FEATURE
PHOTO: KARLY WURNIG
16
INTO THE WILD
A great family camping experience is more about the right attitude than the right gear—what you need to know before you pitch the tent
K
arly Wurnig has strong memories of camping with her family while growing up. She remembers the sensory experience of being out in nature, and the fun that she had with her sister. She knew that she wanted her own kids to have that same experience. When her daughter Samantha was just four months old, Karly and her husband, Jerry, took her camping for the first time at Rissers Beach Provincial Park, on the South Shore near Bridgewater. They pitched their tent, set up a pack and play, bundled Samantha up, and stayed the night. Samantha is now four and is a bit of a camping veteran. Two-year-old brother Walter is right in step.
Karly’s kids are making the same kind of memories that she made while growing up. She cites moments like the first time her children roasted marshmallows, and their excitement about getting to eat outdoors. “They love having that freedom and that change from routine,” she explains. “It’s fun to watch them explore that.” This summer, as the pandemic continues to postpone most annual festivals and events, other outdoor activities are gaining traction in Nova Scotia. Karly belongs to the Camping in Nova Scotia Facebook group, where she sees ever-growing numbers of campers ask questions and share advice.
