Camping Can Be FUN at Any Age

​Last weekend, Dan and I stayed at The Pinery overnight for some R&R and outdoorsy time. This was our third trip to this location (my fourth), which is about 2 hours from home, and is a park that we enjoy every time we go. People generally associate camping with kids/families/budget travel options, but camping offers more than that – it is time outdoors, being active via hiking/swimming/canoeing/etc., while ideally disconnecting from the busy world at home (minimal phone/Wi-Fi use) and just enjoying the scenery and the company. AND it can be quite fun – even for childless adults like us! 

The Pinery - Burley Beach, access point

The Pinery - Dunes Beach

​We started camping in 2014 and have explored three different Ontario parks/campgrounds, some multiple times (like the Pinery). Each year, we try to choose one new location and this August, that’s Algonquin for me. We also generally time our stays either before kids get out of school or after they go back, not because we dislike kids, but because the campsites/beaches are quiet and undisturbed. We barbeque and snack, play board games, chat, drink, swim (when it’s warm enough), hike and explore the area or trails, encounter wildlife, and sleep under the stars. It’s quite an experience, even for grown adults. 

Nothing like barbequed bacon-wrapped weinies for breakfast

Our humble abode, complete with overhead lighting

Set up camp next to the fire, with a board game, alcoholic beverages, chips and you are not moving for a couple hours

With a 68 litre cooler, we could prepare for days in the wilderness

​As a kid, I was never introduced to camping in the woods, sleeping in tents, making smores or eating off of campfires. The closest I came to camping was bonfires in the country and sleeping in a tee-pee (which admittedly, was pretty cool as a 12-year-old). But, having discovered tent camping as an adult, I honestly feel there should be no age restrictions on a camping trip. And camping can be as budget-conscious or as luxurious as you want it to be – yurts and glamping experiences aren’t the only upgrade available… We have invested more than a couple hundred dollars into gear we can use for camping, including the option to take our portable Weber barbeque. Add in a decent tent, a 3-day cooler, some high-end flashlights and a few other gadgets and you are no longer looking at a budget trip. 

​So, when you and your boo or a couple of friends are looking for a fun adventure this summer, consider camping – seriously! It’s fun, active, [can be] affordable and gets you exploring locally. ​At many locations, you can even bring your furry friends!

If you are looking for some extravagant global glamping ideas, check out this post for some inspiration!