Six Shortcuts to Stress-Free Camping

For me, camping is an event.

Not a habit or a way of life.

Coming from an urban family who had access to a cabin on the weekends, camping wasn't really appealing to my parents.

Flirting with a taste for adventure at a very young age, between the "let's save ourselves" and the "I can take some", I jumped with both feet into the various opportunities for a change of scenery. Because that's what we're really looking for: a change of scenery, a change of air or, as my mother used to say: "change the bad place!"

Scout camps, wild camping and hiking punctuated my childhood and adolescence. Always on an adventure, without my parents. So it is clear to me that camping rhymes more with friends than with family.

Each one has their own references. Each one has their own traditions.

But now that I'm an adult and a mother, I get the taste for camping from time to time. So, when it's a GO, I use several shortcuts that aren't very scout-friendly, but that can save me a lot of stress. It's totally counterintuitive to take time in nature if it's to stress yourself out, right?

Here are my 5+1 favorite shortcuts:

1 — Molo, you will begin.

No need to go out and equip yourself from A to Z or change your car before your first adventure. Ready-to-camp sites or rustic cabins are excellent first steps. We practice managing food. With a small fridge and a cooking station inside, it's one less stress. Ready-to-camp was my favorite when my daughter was not yet a year old.

2 — You will benefit from twinning.

Going with another family (ideally more experienced than yours) is an option where you can put yourself in learning mode. You observe, take notes and benefit from their experience and equipment. My favorite shortcut: go with Julie and her family! The complementarity of caravan and tent is really interesting!

3 — You will bring ready-to-eat meals.

After planning your menu using batch cooking , a few ready-to-eat meals are a great way to complete the question: "what would we eat while camping?" Introduced during the pandemic to meal boxes from local caterers, why not take inspiration from them and bring a few sous-vide meals to reheat in boiling water for just a few minutes? At my house, spaghetti sauce in a jar, ribs or sous-vide pulled pork are winning ideas. Bonus: it doesn't take up much space and there's no preparation in advance!

4 — You will do the setting up and visualization.

Limit your time preparing meals and increase the time spent having an aperitif around the fire! Wash, peel, and cut in advance what you will need during your stay. This limits the use of drinking water if that is an issue. Also, for each meal, visualize what you will need, chronologically. This will allow you not to forget the bottle opener, the pasta strainer, the fondue forks, etc.

5 — You will not sulk about your comfort.

If space allows, avoid playing the "real" and bring what is necessary for your comfort, your happiness. Are you a marabout without your pillow? Let's go! You hesitate to bring a small heater, go ahead! Leave a pair of shoes behind at worst! Camping equals smile, not martyrdom.

And a little extra

6 — You will not neglect to practice.

Check that you are able to pitch the borrowed tent or that there are no missing pegs. A test night or pilot afternoon may seem counterproductive for a shortcut, but it is nothing compared to biting your fingers of "I should have" once you get there.

On that note, enjoy a change of scenery, far from stress!

This blog post is part of our special “Camping” feature. To see all the content in this feature, which offers tips and advice to make your next nature getaway easier, check out this article !