Camping At Home
While we continue to practice public health recommendations of physical distancing and spending more time at home, we can still stay active, creative and have fun! Whether you have never camped before or an avid camper, you may be surprised how much fun you can have camping at home. No special equipment or expertise required.
Recreation NL has gathered information and resources to help you plan your own camping at home experience.
Benefits of Camping
Camping has many benefits including:
- Improving mental health and reducing stress
- Relationship building and family connectedness
- Physical activity
- Unplugging
- Connection with nature and increased appreciation for the environment
- Skill development and educational opportunities
- Confidence building
Check out these fun Camping At Home videos with MUN Professor TA Loeffler:
Location
You can camp in your front yard, backyard, on your deck or in your living room. Indoor camping can be enjoyed no matter the weather and is great because you don’t have to wait for suitable weather conditions. Camping is fun anywhere!
Tenting
Use your tent that you would normally use on a campground for your backyard or if the weather doesn’t cooperate, indoor camping might be an option – you can build your own blanket fort to sleep in. Listen to how these children made their own indoor tent.
Backyard Campfire
If you have a CSA approved fire pit in your backyard, you’re all set to enjoy a fire with your family. Remember, safety first!
- Fire building is a great activity and learning experience. https://youtu.be/_E_9te0nq3A
- Building an indoor campfire can be a great craft activity. All you need is some paper, scissors and a little creativity. Find out how here.
- Campfire songs are a traditional campfire activity and can be a great sharing and learning experience. You don’t need a musician to enjoy singing around the fire.
Meals/snacks
Camping meals and snacks are always fun. Outside of the usual s’mores and hot dogs, be sure to include some healthy options too! Find more options here:
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/serapprocher-connect/ltc-dlc/bases-basics/recettes-recipes
https://www.cbc.ca/parents/food/view/10-dietitian-approved-camping-snacks-to-keep-your-kid-fuelled-and-satisfied
https://www.healthstandnutrition.com/healthy-camping-food-ideas/
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/food-safety-outdoors
https://www.foodsafety.ca/blog/eating-outdoors-staying-food-safe
Activities
No camping experience is complete without fun camping activities; this is when memories are made.
- Board Games, card games, washer toss, ladder golf, horseshoes, pick up sticks. Or, try making your own games: https://www.partselect.com/JustForFun/DIY-Lawngames-For-The-Labor-Day-Weekend.aspx
- Loose parts play: Not all activity has to be structured; there are many benefits to unstructured play. Gather items you have around your home, such as boxes, containers, sticks, buckets, rope, chalk, etc. and see what you can come up with. https://youtu.be/PFEg6Mlc490
Additional Resources
https://www.ontarioparks.com/parksblog/mental-health-benefits-outdoors/
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-unplugging_b_8917956
https://koa.com/blog/the-benefits-of-camping-why-camping-is-good-for-you/
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/serapprocher-connect/ltc-dlc/bases-basics/liste-list
https://activeforlife.com/making-use-of-loose-parts/
https://extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare/early-care/tip-pages/all/loose-parts-what-does-this-mean
https://activeforlife.com/10-ways-to-backyard-adventure/ https://activeforlife.com/backyard-camping/
https://activeforlife.com/8-active-chalk-games/
For more detailed information, please click here.