 There are many benefits of a camping trip for single parents. Campsites are usually relatively self-contained and, once you’ve set up, there’s no more need for endless packing and un packing. There are usually plenty of other playmates around. Children are often very happy with outdoor activities, and can easily amuse themselves for hours on end. In the meantime, you can relax or meet other parents.
Camping is also a good option those on a restricted budget, since needless to say the single supplement doesn’t apply (pricing is usually per head and/or per tent). But at the luxury end of the market, camping adventures are still something a single parent should seriously consider. If you think camping is all flies and dunnies, think again. These days you can get five-star air-conditioned tents practically the size of marquees full of all mod cons. Champagne under the stars in Africa, anyone?
Appalachian Mountain Club (USA)
The Appalachian Mountain Club is America’s oldest conservation and recreation organisation. It’s based in Boston but maintains a network of mountain huts, lodges and campsites across the states that make up New England. Their Family Getaways include accommodation, all meals and educational programmes; winter getaways also feature sledding, ice skating and snow games for children. The programs are organised for families without discriminating against single parent families, and are ideal for kids who like the great outdoors.
Earthwatch (Australia/Worldwide)
This is a not-for-profit organisation that has research projects involving the whole family working together to help save endangered wildlife. It’s wonderful for families looking for more than just sun and sand and will particularly appeal to budding nature-lovers. Participants learn about conservation and are trained in data collection techniques.
The next family-oriented project in Australia is the Discovery Weekends in the World Heritage areas of New South Wales to study Australia’s vanishing frogs. This is probably the only time where children are actually encouraged to trawl through streams, get dirty and catch frogs – all for the sake of the environment! The kids will be taught how to catch, weigh, sex, measure and release frogs, and to observe their behaviour. The project is a bush camping expedition, with toilets and hot showers. There’s also time to swim and search for possums and kangaroos. The weekends run October 7-9 and November 18-20 in 2005 and cost $275 for adults and $180 for children aged between six and twelve. In early 2006 join Waterbirds of the Coorong for a summer holiday in Storm Boy country. The project is based at the Coorong in South Australia. Families on the project help Dr David Paton to survey waterbird populations, sample food resources and catch coastal bird species in the wetland area. The project runs for 5 days, with families staying at the Gemini Grounds Campground (near Salt Creek) - in their spare time kids (and adults) can play cricket, swim at the beach or just relax. Contact Earthwatch on (03) 9682 6828, or visit www.earthwatch.org/australia.
Eurocamp (UK)
Family-friendly campsites in twelve different European countries. Well-equipped holiday parks, many with sports facilities and water parks, and dedicated kids’ clubs for all ages. They can also provide Junior Tents for the kids that give parents some space of their own. Although pricing is based on two parents, camping makes it more affordable (especially in Europe), and there is a £65 discount off the base price for single parents. Staff also provide an ‘Arrival Survival’ service helping single parents unpack, set up and settle in on arrival.
KeyCamp Holidays (UK)
Camping holidays around Europe to facilities with kids’ clubs that offer activities such as kayaking and windsurfing. Toddlers are also catered for. Holidays are offered in Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Austria and Luxembourg. The website offers early booking discounts and specials.
Odyssey Tours and Safaris (Australia)
This Darwin-based company offers tours and camel treks through the Northern Territory and the north of WA and Queensland, with air-con four-wheel drives and gourmet campfire cooking. Kids love the camping tours and it’s a great way to interact with other families, but motel or lodge accommodation is also available on request. At three of the lodges (Ayers Rock Resort, Alice Springs Resort and Kings Canyon Resort) children under fifteen stay free if accompanied by one parent, and at Ayers Rock Resort and Kings Canyon Resort one child per adult can also eat for free at the buffet restaurant. Tours are tailored to suit requirements and private tours can also be arranged. Go to www.odysaf.com.au/ for more, or free call 1800 891 190 for booking enquiries.
 Trek America (USA)
Just as the name suggests, this company offers family trekking across the USA. (The Trek Adventure branch of the company also goes to overseas destinations in Africa and South America.) Activities including hiking in the wilderness, kayaking, mountain biking and whitewater rafting. All the necessary camping equipment including tents and accessories is provided, and nearly all campgrounds have full facilities such as showers, pools, shops, and Laundromats, though some are more isolated and basic. You’ll be expected to participate in camp duties, including cooking. If you have a small group, Trek America can also put together a tailor-made tour; they organise hundreds of school travel groups every year and are certainly used to children. They’re also used to overseas bookings, all of which should be made through the London office.
YMCA (Australia/Worldwide)
If you think YMCA is a silly song from your long distant disco days, think again. The YMCA runs a variety of camps and accommodations worldwide, many of which are highly sophisticated. The YMCA right on the harbour in Hong Kong is one of the world’s best, and a real treat for families, with amenities as good as many a more expensive hotel, including an indoor swimming pool and kids’ pool, a climbing wall, squash courts and a play area.
In the USA the YMCA runs overnight and summer camps for kids all across the country where stays range from just a few days to four weeks. If you’re holidaying in the USA and want some time on your own, you might think about sending your kids on one of these short breaks.
The YMCA in Victoria includes an organisation called the Parent Link Social Network for Single Parent Families which you can join for an annual membership of $45. You get a quarterly newsletter and access to fully-catered family camps with a wide variety of creative activities for children of all ages. While the kids are being taken care of, you have time to relax and mingle with other single parents. Getaways head to Philip Island and the ski resorts; for for the moment these are only weekend length. For more information, go to www.victoria.ymca.org.au/families or phone (03) 9885 0333.
The YMCA in Sydney in conjunction with NSW Sport and Recreation (www.dsr.nsw.gov.au) has holiday centres for young children, teens and families with a great range of activities from ski weekends to beach vacations of up to six nights. At Myuna Bay near Lake Macquarie, for example, kids can try kayaking, rope climbing, archery and abseiling. You can contact NSW Sport on 131 302 or the YMCA Outdoor Recreation Manager on (02) 9869 1417.
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