I’ve only had hypothermia once in my life. I was nine years old and swimming in a KOA camp pool alone. The sun set and, as it does in the mountains, the temperatures dropped suddenly. When I got out of the pool, I was so cold that I couldn’t move. I began to shiver uncontrollably| Mom Goes Camping
After more than a decade of camping with my family and testing countless campfire cooking methods, I can confidently say that nothing beats the flavor and experience of cooking over an open flame. There's something almost magical about gathering around a crackling fire, watching your meal slowly transform while breathing in that distinctive smoky aroma.But| Mom Goes Camping
The great outdoors is awe-inspiring, provides a respite from urban hustle and bustle, and gives endless opportunities for adventure and discovery. However, the great outdoors can also be terrifying – and nothing seems to embody this fear more than bears. Let’s be clear: most of these bear fears are completely unfounded. You are more likely| Mom Goes Camping
Your Ultimate Kids Camping & Outdoor Survival Guide Expert tips, gear reviews and hacks from an outdoorsy mom...| Mom Goes Camping - Mom Goes Camping
Last Updated on 10/2025 by Mom Goes Camping Planning meals for your next backpacking trip doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. After years of testing different meal strategies on the trail with my family, I’ve learned that the best backpacking meals are lightweight, calorie-dense, and actually enjoyable to eat after a long day of […] The post 29 Lightweight Backpacking Meal Ideas (No-Cook and Cold-Soak Options) first appeared on Mom Goes Camping.| Mom Goes Camping
Last Updated on 10/2025 by Mom Goes Camping Planning meals for a backpacking trip doesn’t have to be overwhelming. After years of trial and error on the trail with my family, I’ve learned that taking time to create a proper meal plan is one of the smartest things you can do before heading into the […] The post Backpacking Meal Plan Examples (with Calorie Counts) first appeared on Mom Goes Camping.| Mom Goes Camping
Last Updated on 10/2025 by Mom Goes Camping The risk of a bear attack while outdoors is incredibly low. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t practice bear safety tactics when in bear country, one of which is carrying bear spray. There are a lot of misconceptions around bear spray though, and also a lot of […] The post Bear Spray 101: Best Brands, How to Use, Most Effective Way to Carry, Common Mistakes and More first appeared on Mom Goes Camping.| Mom Goes Camping
Last Updated on 10/2025 by Mom Goes Camping After 15+ years of backpacking with my daughters across multiple continents—from the Albanian Alps to the trails of Eastern Europe—I’ve learned that choosing the right backpacking stove can make or break your outdoor cooking experience. Unless you’re content munching on Snickers and GORP for days, you’ll need […] The post Backpacking Stoves Guide: Your Six Best Options first appeared on Mom Goes Camping.| Mom Goes Camping
Last Updated on 10/2025 by Mom Goes Camping Knowing how to make a fire in the rain is one of my favorite camping skills – and honestly, one of the most rewarding. There’s something incredibly satisfying about getting a fire going in a downpour when everyone else has given up. It makes rainy camping trips […] The post How to Make a Fire in the Rain first appeared on Mom Goes Camping.| Mom Goes Camping
Making a campfire (or what I like to call caveman television) is by far one of the most fun parts of camping. It's also a really important survival skill to know in case you ever need to signal for help, dry wet clothing or purify water. Here's what you need to know to make a| Mom Goes Camping
After over a decade of family camping adventures across national parks and backcountry trails, I've witnessed countless camping disasters that could have been easily avoided. From electronics disrupting wildlife to dangerous fire accelerants causing evacuation scares, these experiences taught me valuable lessons about what not to pack. While there are plenty of lists of what| Mom Goes Camping
Winter camping definitely has its benefits, like being able to visit popular destination without the crowds and enjoying beautiful white vistas. But, for the unprepared, a winter camping trip and end up miserable or be downright dangerous. So, if you are planning a cold weather or winter camping trip, read these tips first. The tips| Mom Goes Camping
I love the spontaneity of travel and not knowing what you will encounter. But I do NOT love getting traveler's diarrhea the day before I am supposed to take a 9-hour bus ride. Or having my kid wake up at 3AM with a fever and having to rush through an unknown city trying to find| Mom Goes Camping
In the outdoors, I’m not afraid of snakes or bears and definitely not insects. But I’ll admit it: ticks absolutely freak me out. I've had Lyme disease before, and it is no joke. The good news is that, if you remove a tick properly within 24 hours of it biting you, there is almost no| Mom Goes Camping
I pride myself in being someone who prepares for everything. I’m always imagining the worst-case scenarios and how I’d deal with them (it actually drives my husband crazy because I’m so “pessimistic”). Still, I wasn’t fully prepared the first time I got sick while camping. I’m not talking about a bit of the sniffles. I| Mom Goes Camping
As much as I love Mother Nature, I also know that she isn’t always kind. Even if you are completely prepared, bad things can happen. Nobody is immune to injury, sickness, getting lost, animal attacks… In addition to a first aid kit and hiking “survival” items (see list here), it’s recommended that you carry a way of calling for| Mom Goes Camping
My dad regularly took my sister and me camping when we were kids. Some of my best childhood memories are from camping trips with my family. So, when I became a parent, I also want to take my kids camping. Even for experienced campers, camping with children can be a bit overwhelming. Will they be| Mom Goes Camping
Why Camping Is Great for Families and Kids with ADHD As a mother of a child with ADHD, I know firsthand how overwhelming everyday life can feel. Balancing school, work, and all the little moments in between often leaves little time to truly connect with my son. But something incredible happens when we go camping.| Mom Goes Camping
Last Updated on 08/2025 by Mom Goes Camping After five years of real-world testing, I can confidently say the Naturehike […] The post Naturehike Cloud Up Tent Review (Five Year Update) first appeared on Mom Goes Camping.| Mom Goes Camping
How Much GORP to Bring Backpacking? Your Complete Planning Guide After countless backpacking trips with my daughter over the past 10 years – from beginner-friendly day hikes to multi-day wilderness adventures – I've learned that getting your GORP portions right can make or break your trail experience. Too little, and you'll be dreaming of gas| Mom Goes Camping
Fall is my absolute favorite time to go camping and hiking. There are no bugs. The leaves are gorgeous and crowds have gone home. But camping in fall can mean a lot of rain. Which also means mud. To make it worse, it gets cold. It’s taken me a while to perfect my clothing system| Mom Goes Camping
As a mom who goes wild camping in remote areas with my young daughter, I take my backpacking first aid kit seriously. Injuries like sprains and fractures are very common in the backcountry. Even minor first aid issues like diarrhea or a nasty blister can completely ruin your trip. But here’s the issue when building| Mom Goes Camping
Camping with kids isn’t just about roasting marshmallows and sleeping under the stars.| Mom Goes Camping
Accidents can happen anytime but are more likely when you are camping. This is why you always need to have a complete first aid kit with you when camping. I’ve made a printable camping first aid checklist with everything you might need. Download the checklist here (PDF). Or keep reading to see the checklist and| Mom Goes Camping
Want your kids to get outside, even if the weather is bad? At the very least, they are going to need a rain jacket. There are a lot of options for kids rain jackets. I’ve narrowed it down by waterproof rating, how breathable the fabric is, durability, and features like adjustable hoods. Oh, and cute| Mom Goes Camping
I have a love/hate relationship with ultralight tents and backpacking gear. On one side, I hate how snobbish some people are about gear. Not everyone can shell out hundreds of dollars for UL gear, and they shouldn’t be made to feel bad for using whatever gear they can afford. On the other hand, I’m a| Mom Goes Camping
