In honor of National Camping Month, a letter to our fellow campers, off-grid aficionados, weekend warriors and every wild-hearted parent in between.
Hey there,
Whether you’ve been pitching tents since before your first kid was born or just bought your first camp stove last week, welcome. You’re in good company. We’re the kind of people who still believe the best memories come from the dirt under our boots, not the glow of a screen. And if you’ve got kids? Even better.
Because camping with kids? It’s equal parts magic and madness. One minute they’re marveling at a squirrel like it’s a mythical beast, and the next they’re crying because the granola bar broke in half. There’s no in-between. And if you’re here, reading this, chances are you’re either gearing up for your first big trip or still recovering from the last one.
Either way, we’ve been there. And what we’ve learned is this: camping with kids isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing them the wild, even if that means sacrificing a little peace and a lot of personal space.
Start with this mindset: you’re a parent first, outdoor explorer second.
Sure, you used to hike 10 miles before breakfast, sleep under the stars, and wake up to the sound of elk bugling in the distance. Now you’re lucky if you make it a mile before someone has to pee. That’s okay. That’s part of the charm.
Let your kids lead sometimes. Let them stomp through the mud or join ‘em. Let them ask a million questions. Encourage their curiosity. This is their first glimpse into the world beyond Wi-Fi and if you play it right, it’ll leave a mark deeper than any screen ever could.
Let’s talk practical for a second.
First, bring more snacks than you think you’ll ever need. Seriously. Then double it. You might be able to go without food for hours while setting up camp, but your kids? Not a chance. A steady stream of trail mix, jerky, and fruit might just save your sanity.
Next, embrace the mess. They’re going to get dirty. Sticky. Smelly. It’s all part of the fun. A portable camp shower (or at the very least, a few packs of wipes) will make a world of difference. Clean-ish kids are happy kids. And happy kids give you a fighting chance at enjoying that one glorious cup of campfire coffee.
Now, about that spork. Always bring a spare. Someone will drop theirs in the fire. Or use it to dig for worms. Or suddenly decide it makes a better catapult than utensil. We’ve learned the fun way. Pack all the extras.
As for sleeping? Don’t stress the bedtime routine. The woods have their own rhythm. Let your kids fall asleep under the stars, or curled up next to you in the tent while you tell ghost stories by flashlight. They won’t remember the part where they stayed up too late. They’ll remember the stories. The sounds. The feeling.
One of our favorite things about camping with kids is watching them turn wild in the best way. Not out-of-control wild, but free. They howl at the moon, poke at beetles, and build forts out of sticks like it’s their job. And in those moments, you might catch a glimpse of your own inner child—the one who used to believe in dragons and didn’t care about dirty socks.
You brought them out here to experience the wild. Don’t be surprised when they meet their inner beast and fall in love with it.
Camping isn’t always easy with kids, but it’s always worth it. These are the moments they’ll remember long after the devices die and the last marshmallow is toasted. Let them be loud. Let them be messy. Let them be awestruck.
And while you're at it, let yourself be all those things, too.
To make things a little easier, we’ve got our National Camping Month Sale happening right now. Grab the gear you need so you can catch the memories you want. Be wild. Be free. The best stories come from the misadventures of our little beasts—young, muddy, and totally unfiltered.
We’ll see you out there.
—Thomas Hawkins
CampingSurvival.com
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