Your travel adventures don’t have to involve expensive plane tickets and lavish hotel stays. I bet that no matter where you live, there is a “tourist” destination within a couple hours drive and you likely haven’t ever been.
For our first family trip of this years summer break, we organized with some of our best friends, loaded up our vehicle and drove a couple hours to Virginia Beach. There, we pitched tents and camped out for a few days.
It’s become a sort of family tradition and the kids really enjoy it – and bonus to their parents – they don’t spend much time on electronics. Camping for us means we sleep on air mattresses and we select a camp site that offers proper bathroom facilities. (Toilets and showers.) We also, like to have access to some sort of water that the kids can enjoy. (Beach, pool or river)
This year we selected http://www.campingvb.com/ . They have multiple pools, a mini golf course, a game room, basketball courts and a free trolley service for the 10-minute ride to the beach. For the 3 days we were there, our family spent a total of $120. There are certainly other (still fun) camp sites that would offer fewer amenities, that are even more affordable. And don’t forget that more than 1 family can share 1 site so the price would be split between you. We reserved 3 sites for 4 sets of families and honestly we would have fit comfortably on only 2.
TIPS for those of you who are nervous about camping.
- For your first time, see if you can tag along with a friend or family member who has been before and who already has equipment you can use. I mean, you don’t want to spend money buying a tent and a portable grill if they are not things you are going to be using again.
- Many camp sites, including this one that we stayed at, offer cabins as an alternative to tents. It’s definitely worth looking into if you are trying camping for the first time.
- Don’t worry about what your friends say. People love to make fun of camping. We’ve heard all the jokes.
- Don’t worry about overall safety – or bears. Every time we invite someone new, they ask if they will be attacked by bears. Obviously, you have to be generally aware of your surroundings and take precautions, just as you would anywhere; but camp sites typically are very safe and have security who patrol the area all day and night. While you do have to put away your food overnight so that squirrels and raccoons don’t turn your “pantry/kitchen” into their personal all-you-can-eat buffet, you are not going to be attacked by bears or other wildlife at a commercial camp site. Do bring bug spray and citronella candles though in case those critters decide to make an appearance.
- It may seem overwhelming, but camping is as chill or as intense as you make it. Besides the stuff like food and shelter, the only other thing you really need to have a great time is to be with people who you like. No special skills or previous experiences are necessary. It truly is something that every family or group of friends can enjoy. Oh and good weather helps a lot.
Catching frogs 
Beach Zen 
Laugher among loved ones! What camping is really all about. 
Saturday morning breakfast. Jamaican dumplins.
TIPS for those of you who are camping with (special needs) children.
- Talk to your kids ahead of time so they have some idea of what to expect; but do it “big picture”. Don’t overwhelm them with too many specifics or set too many things in stone in case they don’t pan out the way you said they would. We stressed multiple times to both of our boys that the weekend was going to be a “go with the flow weekend.” They are not really go with the flow kids; but they did a great job in the end.
- Try to keep some of your regular routine. For example: Our autistic son has pizza for dinner every Friday. Pizza is not really a camping food, but taking that away would make for a miserable start to the weekend; So we planned around it and with his blessing, we bought a frozen pizza the night before and heated it up just before we left on Friday afternoon so he had pizza for lunch instead. He was happy to make that compromise. Also, if your child(ren) are used to a certain bedtime etc, there is no reason to throw that out the window just because they are sleeping in a tent instead of in their own beds. Stick to what they know and what works for your family. Everyone will be happier the next day.
- Plan out your menu ahead of time. Sure, everyone loves to make s’mores on the open fire, but if your children won’t eat them, pack a treat for after dinner that you know they do like so they don’t have to miss out on dessert. But still let them make the s’mores. 😊
- Be flexible. Camping is about taking time to relax and to connect with the outdoors and with each other. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to pack everything in. Maybe you had your heart set on spending all day at the beach and then going back to your site to shower, eat and head back out to the hayride and then finish up your evening at the pool party. But maybe, after the beach, all your kids could handle was the shower and the food and then to lay in a hammock with a book. That’s ok.
- Don’t bring the nice clothes/shoes. They will get dirty – and that’s a good thing. Do bring 1 or 2 comforts from home. A special toy or their favorite snuggle pillow. Why not?
- Let the little ones do some of the “work”. Kids can and do enjoy helping. Whether that means checking the flashlights for working batteries or packing bags of ice for the cooler as you’re getting things ready – Or – Collecting firewood/water, washing dishes, making the “beds” and hanging wet clothes on the line once you’re there. It’s all part of the adventure.
Holding the tent in place so we can put the stakes in the ground.
If anyone’s interested in camping and not sure what to bring or are looking for ideas about what to do when it gets dark or what makes for good eating let us know. We have a list of the supplies we always bring and some good group games.
If anyone’s interested in camping but is apprehensive because it’s a “white people thing” and you think your family will feel out of place, (Yes, we’ve heard that from people) – DON’T BE. Over the years we’ve seen all different types of groups camping and in general, people at camp sites tend to be quite friendly towards each other.
If anyone’s interested in camping but you don’t know the first place to start and you need a little encouragement, hit us up. We were once nervous first timers.
Final Notes
- If you are a pet family (we are NOT) – Chances are good that you can bring your pets with you. All the sites we’ve ever stayed at were pet friendly. Just check in with the rest of your group before you pack up Fido though. It’s probably best if everyone in your party is comfortable with your furry companion.
- It’s worth checking your sites alcohol policy. Usually, privately owned sites allow alcohol, while state parks do not. In case you are dying to know, we like to stay at private sites. 😉
- With regards to Virginia Beach specifically – Besides the actual beach, which sports a ferris wheel and other typical boardwalk activities, and the camp site activities we’ve already talked about, Virginia Beach also has a go kart track, an aquarium, an indoor skydiving place, kayaking and wild horses tours, zip lining and an aviation museum. So there really are a number of ways to enjoy the area. Go for it.
The whole gang on the last day 
Guess Where 