Camping looks very different depending on who you ask.
For some people, it’s about roughing it, packing light, and seeing how little sleep they can survive on. For others, it’s about luxury RV resorts with outdoor TVs and margarita machines. And for a lot of families—ours included—it’s somewhere in the middle.
We camp because we want to slow down, not because we want to suffer.
We’re a busy family. Our regular life is packed with work, school, schedules, and a never-ending to-do list. When we carve out time to camp, we want it to feel like a break—not another project that leaves us more exhausted than when we arrived.
That’s why our camping style has evolved into something very specific over the years:
comfort-first, money-conscious, lake-loving camping using both tents and an RV.
This post explains how and why we camp the way we do, what matters to us (and what absolutely doesn’t), and who this blog is really for. If you’ve ever thought, “I love camping, but I’m tired and I don’t want to be miserable,” you’re probably our people.
Why We Camp at All (Because It’s Not About Being Hardcore)
Let’s start here: we don’t camp to prove anything.
We’re not trying to win an award for toughest campers or impress strangers with how minimalist we can be. We camp because:
- We love sitting by the lake for hours with nowhere else to be
- We love campfires that stretch late into the evening
- We sleep better when the days are simple and outside
- We like waking up without alarms and drinking coffee slowly
Camping is one of the few ways we can fully unplug from daily life while still being together as a family.
But here’s the thing no one talks about enough: camping is only relaxing if it doesn’t become a logistical nightmare.
When camping turns into:
- terrible sleep
- constant discomfort
- endless setup and teardown
- forgotten essentials
- overspending on gear that doesn’t help
…it stops being fun very quickly.
Our entire approach is built around avoiding that outcome.
Comfort Is Not a Dirty Word
Somewhere along the line, “comfort” became a bad word in camping circles.
You’ll see comments online like:
- “That’s not real camping.”
- “You might as well stay home.”
- “Camping isn’t supposed to be comfortable.”
We couldn’t disagree more.
For us, comfort is what makes camping sustainable. It’s the reason we go more than once a year. It’s the reason we come home refreshed instead of cranky.
Comfort, to us, means:
- Sleeping well enough to enjoy the next day
- Sitting in chairs that don’t wreck our backs
- Having enough light to move around safely at night
- Being warm (or cool) enough to actually relax
- Eating simple meals without a mountain of dishes
Notice what comfort doesn’t mean:
- Luxury for luxury’s sake
- Buying the most expensive version of everything
- Overpacking just because we can
Comfort is about reducing friction, not adding stuff.
Why We Do Both Tent Camping and RV Camping
A lot of people feel like they have to pick a side: tent or RV.
We don’t. And honestly, that flexibility has made camping far more enjoyable for us.
Tent Camping: When We Want Simplicity and the Outdoors
We still love tent camping. There’s something about being closer to nature that’s hard to beat, especially at the lake.
We tend to choose tent camping when:
- The weather forecast is solid
- The trip is shorter
- We want a simpler setup
- We’re feeling energized instead of burned out
But our tent setup has evolved a lot. We’re not sleeping on the ground “just because.” We prioritize:
- real sleep systems
- easy setup
- enough space to move around
If tent camping means waking up sore and grumpy, we’re doing it wrong—for us.
RV Camping: When We Need Rest to Actually Happen
Our RV is our secret weapon for busy seasons of life.
We choose RV camping when:
- We’re exhausted before we even leave
- The trip is longer
- Weather might be unpredictable
- We want guaranteed good sleep
Sleeping in the trailer at night means:
- real mattresses
- temperature control
- quick bedtime routines
- less setup and teardown
It allows us to enjoy the outside during the day and actually rest at night—which is the whole point.
This hybrid approach lets us camp more often, not less.
The Lake Is the Center of Everything
If there’s one non-negotiable for us, it’s water.
We spend most of our camping time by the lake:
- sitting in chairs
- watching the water
- swimming, floating, wading
- doing absolutely nothing productive
Lake days slow everything down. They don’t require planning or entertainment schedules. Everyone can do their own thing without needing constant supervision or structure.
Because of this, our gear, routines, and campground choices are all built around lake life:
- chairs that handle sand and water
- towels and shoes that dry quickly
- simple meals that don’t interrupt the day
- shade and lighting that make it comfortable to stay out longer
Camping isn’t about filling every hour. It’s about creating space to rest.
Being Busy Changes How You Camp
This is something we don’t see talked about enough.
When you’re busy—really busy—your energy becomes a limited resource. Camping can’t demand more energy than it gives back.
That means:
- We care a lot about setup time
- We don’t bring things that create extra work
- We repeat systems that already work
- We simplify meals, packing, and routines
We’re not interested in reinventing camping every trip. We want reliable, low-effort systems that let us arrive and relax.
This blog exists because we know we’re not the only family living this way.
Our Budget Philosophy: Value Over “Cheap” or “Luxury”
We are very intentional about money.
We don’t buy the cheapest option just to save a few dollars, and we don’t assume the most expensive option is automatically better. We ask a simple question:
Is this worth the money for how we actually camp?
That means:
- spending more on sleep
- spending more on things we use every day
- refusing to overspend on trendy gear
- avoiding duplicates and gimmicks
We’d rather buy one thing that lasts and makes camping easier than five things that barely help.
On this blog, you’ll see:
- honest discussions about cost
- where we splurge
- where we absolutely don’t
- what we regret buying
Affiliate links may be present, but they’ll always be for things we use, would buy again ourselves and have researched.
What We’ve Learned the Hard Way
Our camping style wasn’t born overnight. It came from trial, error, and plenty of frustration.
We’ve learned that:
- Bad sleep ruins trips faster than bad weather
- Too much gear creates stress, not comfort
- Campfires matter more than elaborate activities
- Simple food beats complicated “camp meals”
- Being realistic beats being aspirational
We’ve packed too much. We’ve packed the wrong things. We’ve chased ideas of what camping should look like instead of what actually worked for us.
This blog is about sharing those lessons so other families don’t have to repeat them.
Who This Blog Is For (And Who It’s Not)
This blog is for:
- families who love camping but hate chaos
- people who want comfort without guilt
- busy parents who need rest
- lake-loving campers
- budget-aware campers who value quality
It’s probably not for:
- ultralight backpackers
- people who enjoy suffering “for the experience”
- luxury-only RV resort travelers
- gear collectors who buy things just to buy them
And that’s okay.
Camping doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.
What You’ll Find Here Going Forward
On this blog, we’ll share:
- how we sleep comfortably camping
- our tent and RV setups
- lake-focused routines
- gear that actually earns its place
- what we stopped bringing and why
- honest comparisons and tradeoffs
You won’t find:
- perfection
- staged influencer camping
- “best of” lists with no context
You will find real opinions and real experiences from a family just trying to enjoy their time outside.
Why We’re Sharing This
Camping has given us some of our best family moments—but only after we stopped trying to do it “right” and started doing it our way.
If sharing what we’ve learned helps another busy family:
- sleep better
- relax more
- stress less
- and actually look forward to camping trips
…then this blog has done its job.
If you’re here because you want lake days, campfires, and a good night’s sleep—welcome. You’re in the right place.
And if you’re just getting started then check our list of 12 Family Camping Must Haves to begin your own camping experience.
