Camping is more than just good for the soul. Camping increases imagination and cognitive focus, and leads to longer, healthier lives.
If your kids aren't part of the 6 percent of children who actually play outside, then it's even more important to reserve a campsite and plan a family camping trip. Here are four reasons why it just might be exactly what your family needs.
- 60 Minutes of Daily Free Play is Essential
Just a minimal amount of daily, unstructured play was essential to the mental and physical health of children. While you may not be able to make this happen every day, a family camping trip is the perfect chance to do so.
Bring bikes and let your children ride around the campground with friends or siblings. This unstructured free time will not only benefit their mind and body but also tucker them out before bedtime.
- 10 Percent of Parents Want to Teach Their Kids
Parents motivation for camping was to teach their children about the outdoors. Immersing your family in the wilderness, with most electronic items left behind, is the best way to teach your kids the value of camping and being outside.
Take a hike together and talk about what's around you. Turn it into a game with a nature-based scavenger hunt; include tree types, animals and basic plants. When your kids find the items, you can take the opportunity to teach them about it.
- 90 Percent Believe RVs Are the Best Form of Family Travel
Camping is not only done in a tent, for many it's done in an RV. Nine out of 10 RV owners cited this as the best way to travel with family. While there are a variety of reasons for this, the most important is that an RV provides the perfect space for family bonding, at the campsite and on the road.
Rent an RV for your next family camping trip. Take advantage of the uninterrupted time together while driving, and enjoy nature as a family around a fire or on the trails.
- Within Minutes of Being Outside, Stress Levels Fall
8.4 percent of children ages 3 to 17 are diagnosed with ADHD, and many outdoors groups are striving to prove much of that is attributed to a lack of time outside.
Whether your child has been diagnosed with an attention deficit disorder or not, spending time outside on a family camping trip is always beneficial. Enjoy relaxing at the site or walk around, either one will do the trick.
Camping not only melts the stress off your children, but you too.
Still not convinced? Other benefits of family camping include:
Improved group cohesiveness
More family memories
Family camping trips benefit everyone involved, so plan a camping vacation this summer or fall to enjoy quality family time and all the other benefits that come with it.