From Solo Camping- to Family Adventures

7 years ago, I took my two boys on our very first solo camping trip.

I was scared to do it alone, but I was also tired of waiting for a family camping trip that never came.

So I did it by myself. I loaded my Dad’s truck up with the tent, sleeping bags, camp chairs, and all the other camp necessities until the truck was ready to burst at the seams and headed up the road.

The boys were 8 and 4 at the time and my marriage was pretty rocky that summer. That October it would be over for good.

I learned something that summer.

You CAN do it scared.

You CAN do hard things BY YOURSELF.

Don’t wait, do it alone if you want to do it.

I was scared. I was the only adult. There had been a bear spotting the day we arrived to camp. But I did it. I did it scared. I fumbled my way through it. I had gone camping since I was a little girl. This wasn’t new to me. But doing it on my own was a whole new feeling.

This summer, I did it again. Booked a short, 2 day trip for me and the boys. This year I have a toddler, too. And my boyfriend even took the time off to join us. Whether he joined us or not, we were going.

We forgot the hamburger and hotdogs buns.

I forgot my deodorant and toothbrush.

The older boys played spike ball with their little brother’s rubber ball and a circle drawn in the sand with a stick.

I didn’t have to do it alone this year. I had a partner. Someone to share the load.

Camping brings back so many memories of my childhood. Riding bikes through the campsites, late nights making s’mores by the fire. Waking up early and cooking breakfast in the crisp morning air.

Camping is something I LOVE to do.