Rarely do you hear people heap praises on tent camping. Indulge me for a moment while I shed some light on why camping is great for the whole family. Camping as a family instills a love of nature into your children, brings the family together, and creates lasting memories. Not to mention that kids become more competent and comfortable when exposed to a technology-free world. If you’re still on the fence, here are my 10 reasons why camping is great for the whole family.
#1. Be Happy
Spending time out in nature surrounded by fresh air naturally makes us happier. So what if it rains, or the kids get covered with mud and dust. You will be surprised that spending time out in the wild makes everyone much happier than they ever were sitting in front of the TV.
#2: It’s Great For Your Physical Health
This entire post could be about the health benefits of being outdoors, but in the interest of keeping it short and sweet – Get outside, it’s good for your health! Being outside in the fresh air increases endorphins, which are a natural stress and pain reliever. Also, spending time outside exposes you to natural sunshine, and by default vitamin D, which is good for muscle strength and bone health.
#3: Camping Food!
Everything tastes better when cooked over an open flame. Camping forces us to break out of the routine of microwave meals and takeout. Also, a day of activity in the fresh air often brings on a ravenous hunger that causes even that half-burned piece of corn to taste amazing!
#4. Unplug and Connect
If you are anything like most people, your phone is the first thing you check when you wake up. It remains glued to your hand or within arms reach at all times. A camping trip with no electricity or internet connection helps reconnect with the world (and people) around you.
#4. Learn Something New
Ever been hiking? Do you know how to cook over an open fire? Curious about fly fishing? All these and more can be experienced while camping. Most parks offer activities, classes, and ranger talks to keep you busy while outdoors. Sign up for some and learn something new.
#5. It’s Cheap
Camping may not be completely free (unless you do it in your backyard), but it’s way cheaper than any hotel, motel, or hostel. The more amenities a campground has, the more expensive it will be. But you can easily find a basic, primitive campground to pitch your tent for $10, $15, or $20 a night.
#6. Campfires
If you ask me, sitting around a campfire in the evening is the best part of camping. There’s nothing quite as relaxing as staring at a fire. *Hint – Cypress smells great when burned, and helps to keep bugs away so you can sit and chat for hours.#6. Great Scenery & Wildlife
#7. Nature
There’s nothing quite like camping to break you away from the routine of endless concrete and noisy cars. Waking up to the sound of birds, and falling asleep to the sounds of crickets, can be exhilarating and relaxing. Of course, there are bugs…and a raccoon might steal your dinner if you don’t keep it safe, but with all those gorgeous views to admire, you probably won’t even miss your hot dog 🙂
#8. Rekindle Relationships
Deadlines, bills, kids, jobs, and electronic devices can all cause family relationships to suffer. Busy parents struggle to find the time to connect with their kids, and spouses rarely have alone time. Camping is a great way to eliminate these distractions. Without these interruptions, you will find it easy to bring the family back together or reignite that spark between you and your spouse (and it doesn’t hurt that you will have to snuggle up in the tent to keep warm).
#9. Sunrise and Sunset
Sit in a camping chair with a glass of wine or cold beer and let nature do its thing. These breathtaking moments need to be simply enjoyed.
#10. Experience Darkness
Humans are naturally programmed to go to sleep when it gets dark and wake up when the sun rises. Electricity and all that artificial light we expose ourselves to mess with this natural cycle. With only the moon and stars for light, you will know what darkness really means, and will no doubt find yourself dozing off by 8pm. Exposing yourself to natural light will reset your normal cycle.
Are You Ready to Go Camping?
Young or old, camping is a great experience to be shared with the whole family. Bring along plenty of food, board games, warm blankets, and bug spray. You may be surprised to discover that you enjoy camping more than you ever imagined.
What’s your favorite thing about camping? Tell us in the comments below.
