Camping, Not Backpacking With The Boys

Summer is coming, I hope. I’m ready to soak up the adventures that our short season holds. The crew enjoys getting out into the woods. My boys especially love to chop up firewood, whittle sticks, catch snakes, and do “boy” things. I’ve found a love for backpacking last year, but they aren’t stoked to carry their weight and hike ten miles in. What I actually love about backpacking, is the simplicity. Sure there’s different gear than regular car camping but who really wants to carry their Coleman grill for ten miles?

When we used to go camping, it was a whole process. I’d spend 3 days prepping food for our trip. We would load up our car, and trailer, with all sorts of things, ranging from coolers to canoes. Recently I decided to pack the boys up and go camp on my family’s property before it sells to someone else. Having the new perspective of preparing for backpack camping really helped me to keep it a little simpler, and a lot less stressful.

Even though it was CRAZY windy while we camped, all three of us thought it was a really great weekend. So what was different that was so special? Well, let me tell ya!

Foods

I love food; fancy, simple, sweet, salty, meals, snacks, I love it all. In the past, I always went all out with the foods. Part of that was probably because our friends always had fancy camp trailers that allowed them the comforts of home, and we were always in a tent. ⛺️ They always had fancy foods, and of course, I felt the need to “compete” somehow.

Camp food doesn’t always have to be beans and hot dogs. Simple can come in the form of soups, sandwiches, salads. So many of those come pre-made and fairly healthy if you’re looking in the right place. Don’t forget to bring fruit for a sweet tooth fix. Longer trips make it harder to keep fresh produce but I’ve learned if you eat the faster spoiling stuff like berries first, you’ve got it made with bananas and oranges the rest of the time.

One thing my boys loved having while camping was pancakes. This time I opted to make them for our trip. Pancakes were the most complex dish we had, which isn’t saying much, all I had to do was mix the milk and Bisquick, then make them on the Coleman Grill. You know what though, it’s perfectly okay to have cereal, or bagels as an easy breakfast. I forgot we had grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches, as an improv lunch. It was just going to be regular peanut butter and banana sandwiches but I realized I could grill them. #sogood

Gear

This can make or break a camp trip. When it’s cold outside, it’s miserable! When it’s burning hot out, it’s miserable! Be sure to have what you need, BUT don’t over do it! Part of the joys of camping is there isn’t a lot of stuff to worry about. We brought a few things that we could have done without. If you’re thinking about bringing camp chairs, maybe you can find a log to sit on instead. Or you could squat, we’ve become so accustomed to luxury living we’ve lost some of our mobility along the way.

One thing I never regret maybe going a little overboard on is sleep. I brought my cozy sleeping bag and sleeping pad, along with the pups big dog bed. That’s one of the perks of car camping, even though the wind kept me up, I didn’t have to fight the dogs for my sleeping spot.

Fun

This was the game changer for our weekend. Usually camping involves riding dirt bikes, hiking, swimming in lakes, and hanging out with friends. This means I rarely need to bring anything to do. This time it was just us and my family property. These are the essentials we bring to have a good time when it’s just us, and when we are going for minimal cargo.

• Football and/or frisbee
• Card games, Uno & Skipbo are faves
• Pocket knives, for whittling of course
• Books, mostly for me while they whittle

Mindset

All three of us were excited to get up to my family property for the weekend. I’m sure if one of us wouldn’t have been excited, they would have dragged the trip down. Pick a place that everyone can enjoy, and if not everyone can enjoy it try finding a place that the biggest complainer will enjoy. 😉

We made sure to enjoy the drive by stopping along the way and goofing around. Don’t take things too serious, be silly and laugh with your kids. You have to be in the right mind to enjoy yourself, and that can make a world of a difference with how they respond to you.

The boys were a little rambunctious at this pit stop, but it was all in fun. Plus the little bit of crazy time they had out of the car made the last 30 minutes of the ride a little mellower. Ps. It looks like Damien is dangling James over a cliff but there’s a big patch of grass on just the other side.

Equals Great Memories!

Last thing I want to mention, is don’t forget to grab the camera to capture those memories. BUT don’t get so caught up in taking pictures that you miss out on enjoying the fun!