“To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human. What we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.” -Terry Tempest Williams
Camping is already a fun activity by itself.
Getting to experience the great outdoors, immersing yourself in nature, sleeping under the stars, gathering around the campfire—these are just some of the things you can do at home.
However, unplugging and disconnecting from the world can feel a little disconcerting if you have never tried camping before. As a result, venturing into the unknown can leave you with a sense of boredom. To ensure this does not happen, you need to plan your trip accordingly and look for activities you can do to occupy and entertain yourself and your family. So, if you have been scouring for recommendations on campsites near Manila, be sure to prepare a list of fun things you can do while there.
This way, you can make your first camping trip memorable and enjoyable for everyone in the family.
a.) Play outdoor sports
If you are a badminton or tennis enthusiast, you will be photeeq photeeq surprised that some campsites make great milieus for the sport. So, pack your tennis racket or badminton racket, and once you have everything settled at camp, ask your kids or your partner to join in for a friendly tennis or badminton match. Not only will this activity keep them occupied for quite a while, but it is also an excellent way to get your body moving.
b.) Hike short trails
Individuals who are particularly new to camping may not enjoy hiking difficult trails. Ease into the outdoor activity by finding short trails nearby your campsite and seeing where it goes. This is especially fun with kids or if you want to squeeze in a physical activity that is not strenuous on your body. Remember, you do not have to overdo yourself. Start easy, take in and enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds. Be sure to keep your hiking essentials with you as you follow the trail.
c.) Start a bonfire
One of the best things about a camping trip is setting up a bonfire where everyone can gather, roast marshmallows, have conversations, sing, or simply share stories. Talk to fellow campers and allow your kids to interact with other kids in the campground as you set up a bonfire. Then, once you have a fire going, sing along to campfire songs, share tales, and make camping memories.
d.) Roast S’mores
Make your time sitting around the campfire more enjoyable by bringing treats to roast and eat. Bring supplies for s’mores (graham crackers, chocolates, marshmallows). Roast marshmallows on the campfire and grill the crackers and chocolate on the grill. Combine these, and you will have delicious sticky treats to eat.
e.) Go swimming in the nearby river or lake
Bring your swimwear with you if you plan to camp near water. Swimming is a great activity to do while camping, as it can cool you off after a hike on a hot day. You can even see this as taking a natural bath after a long day of hiking.
f.) Enjoy photography or videography
There are plenty of sights and sceneries to see and enjoy while you are camping. It would be a shame just to commit them to memory alone. Bring your camera with you and start shooting picturesque photos and panoramic videos while camping. If you do not have one, you can even use your mobile phone’s camera. Be sure to collect all the fun footage you can get while camping, as you can compile these later on and watch them when you are home.
g.) Make shadow puppets
Keep your kids entertained by having a fun shadow show at night. Shadow puppets are pretty common at home (using a flashlight) when the lights are out. At a camp where the light source is limited at night, you can use the light from the huge campfire or in your tents with a flashlight.
h.) Study the stars
Stargazing is fun, but it can be much more enjoyable if you know more about the twinkling lights in the black sky. Do this by downloading a stargazing app before you leave for camp. In this way, you will already know more about the starts you see at camp even before arriving there, which makes the experience all the more fun and immersive.
i.) Play cards
If you wish to play something fun and quick, bring a deck of cards with you. You can play outside under a light source or in your tent. You can let the kids join in the fun and have them play a round or two with you.
