It is almost the end of the school holidays, and yet again they have gone far too quickly!! The back to reality blues are slowly kicking back in. As a family we love to get outdoors and go camping whenever the opportunity arises. It’s our thing, and we love it!! We love to explore new sights around this amazing country and find the roads less travelled. We have quite a few friends who share our same passion, however there are others who dislike the travelling and the basics of camping. Here are 10 reasons why we love to get out camping with the kids.
Back to Basics – Being a stay at home mum, the house is my workspace. When the kids turn it upside down I feel like I am constantly on their case to get it all back in order. Getting out camping means the kids can be free to play and explore, while I can let my hair down and not have a whole house to worry about! Stress levels are at their all time low and we can all relax.
Keep it Simple – Over the years we have learnt to leave the toys at home and only bring a few key things for the kids. We find the less material distractions they have the more time they will spend and enjoy in nature. The kids are encouraged to explore and get creative with the nature around them which means as parents we can sit back and relax!
Family Time – This is one of the greatest things about camping – spending quality time as a family without all the busyness of life. We don’t have to worry about school routines with homework, making lunches, or after school activities. Both Dale and I can give the kids our full attention and actually join in with their activities. So many great memories are made!
Distraction Free – The further away from civilization we go often means less internet and 
connectivity. We love being able to disconnect from the technological world, especially as this means that Dale’s work is left at work and he can’t be pestered during the break. The moment we are back to civilization the phone calls and emails draw our attention away from family time.
Affordable Holidays – The benefit of having a campervan means that we can go just about anywhere! Here in Australia we are blessed with so many free camps, which makes getting out and about so much more affordable. Holidays don’t have to be big and extravagant, but just getting away can make a world of difference for everyone’s sanity.
Team Building – When we camp we often like to tour rather than staying in one place for a long time (although this is nice to do some times!). This means that we have to pack up and set up camp multiple times on our trip. Each of the kids have their own tasks to do which means we can get on with relaxing sooner. It is a great way to learn how to work together as a team and aim to have fun while doing it!
Conversations – In order to get to all these new places, we spend quite a bit of time in the car. This time isn’t always pleasant with the arguments and winging; however, it is a great opportunity to have deep conversations about things you wouldn’t normally talk about. Our topics vary greatly from drought to the mechanics of machines, to puberty, or childhood stories. It’s a great way to connect as a family and open the lines of communication up. It’s also a great opportunity to talk about our family values and goals.
Board Games – Growing up my family always played board games. Our family love playing them now, but we often don’t find the time to play them during the school term. Out camping is the perfect time to bring them out. We have a lot of fun together, and it’s a great way to teach the kids how to cooperate. Taking turns and winning or losing without boasting or chucking a tantrum are all skills we get to teach.
Look beyond – As we explore this amazing country, it helps our kids to learn that there is more to life than their immediate world. When they see how or where other people live, it can help them to appreciate what they have. Meeting other kids along the way also teaches them how to connect with others who may be different to them.
Back to Nature – Away from all the light pollution the stars are amazing!! The kids love looking up at the Milky Way and identifying other stars and planets. When we get out in nature it helps us to connect with one another and be in awe of our Creator. Once the kids are all down, there’s nothing better than warming yourself by the crackling fire and star gazing looking for shooting stars. Ah, the serenity!!
I’d love to hear what you love about camping! Or if you aren’t a camper, then what is holding you back?
