For Mother's Day, the moms at grasshavenoutdoor.com and talesofamountainmama.com thought it fun to share a little humorous look at camping and specifically camping moms.
The smell of fresh air and the warmth of campfire, sounds
inviting right? Many moms relish the
camping experience to some degree or another.
A few moms vehemently do not. At
grasshavenoutdor.com, we wanted to better understand camping moms and ask the
question: What’s your camping personality?
The verdicts are in. Each mom has
a different perception of the joys (or tortures) of camping. Explore our light-hearted look at six camping
mom archetypes and answer the question for yourself: “Where do I fit in?”
The Granola Camping Mom
This type of mom gives Bear Gryllis a run for his
money. Empowered, she packs light, hikes
hard and escapes into the backcountry. Journeying with the family into the far
reaches of the wilderness and getting back (way back) to nature is her thing. She brings only the essentials and looks for
nature to provide the rest. Look out wilderness this mama bear is going
native. Pack it in; pack it out…that’s
her mantra.
Motto: “If
Louis and Clark could do it, so can I”
What defines her:
Scoffs at cell phones, technology – there’s no
technology in nature
… well, bears pee in the woods, don’t they?
Forages for bugs, beetles and other sources of protein
What she packs: Dehydrated food (or she uses her
expert hunting and gathering skills); Bivy sack, the shoes on her feet and a
sturdy dose of chutzpah
Where she stays:
Remote, self-created campsite after packing in five miles to climb a
“fourteener”
Her sleeping arrangements: On the ground after the
rocks are removed (mostly)
Secret Wish: A hot shower and fluffy bed
The Den Camp Mother
Calling all camp directors and den mothers (and those who wanna be). This mama knows the ins and outs of the camp but she doesn’t have to go extremes. She just likes to create memorable experiences with her loved ones. Whether it’s camping at a primitive site or a campground with a few creature comforts, she just likes the time with her family and friends. For her, camping is equivalent to quality family time like no other.
Motto: “I’m
game for the outdoors: anytime, anyplace”
What defines her:
Gear is neatly packed in well organized bins and
bags Efficiency is everything; set up and break down is
a snap She’s comfortable in any outdoor situation
What she packs: Multi-functional and multi-use gear
tailored to make the most out of her family’s adventures
Where she stays:
Anywhere. She just likes to be out with her most important people
Her sleeping arrangement: In an ample sized tent, on
a cozy air mattress snuggled next to her family
Secret Wish: To do this again next weekend
The "Glamping" Camping Mom
Ah the perfectly coiffed, styled and set campsite complete
with coordinated stemware set against a perfectly foraged centerpiece that would
make Colin Cowie envious. This is
glamorous, luxury camping at its finest.
This mama puts the Glamp into glamorous camping. Move over Martha, there’s a new outdoor diva
in town.
Motto: Camping
shouldn’t be relegated to roughing it, I © glamorous
camping
What defines her:
Creature comforts abound – she’s got it all
Isn’t everyone’s campsite ready for a Sunset
magazine cover? Serves five-course meal plated on coordinating
dinnerware
What she packs: Everything luxurious and it’s all
coordinated
Where she stays:
Recreational camping destinations - hello? With concierge service, of course
Sleep: Under a duvet encircled down comforter set a
top a 30-foot inflatable mattress. This
princess couldn’t feel a pea even if she tried.
Secret Wish: Sherpa to haul everything back and put
it away
The Haute Wheeling Mama
Arising early at the campsite for this mom entails rolling
out of her bed, turning on the overhead light and creaking open the screen
door. Call it a 5th wheel, camper,
motorhome or trailer; she just calls it her outdoor home. There’s no tent camping for this matriarch
of the open road. Tents are where the
kids (and occasionally the ill-behaved spouse) sleep. She enjoys the well-deserved comforts of her
home on wheels. She survived the
terrible twos, hasn’t she sacrificed enough in her life?
Motto: “Camping,
I love to camp … in the comforts of my home on wheels.”
What defines her:
Four walls, floor, ceiling and 2+ wheels
Square footage that makes a New Yorker envious
Decked out outdoor living space complete with
twinkly lights
What she packs: Clothes, everything else comes
standard in her transportable home
Where she stays: Preferably the RV park with hook-ups
and satellite TV
Her sleeping arrangement: Bed, comforter, nightstand
just like back home
Secret Wish: Sleeping in a moonlight infused tent
The Reluctant Camping Mama
After significant poking, prodding and convincing from the family, this mom reluctantly gets outdoors, albeit, maybe only 25 feet from the backdoor. She characterizes the outdoors as dirty, bug infested and generally uncomfortable but for the sake of her family she’ll venture out. This mom's not keen on camping but musters enough courage to do it for a night (or two).
Motto: If the
going gets rough, this mama goes home
What defines her:
Staying close to camp or her spouse for that matter
Camping sites with appropriate facilities close by (showers,
toilets, running water etc.)
If it gets too extreme she gives up and sleeps in the car
What she packs: Bug, bear and bite spray and leaves
the rest of the packing to the boys
Where she stays:
In the backyard (that’s outdoors right?!?!) or at the closest campgrounds
to civilization (or at the nearest
Holiday Inn worst case)
Her sleeping arrangement: Inside a claustrophobic
mummy sleeping bag on a 0.001 inch self-inflating mat after having left camping
details to the “boys”
Secret Wish: To become a “Den Mother” and do this
again next weekend
The Motel Camping Mama
Operator can I order room service? What, no room service?!?! Now I’m really
camping, this mom thinks to herself. We
all know her (and we might even be her).
She sneers at the idea of staying overnight without a hot shower, indoor
plumbing and the immutable HVAC system.
She craves electricity to power every gadget know to man (err woman) and
she shuns the thought of roughing it. I
mean, no room service…this is roughing it in her mind. She can’t wait to get back to civilization and
like Dorothy, she repeated clicks her heels together citing “there’s no place
like the Spa; there’s no place like the Spa.”
Motto: “Camping?!? Isn’t that a hotel without room service”
What defines her:
Ideal outdoor experience: sitting on the grassy knoll, poolside
Prefers air conditioning to fresh air
Only lifts a polished finger to get the cabana boy’s
attention
What she packs: Everything. Cosmetics; hairdryer and
curling iron. I mean a girl’s gotta look
her best
Where she stays:
With every hotel booked for the Star Wars convention, she’ll grudgingly
stay in the only open vacancy room
Her sleeping arrangement: On a lumpy hotel bed, listening
to a noisy elevator all night
Secret Wish: To be really be outside camping
Whether you’re a mom who delights in the back to nature
basics of camping, hiking five miles with their kids’ and husband’s in
tow. Or a mom from the other spectrum
who views camping as a hotel without room service, all moms are unique and loved
by their families. Whatever the case,
moms are an important part of the outdoor experience however they personally
choose to experience it. We say just get
outside and enjoy it together.
