Camping is such a fun way to unplug & celebrate our beautiful planet.
It’s funny though, people either love camping or they don’t do it. Why is that?
I asked a friend why her family didn’t camp. She said she liked the idea, and loves being out in nature, but when she camped in the past, she felt unprepared.
Fear that we won’t have what we need.
This fear is real and it affects us all the time. It could be the root of why we don’t do things we want to do. It’s also why we won’t let go of many things that are not serving us in our homes.
When I work with organizing clients, we often get to the root of the excess within the home, the source of the clutter.
One of the most common sources:
Fear that we might need it someday, and if we let it go, we won’t not have it when we need it.
This thinking could give us reason to hold on to just about anything.. Before we know it, we are surrounded by clutter. There is another way of thinking..
Instead of asking: “Will I need it one day?”
Ask: “Do I need it now?”
If we’re not using it, we can let it go. It’s that simple. This ability to ask & answer honestly about our needs for the current moment is KEY. It not only prevents us from keeping the excess or the clutter, it sends a message to the universe, that we TRUST the universe will provide what we need WHEN WE NEED IT.
The truth is: IT WILL.. if we can let go and trust. Our hands, our hearts & our homes must be open and free, if we are to receive the gifts that are waiting for us.
Camping is a beautiful opportunity to practice these ideals.
This feeling of needing to have it all can make camping feel overwhelming. The more we have, the more we need to manage, the more we must pack, carry and clean.
Maybe you can relate. Maybe you want to camp, but you don’t feel like you know how to prepare for it.
There is an art to camping, and I’m here to break it down for you.
There are just 3 things to consider when planning a camping trip:
- Booking a Site
- Essential Gear
- Meal Planning
Booking a Campsite:
These two sites cover a lot of ground. You can search by campground or look at a map or search by availability. I have a running list of campgrounds that we know we like or that have been mentioned in articles. I use this list when booking sites.
Sites for Booking Camp Sites:
https://www.reserveamerica.com/welcome.do
Essential Gear:
We often think that if we have all the newest and latest gadgets, it will be easier and more enjoyable. Right? The tent that pops it self up, the camping oven.. Then, then it will be easier to manage. Right?
Nope.
I’ve bought into these ideas too, believe me. Here’s the truth..
The more I have, the more I have to manage, more work, more expectation, and more will usually results in less for me.
I notice that the joy for me, while camping, and in life, is becoming more and more about small moments. Slow moments. Moments that I don’t see coming, they catch me.. Moments of serenity. These moments can’t happen when we have tons of stuff whirling around our home or the campsite.
Like making a cup of coffee the old fashioned way: drip, drip, drip.. taking way more time than it needs to. You better believe I’m enjoying that coffee.. and taking my time with it.
This is why I love camping. It helps me slow down. And boy do I need all the help I can get with that.
Gear List:
- Tent
- Sleeping Pad
- Sleeping Bag & Pillow
- Tarp
- Chairs
- stove, propane & lighter
- pot & pan
- wooden spoon, spatula
- cutting board
- cooler
- knives
- can opener
- plates, cups, utensils
- sponge, eco soap, large wash bowl
- wipeable table cloth
Meal Planning:
Basically, it’s all about early decision making.
Know what you are going to eat, and bringing just that. If we fail to make the food decisions early, we feel like we need to bring enough to keep our options open. This results in heavy packing and ultimately waste.
It’s also helpful to make as much as possible ahead of time. Ex: pancake mix / chili / stew brought in mason jar.
We usually arrive Friday afternoon and leave Sunday afternoon.
We need only: 2 breakfasts // 2 lunches // 2 dinners + snacks and beverages
Breakfast:
- pancakes (pre-mixed) and bacon
- eggs and sausage
Lunch:
- sandwiches
- soup and grilled cheese
Dinner:
- chili and cornbread
- stew and baguette
Dessert:
- s’mores
- berry cobbler
The more I camp, the less I need. Same as in life.
It’s all about discovering that which is essential and which is excess and having the bravery to cut the excess.
These are the things I have when I camp. Ask again in a year and the list might shrink..
Dana is a professional organizer that specializes in family life simplification. As a mother raising three boys in the bay area, she understands the unique pressures of parenthood. Here she shares tips and inspirations for finding ease and balance in the home, and in ourselves.