OK, I’ve only made one New Year’s resolution in my life. And I don’t plan on ever making another one. So, this article is for all of you slackers out there. You know who you are if you promised your kid that you’d take them fishing last summer and never got around to it. Or maybe you promised the family that you’d take them camping, and the camping trip never did quite materialize.

So let’s pour a cup of coffee and lay out the calendar and write down some outdoor activities that you’ve put off for wayyyy to long. We’re going to get ‘er done this year. I know that when the kids are small it can be tough duty.

I know every old person in your life tells you this, but one day, in the blink of an eye, you will wonder where the time went. You will look back and realize that the best times of your life slipped like sand through your fingers. Make the most of these days. My youngest one just had her first baby. Wow! Where’d the time go?

There’s something about being outdoors that brings everyone together. Maybe it’s the facing hard times and challenges together? I don’t know, but it does bring everyone closer together.

I had the best dad in the world and the smartest. I still regularly call to mind something that he told me when I was a kid. At the time I didn’t understand the depth of what he was telling me. Many of the things he told me I didn’t understand until 30, 40, 50 and even 60 years later.

For instance, the other day on a hunt I was reminded of something he once told me. He said when you go outdoors with someone, you learn what they’re really like. Are they self-centered? Or are they giving and fun to be around?

But back to planning out our year. If your kids are a little older, then you might pick a semi-nice day in January or February and go ice fishing.

Regardless of your kids’ age, plan some spring crappie fishing trips. Sure, a boat helps out a lot, but there are a lot of local lakes where you can catch a good mess of crappie off the bank. Crappie fishing is a low-key fishing endeavor and on a good day you’ll catch a ton of fish. So many that you might not even get to fish because you’ll be too busy taking care of the kids.

By the end of June the crappie will be slowing down — just in time to start camping. Why is simple camping so much fun? I think because it simplifies things. All that you’re worried about is staying warm and dry and not getting eaten by a bear.

Have all of the kids help do tasks. Set up the tent, gather firewood, etc., etc. There are a lot of tasks that must be done to set up a camp.

Cooking over a fire or a Camp Chef stove further enhances the trip. Suddenly something as simple as preparing a meal is a big event. Let the kids help out so they learn responsibilities. It will help them appreciate the meal more plus teach them a good life skill. Meals are always better in the outdoors, even something simple that they might not appreciate at home.

CAMPFIRESitting around the campfire telling stories will be memories that they’ll have for life. Build a big roaring fire. And of course, you have to make s’mores. What is a camping trip without s’mores? An epic failure, that’s what.

Then someday you’re going to have to get a Dutch oven… or two. A meal cooked in a Dutch oven will make their little minds roam back to the pioneer days. And desserts cooked in a Dutch oven are to die for.

Camping can consume your whole summer, but you’ll need to have some activities to do when camping. Of course, four-wheelers are super popular, and for good reason. But if you don’t have one, don’t worry.

Get a Forest Service map or call my buddy Paige at MyTopo Maps and get a map made for your specific area. Go exploring.

Fish.

Get some Umarex air guns and let them plink tin cans around camp.

Get slingshots.

Get some Buck throwing knives.

We are running short on space, so let’s hit ram speed. Put in for some draw hunts. Look at the regulations so you know when to put in. Do you want to hunt moose, elk, deer, antelope, bear, bighorn, and the list goes on and on.

Do you want to archery hunt? If so, you’d better start practicing so you’re proficient. Also at least once per month you ought to practice with your pistol. God forbid that you ever need to use it, but if the lives of your loved ones depend on it, you want to be good.

And we’re running out of room to talk about scheduling your dove, grouse, turkey and waterfowl hunting. There’s just too much to do here in Idaho, maybe I should write a New Year’s resolution for each month!