Camping is the quintessential summer activity, and now that it's October you may think that your chance to go this year has passed. And okay, maybe it has but that doesn't mean you can't get the camping✨vibe✨at home.
Utilizing knowledge gained over 20 years of real life camping trips, and a few google searches, I have curated for you the ultimate at home camping experience.
Food
One of the best parts of camping is the food. Hot-dogs, s'mores, and a cold beer. I can't in good conscience recommend that you start a fire in your living room so instead let's talk about some ways you can make those campfire favourites at home (safely).
The unpredictable hotdog cooking experience that a campfire provides is hard to replicate at home, however you'll be happy to know that hotdogs can be cooked by almost anything that provides heat; stovetop, oven, microwave, bbq, hair dryer, iron, furnace. The choice is yours.
To make s'mores at home start by lining a baking tray with tin foil. Next place a layer of graham crackers with a layer of marshmallows on top. Put it in the oven and broil it until the tops of the marshmallows are golden brown. Add the chocolate and second layer of graham crackers, throw it back in the oven just until the chocolate is melted, and boom you've got s'mores from the comfort of your own home.
Since you're at home and have full access to your pantry this is your chance to really up your s'mores game. Add some peanut butter or banana, substitute Nutella or jam for the chocolate, add chilli powder for all I care, the s'more is your oyster.
Making cold beer at home is surprisingly easy, simply purchase some beer, place the beer in the fridge and within a few hours you will have a refreshing cold one. To really get that true camping feeling try pairing it with a frustrating activity, the way you would camping with setting up the tent. Some suggestions include: organizing your Tupperware containers, dusting your blinds, or doing your taxes.
Sleeping
There's really nothing like sleeping in a tent. The freezing nights, the sun beating in at 5am, the stick poking into your back, waking up slightly damp from condensation, and the sounds of the forest. Wait was that a bear or Dave peeing for the 7th time tonight? It truly is an experience that can't be replicated at home. And besides who has enough open space inside to set up a tent. (If you do please call me I need somewhere to Jazzercise).
Instead go for a good old fashion blanket fort. Not only will it make a hella cute insta pic but I promise you that it will be just as uncomfortable as sleeping in a tent, and you will experience the same relief when you can finally get out in the morning.
Outdoor Activities
Hiking, fishing, kayaking, bike riding; all seemingly outside activities. And well they are. Sure I could tell you to set up a stationary bike in front of your TV and watch some nature show but we all know it's not the same. I could tell you to fill your bathtub with fish and moss and cast a line, but that just sounds like a biohazard waiting to happen. I could tell you to walk up and down your stairs a few hundred times and then stare at a picture of a mountain but the only place that will transport you to is disappointment city.
In reality there really is no way to reap the benefits of the outdoors without actually going outdoors, tragic I know. And luckily for those of us that sustain subzero temperatures for half the year, most activities can be winterized. Plus the snow opens up a whole new range of outdoor hobbies. I mean come on, who doesn't want to strap onto a piece of fibre glass and throw themselves down a mountain?
Disconnecting
Yes I am going to tell you to put your phone away, no I'm not trying to ruin your social life. Like it or not most of us are pretty attached to our phones and putting it down for a while can do more good than you realize.
Having trouble putting it away? You could put it in a bowl of water and freeze it into a block of ice but unfortunately this will result in your phone no longer working once you thaw it. Instead shut it off and put it in the room furthest away from where you're having your campout. Or make a bet with whoever you're with that the person who looks at their phone first has to buy everyone breakfast.
Nighttime Activities
There really is no substitute for conversation around a campfire under the night sky. But that doesn't mean you can't have a different type of fun. That's right I'm talking movie marathon baby! And yes I did just tell you to disconnect from technology but you're not going to learn that your ex is engaged or be invited to join Tiffany's MLM for the 10th time by watching Forrest Gump so it's different okay.
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