Before becoming parents, my husband and I celebrated our anniversaries by camping on an island near Washington State’s coast. We’d set up our tent in the forest and awaken to the harbor seals playing in the ocean. Then, when I was pregnant with our first child, we camped in the nearby national forest. I passed the peaceful days reading in a hammock by the river, and at night, we sat around the fire, dreaming of the family camping trips we’d soon embark on.
The following summer, we visited the national forest with our six-month-old. Not only did we forget firewood, but within an hour of falling asleep, our daughter woke up inconsolable. Eventually, we packed up our belongings and drove home, thankful the next day to be surrounded by all the comforts of home.
We postponed another attempt for a year and were delighted to find that camping was enjoyable once our daughter was a little older. Over time, we’ve discovered what works (and doesn’t work), and now family camping outings are among our most beloved pastimes. Here are six insights we’ve gained…
1. It doesn’t require much to enjoy the outdoors.
Our favorite state parks include amenities our kids love, like playgrounds, paddle boat rentals, and ice cream stands, but we have just as much fun at campgrounds without such entertainment. We’ve learned to pack wisely. We bring a frisbee and whiffle ball to the campground with a large grassy field, and kites and sand toys to the one with a beach; plus, we consistently bring our field guides and binoculars (and a monocular, as it’s easier for kids to use). With the freedom to explore, our kids usually find their own fun. And, though it might break all rules, when we camp in state parks on the San Juan Islands, we turn it into a vacation, venturing into town to browse bookstores, get coffee and pastries, or (gasp!) dine at a nice restaurant.
2. Camping with children takes a different form, and that’s okay.
When our youngest was born, we upgraded from our two-person backpacking tent to a family-sized tent (similar), which the kids named Bluey. We also purchased a used pop-up camper, offering more comfort while camping. (We alternate between them, depending on the site.) When our kids are older, we’ll take them on remote backpacking trips, but for now, I value the simplicity. We adorn the camper with stickers from every visited campground. Older couples pass by and say, We brought our kids here, too. Nestled in the camper at night, listening to my family breathe, I think, this is all I need to feel at home.
3. Group camping trips resemble big sleepovers.
Each year, we go on group camping outings with friends, and these weekends always leave us saying, this is why we camp. The older kids cycle around the campground and lead younger ones in imaginative games. It’s enjoyable for adults, too — we treasure the unhurried time spent together. All meals become potlucks, and if you’re out of sunscreen or forgot ketchup? There’s always enough to share. After the children drift to sleep, someone adds another log to the fire. Some head to their tents while others linger, chatting and laughing softly until it’s time to douse the embers and call it a night.
4. Park rangers are wonderful.
We have discovered that some state parks host ranger-led nature activities for kids, so we inquire about them when checking in. One of my daughter’s treasured memories is when a park ranger stopped by our campsite with booklets filled with nature-themed puzzles and activities. He promised that completing the booklets would earn them ‘Junior Park Ranger’ badges. At five years old, my daughter eagerly colored through the book. On our trip’s final day, we stopped at the ranger station. The on-duty ranger not only brought out a box of wooden badges but also conducted a formal swearing-in ceremony. I became emotional as our kids promised to protect the land, waterways, and wildlife around us.
5. It’s beneficial to jot down notes for future trips.
When preparing for a trip, I consult the camping checklist in my Notes app. The list keeps improving over time, as I continually add items we wish we’d packed. As for food, we chop, dice, and pre-measure ingredients at home, preparing as many meals as possible in advance. Since I’m a tad extra, I enjoy baking blueberry scones, reheating them over the fire to accompany morning coffee. We use a cast-iron camp cooker for egg sandwiches, making breakfast almost as fun as roasting s’mores. As we stroll around the campground, we note sites we’d like to reserve next time and jot down what we appreciated about them. Since state parks fill up early, this assists us in late winter when our group chats begin buzzing about making reservations.
6. Most importantly, our kids retain fond memories.
When we reminisce about previous camping trips, we’re always surprised by what our kids recall. They remember the stars on midnight walks to the restroom, not the runny nose keeping them up. They recall drinking hot cocoa with marshmallows before breakfast, not my hand injury while slicing bagels with a dull knife. They recollect listening to audiobooks with plush toys in the backseat, not the miserable hour spent by my husband and me dismantling the campsite in pouring rain.
At home, when our kids awaken and crawl into bed under the eaves, they reach up to touch the ceiling that slopes like the top of a tent, saying, It’s just like camping.
Kaitlyn Teer’s debut essay collection, Little Apocalypses: Essay on Motherhood, Climate Change, and Hope at the End of the World, releases today! She is the senior editor of Big Salad (feel free to read her recent Big Salad interview and garden tour, if you’d like). Kaitlyn resides with her husband and two kids in Bellingham, Washington.
Now, I’m curious, do you enjoy camping? What summer traditions do you eagerly anticipate?
P.S. 10 readers share their favorite outdoor activities, and five family vacation ideas.
(Top photo by Dave Hoefler/Unsplash.)
