Keeping young teens entertained

Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to keep young teens (12-15) entertained while out camping especially in the afternoon/night after the days activities have been completed. Certain games, stories, etc. Thanks!

When our oldest was younger - he is nearly 14 now - say between 6 and 11 years - he hiked with me on most trips. Since it ws just him I never had an issue with him bringing his Nintendo along. It was only for camp, only after dark (or if it was too cold or buggy to be outside). It gave him something to relax with and fun.
Not everyone agrees with my method....but hey he hiked adult miles and did my trips so I figured he could have fun.

It is different if you have lots of kids along though....but teens are a different lot. If they like video games and have a system don't necessarily say no - just have ground rules on them.

It really depends on how many you have. If you have a decent group (around 8 or more) a good game or two of capture the flag sure kills the time. If you have less then there is fire starting (making it a challenge), having them cook dinner or set up camp, or just kicking them out of camp to explore. Believe it or not, teenagers are big enough to explore without adult supervision. If you have boys of any age (teenager or younger) throwing rocks or sticks is always fun. Girls might or might not go for that, though. Then there is climbing rocks and trees. My scouts like to play this game called Ninja Strike. I don't really know the rules, but it keeps them entertained. I would say that teenagers are old enough and smart enough to come up with something to entertain themselves. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

One word (for boys): Slingshots. They love 'em.

If they're girls, boys; if they're boys, girls.

Creeks always work well, especially if there's a little waterfall or a log to try to cross - or almost cross.

Keep a close eye on them. You want to come back with the same number of kids you left with. Gaining one is not as bad as losing one.. but still pretty bad.

Though I will have to say, I snagged my wife as a teenage on a camping trip.

Thanks everyone for your input!

We may need a bit more information: were you also a teenager at the time?

I used to have a Scout that didn't want to stay with the group. After the third time I had to go run him down when he decided to do some impromptu re-routing of himself, he said, "Why are you so worried about always knowing where I am?"

I don't know what inspired me, but I told him, "Because your parents didn't pay the extra ten bucks."

When he asked what I meant, I told him, "Well, I told all the parents that for the $15 trip fee, I'd bring you out here, let you have a good time, and bring you home. For an extra $10, I'd bring you out here and let you have a good time. Your folks didn't want to pay the extra $10."

No more problems. Sometimes, you just have to explain it in terms they understand.

I will stick my neck out here and say that older teens, with some experience, are capable of going on an overnight by themselves. You need to loosen the noose as they grow up! By the time they do their own route-finding, cook all meals, set up camp etc, they will be quite busy. As they go off to college they undoubtedly will go out with buddies and you will have absolutely no influence or say. As high school juniors or seniors, you can ease them into this by helping with the planning phase, be sure they are properly equipped and trained, and then just let them go. If there is cell phone coverage they can call you once they get to their destination. At some point you need to trust them.

hahahaha... yes... all laws were followed (at least on that trip).

A couple of times, we planned two congruent trips, with the less-experienced group and adult leaders taking one trail, and the older, more experienced group taking another loop that had them spending a night on their own. Each group knew where the other was hiking and camping, in case some need to make contact arose, but the older ones were really on their own - even though there was only a couple of miles between us. We used a national forest they'd been to before, so they'd feel more comfortable.

They had a great time, and kept going back after they had aged out of the youth group. (A couple even volunteered as adult leaders a few times.)

This reminds me of a trip I took during spring break my senior year. I went with two of my friends for 2 nights up in the Cascades. We ran into a lot of problems, but had a great time.

W_D is so right about the older teens! For the younger ones, teach them how to route-find, set up camp, "go" outdoors, LNT, etc., so they will have the necessary skills when they start going on their own. Then you won't have to worry, or at least won't transmit your worries to them.

As a parent of 4 (now with children of their own), I found that we parents never stop worrying, but we at least learn to pretend that we don't!

I remember some of my backpacking trips at 16 without adult supervision... I hope my kids were never that dumb..

Then again, I suppose it did make me smarter, and didn't kill me, so maybe I do hope my kids were that dumb. Maybe more kids should be that dumb

phat,

My parents were very lenient, and helped us convince other kids' parents to let them go on some great trips. We started backpacking at age 12 without adults and minimal equipment. Dad made us take a machete instead of an axe because it wassafer.

We also spent a week on an island in Cheasapeake Bay two summers in a row with just for 4 kids. It was like the "Lord of the Flies" when the food ran low and we fought over it. Those experiences really taught us some independence. Kids today go off to college with less experience.

I let mine have an MP3 player with whatever they want on it. Oddly enough enough, they both choose audiobooks.

Chatting casually sounds great. Make conversations that attracts your teens.

There are a verity of things to keep teens entertained. I think the best thing to so is to make a plan. Pick activities and pack accordingly. This will make everything go smoothly.

Don't bring a Nintendo or smart phone to entertain them while camping. They need to enjoy the nature and learn much more than that.
Slingshots, fishing... may be the best ideas for kids and young teens.