Experience Old School Camping

Most everyone has a smart phone and other high-tech toys to make life simpler. However sometimes, it’s just nice to unplug and reconnect with your loved ones, and with nature! So, why not take your children camping… “old school”? Here are a few suggestions that can make your next trip truly memorable:

Board games. The perfect way to make camping more fun when it rains, or the mosquitoes drive you inside. Do your kids (and grandchildren) even know what they are? Old School favourites include Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, Yahtzee, and Sorry! When was the last time you played Crokinole?

Folding card table and chairs. True, most campgrounds have picnic tables, but for a good game of cards or a board game, you can’t beat a card table. Picnic tables aren’t always very comfortable or easy to move. Four padded folding chairs and a table (or two!) don’t take up as much room as you might think.

Shaved ice machine. Shaved ice is an inexpensive and sweet treat. It’s less messy than ice cream and gets the kids involved in making their own snacks. Ice is inexpensive and it is almost always available from the camp store where it can usually be purchased along with ice flavour syrups.

Cornhole platforms and bags. Played much like horseshoes, this lawn game is safer and fun for all age groups. Players take turns throwing bean bags at a raised board with a hole in it.

Kites. There’s no better way to spend a breezy, sunny afternoon than flying kites. It’s the perfect activity for any age group, If you want a real challenge, get a box kite, or a set of fighting kites and maneuver them across the sky in loops and dives!

Johnston Canyon

Photo Courtesy of Parks Canada

Magnifying glass. Nature is wonderful to the naked eye but watching bugs under a magnifying glass is like entering a world of giants! Get one large enough for all to share.

Telescopes. Always fun when camping. Being away from the lights of the city makes the stars more visible. Bring a sky chart and try to identify the constellations!

White bedsheet and flashlight. Hang the sheet between two trees, or on the side of your RV and use your light and make shadow animals with your hands. With scissors and paper, cut out all sorts of creatures to create silhouettes. Use those and your hand shadows to create your own plays, or to tell ghost stories. Experiment with size and shapes to get the best results.