cob1@addr.com
Pinging some friends!
How big is the property?
Pretty sure some of y'all can help!
Pinging young parents...!
Anyone have homeschool ping lists they'd like to hit? I'm sure that would get the ideas coming in, TC.
God Bless
Absolutely awesome TC! *HUGS*
My children don't get to venture to the country very often. When we take the kids to visit relatives in Texas, Ohio, and Oklahoma, they just love it.
A few of the activities that my oldest always begs from our relatives when we visit are the following:
He had the opportunity to do some target shooting. I was kind of terrified about him doing it, but I felt better when the gun safety lecture was explained. He has definitely learned to appreciate the power, usefulness, and the dangers of shooting a rifle.
Noodling was also one of his favorite things to do. I personally wasn't overwhelmed by it, but I'm not a kid. I would have probably loved it when I was younger.
Roasting marshmallows and hot dogs is something he loves to do. Many folks take it for granted, but for children that do not live in the country..it can be the neatest experience to sit around the fire, make Smores, and chat.
Tire swings that allow the kids to jump out into the water is also an amusement.
There are many things I took for granted growing up my farming community. I spent many years dreaming about getting away. I'll probably spend my whole adult life trying to get back. Children and the country are an excellent mix. It allows them to dream and spark the adventurous spirit they all have.
God Bless you for doing this.
*HUGS*
Please read and send your input to Texas Cowboy! PING
...and ping!
TC - what a beautiful place!! I will ask my 8 and 10 year olds when I get home for some input and get back to you!! *HUGS!*
Hank’s character in ‘Big’ had the idea of an interactive comic book for children. Why not let the children get together in groups and make up their own super hero characters along with a positive story theme. You could take digital photographs (or let them) and make it into a comic book with the children as the main characters.
They could take the comic book home as a reminder of the weekend knowing that they were involved in its creation and that they were/are heroes.
Of course campfires, hiking, and camping are always fun. (oh, and model rockets – kids love those)
Rifle range for .22 (single shot rifles would be best & cheapest to buy).
Pond for fishing.
Hiking trails.
Pony rides.
Petting zoo for younger kids.
Some way of letting the kids help take care of your livestock.
Swimming hole would be great too.
Archery.
A nice bonfire area to have fire in safely.
I hope you will be able to do stuff like this & not take a beating on the liability insurance. Just make sure you have enough coverage! Be sure to screen your applicants & your staff. You're gonna need trained staff...
Hey, Cowboy!
What a cool idea!
Let me ping some people who are SURE to have ideas!
Oh!
Nearly forgot!
You HAVE to have a tire-swing!
It's iconic!
This sounds so wonderful, I wanna go! :)
BB or pellet guns are better than 22's due to distance traveled. Hiking trails can be cut with a heavy duty tiller and I think I can get tons of rubber pellets for nothing save the transportation cost. Do you have an area for a pond? I know some guys who build drilling sites and they may give us (notice how I pushed right in with that us?) backhoe time. What county are you in?
A horse shoe pitch is cheap.
Play with animals.
Ride horses.
Have airsoft gun/paintball wars.
Knitting is a great foul weather activity for both girls and boys. You can buy Christmas-colored yarn dirt cheap after the holidays, then the kids can work on making scarves or hats all year long so they can wear them next season. Enlist the help of craft store employees or Girl Scout troops in teaching kids how to knit.
Don't forget about archery!
Hi! I'm an educator who has worked in camps and my brother is a psychologist who works at a camp for mentally disabled children in the summer.
All children need structure, but you can have them create their activities by having a variety of choices available at predeterminded time slots. So every day the child has a schedule they create. For instance, in the AM after breakfast they can choose a physical activity, such as kickball, softball, swimming, red rover, etc. Obstacle courses are always a BIG hit! Nature Hikes are wonderful! But the guide has to be able to ID trees and plants or history of the area for the kids.
CAMP FIRES! Who can get enough marshmallow roasting?
Camp Crafts!! What camp would be without an arts and crafts area?
Good Luck!