Voices: Camping with little kids is uncomfortable — but also liberating. Venture out before summer ends.

There’s nothing like the great outdoors: It’s calm, it’s quiet, and it’s peaceful. So let’s bring a toddler into the mix, right?

For months I’ve been telling myself it was time to take my 4-year-old son camping. Eventually, after watching the “Outdoor Boys” YouTube channel and following Utah’s own @thewaltonadventure on Instagram, I decided: Enough is enough. This boy needs his knees scraped and some dirt rubbed in his face (in the most loving way possible).

I knew that I couldn’t do it alone, but my very pregnant wife declined to sleep in the dirt for a weekend, so I recruited my mom to join us.

We packed up the car and set out for adventure toward Diamond Fork Canyon — past the windmills and Covered Bridge Canyon — until we finally arrived at Diamond Campground.

The trip turned out to be more difficult than I thought — even with Grandma’s help. But I’m still extremely glad we went.

We do so much as parents to make sure our kids are comfortable. We know that by taking them camping, they’ll experience at least some level of discomfort, but it can feel liberating — to both of you! — to intentionally put them in an environment where we know they’ll have to adapt and be uncomfortable. As long as we’re right by their side to suffer with them. That’s what’s important.

Those are the memories they will take with them. Because suffering turns into meaning. When we suffer, we can create meaning from those experiences. And what better place to create meaning for your kids than out in the wilderness?

I learned a lot during my weekend in the wilderness, which I hope will encourage other curious — if not nervous — parents to venture out. Here’s my advice:

Book a site close to home.

If at any point we needed to bail, we had that option. If it’s your kid’s first time, camp somewhere close. It gives both of you peace of mind.

Start packing early.

Camping day came fast. Keep a packing list on your phone, and update it right when you think of something. Don’t forget plenty of snacks!

Explore your — and your child’s — limits.

One afternoon, we followed a nearby hiking trail until it led us to a steeply sloped rock wall. At the base of the wall was a wooden ladder that led to a rope. I couldn’t resist. I put on my brave face and used the rope to scale up the wall. To my shock, my son wanted to follow right behind me. His grandma helped him onto the ladder, he climbed up to the rope. And that’s when he decided he wasn’t going to do it. I loved seeing my son push his limits on his own, even without my involvement or suggestion. I was so proud to see that.

Enjoy the little things.

My son loved helping set up our tent and rolling out his sleeping bag. He loved making s’mores. Be sure to give your kids those moments. Don’t just try to rush through so you can get to the relaxing bit.

Truly, if you want your daily routine with a toddler to feel easier, take them camping. Once you’re home, taking them potty, feeding them and getting them ready for bed feels like a breeze compared to doing all of that at a campsite.

But really I learned that nothing heals quite like nature. Being out in nature with a child is a double whammy for incinerating the ego. It reminded me so much of being a child. Stripping away the excesses of life and leaving everything else behind to go on an adventure was the opportunity for my son and I to recenter.

It was also an opportunity to appreciate one of our state’s most valuable assets: Our land.

Unfortunately, there are politicians on state and federal levels who have shown a disturbing indifference towards our public lands. They’re being treated as commodities to be sold to the highest bidder. This short-sighted approach doesn’t reflect the values of Utahns, no matter where they are on the political spectrum.

Contact your representatives to let them know this is not the will of the people. More importantly, use and appreciate our land: Visit our national parks, go on hikes, go camping. And support the effort to sustain the natural wildlife and beauty that we are so lucky to enjoy.

If we want our kids to know how important these lands are to us, we must show them. Take this as your sign. Take the kids outside. It doesn’t need to be overnight. Just go out. Go on a drive. Somewhere remote, without cell service. Connect with nature and each other.

Ian Scott lives in Spanish Fork. He is the proud husband to his high school sweetheart and a father of a 4-year-old boy.

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