Camping Styles: Choosing what works for your family
© Outdoorithm
Craft a camping trip that works for you
Camping can take on many forms, from glamping to rugged, from local to multi-day road trips. However you do it, there are many benefits to spending extended time in nature, and being able to regularly step away from life’s busyness and reconnect with yourself and your family can significantly improve your family’s wellbeing. So, the goal is to figure out whatever type of camping works best for you and your family.
Our lives can be really full and we often find ourselves overcommitted and lacking rest. And let's be honest, the thought of wrangling kids, hauling gear, and wrestling with tent poles can be…daunting. Yet what we hear - and have experienced - time and time again is that it’s worth it. It’s worth it for your family’s mental health, for the increased connection that comes from shared experiences, and for the lifelong relationship with nature that camping fosters. Maybe your story, like mine, is that you didn’t grow up camping and that’s made you feel disconnected from nature. Let’s change that for our kids.
And here's the thing: camping can be tailored to your family’s specific needs. Whether you want to explore a nearby town or immerse yourself completely in nature, whether you want to rough it or set up a little camping homestead, you can make camping work for you. There is no one way to do it, and you can switch it up whenever you want.
Remember your why.
Camping trips for us are about creating memories, connecting with nature, fostering wellness for our family (mental, physical, social), and having fun together. There are many ways to camp - here are some ways to customize.
Ways to Customize Your Experience
Distance: Local campouts to roadtrips
You don’t have to travel far to go camping. Regional parks are a great way to start camping - they’re close to home, so you know there’s an escape hatch if you get there and things just don’t go as planned/desired. You can even start by visiting the park by day and seeing everything in advance. Check out the bathrooms, look at the campsites, try local hikes. Maybe explore a nearby town to see where you can have your post-camp lunch.
If you want to go farther, are road tripping to an end destination, or maybe have a specific region you want to visit, there are many national parks, national forests, and state parks to explore. Our nationwide campground map includes ratings based on an AI analysis, and helps you quickly find the best parks near where you want to go.
Glamping counts!
But you don’t need to rent a glamping campsite and cabin at twice the price of a campsite - you can actually create your own glamping experience at a standard campsite. This has been our family’s big upgrade over the past couple of years. We transitioned from a standard neon tent to a Springbar canvas tent. We added a tent heater. We invested in cots (game changer). Now sleeping in our tent feels amazing, and we view camping trips as mini-retreats that we can take year round. Is glamping gear more expensive? Yes, but for the cost of 1 family vacation (say, one week for a family of four, not counting airfare), you can get the whole set up. And then your family can go on mini-retreats all year long! It has been a major financial and wellness win for our family of 6 😀
Camping at New Brighton State Beach near Santa Cruz. Photo © Outdoorithm
Explore the town 🥐 - or don’t 🌲
Again, choose your own adventure! When our family camps close-ish to a town or city, we happily choose one night to go out to eat or a bakery for morning pastries. Sometimes we choose campgrounds because they’re near places we want to visit (e.g. the Santa Cruz boardwalk in CA). We spend one day doing an outing, another day at camp going to the beach, hiking, etc., and the whole trip feels relaxing and restorative.
There are other times when we want to fully retreat and immerse ourselves in nature. For those trips we bring our full camping set up and just focus on what’s immediately around us for a couple of days. We go to the beach/lake, we hike, we play cards, we cook, we chat, we use stargazing apps to find planets and constellations.
What makes camping restorative is gauging what you and your family need and doing that. There’s no one way to camp or a way that’s more authentic - do what works for you.
Remember, the key is customization!
Here are some tips to make your camping trip amazing:
Start small: Don't feel like you have to start with a week-long trek into the wilderness. Begin with a short weekend trip to gauge your preferences and comfort level.
Make it a team effort: Involve your kids in planning and packing. Assign age-appropriate tasks like choosing snacks or helping set up the tent. This promotes ownership and excitement.
Pack smart: Focus on essentials, but don't forget the fun stuff! Games, books, flashlights, and stargazing apps can make the trip extra fun. Pack layers for changing weather, prep your meals for easy cooking, and don't forget a good first-aid kit. Here are our top gear recommendations!
Bring what you love: Invest in things that will make you comfortable or just happy while outdoors: cots, fluffy blankets, string lights, a special meal, your favorite (downloaded) movie. Within reason (think car space), if there’s something that would take your experience to the next level, go ahead and bring it.
Embrace the unexpected: Things don't always go according to plan. A sudden downpour, a forgotten sunscreen, a grumpy toddler meltdown – roll with it! These unexpected moments often become the most memorable.
Leave no trace: Respect the environment! Pack out all your trash, minimize campfire impact, and educate your kids about responsible outdoor practices.
Connect and disconnect: Enjoy the digital detox! Let go of constant screen time and focus on enjoying nature, talking to each other, and creating lasting memories. (But honestly, if you want to download your favorite show or family movie go for it.)
There you have it, folks! Camping isn't a one-size-fits-all experience. It's about finding the version that works best for your family, your comfort level, and your sense of adventure. So, grab your sense of wonder, pack your (customized) bags, and get outside.
Need help planning or want to learn more? Check out the tools & resources on the Outdoorithm website, or feel free to reach out to us directly (sally@outdoorithm.com). Happy camping!
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