With summer holidays just around the corner, many families are making plans on how and where they will spend their precious and well-deserved time off. After two long years of covid, families need a vacation now more than ever. If you’re wondering what you should plan for an unforgettable family holiday, we suggest skipping hotels and all-inclusive vacations and opting for making memories with a fun camping trip instead.
Here are 15 reasons to consider camping over a hotel stay:
Fresh air
Fresh air might be one of the best reasons for camping. There’s no better way to escape the smog of the city and breathe in some crisp, clean air in nature. One of our favourite benefits of camping is improved quality of sleep. By spending time outdoors you breathe in more oxygen than you would normally indoors, which increases serotonin, making you feel calm, happy, and relaxed.
Unplug
In this day and age, it’s not easy to disconnect from our modern comforts, especially when it comes to technology. With limited to no service, camping is the perfect way to unplug from your devices and remember what life was like before the days of constant connectivity.
Enjoy nature
There’s no better way to experience the great outdoors than sleeping in it. You’ll hear the sounds, see the sights, and experience all that nature has to offer. You’ll be able to wake up with the sunrise and enjoy the sunset at the end of the day. Spending time in nature is a stress relief and helps you feel grounded and connected to the world around you.
Campfires
There’s just something special and primal about gathering around a campfire. Whether you’re cooking your dinner over the fire, roasting marshmallows, or taking turns telling spooky tales, spending time together warming up by a fire creates memories and traditions and just feels oh so good.
Family togetherness
The memories you’ll make camping cannot be compared with a hotel stay. Camping allows for back to the basics fun - playing board games, telling stories, and spending quality time together.
Eating food outside always tastes better
Camping is a great way to creatively cook food outside. You can opt for the classics like burgers and hot dogs and enjoy campfire treats like kettle popcorn or s'mores. One thing is certain, whatever you decide to cook, it will taste great eating al fresco after a long day in the outdoors.
Feeling of accomplishment
Setting up your camp, building a fire, going for a hike or canoeing across a lake gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment - something that’s hard to achieve by laying by the hotel pool. A camping trip is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and learn new skills, whether it’s fishing, starting a fire or figuring out how to fit your tent back in its bag.
Get moving
Depending on where you camp, you’ll have tons of outdoor activities to choose from, like swimming, hiking, biking, and water sports. It’s an easy and more importantly fun way to be active as a family. Best of all, by the end of the day you’ll all be exhausted at night and sleep like a rock in your tent or RV.
Lower costs
Camping is one of the most affordable ways to travel and holiday and depending on your level of comfort can be done very inexpensively. You can often camp for an entire week or more for the same price it costs for a 2 night hotel stay.
Access to remote places
Not only does camping allow for some quality time in nature, but it lets you explore areas that are rarely visited. Often some of the best locations in the great outdoors are the places that cannot be easily accessed by vehicle, so you’ll see the parts of the country that are still untouched.
Wildlife
Sure zoos are fun, but nothing compares to observing animals in their natural habitat. Whether you're into birdwatching or keen on photography, observing wildlife is a rewarding and great way to connect with and appreciate nature.
Stargazing
You don't realize just how much light pollution is created from cities and towns until you venture out into the wilderness and enjoy the starry skies. No need for TV, the sky's the showstopper whether you're finding constellations or enjoying a meteor shower of shooting stars.
Support small business and local communities
A lot of outdoor recreation areas are located in small rural communities who've suffered from the effects of the pandemic. By visiting these areas, you can help support the local economy and business owners.
Time to reflect
Taking a break from your everyday schedule and especially out in nature grounds you and gives you plenty of time to pause and reflect. Perhaps you’ve been feeling overwhelmed at work or balancing your busy schedule. Finding the time and place to reflect enables you to return recharged and often even with a refreshed perspective.
Appreciate conveniences
Finally, camping will allow you to appreciate the little things when you go back to life at home. Hot showers, flushing toilets, your Queen-size bed, and air conditioning - all luxuries when you think about it. Camping brings you back to the basics and is often a good reminder just how good you have it.
Hotels are great when you're looking to be pampered and to simply relax, but planning a camping trip is the best way to spend your summer vacation. It’s good for your wallet, good for your body and soul, and the best way to create lasting memories and traditions.
Visit our Lifestyle or Buslife blog section for ideas and resources to plan your next camping adventure.
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