Less work, more fun with group camping
It’s the fear of so many family campers – that moment the kids come to you and say those two dreadful words, “I’m bored.” While there are lots of ways to keep that from happening, one of Coleman’s foremost experts on family camping, Mary Richardson, has one of the most fun remedies we’ve come across: group camping.
Every Memorial Day weekend she and about thirteen other families (yes, 1-3) pack up and head to the same lake and the same campsite. That’s about where the similarities stop, though. The families are rather diverse. Some are newlyweds; some are retired couples. Some are expert campers; others are just getting back to nature. But for three or four days out of the year they’re their own small community.
Their camp is like a block party. Everyone always has something to do because they all contribute. One person always brings the horseshoes for the annual tournament. Then there’s lawn golf, Frisbees and baseballs flying through the air. Others swim, and some just curl up with a good book.
Mary says the secret to group camping is letting people take whatever role they’re most comfortable. For her, it’s pretty much being the mom. She takes pride in having whatever anyone needs, whether that is a skewer, a bandage or even a straw. Everyone knows she’s the one who’s always prepared.
You’d think that role would go to the Boy Scout leader of the group. No, Jim is the cook and nature enthusiast. He takes care of preparing tasty, hot concoctions in his Dutch oven. After dinner, you can usually find him leading the kids on an after-dark nature trail hike. (Don’t worry parents. Mary says it’s safe. He knows that trail well because he’s been walking it every year for who knows how long.) During the day he might have the kids looking for bugs he still needs to fill the collection board he just so happened to pack.
Finding a group like Mary’s is as easy as asking your friends, family, co-workers, anyone you wouldn’t mind spending a couple day with, “What do you think about camping?” Once you get out there, even if it’s just a few of you, you’ll find your roles.
So, go ahead and get your group together this summer, then write back and share your stories with us. You’re sure to find excitement, fun and happy camping.