Yes, Your Child Can Go To The Bathroom in the Woods. Really.

There is a lovely book that embodies this essay well: Everyone Poops. It explains simply that poop is a fact of life for all animals, humans included.  We just happen to be the animals that invented indoor plumbing.  When the modern toilet started gaining popularity less than 200 years ago, we forgot how we’d done it for hundreds of thousands of years!  Indeed, in evolutionary terms, the toilet is a mere blip on the screen compared to the time we spent pooping in the woods. 

You may be new to the “nature bathroom” yourself.  Perhaps you have never used it, or like many (ourselves included) you’ve botched it once or twice.  And that’s okay.  The mechanics of using the bathroom outdoors can be complicated or uncomfortable the first time, or even distressing to think about. You may have your doubts. Not MY daughter! Not MY son! But we are here to say… 

YES. THEY. CAN.  

Why we do it: 

Lure of the Wild’s nature camp programs are designed to encourage and gently assist kids and their families to reach just slightly outside their comfort zone to build confidence in the outdoors, and in themselves.  We provide a place where kids can face simple challenges in a controlled setting, which in turn helps them build confidence and trust in their own abilities.  Using the bathroom outdoors is a small but mighty step in the process of learning to be flexible, resilient, and capable humans.  

It generally only takes one experience to get past the challenge. For most kids, a few minutes of discomfort (or in rare cases, a little embarrassment) is forgotten in exchange for the fun and excitement of spending the whole day playing freely and exploring outdoors.  Almost always, our most hesitant parents are pleasantly surprised, relieved, and even impressed.  They, and their kids, are proud and happy to discover that it isn’t such a big deal to go to the bathroom outdoors.  

How we do it: 

We do it following our state-approved Health and Safety Plan.  Officials from the Department of Health have described our plan as a model for Maryland’s day camps.  In addition to mapping out the particulars of managing bathroom use in the woods (officially called a “Primitive Plan”), the plan requires all staff to be background-checked on federal and state levels, as well as reference-checked.  Staff follow a strict Code of Conduct that requires that they follow their training in child abuse and neglect prevention as both care givers and mandated reporters.  

Each program’s orientation/safety talk includes a brief, G-rated tutorial on the technical side of how to go to the bathroom in the woods.  We also teach a series of call-and-response and silent hand signals that help us communicate discreetly during bathroom use.  When the time comes, we offer kind, discreet, and supportive assistance as needed.  Counselors remind curious children about empathy and respect for privacy.  

We encourage families that may be anxious to practice at home so they can be a little more familiar with what to expect. Here's how we do it...

When a camper says they need to go, their counselor asks “one” or “two” (pee or poop), provides paper if needed, and directs them to a private space.  The area is away from water sources and within manageable, safe distance.  For a girl, or any person pooping, we instruct to pull pants down to at least the knees and sit against a tree while leaning forward (like sitting and leaning forward on a chair), feet out front (not under). This helps everything to go in a predictable direction instead of on clothes. When done, leave the paper and waste for the counselor to pick up with a dog bag.   

We have plenty of experience with campers from both ends of the spectrum of comfort- while a few are extremely uncomfortable, most really don’t give it much thought. Counselors keep a mental note of who hasn’t gone and give gentle reminders.  They also assist children if they have accidents, in whatever capacity necessary.  Apprehensive or excited, your child is in the care of a patient, sympathetic, trained counselor who is dedicated to ensuring their safety, health, and wellbeing.