With the new warmer weather approaching, I’ve recently found myself reflecting on some of my fondest childhood memories which seem to often revolve around camping trips and adventures in the great outdoors. The sight of towering mountains, the scent of pine and the peacefulness of nature have always brought me a deep sense of joy.

Since my son was born, I haven’t spent enough time in the forest. This year my son is turning four, but because he has special needs we haven’t been able to try camping, hiking or other outdoor adventures as we’d like in the past. However, thanks to the incredible progress he’s made this past year and the support from his amazing school. This summer marks a huge milestone for us – a chance to get out into the woods, sleep under the stars and hike some trails. Our idea of camping is far from luxury; we believe in roughing it with minimal technology. Our goal for our children is to learn valuable lessons from nature and foster a connection with the wilderness. A lesson that will hopefully become some of their fondest childhood memories too!

Preparing for the coming camping season

As we start to prepare for the upcoming camping season, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and a little nervousness along with that! Our son can have a hard time in new places, but I’ve noticed on the few hikes we’ve recently taken him on that he is on cloud nine!! He is so happy out there, I can’t wait to see how he does on a short trip. For my son, these upcoming trips are more than just some summer activity, it’s a chance for him to explore, learn and grow in an environment that offers endless possibilities for adventure and discovery. From roasting marshmallows over a fire to seeing wildlife up close, there are countless valuable lessons just waiting to be learned. 

For me, this is a chance to watch the kids not only learn and grow, but also to disconnect and rediscover what sets my soul on fire! I am excited about getting to unplug and tackle some of the feelings I have been feeling lately. There’s something profoundly grounding about stepping away from the conveniences and distractions of modern living and embracing a simpler way of being. In the early morning hikes through the forest, or the quiet moments under the stars by the fire, we hope to find a sense of peace and connection we can’t always find within our day-to-day routines.

Gratitude for this opportunity

I’m filled with so much gratitude for this opportunity. I feel so grateful to be able to live in the beautiful state of Montana that offers so many outdoor opportunities. And that I have a job that allows me to do this sort of thing. This year we plan to stay in state and, then hope to do some traveling out of state in the coming years, if all goes well. We can’t wait to see how this opportunity comes to life!

Here’s to a summer filled with camping, adventure, moments of happiness and maybe a few tears along the way 🙂 May we all find the time to get outside, breathe in the fresh air, unplug and bask in the beauty of nature’s wonders.

xoxo, Shannon

If you want to see all we plan to bring on our camping trips, we’ve linked everything in another blog post. Click the button below to check it out!