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Building Forts...Classic Childhood Pastime
Posted on 4/25/13 at 7:44 am
Posted on 4/25/13 at 7:44 am
The "Backyards are overrated" thread over on the OT got me thinking...do kids still go out in the backyard/woods and build forts?
I never had a Nintendo, Sega, whathaveyou, but I built the hell out of some forts in the woods. Some of them I'm convinced could have withstood a mortar attack. I used to dig pits, line it with my parents firewood, stock it with bb guns, random canned goods and prepare for an attack...from the russians...or the neighbors...or whomever...point is I was ready. Damn fine way to spend a childhood.
What says the OB? Any former fort builders in here? Any best practices to share with America's youth?
I never had a Nintendo, Sega, whathaveyou, but I built the hell out of some forts in the woods. Some of them I'm convinced could have withstood a mortar attack. I used to dig pits, line it with my parents firewood, stock it with bb guns, random canned goods and prepare for an attack...from the russians...or the neighbors...or whomever...point is I was ready. Damn fine way to spend a childhood.
What says the OB? Any former fort builders in here? Any best practices to share with America's youth?
34
Posted on 4/25/13 at 7:46 am to TheGreat318
My buddy and I used to cut willows down with an ax, one of us would climb to the top while the other chopped it down so we could ride it down. Then we would trim it up and make our forts.
Ome of our forts still stands, it looks like a tiny log cabin...that was 30 years ago.
Ome of our forts still stands, it looks like a tiny log cabin...that was 30 years ago.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 7:50 am to TheGreat318
Was about a 15 acre patch if woods between us and the neighbor and we had a big white oak fall in there. We built an elaborate village on that tree. Even had a small creek by it that we were convinced we could catch frogs, and crawfish from it to live off of in addition to robins that net their death at the hands of a pellet gun
Posted on 4/25/13 at 7:52 am to TheGreat318
quote:
"Backyards are overrated"
Doucher he is.
quote:
I never had a Nintendo, Sega, whathaveyou, but I built the hell out of some forts in the woods.
This
quote:
I used to dig pits, line it with my parents firewood, stock it with bb guns, random canned goods and prepare for an attack...from the russians...or the neighbors...or whomever...point is I was ready. Damn fine way to spend a childhood.
Yep
Posted on 4/25/13 at 7:52 am to TheGreat318
I've built many forts and tree houses. Can't wait to start with my kids on fort building.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 7:53 am to TheGreat318
I built an awesome treehouse for my son when he was about 7. Took me a week and spent a couple hundred bucks. He went in it about 5 times. 
I told my wife I wouldn't care if he went up there to hide and smoke as long as he used it.
I told my wife I wouldn't care if he went up there to hide and smoke as long as he used it.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 7:53 am to TheGreat318
quote:
Any former fort builders in here?
Yep
quote:
Any best practices to share with America's youth?
Just get outdoors with there buddies
Posted on 4/25/13 at 7:54 am to FelicianaTigerfan
We all still played all the video games, but we spent more time outside than we played those. In my neighborhood the woods were thick with thorns and what not, we made paths where we could get to anyone's backyard in the neighborhood. Took pallets from a building site and tried to make a fort, but we failed, the woods were thick enough to keep off most rain anyways. Good times.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 7:57 am to Slickback
quote:
I've built many forts and tree houses. Can't wait to start with my kids on fort building.
I have girls but I will still hopefully help them build some.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 7:58 am to TheGreat318
Ill admit that in my day I'd spend all day playing in the woods year round but I'm hesitant to let my boys do it. Killed 7 rattlers in 3 years within 300 yards of my house and I just don't have faith that these kids look out for snakes like we use to.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 8:00 am to deaconjones35
quote:
He went in it about 5 times.
Have you sat the young man down in front of the original Red Dawn? Or The Alamo? That should do the trick. Clearly at some point, your yard will face an invading force. And just who in the hell does he think will stop them? The US Army? Pssshh...please.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 8:02 am to TheGreat318
quote:
Have you sat the young man down in front of the original Red Dawn? Or The Alamo? That should do the trick. Clearly at some point, your yard will face an invading force. And just who in the hell does he think will stop them? The US Army? Pssshh...please.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 8:06 am to TheGreat318
The neighborhood was still new and in the back was nothing but empty streets, woods, and canals. Scrap wood was available from the new houses. Our bikes, pocket knives, and some hammers. Building forts, playing in the canal catching turtles, shooting snakes, Good times. Shooting BB guns, making spears, and enjoying the occaisional dirty mag that would show up.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 8:13 am to PresidentialPerch
quote:
I have girls but I will still hopefully help them build some.
Mine like forts. We built some in the woods behind our house. Them and one other neighborhood girl who just happened to be the daughter of one of my fort building friends. The rest of the kids around here never venture into the woods.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 8:15 am to SmackoverHawg
Posted on 4/25/13 at 8:19 am to TheGreat318
quote:
do kids still go out in the backyard/woods and build forts?
Nope and it's not because of video games and computers. It's because kids can't go out to play. Even if the woods or field or neighborhood is "safe" from perverts, there is still the litigious culture we live in. Example ?: Mr. Smith owns the lot where little Johnny and little Sammy play football with their friends. Little Sammy sticks his foot in a hole, twists his ankle and Sammy's mom and dad hire an attorney because Mr. Smith should have known there were holes on his property and should have protected the kids from such perilous conditions. Build a fort? Hell, they can't walk through the woods without getting threatened and run off muck less hall some old pallets and plywood out there.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 8:22 am to Tiger inTampa
My son loved palying in the woods with his friends. They built forts and played airsoft etc. They also liked video games but always played outside first and games at night if at all.
Now there was one boy they played with that they could never get out the house. He was glued to video games.
Now there was one boy they played with that they could never get out the house. He was glued to video games.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 8:25 am to deaconjones35
quote:
I built an awesome treehouse for my son when he was about 7. Took me a week and spent a couple hundred bucks. He went in it about 5 times. I told my wife I wouldn't care if he went up there to hide and smoke as long as he used it.
My wife was wanting me to do that same thing. Told her they need to build it themselves to appreciate it. Got an old tree in the pasture they use for fort purposes.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 8:25 am to Tiger inTampa
Built many a fort and treehouses with my trusty hatchet and machete. From about 6 years old on, my mom would make me get out of the house after watching tv for about an hour in the morning. Wasn't allowed back inside until suppertime. Occasionally, she'd make some lemonade or tea and set it out on the porch. But for the most part, the water hose was the drink of choice. Grew up on a 3 mile long road and all the boys on the road would get together on the weekends and we'd camp out all weekend. This went on until I was in high school and started chasing the wommenz.
Posted on 4/25/13 at 8:27 am to TheGreat318
quote:
the original Red Dawn?
Ha! I made my girls watch it after they were talking about how awsome the new Red Dawnis.
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