Camping trips are a brilliant way to spend time outdoors and connect with the guys. There's a sense of freedom and positive masculinity when you are out there in the elements. Not only are you close to nature but there is also a protective barrier of distance from your group and civilization in general that provides comfort and comradery. Aside from this though, simply being in a different environment opens up plenty of new possibilities for adventure beyond what you can do in your own backyard. This is especially true for city-dwellers where nature is limited to rodents and cockroaches and lights obscure the sun and the moon. These are just some of the reasons why I love getting out of the city and going camping. Let's take a look at some of the other awesome stuff you can do on a camping trip with the guys beyond just sitting around the fire telling stories and drinking cans of beer.
Card Games
Card games are a great way to spend some quality time when you’re camping, the great thing about it is a deck of cards takes up hardly any space but gives you so many possibilities! It’s a great way to get everyone in the group talking and laughing, and a bit of friendly competition never hurt either. Chances are you regularly sit and play games and apps like solitaire on your phone, but when was the last time you bust out an actual deck and played a game with others? It makes for such a perfect evening around the campfire.
Shelter Building
It can be fun to test your survival skills, have a go at building shelters using natural materials like branches, leaves and vines. Working together with your group to create a functional shelter can be rewarding and fun, it teaches all kinds of skills to kids and is a great workout for kids and adults alike too when you’re hauling tree branches and things around!
Fishing
Fishing can be a brilliant, relaxing way to spend your time in nature. Spending time outdoors, breathing in fresh air, and soaking in sunlight can boost mood and reduce stress levels. The activity itself, from casting lines to reeling in catches, provides gentle exercise that's good for your body. Plus, it's a great way to bond with friends or family, creating cherished memories together.
Hiking
Hiking might be hard work but it’s so worth the effort, when you’re in nature hiking up hills and mountains will give you the very best views! Invest in some good hiking boots and explore the trails surrounding your campsite. If you’re a beginner or just want something more relaxed it could be leisurely strolls, if you want something to really push yourself with look up challenging hikes in the area you’re camping in. There's something for every skill level when it comes to hiking, and is a great activity to add to your camping adventures.
Campfire Cooking
Campfire cooking is more than just a way to satisfy your hunger, it can be considered as an adventure in itself! You might be grilling burgers, roasting marshmallows, or baking potatoes in the coals, but the experience is rustic and rewarding as well. There's something special about cooking over an open flame under the starry sky, where the scent of smoke and sizzle fills the air, and the crackling of the fire adds to the ambiance. It's a chance to get creative with simple ingredients and limited resources, proving that delicious meals can be made anywhere with a little ingenuity. Plus, campfire cooking brings people together, as everyone gathers around to prepare and enjoy meals, sharing stories and laughter under the flickering flames. So next time you're on a camping trip, don't forget to pack your cooking gear and have a go at campfire cooking- it's an experience well worth having while you’re camping.
Stargazing
Stargazing is a great activity while you’re camping, as you’re usually in nature where it’s nice and dark away from the light pollution of towns and cities. Dark skies give you the best opportunities to see the stars and so being further out into nature or even the wilderness is perfect. When you're getting ready for stargazing while camping, remember to bring along some cozy blankets or chairs to sit on, as well as warm clothes to keep you comfortable when the night gets chilly. If you have binoculars or a telescope, consider bringing them along for a closer look at the stars. You can easily find star charts or stargazing apps to help you identify constellations and planets in the sky. And if you're not sure where to start, look for information about stargazing programs at nearby national parks or wilderness areas- they often have expert guides who can show you the best spots for viewing the stars and share interesting facts about the night sky.
Nature Photography
Being out in nature will allow you to see all kinds of exciting things that you might not spot in your day to day life. There are things like awesome weather conditions, incredible views, interesting flowers and animals and so much more you could snap. Bring along a camera and capture the beauty of your surroundings, if you have a DSLR even better although you can take good shots even on smartphones these days.
Bird Watching and Nature Observation
Speaking of nature, bring along a pair of binoculars and a field guide and spend some time bird watching. See how many different species you can spot and identify. Set up a wildlife observation spot and spend some time quietly watching animals in their natural habitat. You never know what you might see. You could even do a scavenger hunt and create a list of items to find in nature and set out on a scavenger hunt. From pinecones to animal tracks, see who can find everything on the list first.
Geocaching
Have you ever thought about geocaching for a fun adventure while you’re camping? It's like a treasure hunt where you use GPS coordinates to find hidden containers called "caches." These caches can be all sorts of sizes and shapes, and they often contain a logbook where you can sign your name to show you found it. Some caches even have small trinkets or toys that you can trade for. It's a great way to explore new places and challenge yourself to find hidden treasures in the great outdoors.
