Summer can be an opportunity for
increased togetherness and family fun. There are many activities and adventures
that can occupy your time this summer, but camping can be a wonderful
opportunity to create lasting positive family memories and offer fun experiences
that can create a lifetime of meaningful lessons. Camping can offer you and your family new
perspectives on family functioning, relationships with one another, and
possibly even new found self awareness.
I do not, by any stretch of the
imagination, consider myself a camping expert. To be honest, I do not know a
lot about the art of camping. But I do know about relationships, and our
constant journey towards being our best selves. I am fairly new to camping, but
it has become very important to me. I
truly love the way my family interacts while camping and what we all take away
from our adventures. We return home closer and somehow more grounded in our
true selves. From these experiences I have learned a few things that I would
like to share with you. These are my five important pieces of a rewarding
camping experience:
1. Planning
– Thoroughly prepare for the trip. Go beyond the “where” and “when” and focus
on the “what” – what will we bring, do, see? Request and use input from the
whole family. Hold family meetings to encourage everyone to think about what
they truly need to feel comfortable and make the trip more joyful. Planning before can reduce anxiety and
overwhelm later. This encourages forward thinking, which is a good skill to
have. It acknowledges personal needs and the needs of others. It is also an opportunity to distinguish needs
from wants; you can’t take everything camping.
2. Cooperation
– This includes sharing tasks and working together. Team work is a big part of
a successful camping trip. There is opportunity for everyone to help and it’s
all valuable. Many hands make light work. Kids gain a since of pride and
increased feelings of self-worth when they feel as though their contributions
are valuable.
3. Exploring
– This includes the exploration of the environment as well as learning about
each other. This is an opportunity for
valuable connections without distractions. Tune in to nature, each other, and
yourself. Create time for quiet
contemplation. Nature walks and artful journaling can provide these moments. I
love to bring art supplies to camping trips, and then make time to quietly
create. You can write or draw what’s around you and how it feels to be there.
You may wish to invite your family to do the same. Paying close attention to
the beautiful surroundings that camping can offer may nurture an appreciation
of nature, which just might lead to increased concern for the wellbeing of our
environment.
4. Sharing
– Camping naturally lends itself to small spaces and limited resources, which
makes sharing a must. But beyond the material, camping provides opportunity for
sharing of thoughts and feelings from the past to the present – fun stories and
family history. It is a great time to learn more about your kids, and for them
to learn more about you.
5. Fun
– It may be obvious, but have fun. You are away from your regular routine with
no homework or deadlines. Focus on connection and enjoy yourself. Tap into your
playful / silly side. How often does your family get to see that part of you?
Let go of any grand expectations
and just enjoy. There’s no such thing as a perfect experience – it is what it
is. So just relax and go with it. Everything gets dirty when camping. You may
literally make yourself crazy trying to keep things clean. Don’t sweat the
small stuff. Let it go and embrace the dirt. Ultimately what really matters is
enjoying time together. Keeping this in focus can be very helpful. As you do
this, you will notice all of the brilliant tiny moments around you: Awe at the
majesty of an 800 year old redwood tree
or a radiant starry sky, and notice the amazement on the faces of your
loved-ones. You may even have a chance
to revel in the un-coerced cooperation among your kids – that’s a very nice
moment.
Camping can offer a chance for you and your
family to step away from the zip-zam-zoom of daily life. It’s a chance to slow
down and refocus on what’s really important, and what you may come home with is
increased or renewed connection.
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