A month before returning home from Iraq, I asked my 13 yo son to start planning an overnight camping trip. He was asked to consider the camping gear required and prepare packing lists for us both. He was asked to think about what equipment we might need to buy or whether we could borrow or rent from the school. I said that we could do route planning on my return home, but that he might like to think about what distances we could cover in two days.
In the end, we had a fantastic two days together. He was at that quiet teenage stage in life, but once we started walking he hardly drew breath. We walkied at Namadgi National Park in the ACT and I would be happy to recommend to anyone a really good route and overnight camping spot.
He enjoyed it so much, we have rewalked the same route, this time with a friend as well. It won't be long before he will be able to do this himself, with his friends, as a great holiday activity. Beats watching TV and the computer screen all the time!