Need advice regarding a "city boy" coming to rural property

[needmoredirt]

@Fuddyduddy1952 got the right idea. At 15 they gots the "fumes". Car fumes, perfumes and gunfumes.

You do have a 10/22, right? Don't let the farmer have it tho, that may not work out so well

 

[Doofy]

I hear tell that today's youth don't care for cars or girls. They live for video games and little else. I feel totally blessed to have grown up during the 50's and 60's.

 

[Jstpssng]

Based on the OP's latest post it sounds like the biggest thing he can offer is a drama free summer. Why is it that some people have to get back at their exes through the kids?

 

[paulsharvey]

I hear tell that today's youth don't care for cars or girls. They live for video games and little else. I feel totally blessed to have grown up during the 50's and 60's.

As the parent of an 18 y/o, that will graduate in 5 weeks, I would beg to differ. He still live with us, but I normally only see him maybe 3 or 4 hours per week, between school, work, girlfriend, and just driving around burning gas.

 

[kenmbz]

When we would spend time at my Uncles place in the Mountains of western Mass.
The things we liked to do:
Hike on the trails and investigate (old CCC camps and other derelict structures)
Ride drive on the neighbors tractors and his old pickup truck
Horse riding.
Working on parts for the barn, mostly using manual tools like an auger, plane etc.
Shooting targets , rifle and shotgun.
Fires, bonfires, cooking fires.
Swimming in the pond or brook on a hot day.
Dirt bikes (motor and mountain bike), though when I was a kid mountain bike was just a heavy regular bicycle

Added for my son,
Working on engines
Pole saw, less chance of contacting blades, small branches with full helmet.
Lawn tractor.

It should be fun, so small doses of work with other stuff in between seemed to be the most fun for us. 8 hours of working on a large wood beam would have ruined out day, but working like that for an hour or two followed by a hike or fishing would round the day nicely.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I dont know how sheltered, or domesticated this kid is, but. When son was in cub scouts, I remember going on the first camping trip, and being dumbfounded by some of these 1st/2nd grade kids; one had a snotty nose, and asked if anyone had tissues. No, just do a farmers blow. He had no idea what that was. Just being able to run around a bit feral and pee in the woods, I think many of us take for granted.

My advice would be, don't over do it, or force too much. It might annoy you, but if he's propped up by the campfire, half paying attention, and half on his phone, that's a win. Forcing a kid to sit in a boat fishing from 4am-9pm, whether you catch anything or not, hungry, bored, and sunburnt, probably isn't gonna win you any favors. At the same time, he might need a bit of a push, and thats OK too, just don't keep pushing.

We call those snot rockets.

 

[tradosaurus]

Since he is 15 and coming from out of state, I need to have a number of discussions to learn and comply with the parent's wishes. And legal requirements. And I will comply with all.

What makes it interesting is the parents are divorced and the acrimony reigns supreme. One is awaiting a court date right now to wrest custody away from the other due to "domestic violence." This has persisted for years.

I stay well clear of such drama. Just one text received usually includes more personal drama than exists in my household for 5-10 years. So, I tiptoe cautiously. But even in light of that, I am looking forward to a good visit and exposing a young man to positive things he has never experienced.

My sister said he needs a good male role model right now. I'm not sure I am totally up to that, but I do believe I can be a lot better example than what he has in his life right now.

This will be good experience for the young man to experience the outdoors and get away from the drama. I would believe 1/2 of what you hear especially when hearing the word "domestic violence".
At 15 I believe he could actually choose who he wants to live with.

 

[plowhog]

A fire is a must. ... If you have a pond, see if the fish are biting.

Good ideas Eddie thank you. I will plan a nightly fire at the fire pit. The fire pit could use rebuilding, and since it is a small project maybe I will add that to the list of possibilities.

We had a turtle show up at our pond last year. Good size- 8 to 10 inch I'd say. Maybe I could give him a camera and put him on turtle patrol. The thing can be pretty elusive when it wants to.

These are all good ideas ... exposure to things not possible in a big city.

 

[kenmbz]

Good ideas Eddie thank you. I will plan a nightly fire at the fire pit. The fire pit could use rebuilding, and since it is a small project maybe I will add that to the list of possibilities.

We had a turtle show up at our pond last year. Good size- 8 to 10 inch I'd say. Maybe I could give him a camera and put him on turtle patrol. The thing can be pretty elusive when it wants to.

These are all good ideas ... exposure to things not possible in a big city.

Hope it's not a snapping turtle . if so just make sure he keeps a few feet away.
Those snappers are always fun and remind me of baby godzillas
Firepit idea sound great, achievable and somewhat quick payoff.

 

[plowhog]

Pretty sure it is this ..

How Fast Do Red Eared Slider Turtles Grow? - Turtles Pet

Red Eared Slider Turtles grow between 1/2 inch to 1 inch each year until they reach maturity at 6 to 8 years old; this is when growth slows down significantly or stops altogether. As long as proper diet and housing requirements are met, these turtles should reach full size by 10-12 years old.

turtlespet.com

 

[Bansil]

When is this happening? I forgot

Fire pit is good safe bet.

 

[plowhog]

When is this happening?

Hopefully last week in May. If not then, last week in June. Good weather for hard work before it gets too hot!

 

[Torvy]

15 year old boy...maybe a 15 year old girl?

 

[5030]

I invited a 15 year old "city boy" male relative to spend a week at our rural CA ranch property. He accepted-- aaaahhh, now what?

I would like to make it a good visit for all. Expose him to things not possible in the city environment he has always been in. So I am seeking input on what sort of activities I could involve him in?

Initial thoughts are:
- safe operation around rural land and equipment
- bucking and splitting firewood
- operating a chain saw
- milling lumber on a sawmill
- running a laser level to check gradient in a pipeline

And if I didn't mention it .... safe operation around rural land and equipment. He is a total greenhorn in the country ...

Ideas?

Tell him to stay home....lol

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I don't have much more to add than has already been said. Good on you for having him out and trying to make it the best experience for him. I am really interested in hearing the outcome. My vote is that he is going to have the time of his life and tell all his friends about it.