Have your kids been asking for s’mores lately? If they can sleep in the backyard? These are all hints that they want to go camping.
That’s all well and good, but how do you go camping without any gear? If you’re a beginner camper, even with a small family, you can be successful at minimalist camping.
Get rid of all the bells and whistles and get back to what camping should be all about – a focus on nature and bonding with your family.
How to Succeed at Minimalist Camping
Ditch the entire “Glamping” Idea
You do not need a 5-star resort level RV parked in the middle of the forest to camp. Many would say this completely defeats the purpose of camping.
If you want to take your family out into the great outdoors without losing all the comforts of home, consider something smaller and less extravagant.
Using something like a teardrop trailer instead of a fully tricked out RV can be a great compromise.
Depending on what you get, these can include some basic indoor bunks for the littlest members of your family, and even small kitchens to cook in.
These offer some familiarity and convenience while not leaving a big enough footprint to make you forget you’re outside.
Try to Actually Live Off the Land
For a basic weekend camping trip, you don’t need that much.
For each person in your party, you should pack one bag that they can carry with ease.
Your packs should be organized and include essentials like:
- Biodegradable toiletries
- Essential Medications
- One Extra Shirt per Person
- Underwear for Each Person
- Hygiene Items
- Two Cooking Pots (One to Boil Water and One to Cook With)
- Camp Stove and Fuel
- A Good Flint to Start A Fire
- Some Good Proteins (Jerky and the like)
- A Simple Tent
- A Good Knife
- A Decent Length of Strong Rope
- Sleeping Bag and Thin Blanket for Each Person
- Some Light and Simple Entertainment Items
- Deck of Cards, Music, and Headphones – Simple and Light is Key
Make sure you can carry your bag for at least 5 minutes with no problem at all. If it starts to get too heavy before that you need to break it down more. Don’t forget basic self-care items like toothbrushes and deodorant. We want to appreciate nature but still keep good hygiene!
By avoiding the temptations of “luxury” camping you can actually pay attention to the beauty and bounty of the world around you.
Take the kids fishing in the nearby stream, collect firewood together, teach them how to light a fire and huddle together for warmth. What an amazing bonding experience!
Of course, it can’t be all roughing it. You still have to make sure to bring the chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers!
Have you done some minimalist camping in the past and have a great story? Tell us in the comments below!
Looking for the perfect trailer to take along with you on your adventure? Contact us here, and check out our gallery for a list of available trailers and how amazing they look out in the world.