Can We Still Camp In A Lockdown?
There have been many reports in the news about people flouting the lockdown rules and going to remote beauty spots to camp, even taking caravans down to caravan parks for a holiday while the sun shines. Obviously, this is unacceptable behaviour and although those people may have been heading for deserted, isolated spots where they may not come into contact with anyone else, it’s still not on to be going against the government guidelines designed to keep us all safe.
With that said, there are many of us who are desperate to get away and have a break from the new normal routine of staying at home all day, and we may not be able to drive off with the tent and sleeping bags in the car, but we can recreate some of the magic of camping at home with a few simple tweaks, and hot running water as an added bonus!
If you’re lucky enough to have a medium to large sized garden, you could decamp there and spend the day doing what you might normally do on a camping trip. For authenticity, get the camping stove out and make a pledge that you will use that for cooking and making tea, instead of the modern conveniences inside. Set the tent up, get the lawn chairs out and settle in with a good book, while the kids do an outdoor scavenger hunt (there are plenty of ideas online for activities kids can do with minimal supervision). You can make a picnic or have a barbecue for your meals, and make it really fun for everyone with marshmallows to toast over the embers.
In terms of bedding, it may be simpler to bring down the pillows and duvets you use every day, but if you want to really go for the authentic experience then get the sleeping bags out. We think having some home comforts (as they’re so close to hand!) would make a garden camping trip that little bit more special (and less work to pack away afterwards).
If you have a caravan or motorhome take the chance to have a night or two “away” from home, even if you’re only parked on the driveway. With a familiar camping style environment and easy access to your home fridge, a night or two in your motorhome could be just the change you need to break up the tedium of lockdown.
If you don’t have access to outdoor space, and you haven’t got room to set the tent up indoors then make a blanket fort instead. Sheets and duvet covers can be draped across furniture to make a cosy camp inside, and you can sleep in there for a change of scenery. These are great fun for kids to make and still just as fun for big kids too! Turn off the screens and pretend you’re camping in the wild – with a little imagination the stairs could become a mountain to climb, a pet could be a wild animal you have to tame, and what better opportunity for a game of hide and seek?
Home camping can be great fun as well, as an opportunity to check over your camping kit for the next time you’re able to use it for a holiday. Why not spend some of your camping time researching options for new campsites to visit and new places to go for when the lockdown has been fully lifted?
