We are trying for our first family camping trip this summer but I’m trying to keep my expectations low. What I’m really looking forward to is family walks to a nearby park after dinner, when the sun is still out, the weather is perfect, and the kids are needing to burn off that last bit of energy before bed. I feel like they won’t always be so easily entertained by splash pads and sticks and mud so I’m going to enjoy these low key days :)
Low expectations is the way to go for camping! The first year we went to the dunes I remember saying to myself, "If I can drink coffee while looking at sand dunes then we've won," and we did! I agree about the evening park walks, that is a beautiful way to enjoy outside, small people, and summer.
We have a large tent, but we haven’t tent camped since we started being semi-nomadic. Usually our seasons are off- we are traveling during peak camping season. Those times we did tent camp, we camped in our yard. 🤣 Which is just fine with me.
There is a season for every situation. Maybe after your kids eat popcorn and lemonade they play in the hose or sprinkler. Or read library books in a blanket under a tree. I am older and worked many hours when my kids were little. Sometimes the magic happens in the small unpredictable moments. And camping in the dunes sounds wonderful if the situation was different than this year. We used to camp by a stream.
My family was at the Great Sand Dunes two or three weeks ago. We saw no water.
We were supposed to go camping with some friends last weekend but one of my sons threw up the night before we were supposed to leave. Turns out it was a terribly windy weekend in WY so it worked out for the best.
Maybe we’ll try again in August? I like your lake day trip idea
I'm sad to hear that the water actually wasn't there at all! But it is an incredible place anyway. And God's provision is surprising sometimes, re: the sickness and the wind! Yes, my husband's sister knows all of these great spots, so we just meet her places. It's been a good partnership haha!
Maybe we will have to try the sand dunes another time- it was super windy so we had to cut it short. The sand was blowing so hard it hurt! My youngest son said it felt like a bunch of bees were stinging his face!
We are trying for our first family camping trip this summer but I’m trying to keep my expectations low. What I’m really looking forward to is family walks to a nearby park after dinner, when the sun is still out, the weather is perfect, and the kids are needing to burn off that last bit of energy before bed. I feel like they won’t always be so easily entertained by splash pads and sticks and mud so I’m going to enjoy these low key days :)
Low expectations is the way to go for camping! The first year we went to the dunes I remember saying to myself, "If I can drink coffee while looking at sand dunes then we've won," and we did! I agree about the evening park walks, that is a beautiful way to enjoy outside, small people, and summer.
We have a large tent, but we haven’t tent camped since we started being semi-nomadic. Usually our seasons are off- we are traveling during peak camping season. Those times we did tent camp, we camped in our yard. 🤣 Which is just fine with me.
Yard camping is a great solution! The girls are begging for it but for whatever reason I just can't let them... one more year maybe!
There is a season for every situation. Maybe after your kids eat popcorn and lemonade they play in the hose or sprinkler. Or read library books in a blanket under a tree. I am older and worked many hours when my kids were little. Sometimes the magic happens in the small unpredictable moments. And camping in the dunes sounds wonderful if the situation was different than this year. We used to camp by a stream.
Thank you for this wisdom!
My family was at the Great Sand Dunes two or three weeks ago. We saw no water.
We were supposed to go camping with some friends last weekend but one of my sons threw up the night before we were supposed to leave. Turns out it was a terribly windy weekend in WY so it worked out for the best.
Maybe we’ll try again in August? I like your lake day trip idea
I'm sad to hear that the water actually wasn't there at all! But it is an incredible place anyway. And God's provision is surprising sometimes, re: the sickness and the wind! Yes, my husband's sister knows all of these great spots, so we just meet her places. It's been a good partnership haha!
Maybe we will have to try the sand dunes another time- it was super windy so we had to cut it short. The sand was blowing so hard it hurt! My youngest son said it felt like a bunch of bees were stinging his face!