Unplug and Reconnect with Family: Go Camping

Thursday marked the end of J9's third-grade year and C6's first-grade year and the beginning of dreams of summer: lazy days, going to the pool, lemonade stands, late evenings with neighbors and friends, and camping. Yep, camping. I wasn't always a camper. In fact, sometimes, I hardly believe now that I camp. 

Now, let me clarify, because some "campers" may call what we do "not camping." Fine. Have it your way. In my mind, it's camping. Here's how it started: About 7 years ago, when J9 and H9 were 18 months old, we were invited to go camping with Mark's parents who have camped all their lives and stay in their R.V. Their R.V. then was a pretty large camper unit attached to a motor vehicle. Although relunctant, I decided to go, as Mark's entire family was going, and  we'd have lots of help with two (barely) toddlers that had a choice of being a) outside in an uncontained space or b) in a very, small confined space for over a 48 hour period. Yes, very appealing at the time, I know. 

Let's just say, we had so much fun that, that we purchased a pop-up camper by spring. So, we camp using a pop-up camper. Not a tent. We usually "hook" up to electricity, we have a small fridge, A/C, and a "flushing" toilet in the camper. It's still pretty primitive.

So, the kids have pretty much been camping all of their lives. C6 was only 4 months old when we took her on her first camping trip. So, why do we camp and how is it different than say, a nice stay at the Holiday Inn (which, we enjoy too)?  

This may sound cliche' but, it's true, that with camping, the "everyday" distractions are not ever present so that we, as a family, can be more present with one another. No TV, no computer, no laundry, yard work or homework to tend to. 

Camping brings my family together in ways that other getaways do not. There's, of course, the literal togetherness as we negotiate our individual space in a very small pop-up with three growing children, two adults and Howard, our golden retriever. We also prepare, eat, and clean-up all of our meals together during the trip. We play games, read, bike, nap, go on scavenger hunts (tip: always include on the list "one skinned knee"), hike, swim, and make new friends from all parts of the country or even just Missouri. We have nowhere to be but there. 

One of my favorite things, especially now that the kids are getting older, is the campfire. We sit around the fire, devouring our s'mores, talking, giggling, and telling stories.

And as the night winds down and the laughter subsides, we sit, under the stars, and we're quiet and still, but for the flicker of the fire.   

Of course, the "adventures" also bring us together too. The "adventures"—as we call them—are the memorable happenings that we talk about at each subsequent camping trip and each trip is usually marked by one adventure,  like, "Hey mom, remember when daddy forgot to bring all of our clothes when we went camping?" or my favorite, "Mom, remember when that place had all those ticks?" Ahh, yes, we have those moments too. 

Yep, I'm a camper. I'm happy to give my children a chance to get away from their everyday life even for a short while and even when not very far from home to unplug and reconnect with the outdoors, nature and family.   

Any other campers out there? Why do you like camping?