Camping has always been one of our favourite getaway especially during the summer break. It’s the season when days stretch a little longer, routines slow down, and Marshall’s long school holidays give us the chance to step away from the usual pace of life. And also because we convince ourselves every time that camping will be “relaxing.” 🙂
We pack up the car, usually fuller than planned and head off knowing exactly what we’re signing up for: early mornings, sandy shoes, questionable cooking, and mosquitoes. And yet, we keep coming back. Because somewhere between setting up the tent and forgetting where we put the torch, we slow down. We laugh more. We talk more. And we remember why we love doing life together like this.
What We Pack (After Learning the Hard Way) Over the years, we’ve learned that packing smart makes camping a lot more enjoyable. Mostly because forgetting one “small” thing usually means improvising in ways you never planned.
Our camping must-haves:
- Tent & ground mat – because sleeping directly on the ground is not character building.
- Sleeping bags & pillows – no one sleeps well without them (trust us).
- Warm clothes – even when the weather app says “hot”.
- Cooking gear – kettles, toasters, or that one appliance we swear we won’t use but always do.
- Reusable plates, cups & cutlery – fewer things to break.
- Torch or lantern – because someone will need the toilet at night.
- First aid kit – scrapes happen fast outdoors.
- Snacks – double what you think you need.
- Games or books – for the quiet moments (when they happen).
- Power outlet – phones still need charging for photos, maps, weather checks, etc. 🙂
- and extensions – one outlet is never enough for a family.
- Fans or heaters – because summer nights can still feel surprisingly stuffy… or cold
We try not to overpack… though somehow the car still ends up completely full every time.
What Camping Looks Like for Us
- Long days outdoors
- Kids exploring while we pretend we’re “supervising”
- Meals that taste better simply because we’re outside
- Early nights because everyone is completely exhausted
Why We Keep Coming Back
Camping teaches us to slow down. To be present. To notice small things, like how quickly kids grow, how conversations flow differently without distractions, and how refreshing it feels to live simply, even just for a few days. Sure, it’s not always smooth. But the messy bits usually turn into the best stories.
And at the end of the day… tired, slightly sunburnt, and covered in dust; we’re reminded that these are the moments our kids will remember. Not the perfect setups, but the time together.
So every summer, or even winter, we do it all again.
The packing. The memories. The chaos.
And somehow, we always end up doing it again. 🏕️
