The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1
There are numerous blogs listing the benefits of camping and hiking, and we believe experiences can vary significantly from one family to another and even person to person. What we are presenting here is our unique perspective; our personal compilation of insights and discoveries. Explore our list! It’s a simple reflection of our own distinct journey and the meaningful lessons we have learned along the way. We hope you can take even a little bit from us on your own adventures!
Adventure
During our camping trips, we enjoy a range of activities around the campfire, including games like HeadBanz, Chinese Checkers, and card games, as well as socializing through storytelling and reading. Beyond the campfire, we enjoy leisurely walks around the campgrounds, hitting some challenging hikes, or taking a refreshing dip in pools or the Great Lakes of Michigan. Camping offers a diverse array of outdoor experiences that cater to both relaxation and adventure.
It’s easy to become stationary even in a more active setting, so we make it a point to set daily fitness goals and stick to them. Whether at home, camping, or on vacation, prioritizing our activity helps us maintain a healthy and active lifestyle while fully embracing the opportunities that surround us. Plus it really helps with moods – just don’t forget any snacks! Hangry is a real thing. My latest pro-tip is if I start feeling overwhelmed to get active – take a short walk or do a few stretches, it works impressively well.
Camping offers an experience that replenishes energy levels. The sun sure does exhaust you, but do you ever notice how much happier you are in the sun rather indoors? The natural light of the sun positively influences our mood compared to indoor lighting. Additionally, being in the sun’s rays provides us with Vitamin D, which benefits our mental and physical well-being.
Engaging in physical activities not only enhances our fitness but also boosts our self-confidence. Whether it’s conquering a challenging mountain climb or simply going for a brisk walk, each achievement brings a sense of accomplishment and the belief that we can overcome other difficult tasks. No matter the intensity, every physical activity contributes to our overall well-being and builds our confidence to take on new challenges. And guess what, all the fresh air and activity can really improve your night’s rest – or at least how fast you start snoring!
Get Out There
Choosing a smaller rig for camping offers the big advantage of increased outdoor time, which means.. more adventure! As we feel the warmth of the sunshine, the coldness of the wind, or dancing in the rain. Or maybe it’s the soothing sounds of the ocean, a birdsong, or the complete silence, embracing nature rejuvenates our bodies. Feeling like a part of the process nature revitalizes us, improving sleep patterns and gaining an appreciation for meals. We strive to keep our inside time for inclement weather, breaks/quiet time after a big outdoor adventure, the occasional meal or project, and of course sleeping! Key takeaway is making outside the primary, not secondary.
Connect
Being in a compact space may limit privacy but cultivate shared love and togetherness. Relationships encompass understanding, empathy, and mutual respect beyond mere compatibility – and you are pushed to build them all in a small space! It’s not all rainbows, we’ve learned valuable lessons in self-improvement, decision-making, and consequence awareness. Anchoring our motives in Biblical teachings and the example of Christ adds depth and meaning to our connections. It compels us to actively invest in building meaningful relationships with our family and others.
Building healthy relationships isn’t just about closeness (physically and emotionally). It’s also about making memories. Memories that are emotional, visual, and spiritual. Being real and realizing that relationships are challenging, messy, and imperfect is okay – relationships are supposed to be that way! Ultimately, putting in real effort to be like Christ and showing others about His love, kindness, and forgiveness in our everyday lives should be our goal – mimicking our number one role model.
Read our other blogs on Attentiveness, Contentment, and How We Plan a Trip.
Recharge
Picture this: It’s low 60s, you just did a 7 mile hike, went up 4,000 ft in elevation and now you get to sit on top of the mountain looking out feeling the cool breeze and the sun kissing your skin. You sit down on the rock that makes up the mountain, and look out… all you see are more mountains – all green and lush. You take out a snack but you notice the smell of earth and your own sweat more than the granola bar you are eating. You are not alone on the mountain, others seem to get a high off of adventure as well, you smile and wave at them, you ask them simple questions about their way up and how it went. Then you close your eyes and praise God for His creation, you thank Him for his power to talk the Earth into being, you thank Him for your life and for your abilities, and you want nothing more than to feel this accomplished everyday.
Spending time outdoors, being active, and connecting with others and nature reduces stress. Nature restores our well-being, freeing us from distractions, refocusing us on things that matter. Embracing God’s creation helps us find purpose, prioritizing glory to God and living as disciples. We are part of something bigger than right now. We can sit idle or we can get out there and recharge our soul and get excited about our part in God’s Earth.
Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm 41:11
Get Wild
Camping and hiking are a passport to a world of enjoyable activities just waiting to become some of your most favorite memories. It could be mushroom hunting, tree climbing, fire building, fishing, even nature conservation. Engaging in these activities enhances our social skills through teaching and listening to others.
When hiking one of our most favorite activities is finding mushrooms. We don’t touch, just look, but we find so many weird and gross but also beautiful mushrooms that lead us to so many observations and conversations. We also listen for bird calls counting specific ones and wonder if they are from the same bird or different. Wonder is the best part of it all!
Teaching our children about how to keep the earth clean, how to care for animals, and simple survival skills has been a joy, because we learn a lot along the way too. As a Christ loving, home school family we find great care in learning and applying what we learn to the earth. We stay on the pre-made paths, and we don’t burn non-local wood, and we teach and tell our kids why we do this. Sometimes it is more difficult and more expensive, but it is our duty as humans to care for the earth, and for the animals on it, and the generations to come. Did we mention we love working on Junior Ranger badges?? Highly recommended at all those National Park Service locations – and it’s free!
Memory Improvement
Engaging in family activities creates memories that support memory recall. For instance, hiking the Elephant Head Trail in New Hampshire’s White Mountains in the rain fosters memorable experiences for us. Reduced stress levels enhance memory, while exploring new environments and engaging with surroundings stimulates learning and strengthens memory capacity. These experiences contribute to memory consolidation and the recollection of cherished family moments.
God’s Glory
I have found that being in nature offers a profound connection with our Creator. The sense of unity and harmony with our surroundings is captivating. Witnessing my body in motion and feeling the satisfaction of accomplishing both simple and challenging tasks reinforces my purpose. Observing my children’s awe as they explore mysterious holes and construct bug hotels fills me with joy. The dirt on our feet and the scent of a fulfilling day remind us of our intrinsic worth beyond titles and appearances. It fuels my desire to delve deeper into uncovering our purpose. Releasing expectations and my daily desires, knowing that God cares for us even more than the birds in the sky, envelops me in an overwhelming sense of love. I aspire to convey this love to my children and inspire them to seek it as well.
But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
Job 12:7-10
Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods. Here grow the wallflower and the violet. The squirrel will come and sit upon your knee, the logcock will wake you in the morning. Sleep in forgetfulness of all ill. Of all the upness accessible to mortals, there is no upness comparable to the mountains.
John Muir