Spontaneity Preparedness

Being spontaneous with a kid has some limitations. In order to leave for a random adventure at a moment's notice, there are some essentials I always keep stocked in my car and go-bags.

What is a go-bag?

A go-bag is a pre-assembled kit of supplies for an intended spur-of-the-moment trip, task, or job. For my purposes, a go-bag has parenting survival essentials. I also have a separate day hiking go-bag. All of these items are tried and tested.


Kid preparedness go-bag:

• wet wipes
• snacks, snacks, and more snacks
• water bottle (filled)
• tissues
• sunscreen
• change of clothes
• spare closable container
• lovey and/or toy
• entertainment (book, activity pad and twist crayons, portable console, travel puzzle or game)

In my car, I keep:

• water - at least two gallons and water bottles in various places
• non-perishable food - dried jerky or fruit, canned vegetables, granola bars, instant meals (add hot water), chips
• wet wipes (yup, twice. They're that versatile).
• flashlight and spare batteries (I'm a fan of Life Gear brand flashlights because they have a glow-stick/lantern option for camping or traffic signaling) 

• phone charger (port plug-in capable, and/or portable pack) 
• extra change of clothes (bright colored and warm)
• first aid kit (include tweezers, safety pin, band-aids, gauze, blood clot powder, antibiotic ointment, numbing agent, tissues, scissors, alcohol pads, medications) 
• Pre-made ones available at most pharmacies

• jumper cables
• fix-a-flat can, or spare tire and tire iron + jack
• work gloves
• blankets (cannot stress the importance of this enough!)
• multitool
• writing utensil and paper
• shovel (for burying feces, or digging your tires out of muck and snow)
• hatchet or axe
• spare gas/petrol can (full; even one gallon can get you 20 miles closer to help)
• fitted chains (in winter)
• state maps
• plastic bags (for garbage, soiled laundry, broken container, bandaging... ya never know)
• some people swear by duct tape/insulating tape, but I have yet to use it in an emergency scenario; electrical tape works just as well as a multi-purpose patch tape
• rope and/or bungee cord (for tying things down, or hauling something out) 
• also consider carrying a winch or ratchet tie downs 

 

• weather gear (poncho for rainy climate, wide-brimmed hat for sunny climate, sunglasses)
• hygiene essentials (spare toothbrush, deodorant, eco-friendly travel soap, if possible, or just bring baking soda for all the above)
• eating utensils (can be as simple as a pair of chopsticks)
• sharp hunting knife (for protection, opening packages, spreading PB, cutting rope, or whittling a pair of chopsticks)

I don't carry a gun, though I sometimes wonder if I should. Instead, I carry three knives.  One is a Swedish hunting knife, one is a switchblade, and one is part of my multitool. Because I wander off into the woods quite often, I like having options within reach. I've also taken the opportunity to teach my son how to properly handle a sharp knife and defend himself against wild animals.

• air pollutant mask (for when too much dirt is kicked up into the air, or there's smoke from forest fires, also good in case of chemical spills on roadways) Great article on choosing the right mask for certain situations. Classes listed below.

You pack what you think you'll need. Get comfortable with your supplies. Know where everything is. Keep an inventory if you want. Be creative if you have to. For instance, I know how to make a ninja mask with a long sleeve shirt if I can't find or buy a mask during fire season. It won't filter all the air that passes through, but it can be better than nothing. Resourcefulness is all about being spontaneous. Trust you can make it work with what you have, but take the time to have some essentials on hand.

Being a parent doesn't mean having to abandon your sense of freedom and adventure. Take the kid with you. S/he'll learn how to deal with roadblocks by seeing how you deal with them. Find opportunity near you in that backroads, at a creek, on a mountain, in the hills, at the coast. Adventure awaits!