Camping for Canada Day

Summer trips are looking a little different in 2020 with international and even inter-provincial travel off the table. Instead we get to focus in on our own province and our favourite spots, or maybe some new ones, closer to home. Camping is an incredible option this summer (as always!) because we know that the spread of COVID-19 is reduced when we’re outside and it’s relatively easy to practice physical distancing when you’re camping.

One of the best benefits of camping is being outside all day and the added activity that goes along with it. The kids take off on their bikes and are only see again when yummy food smells start filling the campground at mealtimes. Or they explore the woods, scrambling over logs, swinging in the hammock, playing with insects. This type of unstructured play is so good for children, building their independence, sense of adventure, ability to manage risk and connection with nature. And hopefully the grown ups also get up and get moving—hiking, biking and swimming go hand-in-hand with camping! Not to mention chopping wood, setting up tents and tarps and organizing the food prep.

The food is often the best part! A hot meal around the campfire is such a treat after a day enjoying the outdoors. But it doesn’t have to be all about the s’mores, chips, hot dogs and cold beverages (and then the lousy feeling you get when you consume only that for a few days). Hanging out at the campsite can give you lots of time to make a stupendous meal, as long as you’ve done the essential advance planning.

One of the simplest solutions to camp cooking is to bring a pre-made meal, ideally that you made for dinner prior to coming, doubled-up the amount and froze the leftovers. Perhaps a veggie chili, stew, curry or hearty soup. If you have more time on your hands, prep bean burritos, pita pizzas or Dutch oven lasagna that can cook over the coals. Try to keep to the Canada’s Food Guide recommendations, at least some of time, and include lots of veggies, fruit, whole grains and plant-based proteins. A bag full of fresh-cut veggies is the perfect thing to snack on or pack for a hike and it helps to quench our thirst after the salty treats.

So this Canada Day, consider celebrating the beautiful country we live in by getting close to nature and camping in the great outdoors! If you’re looking for a spot, visit http://bcparks.ca/ and make a reservation at https://discovercamping.ca/bccweb/.