Outdoor Vacations with Grandchildren
"Your undivided time and attention is the greatest gift you can give your grandchild,” says grandparenting expert Arthur Kornhaber, M.D. ("The Grandparent Guide: A Definitive Guide to Coping with the Challenges of Modern Grandparenting”). That may be one of the biggest reasons grandparents and grandchildren are traveling together more and more these days. Away from parents, family members, neighbors, and friends, we have a chance to really get to know one another, to share experiences (good, bad, and funny), and to make memories that belong only to us. It doesn't matter as much where we go as long as we go together. It's the one-on-one time that makes any trip a success.
Head for the Great Outdoors
Deciding on a suitable destination is the first step in vacation planning. The possibilities today are endless, varied, and often exotic. Eventually, though, the age of our grandchildren, their interests and ours, our budget, and everyone's overall stamina will help whittle the choices down to what's best for us.
One thing we know every grandparent needs and every grandchild enjoys is physical activity. Probably none of us, young or old, get enough. With that in mind, one of the best bets for a successful grandparent/grandchild vacation is an outdoors vacation. We don't have to climb a mountain, ski an expert trail, or even camp in a tent to have a great adventure. The quiet of a wilderness area, the benefits of healthy exercise, and the excitement of spotting an animal in its natural habitat can be as much fun as any amusement park ride or expensive hotel swimming pool. Here are a few suggestions for a great vacation outdoors.
Our National Parks
The National Park System is one of our country's greatest treasures, one well worth sharing with grandchildren. Parks are spread across the country, from Maine to California, Alaska to Hawaii. In addition to parks, there are national battlefields, cemeteries, historic sites, recreation areas, rivers, and scenic parkways. From small urban sites to spectacular natural landscapes spread over thousands of acres, there is literally something for everyone. For those of us who would rather rough it in a cabin instead of a tent, many of the larger parks offer rustic lodging accommodations and restaurant facilities.
One of the best parts of visiting a national park with grandchildren is the variety of educational programs offered by park rangers, many of which are designed specifically for children. There are hikes, nature stories, flashlight walks, and other activities that help build an appreciation for history, nature, and wildlife. In addition to ranger talks, large parks, such as Yellowstone or Grand Canyon, offer privately run activities, such as mule trips, cowboy breakfasts, and white water rafting.
The national parks also offer opportunities to tie in your vacation with events your grandchildren are studying in school. Is it dinosaurs, endangered species, volcanoes, the Civil War, the Revolutionary War? Just go to the National Park Service web site, type in a topic, and you'll get a list of all the parks related to that topic. And don't forget, at any national park, check in first at the Visitor Center and ask about the Junior Ranger program. It's a great way for grandchildren to learn about a particular the park and earn a junior ranger patch-a special souvenir to bring home.
Elderhostel
Grandparents who prefer a more structured outdoors vacation with grandchildren should consider Elderhostel. Best known for providing learning adventures here and abroad for adults over 55, Elderhostel offers a number of programs designed specifically for grandparents and grandchildren. Programs range from mountain adventures in North Carolina to seashore adventures on Prince Edward Island. Elderhostel vacations are reasonably priced when compared with those offered by private companies.
One of the best parts of an intergenerational Elderhostel trip is that someone else does all the daily planning of activities, meals, and entertainment. Best of all, grandchildren have other children to play with, and grandparents have peers to talk with.
Grands Camp at Sagamore, New York
Grands Camp in New York's Adirondack Mountains was originally a program of Dr. Kornhaber's Foundation for Grandparenting. Now run by the Sagamore Foundation in cooperation with Elderhostel, the camp offers programs for grandparents and grandchildren ages 6-14. Activities include swimming, hiking, outdoor activities arts and crafts, music, campfires, and square dances. A "kids club" in the afternoon gives grandparents a chance to rest and relax. There are also programs specifically for grandmothers and their granddaughters ages 6-14. These special programs use music, traditional women's crafts and special outdoor activities to show how traditions are passed from one generation to the next.
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club offers a limited number of outdoor vacation trips for grandparents and grandkids, including a stay at Clair Tappan Lodge in the Tahoe National Forest and rafting in Utah's Dinosaur National Park. Like Elderhostel, the trips are reasonably priced. The Sierra Club's website gives detailed description of each trip's itinerary. The trips fill up fast, so advance planning is a must.
FamilyHostel
The University of New Hampshire's FamilyHostel offers learning vacations for parents, grandparents, and kids. Many FamilyHostel programs involve travel abroad, but some outdoor vacations are also available. For example, choose a week of cowboys, wildlife and Native American cultures in Oklahoma or follow part of Lewis and Clark's expedition in the Pacific Northwest. Programs are designed for school-aged children, and prices are reasonable, considering all lodging, meals, activities and excursions are included in the cost.
AARP Resources
AARP Member Services and
Discounts
Information on airlines, hotels and lodging, cruises, car rental
companies, vacations, and tours that offer discounts to AARP
members
Traveling
with Grandchildren
Fun travel tips for grandparents planning trips with their
grandchildren
Books
Find these books online at Barnes & Noble.com:
" National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States, Fourth Edition,” National Geographic, Elizabeth Newhouse, and Caroline Hickey, editors, National Geographic Society, January 2003. Definitive guide to organizing a trip to any of the 55 U.S. national parks. Includes information on major landmarks, wildlife, accommodations, activities, and excursions.
" Go Outside! Over 130 Activities for Outdoor Activities,” Nancy Blakey, Ten Speed Press, April 2002. Ideas for outdoor activities and projects year-round, including step-by-step directions and detailed photos.
