Your First Overnight

There’s something unforgettable about your first camping trip—the moment you zip up your tent, breathe in the smell of pine and campfire smoke, and realize you’re spending the night outside the familiar comfort of home. Maybe you packed way too much gear, or maybe not quite enough, but that mix of excitement and nervous curiosity is part of the adventure. With every crackling fire, rustling leaf, and star‑filled sky, you start to understand why so many people fall in love with camping. It’s not just about being outdoors—it’s about discovering a simpler, slower rhythm that reminds you what it feels like to truly unplug.

01Backyard Camping: Adventure Begins at Home

If you're like me you head to the nearest state park, set up your campsite and realize the shortcomings of your first (kind of) wilderness experience. Tent-check, sleeping bag-check, sleeping pads-must be for the weak, camp kitchen-oops, we ended up in the lodge ordering omelets and pancakes. That's why I suggest your first night, set your expectations low, prepare for an epic tale of bravery, survival, and the constant temptation to go back inside and sleep in your own bed. Your first night may be less glamorous, your family will wish to retreat, and it will yield numerous lessons. Were we warm enough? Would glow sticks have made the kids' night more fun? Was a 2:00AM bathroom break the worst surprise? Whatever it may be, take notes and jot things down. I keep a Camp Daddy Journal. Most importantly, MAKE IT FUN!

02Beyond the Backyard: Make it Fun

You've done it! You conquered your backyard and the kids loved it, or if they're like my teenagers, they rolled their eyes and I told them we're moving onto our next adventure. If they put down their phones for even forty minutes to become a pastry chef in the most delicious s'more competition I might as well have conquered Mt. Everest.

Car Camping, Backpacking, Glamping? As you begin to gear up, you'll want to decide if you will always be in close proximity to your vehicle or whether you wish to venture deeper into the wilderness.

03Car Camping

Car camping simply means you set up your campsite close to your vehicle. Your car is your storage unit, your gear hauler, and sometimes your emergency backup plan. Because you don’t have to carry your equipment long distances, car camping allows for bulkier, heavier, and more comfortable gear—think larger tents, plush sleeping pads, coolers full of food, and camp chairs. It’s a great choice for beginners, families, and anyone who wants to enjoy nature without going fully minimalist.

04Backpacking

Backpacking, on the other hand, is all about mobility and self‑sufficiency. You carry everything you need—shelter, food, water, clothing, and essentials—on your back as you hike from point to point. Since every ounce matters, backpacking gear tends to be lighter, more compact, and more specialized. Comfort is still important, but you trade some luxury for efficiency and endurance. Backpacking typically involves more planning, more physical effort, and a deeper level of immersion in nature.

05Glamping

As we've traveled, our family has found a hybrid model that works for us. Two nights in a tent, followed by a night in a hotel. A rustic one bedroom cabin that feels more luxurious than a tent but at a fraction of the cost of a hotel. There are plenty of options to get your family traveling, outdoors, and to some of America's most beautiful destinations without busting the budget.

06Gear For Your Journeys

Gulp, how much of my hard-earned money will this hobby cost me? The answer, of course, is it depends. Personally, I've spent more than necessary, and I hope my Basic Gear Guide will help you be more frugal with your purchases. Many of the basics are things you already have. To begin, think of the 7 Essentials: Shelter, Sleep System, Cooking, First Aid Kit, Lighting, Water, Clothing.