Fun and Safety on 4-Day Boating Trip

Everybody (as in EVERYBODY: adults and kids) should wear life vests at all times on the water and while playing close to the water, even just dipping in their feet. We have a very active boating community up here and there have already been several drowning deaths this year, even though we've had a terrible spring.
Many kids and adults who drown can swim and overestimate their abilities. The water is still cold in most lakes and rivers and even a good swimmer can cramp up suddenly and drown.
Little kids are also at risk when they play at the waters edge. Rocks can be slippery and even small waves can know little kids of their feet.

We will head to the beach in two weeks and even though my in-laws think I'm a lttle overprotective, my daughter will be wearing a life vest and UV-protective clothing at all times. Better safe than sorry!

We have a boat and a camper and LOVE camping on lakes. We have 3 kiddos, 1, 3, 5. This will be our youngest's first summer obviously that we have to worry about her and the water. We always have the girls in life jackets whenever they are ANYWHERE near the water. We are also ALWAYS right there watching and making sure they are safe.
Sunscreen ( I get the non-greasy kind too so I can spray their heads), hats, life jackets, things to float on (we tether them to the shore). Shovels, and stuff to play with on the shore too, even if its just to dig in rocks.
I grew up camping and my husband grew up boating and we both look back at those memories as our favorites growing up. Your kids will love these memories you are creating for them!
Good luck and have fun!

Properly fitting life vests (appropriate both to the person and the activity, some are best for near-shore, like lake boating, others for open water). This must be an imperative for every person on the boat, regardless of age and swimming ability. Things can happen very fast and even expert swimmers can be overcome by cold water or other conditions.

Also make sure to have a good sunscreen and reapply every 4 hours. When you are by water, you are doubly exposed to the rays of the sun (direct and reflection), plus even "waterproof" sunscreen wears off after a few hours in the water. I think the worst sunburns I've had (and most of the worst I've seen) were related to boating/water activities. And nothing ruins a vacation like this faster than a sunburn! (Well, almost nothing).

life vests for everyone- no exceptions... kids under about 10 years old should have a life vest on any time they are near (within 20 ft) the water... because even if you wade too far out you can be dragged down a river by the tide faster than you would believe!

every child should be assigned an adult- like the buddy system. that adult should be with them 24-7. kids should have an adult escort them even to go to the bathroom... especially if you will be in an area with wildlife. Obviously with older kids, if you have a girl, buddy her with a woman or her mom so she can do her "thing" comfortably. Boys with men as well... I am an adult and when we are camping in a group in bear country we STILL "buddy up" to go take a bathroom break especially at night! (At least the girls do...)

If this is a boating trip, try to enroll everyone in a boat safety course before you head out... and the kids in a water safety course. Swimming lessons often don't address water safety when it comes to boating... like "what do you do if your boat flips, or sinks!?" I took boat safety in girl scouts and it taught me a TON of things I never encountered in swim lessons, and they even did "drills" where they would flip your canoe and you had to make it to shore safely (ideally with the canoe) - invaluable tools so that you don't have a disaster with kids panicked trying to dog paddle aimlessly!

This is not to scare you! With plenty of preparation and some street, er "river smarts"- Your sure to have a fun, fantastic and unforgettable trip!

Good Luck!
-M.

One of the most important statements I have heard regarding children and water is to AT ALL TIMES assign one adult to one or two children that they are responsible for watching. When I hear of children drowning in large crowds/family get togethers it is almost always because "everybody was watching"...and the thing about that is when "everybody's watching, nobody's watching."

With that said we went on a wonderful camping/lake vacation for 6 nights and rented a pontoon last summer. Our youngest was 3 and he loved it. He jumped off the boat, went tubing, swam, etc. with his big brothers. He always wore a life vest. We had a blast!

Even though it can be a pain and met with resistance from little ones, I too recommend tons of sun screen (make sure it dries completely before allowing them back in the water) and frequent applications. Nobody burned! We are even going back this year since we had so much fun!
Have fun!

life vests on the smaller kids at all times!

Properly fitting USCG-approved life vests--please learn the appropriate one for your choice of activity (http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5214/pfdselection.asp). Learn how to get the correct fit--life jackets are not one size/style fits all.

Check the laws in the state you are going to... most states require vests on children 12 and under at all times when on a boat. Go so far as to require them when around the water, especially on the little ones--it's so easy to slip off a dock or if you do not know the lake, you can easily walk off an underwater "cliff."

Sunscreen and hats and life vests! (The boat should have enough, by law.)

If at water's edge, but no dock the positive thing is zero entry and less (not none) but less chance of a drowning incident.
For fun, rocks for skipping, paper or electronic boats, we have even made boats out of twigs, etc for racing. water shooters (aka guns), lots of fun munchies.
maybe a canoe or kayak if you don't already have some comming. compass and a guide to night/sesonal constellations:)
so much fun!!!

Relax and have fun. My favorite thing about the boating is just floating on the water. It is one of the most relaxing things I've done.

I too am not a big fan of water but I thoroughly enjoy our boating trips!

Our rule on our boat is that 12 and under are required to wear a life vest at all times. If anyone is going in the water, regardless of age, they are required to have a lifevest also. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS! The teenagers may not like the rule but they will abide by it or they aren't allowed in the water.

Be vigilant at all times but also relax (I know that is contradictory but it can be done).

Enjoy your vacation!