I think, as a parent, it’s always a dream to go on a fun family vacation with your kids. We have this fantasy about how the family vacation or in this case, the camping trip should go. But it might surprise us by going not as what we expected. I had heard about this one hiking location that just sounded so serene.
So, I talked with my partner, and then we shared our plan with our kids to go on our first backpacking trip for the night. We watched videos, talked with our neighbors and other hiking enthusiasts. Then, the morning of the trip, we both felt that maybe we weren’t prepared for this yet as we continued to load more things and felt a bit nervous about having the kids hike to the campsite.
Luckily, we listened to this feeling and changed plans.
My partner looked for a new location as everyone was getting ready. Eureka found a campsite- instead of backpacking, we informed the kids we would go camping for the night and explained why. We then loaded up in the car and headed out for our adventure. I can recall hearing my friends’ words of wisdom in my head- to remember not to have expectations about how the trip should be in nature. Kids can range anywhere from having a good time to not being impressed. And in the words of my daughter’s boyfriend’s mom, don’t be afraid to turn around or call it quits if nothing seems to be working.
I was very nervous- I didn’t want my kids to hate camping…
It felt like we were driving for eternity up the rocky mountain until my partner shouted, I think I found a spot. It’s a cool, secluded camping place near Kachess Lake. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232064
Everyone got out of the car excitedly to see it. Impressed, everyone explored- and what looked like envisioned- themselves staying here. The oldest found two trees to set up her hammock and spot.
And everyone wanted to help carry things to our camp. Our second oldest even helped their dad set up the tent. This trip took me by surprise. The voice in the back of my head- reminded me not to set expectations or force the camping experience but to let things roll. In their own beautiful way, the camping experience was their own. Please don’t get me wrong; there were plenty of fights, complaining, and whining.
But in the mix of it- there were some beautiful moments…
Everyone wanted to help in their own way, from setting up the tent to helping collect wood for the fire, being an older sister, and taking the middle sibling on a walk. To all of us exploring the river together and the breathtaking scenery- you see the older siblings challenge themselves to explore the rocks and river as they demonstrate bravely and, I think, silently prove to themselves how much they can do.
Overcoming obstacles and discovering something about themselves.
To the intense moments when their thoughts and fears and not having distractions bring forth thoughts about fears that might erupt, and you walk to the river with your dad to just sit release the emotions you have built up. To come back and join me by the fire and whisper “thank you, Mom, for the trip”. And I fight back the tears- and realize it’s through all these moments and our own personal experience out here in the woods that is the real gift. It isn’t something we can really plan for, script, or expect but just unfolds. Perhaps this is the magic of being out in nature.
These are the winning moments.
Watching our children have their own journey and experience in nature, and then for oneself. These little winning moments of catching the sunset, watching the stars, the moment the quiet and crackling of the fire as all the children sleep in their tents, and you just sit with your partner.
The lessons from camping with my four kids have taught me the beauty of appreciating the process.
Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves that our ideas around camping or trips with our loved ones might not go as we expect, but it could be something better, more beautiful than we imagined when we let go of expectations of how something should be. I think my family got a lot out of that night camping together- just really being together- through the challenges and the moments of being in nature and moments of beauty and serenity. Camping with my children taught me, that its appreciating the whole experience and journey of being alive and really living in the moment , appreciating that we all might have a different experience and journey here in the woods.