8 Tips For Stress Free Weekend Camping!

There is nothing that Jeff and I look forward to more than a weekend of camping! While the thoughts of weekend camping bring me joy, it also tends to bring me feelings of stress. If you have ever planned a weekend camping trip you probably can identify with my conflicting feelings.

The joy that a weekend of camping brings me is simple, I love nature! I love spending time under the canopy of live oaks and waking up early to go on hikes to spot wildlife. I love going to the springs at the end of the day when everyone has gone. It brings me such a sense of peace and rest!

On the flip side, the stress that a weekend of camping often brings is also simple, and likely widely felt amongst many of you who camp. Packing for a family no matter what the occasion can be a small feat in itself! Packing for a family for a weekend of camping....now that's a different story altogether!

Whether you camp in a tent, pop-up camper, or RV, you're going to need to pack a lot of gear, and food for that matter! And, don't forget to pack your patience!

Just thinking about the ingredient list that I will need for a weekend of camping can wear me out! Let's just say we don't have taco night while weekend camping...too many ingredients to think of, much less pack!

Camping weekends with each other, with our children, and now our grandchildren, are at the heart of some of our family's most treasured memories! So, were going to share some of what we learned with you in hopes that it may help you in planning amazing camping trips with your family!

So, how do we maximize weekend camping and minimize weekend camping stress?

We PLAN ahead! That's right...it sounds like a simple answer, and it is but, planning ahead has made all the difference! Check out a few of Jeff and I's tips for maximizing our weekend camping trips:

Use a Checklist- Have everything you will need for a camping trip located in one place, including a menu and grocery list (Download our FREE Checklist here __.

Start a Non-Perishable Grocery Bag/Tote- Consider pre-packing the non-perishable portion of your grocery list, it will be one less thing to do on the day you plan to leave for your trip.

Pre-Trip Packing- This is where we begin packing all items that are able to be packed in advance and we drop them off at our camper (clothes, shoes, gear, bug spray, sunblock, bikes, non-perishable food items, etc.). If you don't have a camper, you could certainly pack storage bins in the same fashion.

Pre-Check Tires & Tire Pressure- Consider pre-checking your tires and tire pressure. This will identify any tire problems or pressure issues before you get on the road!

Final Packing- This is where we pack most of our trip essentials. We typically pack these the night before we plan to leave for our trip (phone chargers, electronics, Mifi/Starlink, toiletries, medication, etc.)

Restock List- Consider keeping a restock list of the items you commonly use in your RV or camping supply bins! This saves on so many unnecessary trips once you arrive at your campground! The last thing I want to do on a weekend of camping is make time sucking trips to the local store!

Make it a Family Effort- Camping is fun but, camping is also work. Jeff and I always made packing, setting up the campsite, and unpacking a family effort! And, guess what...the kids loved it! We all know the saying "many hands make less work." There is something very rewarding when working together to accomplish a common goal!

Make Memories- Now that your unpacked and set up....enjoy your time with your family. This is what memories are made of!

Jeff and I hope you enjoyed this blog post! Check out our YouTube video "Weekend Camping Made Easy" here: