Camping.

So we took our kids camping.

Most times when I say that I am met with a surprised, eye brows raised look and sometimes even a chuckle with a "And how'd that go?"

I admit, this family of ours, doesn't seem like the camping type.

And I admit that on the way to the state park H asked if there'd be a microwave in our tent and M asked how we'd cook spaghetti on sticks.

But that doesn't mean we haven't wanted to camp.

I'd been camping as a kid and also as a youth. Big, huge, real camping trips into the boundary waters. But that was years ago and I'd never been the one in charge.

Besides popping up some kids tents and making smores, J and I were both pretty clueless to the extent of work and adventure camping would be.

A couple months ago on a trip to REI, I saw a brochure about the I Can Camp Program. A partnership between MN DNR, Conservation Corps and REI.

The goal behind the program is to better equip and teach families about and how to camp. So they provide everything that you need: tents, air mattresses, camp stove, firewood, dishes....and so on except for your linens like sleeping bags, your clothing (obviously) and your food. They do however provide you with a packing list including important groceries to include.

As soon as I read that all the {expensive} necessities for camping were included, I was sold. So we pulled out our summer calendar and went over the options for an overnight camping trip.

Beyond the provided supplies there were trained staff there the entire time to help and assist as little or as much as we wanted. They demonstrated how to set up camp, how to cook on the camp stove and gave us all sorts of information that campers like us wouldn't have know any other way.

While we were only gone 36 hours or so it was a great experience. We learned a ton. The kids enjoyed every iota of the time we were there. From hiking, to learning about geocaching, to fishing and swimming. Setting up camp. Doing the dishes. Making meals and smores.

For anyone in Minnesota, I would highly recommend the I Can Camp program if you're looking to get your feet wet with some camping experience and see that really, if we can do it, anyone can. There are a lot of dates still open this summer and for $55 you can't go wrong!

Just a few more thoughts on our experience and then it will be picture overload.

They do not recommend infants and toddlers. I was bound and determined to have a family camping trip with all four kids so we did still bring E. This was challenging at moments but not as much as I had anticipated. If anything, the hardest part for me personally was the balance of having two older kids who are quicker and ready to move on to the next thing quicker than the littles ones can get adjusted. Also, if I could go back in time, I would have made H rest in the afternoon at the campsite because he was exhausted and while E could nap in transit, he couldn't.

Speaking of being exhausted, we all were exhausted by the end of day one and by the time we got home the next day. Being outside exclusively wears you out and then add to that the physical aspects of camping and wow, you end up t.i.r.e.d!

Will we rush out and invest in camping gear and all that jazz?

I don't think so quite yet. While we loved it and learned a ton and definitely want to do more things like this with our kids. I am not sure with the ages and stages of our kids right now we would be able to do it on a regular basis yet. I would love to participate in this program again though the true purpose is to equip you so that you can do it on your own.

With all that said, take a look at our camping trip:


Setting up camp.

Lunchtime.

Dishes. One of M's favorite parts.



Widdling wood.



Swimming.

Smores.

Our campsite.

Hiking.



Us.

{Disclosure: I was not paid or compensated in any way by sharing any of this information about REI or Minnesota State Parks and the I Can Camp program. Our family paid for our own camping trip. I shared my own personal opinions because I think it is useful information.}