3 Great Object Lessons for Camping with Grandchildren

Ah, camping! I love the outdoors and when our older boys were small, we camped. A lot. We lived in Arizona at the time and could escape the valley’s 120-degree heat for the mountains and temps in the 70s. Bugs are scarce in Arizona which was a plus coming from Texas where the mosquitos can pick up a truck.

Today, we camp with the grandkids. Just one night away at a state park. Close to home in case everything goes south. Hot dogs, hammocks, and s’mores. We do it all. 

But with all the fun camping brings, camping also offers opportunities to talk about faith. Here are a few conversation starters:

Camping: A Lesson of Light and Dark

Campsites get dark quickly and nothing is a bigger hit with kids than headlamps or glow sticks. As you make trips to the restroom in the dark, talk about the need for light. 

What would happen if we didn’t have our headlamps?

What if we got lost? Or hurt? What if there were animals nearby?

Then introduce Psalm 119:105. 

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 NIV

How does God’s Word function like our headlamps? 

How does it show us the way to go? 

How does it protect us? 

What might happen if we didn’t read God’s Word? Ignored it? Tossed it out for something else?

The pitch-black darkness that comes with camping is the perfect opportunity to talk up God’s Word and its place in our lives. 

Camping: Campfire Lessons

Whenever I teach on 1 Thess. 5:16-18, I use the illustration of a campfire. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

When we build a campfire, we need kindling like newspaper or dry grass. Something small to nurture a spark. When it comes to spiritual things, that kindling is rejoicing or worship. Worship places God in His rightful place and gives us the proper mindset. 

Great spiritual fires start with worship.

Next, building on what has sparked, we need fuel. Something between kindling and full-sized logs. Small to medium sticks that will catch fire and sustain a flame longer than the newspaper or grass we used for kindling. 

Prayer does this for us spiritually. Talking to God and learning to hear Him talk to us sustains the flame worship began. 

Finally, we add a log or two. A substantial piece of wood that will burn for a while. 

Spiritually, this is thankfulness. A thankful heart endures because it sees past momentary troubles to long term promises. Note, the verse says thankfulness in all things, not for all things. 

Worship, prayer, and thankfulness. They go together like marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate. 

Camping: Lessons on the Trail

Matthew 7:13-14 reads, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” 

When we camp, we hike too. Currently, the grandkids that camp with us range in age from 4 to 8 and they’re terrific hikers. We customize our trail mix, and each one carries their own snack and water bottle. 

Pro Tip: If you are old enough to go camping with GG and Granddad, you carry your own stuff. And as Noah discovered last year, GG’s water bottle is much heavier than his own.

Hiking offers a great opportunity to talk about the narrow way of faith, so ask a lot of questions.

What do you see and hear on the highway? Why?

What do you see or hear on the trail that we don’t see on the highway? Why?

Which is easier? The trail or the highway?

Which is more interesting?

How do these two paths/roads correspond to different spiritual paths?

What does the highway represent? The hiking trail?

How can you tell which spiritual road you are on?

What do you see and hear? What do you not see and hear?

We love to camp with our grandchildren. But even if you are spending the night in the backyard or hiking a nearby park trail, the lessons are the same. Take advantage of every opportunity to talk God up. 

Let’s pray: Father God, thank You for the lessons You’ve placed in nighttime, fires, and trails. You speak to us continuously. Help the grandkids to hear You as we point out Your lessons. In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

Lights. Campfires. Trails. Did one of the choices resonate with you or does one fit your situation better than another? All point to God and His plan for us. Will you start the conversation?

Recommended Camping Accessories for Kids:

Headlamps

Glow sticks

Sleeping bag and pad

Water bottle

Small drawstring backpack to carry water and snacks

Hammock

Texas State Parks

Merlin Bird app

Next week:  Pizza Night: How to Share Biblical Principles with Your Grandkids