AmityMama.com - View Single Post - I think we'll be "roughin' it" soon. Anyone have experience with extended camping?

marjen · 02-27-2005, 10:25 PM

I've done it - as a kid - so forgive me, my experiences are from 25 or so years ago..but roughing it is roughing it.

I personally would not be concerned about CPS. It is your land, and you homeschool. The only way CPS would get involved is if someone complained. And there are no laws against living in a van.

We lived in a trailer, starting in March, in Northern Ontario, for well over 6 months. This trailer was the smallest you can imagine. We were right by a crick. We had a hole in the ground with a stick to perch your butt over, an outdoor fireplace for cooking on, and I know we had a source of heat inside. I *think* at the beginning we had a propane heater, but I know they installed a pot belly stove (with all the necessary metal sheilding, etc.)

It was the time of our lives. Everything was magical. When spring finally came, we built our small (15x15) house to live in. Eventually it became my Mother's art studio when we built a large house in later years.

We sponged bathed inside the trailer.

We were clean, warm, well fed and well loved.

And now and again, when we had had enough, we would visit some relatives for the weekend and have really long showers.

However, for years after that winter, my parents felt that being in the north was not worth it in the winter. We would pack up our car and head south for the coldest three months...camping in the Keys. Thye figured that the cost of heating and clothing etc would more than pay for our camping fees. I have heard things are crazy expensive now so I don't know if that is still possible.

You are an awesome Mom, Meeshi, from all the posts I have read from you. Solve the heat source issue and then go for it.

02-27-2005, 10:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
marjen Go! iTrader: 0 / 0% Join Date: May 2002 Location: Almost Northern Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,235	I've done it - as a kid - so forgive me, my experiences are from 25 or so years ago..but roughing it is roughing it. I personally would not be concerned about CPS. It is your land, and you homeschool. The only way CPS would get involved is if someone complained. And there are no laws against living in a van. We lived in a trailer, starting in March, in Northern Ontario, for well over 6 months. This trailer was the smallest you can imagine. We were right by a crick. We had a hole in the ground with a stick to perch your butt over, an outdoor fireplace for cooking on, and I know we had a source of heat inside. I think at the beginning we had a propane heater, but I know they installed a pot belly stove (with all the necessary metal sheilding, etc.) It was the time of our lives. Everything was magical. When spring finally came, we built our small (15x15) house to live in. Eventually it became my Mother's art studio when we built a large house in later years. We sponged bathed inside the trailer. We were clean, warm, well fed and well loved. And now and again, when we had had enough, we would visit some relatives for the weekend and have really long showers. However, for years after that winter, my parents felt that being in the north was not worth it in the winter. We would pack up our car and head south for the coldest three months...camping in the Keys. Thye figured that the cost of heating and clothing etc would more than pay for our camping fees. I have heard things are crazy expensive now so I don't know if that is still possible. You are an awesome Mom, Meeshi, from all the posts I have read from you. Solve the heat source issue and then go for it. __________________ Jeni - wife to a great guy and mama to 3 at home plus one adult child who is expecting Feb -09! My Blog: http://jeni-disambiguation.blogspot.com/ Last edited by marjen : 02-27-2005 at 10:29 PM.