First time camping trip disaster turned out amazing

Apr 71 min read

Took the family camping for the first time ever last month. Forgot the tent stakes, raccoons got into our cooler at 2am, my daughter got car sick on the drive up. Everything that could go wrong did. But then on Sunday morning we hiked to this overlook and the kids actually put their phones down and just sat there looking at the view. My wife and I just looked at each other like okay this is why people do this. Planning our next trip for Labor Day. If anyone's got recommendations for beginner friendly campgrounds in the Midwest lmk.

4 comments132 views

Comments(4)

BBrandonRegularApr 7

This is hilarious and also exactly why I haven't taken my kids camping yet. I'm terrified something like this will happen and I'll lose it. You making it work anyway is actually really encouraging.

RRob H.RegularApr 7

This is the energy I need. Most of my first attempts at family trips go sideways somehow but you're right, those end up being the best memories. My kids still talk about the camping trip where we forgot half our gear but made a fire and told scary stories all night.

RRyanRegularApr 7

Okay but seriously, raccoons are no joke. We had them get into our cooler once and it was a whole thing. The fact that you rolled with it instead of panicking shows your kids what resilience actually looks like. That's worth more than a perfect trip.

CChris M.RegularApr 7

Raccoon raid on the food is basically a camping rite of passage. Glad nothing worse happened though. The tent stakes thing is easy to forget when you're loading up - I've totally done that. Sounds like you've got the right attitude about it turning out amazing anyway.