Green camping

I’m writing this post from Indian Creek campground on Priest Lake. Yes, they have wi-fi. Yes, I brought my laptop. Yes, I have a problem.

On the fire in front of me, I have chicken cooking in my Dutch oven. To my right is a forest with a stream my daughters like to jump across. On my left is one of the prettiest lakes you can imagine. Life is good.

Behind me, though, is our picnic table and I’m thinking about the ways our family could go greener on our next camping trip (of which there will be several this summer).

First of all, we can skip the individual water bottles and bring large, reusable water jugs from home instead. We hardly ever buy single-serving snacks (like applesauce packs, cheese sticks, etc.) during the school year, but somehow it’s a convenience my husband likes to have while we’re camping. We also packed plastic plates and utensils. We wash and re-use them, so I don’t see why we can’t just buy some spare (real) plates, mugs and dinnerware from a thrift shop and keep them with the rest of our camping gear.

The key to making those changes is planning ahead. Buy a big block of cheese and cut it ahead of time or bring a knife, for example.

As far as vacations go, camping is a pretty green option. You usually don’t fly in an airplane to get to the campgrounds. You’re not using the resources required to take care of guests in hotels. And, most important on my list, you’re getting up close and personal with nature. I don’t think it’s possible to love and want to protect the earth without spending some quality time with it, whether you garden in your backyard or sleep under the stars.

I found some resources that offer tips for greener camping. Check out these links, then let me know—Do you camp? What earth-friendly practices do you follow?

Nomadik Life

Earth 9-1-1 (one of my favorite tips there is to buy secondhand camping supplies, especially if you only camp a few times a year)

Canadian Living (I like their tip to stop at roadside fruit stands and farmers’ markets ahead of time so you can eat local while you camp)