrated and snacks for energy.

• Let the kids set the pace. If they want to stop fishing and explore, let them.

• For kids under 10 it is best for fish with one adult per child if you can.

• Let kids have a daypack with some of their own gear. This increases their feelings of involvement and gives you less to carry!

• Make sure fishing doesn't turn into a numbers game. That's not fun for anyone.

• These first fishing trips are for action, not size. That can come later!

The post How to build your child’s confidence with a fishing trip appeared first on FamilyToday.

If you're big campers and plan to be out a lot this year do your pre-planning at the beginning of the calendar year. If you're occasional campers, you probably don't need to worry about it until closer to camp time.

Pre-planning ideas

Test gear for functionality

Make sure you stove still works, that there's gas left in the fuel tank, the air mattress doesn't have holes and the flashlights have fresh batteries.

Plan for activities

Visualize the different activities you will be engaged in and then consider what you need to bring for each. Will you be hiking, eating, sleeping, or traveling a substantial distance in the car?

Plan for individual family members

Visualize each family member engaged in these activities. Does someone need a particular item? Small children, in particular, benefit from comfort items and a familiar toy or two.

Be prepared for mishaps

Plan for those events that you don't want to happen like bad weather or accidents. First aid kits are a must for every camping outing.

Make a reservation

Many camping sites can be booked up to a year in advance. If you know you want to go on a high traffic week-end like the 4th of July, book early.

If you do a little pre-planning you'll have time to pick up any extra gear you may need to replace or repair. This is also a good time to establish a large tote that is dedicated to holding camping gear. We like to keep a list on the lid of the tote that lists the contents. We include items that are used on almost any campout so we don't have to rethink the same list every time. This really helps to simplify packing when you're ready to hit the road.

Each camping trip has a few unique specifics you should consider as a part of your preparation.

Before you go

Know your location

Are you going to need to bring your own water, is there a shower, etc.

Know the weather

(At least as well as you can.) How cold will the nights get? Do you need back up plans for rain? Pack layered clothing. Even the best weather report can be off.

Make a list and check it off as you pack

Don't make the common mistake of thinking, "oh I'll grab that in a minute" and check something off the list. Odds are a distraction will make you forget something important-like the matches!

Pack for easy access

Pack the things you need first (like a tarp and tent) last.

Plan your meals ahead

Our family loves to include the kids in the planning and cooking. They are much more excited about being 'in charge' of meal prep if it's the meal they picked or helped to plan for.

Freeze your ice packs ahead of time

Empty gallon milk jugs make good ice packs. They take longer to freeze, but also stay cold longer.

Our family loves camping for the opportunity it gives us to enjoy nature together. Because of that we don't feel a need to bring lots of toys or other unnecessary items. We do like to include a couple items like marshmallow roasting sticks, a GPS for geocacheing, hand shovels and buckets, or binoculars. These items help to enhance our outdoor experience with our kids.

Here is some helpful gear when camping with kids

• Hands free lighting such as a headlamp or battery operated lantern.

• Kid sized mummy bags for cold nights.

• Kid sized camping chairs. Everyone wants to sit around and enjoy the campfire and a child sized camp chair is much safer for kids.

The most important thing to remember, of course, is to relax and have fun. Camping can be a great way to spend some quality family time.

The post How to prepare for a family camping trip appeared first on FamilyToday.