4 Reasons For Dads To Plan A Camping Trip For Father's Day
Father's Day is quickly approaching, and you don't need another tie or "World's Best Dad" coffee mug. What to do? If what you'd really like for Father's Day is some quality time with your kids, planning a camping trip might be your best bet. Take a look at some reasons why Father's Day weekend is the best time for a father-and-child trip into the wilderness.
Unplug and Reconnect
In the digital age, it's easier than ever to get in touch with your kids when you're away from them, thanks to internet-connected devices and text and video messaging apps. But all of that technology can also isolate you from your kids. How many times have you found yourselves all in the same house — possibly even in the same room — but with everyone looking at a different screen, interacting with the device instead of with each other?
A camping trip is a great way to get everyone to put down the devices and spend a little face time with each other. Make it a low-tech weekend. Instead of playing video games, watching movies, and surfing the web, play cards, tell ghost stories around the campfire, and explore nature together. There is no high-tech, digital substitute for good old-fashioned father and child bonding time.
Take Advantage of the Weather
Father's Day weekend may be the perfect weekend for a camping trip. It falls right before the official start of summer. That means that it's late enough into the spring that any stubborn winter chill has finally dissipated, but not so deep into summer that the temperatures are likely to be uncomfortable. It will still be cool enough at night for you to enjoy building a campfire and toasting marshmallows, but during the day, it could even be warm enough to swim if you're in an area with a river or lake.
In most areas, school is out for the summer by Father's Day, so your kids have free time — if you have vacation time, you could make it a three or four-day weekend or even take a whole week and make the most out of the great almost-summer weather.
Pass on Your Outdoor Skills
When you're busy with work and your kids are busy with school and their own social lives, it's easy to find that you don't have any time to teach your kids the things that you want to teach them. But if you have outdoor skills that you want to pass on to your kids, a campsite is a great setting for that.
Are you a great fisherman, a skilled hiker, or an expert at spotting different species of birds? These are all skills that your kids would probably love to learn from you. Having trouble thinking of any outdoor skills that you want to pass on? If you're not normally the outdoor type, then this could be a good opportunity for you to pick up some skills yourself. You and your children can learn how to tie knots together, for example. Make your camping trip into a learning experience for everyone.
Save Money
Camping is a great way to give yourself a Father's Day away with your family without blowing the budget. You don't have to travel far from home — you can choose a campsite near where you live and still feel like you're in a completely different place than where you usually spend your days. There are several ways to find cheap or free campsites no matter where you live. And there's no need to buy souvenirs; just make sure that you bring along a camera so that you can record the memories of your exciting camping adventure.
If you don't have any camping gear, you may have to spend some money up front for a good tent, some sleeping bags, and some basic supplies. The good news is that good outdoor and camping gear is made to last. You'll be able to use it again and again. You could turn the Father's Day camping trip into an annual tradition.
Spending quality time with your children in the wild is an experience like no other. Why spend Father's Day on a golf course or at a brunch buffet when you could be on an adventure with your favorite companions? Go camping with your kids this Father's Day for an unforgettable celebration.