By Jenny Gumbert and Carolyn Owen
Feature Image by @youngutah
Who said you have to go far to set up camp? Camping in your backyard has endless potential to be just as rewarding as spending a night in the backcountry. Whether you’re in it to create the glamp-site of your dreams, or just want to spend a night under the stars in a sleeping bag, you can’t go wrong if good times are involved! Think of it this way– if you’re a camping novice who’s nervous about attempting a camping outing, this experiment could serve as a low-pressure trial run before you take your first trip. Why not try it out for yourself?
Follow our suggestions to get the most out of your backyard campground:
Set the scene.
You may not be venturing into the mountains or the woods, but if you want the full camping experience, it needs to look and feel like the real thing. Set up tents and sleeping bags, have headlights and lanterns, bring out the camping chairs and table, and be ready to prepare and eat your meals outside.
Gather around a fire.
When imagining a campsite, just try to picture it without a fire—you can’t. Fire serves as a space to cook, warm up, connect, and relax. If you have a Solo Stove Fire Pit, it can serve as your campfire. Added bonus: It’s easy to set up, safe, and doesn’t fill your yard with smoke. Set up seating around your pit and invite everyone to gather around.
Cook outside.
One of the quintessential camping experiences is cooking outdoors. You could even pre-make your food and keep it in a cooler while opting to get a little outdoor cooking time by roasting marshmallows over your fire—it’s a classic for a reason.
If you’d like to try your hand at outdoor cookery, bring a Camp Stove, a Solo Stove Grill, or a Fire Pit Cooking System. Be sure also to have plates and/or bowls, utensils, and napkins. Looking for some camp-friendly recipe ideas? We’ve got you covered.
Pretend the house doesn’t exist.
Make sure to bring everything that you and your family will need outside so that you aren’t tempted to go back into the house. (That includes water and food.) Heading back indoors may take you out of the experience. There’s one notable exception to the don’t-go-in-the-house rule: The bathroom. Enough said.
Unplug.
Try to leave your electronics (phones, games, etc.) indoors. This is a time you’ve set aside to reconnect with nature, friends and/or family, and your phone may serve as a distraction.
Plan activities.
There are many camping activities that translate to the backyard. Classics include sharing stories around the fire (spooky or otherwise); asking your musically talented friends and family to lead a campfire sing-along; and creating a wildlife hunt that encourages exploring the flora and fauna of your yard—even if it’s just some flowers, fungus, and bugs.