“Mom, there’s nothing to do.”  

You have heard that before.  The idea of camping and the possibility of quiet family time brings back memories. The wonderful fragrance of the spruce that adorns the roads as you arrive to the campsite.  Car doors fling open as your children jump out to survey the best place for their tent. We have overcome “boredom” you think. The back hatch of your car swings open and out comes the camping games, fishing poles, tents, campfire wood, and the other supplies for your camping activities.  Let the happy memories begin!

Before You Head Out

For my homeschool family, budget is always a priority but first we have to figure out what is it we are looking for in a campsite.  To make sure I pack all the equipment we need for the camping activities the family enjoys, we have very brief conversations that go something like this:

Me:  Would it be fun to find a campground where you can swim?

Boys:  I don’t know.

Me: Fish?

Boys: Yeah

Me: What about hiking trails?

Boys: Sure

Me: Maybe we can stop at some historic landmarks.

Boys: Do we have too?

Me: Let’s play it by ear.

I now have some family camping ideas to make it better for my teenagers to go on.  We have hiking and fishing plus we have to please mom too and that means we hit up at least one historic landmark with the promise of a good meal later.

Location, Location, Location

The first website I went to was Go Camping America. Using the Campground search tool you can locate camping sites using the criteria that you gathered earlier by talking with your family and by entering the distance from your home.  

I also looked at KOA but after searching a little bit I wasn’t finding the location that would make my husband happy.  I finally ended up at my states Park and Recreation website which delivered the state parks different locations.  You will also get some ideas for camping activities while browsing around.

NOW the FUN Begins!

Hiking

Wait a second, I know your thinking that this is a no brainer, hiking that is but we are going to take it up a notch.  

The Movie Hike

If the phone is attached their hand  then let’s make a movie. Don’t you think this would be the perfect time for the family home movie?  Some encouraging ideas, because kids usually don’t want to have themselves in the family home movie, suggest they film you.

The Photo Hike

Similar to the Movie Hike your tweens and teens can become the family’s photo journalist documenting the family hike.  When you get back to your city dwelling together the family can create a photo book right from their cell phone. This is also an opportunity to share time with the kids.

The Scavenger Hike

Finding a list of items on your hike. You can organize it by age or interest- have the kids scout for fauna or flora, collect litter or discover by shape, color or size. Take a bag to collect items, or use your phone to snap a pic.

Around the Bonfire

Camping Stories and Riddles

Telling stories around the campfire is a time-honored tradition and one that you might want to prepare ahead of time for. In other words, make sure everyone knows that part of their camping prep work is to have some good fireside stories and riddles to share! 

 Here’s a story that’s whimsical, imaginative and fun to tell, The Hairy Toe! And if your family can handle creepy, they might like The Missing Bride.

If you want to keep the family laughing share a few riddles. You could create rules to make it more challenging, like only being allowed to ask questions that can be answered with a “yes” or “no”.  Here’s a fun riddle to get you started: What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years? Did you figure it out? You can visit iMom dot com for the answer and more riddles.  

If riddles aren’t your thing, maybe you’ll be inspired Haikus! Super fun!

Over the Flames

Everyone loves a good bonfire.  The warmth of the tower of fire and crackling of the embers.  Start by teaching your kids a life skill and learn to build a fire. And just as important, fire safety! 

Once you’ve got a good blaze burning, it’s time to create some music, a little guitar and singing sounds like a good time to me. Campfire songs can be super simple and rounds are a great time to teach your kids the basics of music!

Don’t forget about the simple fun of charades! There are so many fun ways to play charades and the skies the limit! Take turns deciding what your theme will be! Charades was mentioned earlier and is worth mentioning again.  This game brings everyone together and doesn’t take up space in the backseat of your car.

Now, we are a foodie family and what’s a fire without those amazing s’mores.  The kids also like to watch the marshmallows burn to a crisp in the flames but I wouldn’t suggest that. You will have to try Campfire Cones! An amazing treat that will make everyone happy and who doesn’t love that.  

Campfires Cones!

• What you need:  
• sugar ice cream cones
• Mini marshmallows
• Chocolate chips
• Optional goodies to add are pretzel sticks, fruit, nuts anything you can think of, yummy!

Wrap them in foil and toss them in.  Okay, you will probably want a put them on a grill or at least have some tongs handy to pull them from the fire.  It doesn’t take long for them to melt which means you will want to watch them.

Camping Games

We actually bring games.  You probably aren’t surprised when I tell you that our homeschool family brings a game of Chess. 

On a past camping trip with friends they brought a game called Mancala.  The object o the game is to collect all the stones called mancala.  This is a strategy game and becomes rather addictive once you start playing.  The directions on how to play can be found at The Spruce Crafts. 

Glow-in-the-Dark Ring Toss is a game that can you feel challenged.  You can play the game in the day or the night and it is one of the least expensive games I have ever put together.  All you need you can get at the Dollar Tree or other discount store.

• You need:
• Glow sticks
• Water bottles

Relax with a Good Read

Can you see it?  Laying in a hammock under a giant evergreen.  Enjoying the weather and reading a good book. Throw some nature inspired reading in your bag, but don’t forget a good homeschooling book or two!

• The Wild Muir: Twenty-Two of John Muir’s Great Adventures by Lee Stetson
• The Call of the Wild by Jack London
• Gentle Ben by Walt Morey
• Cure the Fear and Taming the Transcript by Anne Karako!

You are here, on the internet, and now it’s time for you to pack up your car and head out with your family to have fun camping.  With these camping games and ideas, you will have a memorable time to look back on. Enjoy!

Botany

This class is perfect for Middle Schoolers who can’t get enough of the outdoors!

Join us this year for an exciting, unique look at the world of plants! Students can expect to have a basic understanding of plant life, learn the purpose of plants, and appreciate their beauty. Content will include plant anatomy, appreciating herbs & medicinal plants, foraging, gardening & more!