We frequently take our GSs camping. One of them is a Gameboy freak and when the trip starts he would rather sit in the TT and play games than get out with the rest of us. We find that an outside activity that that involves some noise, laughing, etc., usually catches his interest and before long he comes out to see whats going on. I also agree about some one on one time. I hate Gameboys but have learned to play some games with him because after playing his game I will suggest some activity that just he and I do and he usually will participate. Seems to work for us.
I agree with the posts that say to spend some time with him and his activities.
I also agree with unplugging the electronics and make him come out and play catch(or some other activity) with you for some of the time.
You live with a new wife and her son. The three of you love to camp, but your son doesn't. Wow, he must really feel like an outsider.
He only has his dad part of the time. If it were me, I would tell the current wife and her son to go enjoy the camprground and I would spend every opportunity I had with my son. I would become an expert at video games, or sit in front of the tv or whatever, but I would do the kinds of things he likes and do it with a big smile.
desert_dad wrote: You live with a new wife and her son. The three of you love to camp, but your son doesn't. Wow, he must really feel like an outsider.
He only has his dad part of the time. If it were me, I would tell the current wife and her son to go enjoy the camprground and I would spend every opportunity I had with my son. I would become an expert at video games, or sit in front of the tv or whatever, but I would do the kinds of things he likes and do it with a big smile.
Andrew
There is truth in this, but good ideas from other posters...for me it would be a blend. Yes, spend time dedicated to what HE enjoys and HE alone one on one...but you have a responsibility to TRY to pull him out of that chair too. As said before, he might be enjoying himself because this is what he does at home, but he needs more...and pulling...not pushing him to another interest is desirable. Get him somewhere there are GIRLS... his interest will improve! lol!
Rick & MaryAnn
we accompany, a beagle, sir Cody, drive '06 Phaeton
SMI brake stopping a Jeep liberty toad
We have two teenagers. One enjoys the outdoors and considers a bath an unnecessary nuisance. He can get muddy from head to toe and then go to bed. He is "at one with nature".
The other teenager stares at his cell phone the entire time waiting for that freak solar flare that will suddenly give him unexpected connectivity in the proverbial "middle of nowhere". He clutches the laptop and rocks back and forth chanting "WiFi, WiFi, WiFi".
I suggest that you let him do his thing. Just make an effort to include him in what you do. Try to act interest in whatever it is that he does.
My son is 17 and we usually go camping with another family that has boys his age. One of them is an indoor type and the other is always outside. My son just takes turns with the boys. I would suggest you do the same. See if there is anything that he might enjoy doing outside - maybe just going for a walk with you in the mornings over a cup od coffee. Then during the warmest parts of the day when he wants to be in the A/C give him that space. Kids that age, unless they were raised to enjoy the outdoors, will gravitate to the games inside. Don't force him, but always make sure he is invited to come with you and the rest of family when you ahve your activities.
It sounds like you might be worrying more than necessary (as we parents often do) since he says he's enjoying himself. He might very well be having a terrific and relaxing time in your nice camper.
There are many good suggestions on here and the best ones are the ones that have the word compromise in them. Teens want to do their own things, and forcing the issue just makes everyone miserable. The last thing you want to do during your precious eight weeks with him is create conflict between you two.
I love PattieAM's idea about having camping time with the family in the morning and then allowing him the freedom to do his own things in the afternoons. That's kind of what we did when our youngest was a teen. We didn't bring TVs and other electronics camping, but we did let him bring his gameboy and various hand held items. In the evenings if he wanted to curl up inside and veg out we let him do just that. If he felt like coming out and sitting around the campfire with us he did. If he didn't we didn't pressure him.
One suggestion, since your boy is such a "techie" -- have you considered buying a GPS and going geocaching with him? Geocaching is something pretty much every member of my family enjoys doing, including the teens. LOTS of "techie" stuff is involved with geocaching, from creating "queries" of caches, downloading routes into the GPS, operating all of the GPS functions, and even logging your finds online. It might be just the right mix of nature and technology to satisfy everyone involved.
When we were at the beach a few weeks ago we ended up spending an afternoon taking my two nephews, (ages 16 & 17) on several geocache hunts and THEY were the ones that kept saying "Let's find another one!" until we finally dragged them back to the resort to meet up with the rest of the family. We all had a blast!
In any case, GOOD LUCK and HAPPY CAMPING!
Teri--the RV.net addict!
DEAR and WONDERFUL husband Eric (& furry faced Angus!) Western Washington
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remember yourself at 16?
neither do I...but...suggest when you go camping...no lap top or v game unit. He will then have nothing to do inside but then again he is in need of "private time"...you know the type i refer to....when he can be by himself to think things out. The others suggest quality time with him and I totally agree, but do things HE likes to do too, not just yourself. I lost my son's due to a divorce and now they are all grown up and I have a empty space in my heart now because I did what I wanted to do and not what they wanted to do. However remember you dont want to be the "fun dad" all the time, and not ignore the others in the family. Good luck with the boy.
Bob
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Get a large gunny sack, some good sized rocks, some twine to tie the sack shut and take him swimming with you. 
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