Camping was another highlight of our kids' growing-up years. Without a doubt, they said, some of their greatest memories, some of the times they loved best, and some of the times they appreciated most were the family's camping trips. We camped a lot when they were small. As they got older we couldn't go as often because they were all involved in sports—football, basketball, track, everything you can imagine. It was too hard to get away then, but when they were younger, we camped all the time.

In the early years we frequently camped in tents, sometimes in those little pop-up trailers. Later we bought a used motor home, so it was always ready to go. We would just jump in it on a Friday night, drive to a local campground, and camp overnight. We would find a place where we could do a little exploring, tell stories, and have hot dogs around a campfire. They were wonderful, wonderful experiences. Sometimes we would take a week or two, sometimes as much as three weeks, and we would go camping in Canada, Colorado, Texas, or the California mountains.

I remember some disastrous experiences, but those were really the times that bonded us together. Sometimes the disappointments, the surprises, the battles, even the accidents, were the most important parts of the overall experience. But however great or terrible things may have seemed at the time, we all knew that we were in it together. We were a family, and somehow that was enough to hold us together.

In our meeting last Thanksgiving, the kids said that on of the things they appreciated most was the fact that they were all so close in age. There are eighteen months between Kari and Greg and five years between Greg and Mike. That has been a nice age span. Whenever we did do things together, whether it was camping or anything else, they were not just siblings but best friends to boot. That was a big help for Norma and me, and it helped make our outings more fun for everybody.

The real and lasting importance of our camping trips was that it allowed Norma and me to be involved with our children on a personal basis, developing personal friendships with them, and forming memories and bonds with them that would be there the rest of our lives. I cannot overstress how important that has been.

© Copyright 2005 Smalley Relationship Center

Print this page

E-mail this page

Bookmark this page

Back to top