5 Tips for Planning a Camping Staycation

I received one or more products mentioned in this post as a Nature’s Sleep Ambassador. Some links in this post may be affiliate links.

Your schedule or budget may not be allowing you to jet set this summer, but the good news is with a little creativity, you can plan postcard worthy vacation right in your own backyard. Summer is the perfect time to camp and enjoy the beauty that nature gifts us, so why not plan a camping staycation? It is much easier than you may think, so take a peek below at how you can get planning.

5 Tips for Planning a Camping Staycation

1. Choose a theme.
Make your campout more fun when you choose a theme. It can be movie themed, Hawaiian themed, 50’s themed, etc. This can help you choose some of the meals, games, and other activities you will enjoy. It is also great for when decorating your camp site!

2. Gather your materials.
You want to make sure you have the basics for your camping staycation. Tents, blankets, sleeping bags, and bug spray are probably the main ones you won’t want to do without. Your local retail store should have these items all at a reasonable cost this time of year. Make a list as a family of the other items you want to include on this staycation.

You don’t have to rough it just because you’re sleeping in a tent in the back yard! You can grab a Nature’s Sleep Topper and slide it into your tent under your sleeping bag. Then you an sleep in comfort! Don’t forget to bring your Nature’s Sleep pillow along too!

You can get your own Nature’s Sleep topper just for camping, or to add to those not so comfortable camper beds for 40% off during the month of June. Just use the code “topper.”

3. Build anticipation.
In the week leading up to your staycation, start packing your materials and getting excited! Act just as you would if leaving for a real vacation. Countdown the days, tell friends, pack your materials, etc. You really want the family to get excited as a whole.

4. Organize a menu.
Camping means lots of grilling out. Make sure you plan a menu that will go with the theme of your camping staycation. Enjoy grilling out, cooking on an open fire, and lots of trail mixes and snacks. These meals will make it an authentic experience you are sure to enjoy.

5. Prepare your site.
Once you are ready to begin, prepare your site. A good rule of thumb for an at home, camping staycation is a weekend. Three days is typically perfect for camping out and enjoying the elements in your own yard. Go ahead and pitch your tent, prepare a fire pit, hang patio lights, set up a picnic table, yard games, a kiddie pool, and any other items you wish. Prepare the area for lots of outdoor fun! If weather is not permitting, don’t be afraid to set up your site right in your own living room.

Throughout your camping staycation, stay in the theme and enjoy living in the outdoors (with quick potty trips indoors when you need of course!) and just have fun. Planning a camping staycation is the perfect way to get away without leaving your own backyard…literally! So give one a try and see what adventures you can come up with.

If you’d like to try to win a Nature’s Sleep mattress topper for your own camping trip you can enter to win from June 21st to July 15th. Check out the #NaturesSleep Twitter party next Tuesday June 24th to find out more details and learn how you can turn camping into glamping, even in your back yard. Follow @NaturesSleep for all the details.