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5/5/2021 0 Comments Camping With Kids- Our tipsAlthough we are now really “glamping” in our new airstream, I still wanted to write a post about how we camp with our kids.
Prior to getting our Airstream Flying Cloud trailer, we have tent camped AND rooftop camped with our Tepui. Camping is in my blood- I grew camping with my family, and my parents threw the three of us kids in the back of the ’88 red Volvo station wagon and we towed a tent trailer around the western US during my childhood. We visited Mesa Verde, the Redwoods, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and many more. I have such fond and formative memories of camping with my family. I firmly believe it is why I have such a passion for the outdoors and protecting the environment. I owe so much to my parents for instilling this love in me. Camping (at any age, but especially with kids) teaches problem solving, grit, patience, and how to develop a sense of adventure. On every trip, there is going to be something that doesn’t go as expected- weather, road/park closures, broken/ forgotten gear, unexpected animal visitors, malfunctioning equipment, unexpected terrain- you name it…we’ve seen it. Due to this- I feel like camping also teaches how to be resilient and to go with the flow when life throws curve balls. These are valuable lessons that I wish to pass on to my girls. One of the best things you can bring to a camping trip with kids is a sense of humor. As aforementioned, there WILL be a hiccup (or several!), and the best thing you can do you for your partner, your kids and your sanity is to remember to keep your sense of humor. Take a breath, and model how to problem solve, how to laugh and how to roll with the punches. Remember- your kids are watching how you react to the hiccups. This is not to say we haven’t had our share of tense moments, but we do try to keep our wits about us. The next thing I think you should bring when camping with kids ( or traveling with children in general) are LOW expectations. Here me out on this- I am not saying come with an attitude that it is going to be horrible, instead come with the idea that riding bikes around the campsite, rolling around in the dirt, building troll houses with sticks, messy faces, dirty hands and filthy clothes are the essence of camping. My father always says “it’s a gift to be simple”- Casey and I often repeat this phrase to each other, and we use it as a reminder that enjoying the little moments are KEY to happiness. Its OK not to go and see a million things and hike a bunch of miles on your camping trip. That hike may end up being .5 miles and THATS OK. Enjoy the sticky marshmallow hands, the grubby camp hands and soak in every bit of WONDER that you can. Have fun out there!
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