Whether you are going on a planned trip and stay on a campground full of attractions and amenities, or whether you are simply heading out for an impromptu weekend in the woods, camping is so much more than campfire and s’mores.
Here are 5 reasons and benefits of taking your kids camping:
Camping Teaches Basic Survival and Life Skills
Camping requires a great deal of problem solving and is all about learning how "to survive" outside the comfort of your own home.
Camping gives kids (and quite frankly, us parents too) the chance to learn:
- How to build and put out a fire
- How to read a map and other basic navigation skills
- How to distinguish between plants that are edible and plants that are poisonous
- How to identify water that’s safe to drink and swim in
- How to properly pitch a tent
- How to read the weather
- How to cook a delicious meal without the luxury of an oven or a microwave
- And so much more.
And all of this leads us to the next benefit.
Camping Builds Self Esteem
Learning to do things and solve problems by themselves, acquiring new abilities and important survival and life skills, can help build self-esteem and self-confidence in children, and teaches them to be resilient, responsible, and in control.
Camping Helps Your Kids Disconnect, Slow Down, and Appreciate Nature
Our body and mind respond positively to nature and the outdoors. Especially in a world of constantly evolving technology, digital distraction, overstimulation, overabundance and overconsumption of multimedia.
The outdoors allows children to unplug, to experience reality, and to explore and connect with the sights, the sounds, and the wonders of nature.
Camping Is Great for Family Bonding and (Re-)Connecting
Far too often, life gets in the way of spending quality time as a family and enjoying each other's company. Between work, daily responsibilities, school, homework, extracurricular activities, and other things, there is often barely enough time to sit down for a family dinner, play a game, or simply have a conversation.
During camping, away from all the distractions from work, technology, and everyday life, the entire family has the chance to relax, to play, to have fun together, and to create memories that last a lifetime.
Camping Creates New Friendships
This is one of our favorite benefits of camping. Kids often find new friends within minutes of setting up camp. Whether it's the neighbor kids from the tent or camper next door, or kids they met on the playground, while wandering around, or during the campground's kids activity events.
As a kid growing up in Germany and exploring various campgrounds across Europe, I have countless memories of making new friends. It's funny to think back on those moments when we didn't share a common language but still managed to connect and have a blast together. We would resort to using a universal language of signs and gestures, creating a bond that transcended words.
Our My Friends and I book is a great way to capture the fun memories and new friendships children make on their camping trip – it's a beautiful keepsake and a wonderful travel buddy for happy campers.
Get a copy of the My Friends and I book before your next camping trip!