Life is Better by the Campfire: Exploring the Magic of Camping

The first time I went camping we set off in our car, full to the roof with big blow-up mattresses, sleeping bags, food and our tent. We found a camping spot in the trees with other campers nearby. We spent the weekend exploring, making up games, sitting by the campfire to try and avoid the mosquitoes. We went to bed under a sky full of stars with our bellies full of half-cooked marshmallows and hotdogs. The funny thing about this memory is that I couldn’t pinpoint where we went but this trek to the woods was repeated several times during my childhood.

My husband’s first camping memories include hot chocolate and marshmallows, fishing and canoeing and driving across Canada in a VW van. When I asked my kids about their first camping memories, they repeated a very similar story although they couldn’t remember the place. There is just something about camping that holds a special place in our childhood memories. For many of us, camping is our first foray into travel and family adventures, it’s a relatively inexpensive way to get away and it makes us happy, there is even some interesting science behind why this is.

Why Camping?

Here are a few common reasons that lead us out into the wilderness with our sleeping bags.

• Breathe Deep: Many people camp to recharge, get away from their day-to-day responsibilities, slow down and disconnect. This one is fun for all the kids out there who have to figure out what to do with themselves without their devices. I’m remembering a time we brought a friend along on a spectacular hike and she spent her whole time searching for a cell signal.  
• The Natural High: Others love being outside exploring, connecting with nature, meeting the wildlife, and sleeping under the stars.
• Something Different: Some people love it for the different kinds of things they do while camping. Whether it’s fishing, learning to whittle, or making new campground friends.
• The Little Camper: Our kids loved the freedom to explore on their bikes, stay up late waiting for the sun to go down, eat marshmallows while telling stories around the campfire and never having to take a shower.

Types of Camping

There are many different ways to camp, there is something for everyone. Here’s what we’ve tried:

• Backyard: a great way to get used to camping and give it a try without all the fuss is to pitch a tent in the backyard for the night. String up a hammock, cook dinner on the BBQ and make some fun camping memories without ever leaving home. Honestly, we have even done this in the living room when we needed something fun to do on a rainy weekend.

• Backpacking: lace up your hiking boots and pack everything you need on your back, including the kids if they are lucky, and set off on a hike to your favourite backcountry camping spot. This will require some special light gear, minimal supplies, and dried food. This is the least expensive way to camp but also comes with the least amenities, although you can reach some fantastic places that you can’t get to by car. Check out this post for more on backcountry camping.

• Tenting/Car Camping: pack up the car, kids and cooler and head to your favourite park or private campground. Here you are more likely to find camping amenities like running water, toilets, showers and lots of fellow campers. Camping spots might be set in the trees and quite private or in the wide open with others right next door. Since Covid, this type of camping has become very popular and the ability to get a campsite at a provincial park feels right up there with landing tickets to Taylor Swift. Sadly, the days of heading off and hoping for an open spot are largely behind us although there are still some first-come first-serve sites out there. The cost of camping has also increased, and you can expect to pay anywhere from 30-75$ a night depending on the time of year and amenities. Packing for this type of camping is a little simpler as there is more room for all the comforts of camping. Check out this post for a guide to car camping.

• Trailers: if sleeping on the ground isn’t your style and you are looking for a smidge more privacy, or maybe even your own bathroom, then pull a small pop-up tent trailer or much larger trailer with pop-outs on your next camping trip. You will pay a little more if you are looking for electric and sewer hookups. Truck campers are another option and sit in the bed of your truck to take with you wherever you end up.

• Motorhome/Van: drive your stocked-up home on wheels and head out anywhere the road will take you. You will pay a little more if you are looking for electric and sewer hookups to power all the conveniences of home. You might also be limited in the roads you can venture down with larger motorhomes. This is also a great option for a multi-day road trip.

• Cottage Life: depending on where you live, cottage life might be your go-to for summer weekends away. There is a wide range of options here from a luxury home away from home to a more camping-type experience where you have a dry place to sleep for the night and a cooking shelter.

• Canoe/Boat Camping: this option varies widely as well but adds a little water to your camping. Head out in a canoe or kayak with your camping supplies and make your way to some amazing new places. Again, this requires a light touch on packing but can take you to some beautiful untouched spots. The other end of the spectrum is boat camping, whether you have a boat large enough to stay on or something small to get you to a camping spot beside a lake or ocean, this is another way to see something totally different from outside your tent. I had an amazing camping experience as part of a boat tour in Gwaii Haanas and camped in a long house in Haida Gwaii.

• Glamping: I couldn’t mention a list of camping options without including glamping. For all of you who aren’t sure whether you are ready to try camping, glamping is a fun and easy way to get your feet wet. So what exactly is glamorous camping? It usually includes some type of accommodation, think tents, yurts, or cabins, with great amenities that you wouldn’t normally find when camping all bundled up in a beautiful wilderness setting. Our family tried out glamping at Cloud 9 in Shirley, BC and it was amazing. Check out this post on glamping.

Your Family’s Camping Style

If you are new to camping, then there are a few factors you need to consider before you jump in.

How much do you want to invest in camping? How often do you plan to camp? Remember this can be a relatively inexpensive way to get away, you can borrow or buy used gear to get started or rent a motorhome for a road trip and try it out.

How comfortable are you in the wilderness? Is your ideal camping spot isolated or do you prefer safety in numbers and the bustle of the campground?

What amenities can’t you live happily without? This will determine the type of camping that best fits your family and the best places to camp. I myself am not fond of outhouses so try to limit my exposure whenever possible?

There really is a camping style to fit every family and these may change and shift as your family does. Whether you are seasoned campers or newbies I hope to see you and your family around the campfire soon. I’d love it if you would share your favourite type of camping and your favourite camping spots below. Be sure to check out our family’s favourite camping spots of all time.