"How am I going to survive without TV and the Wii?" proclaimed our friend's young son as we began a short camping trip with four other families and their kids aged eight through one year this past Sunday. Not only did he survive two nights sleeping in a tent, he thrived.

Most of the time I saw him perched in a tree ... or fishing ... or clambering ahead on a 2.5-mile/1,000 ft in elevation gain hike. My favorite part of this entire multi-family camping trip was quietly observing the kids getting filthy, swimming in the lake, catching baby frogs, scrambling billy goat-style up and down a tough trail and then digging deep near the hike's end even as their legs felt like jelly. How often do kids' legs feel that tired these days?

When we returned to camp for dinner, the kids didn't have a couch to climb upon or a remote to click. Instead they headed to the trees, the tents for imaginary play, the 'secret trail' for a new adventure. If you have the opportunity to go camping this summer, do. If not, unplug your children and head outside your front door. Check out Jennifer Ward's new book, I Love Dirt!: 52 Activities to Help You & Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature.

Parents need a plan when pulling that plug.

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