A dear friend asked me for campsite suggestions and it took me down a road of happy memories.
I started camping at 21 when a friend invited me. We camped together almost every summer for nearly 20 years with the hubby and his partner.
I never camped as a child and it was an experience I wanted to share with T when we adopted him.
Since age 1, T has gone on camping and outdoor adventures and I treasure each experience.
I believe the outdoors are great for kids with FASD.
Every child is different. For T, the vast outdoors give him plenty of space to run wild and safely expend his endless energy.
I believe that green therapy provides healing qualities for the mind, body and spirit.
Sharing my picks with my friend took me down memory lane to fun camping adventures with T.
Summer 2016
We’re blessed to live in a province with an abundance of parks with campsites that are a short drive from the city.
My favourite park is Killbear, located near Parry Sound, Ontario. This was the first campsite we took T to, two months after he entered our lives.
T was just 1.5 year old. Look how tiny he was!
Yes, we set up his portable crib! That stuffed Ladybug has been with us on our adventures since Day 1 up till our recent Spring Break trip.
T’s first time waking up at a campsite.
I’ve posted this photo of T looking out at the beauty of Georgian Bay from the rocky shores of Killbear before. I never tire of thinking about the look of amazement in his eyes.
One of my favourite candid photos of T and I. He did not enjoy swimming in the water that summer because it was too cold.
One of my favourite photos of T and the hubby, taken by the windswept “AY Jackson” tree. It’s tradition to take photos of T with this tree during every visit – to mark the passage of time.
Later that summer, during Labour Day weekend, we went on a second camping trip – this time, with my camping friends at beautiful Algonquin Park.
This was T about to go on his first kayak ride!
Summer 2017
We returned to Algonquin the following summer. There is so much to explore at this park.
It was evident from a young age how drawn T is to the water.
This was T’s first canoe ride around Opeongo Lake.
The scenery was beautiful. But our two-year-old still needed his afternoon nap.
We stopped on a small island and had it all to ourselves. We enjoyed a picnic. In just one summer, T became comfortable in the cold lake water.
Look at that vast open space for our little guy to run around in and explore!
On our second evening, the temperature dropped to 8 degrees Celsius and we thought we were gonna freeze to death. T woke up crying of the cold so we took him out of the crib to sleep with us.
Snuggling together in a tent is a priceless experience – especially when you wake up next to this sleeping pose at 7 am.
Summer 2018
In 2018, we camped at Bon Echo, which had scenic lakes to canoe and kayak along.
I mean, look at this lovely rocky facade.
And this lovely small island we stopped at.
T enjoyed swimming during this pit stop.
And a little snooze on the paddle back.
Camping food is the best! My friends and the hubby and I share cooking responsibilities and we have the best grilled meals!
This grilled pineapple was amazing!
This was the last night from our very last camping trip to date.
We woke up the next day at 5:30 am to pack up and leave because rain was in the forecast.
This soothing pink rainbow sunrise greeted us as we drove out of the park.
We did not camp the following summer because the hubby was knee deep on a busy work project and then the pandemic hit half a year later.
While we’ve enjoyed outdoor adventures during the pandemic, we have yet to camp again.
Our upcoming summer is pretty much mapped out and we’ll likely skip camping again.
But after this recent photo journey, I am hopeful and energized to return to camping soon.
There are many more memories to be made!
I haven’t done camping since Boy Scout years. Looking though your amazing adventures and reading your exciting, memorable Summers and camping year after year with your Family is both an inspiration and an awakening. I think my Son would love it. My wife, I’ve yet to convince. Normally we stay in hotels cause it’s easy and convenience. But it’s no other to wake up next to the lake, the trees or ocean. Thank you for sharing such wonderful moments & memories.
Camping can have its challenges with the comfort – not being in a hotel – and all the prep, setup and tear down. For sure. But it is so worth it for the fresh air, scenery and the bonding that comes through sharing that experience together. Hope you get to enjoy it some day with your family. I bet your son will enjoy it for sure!
OMG T was so little! I remember being a single mom with a 1 year old and camping in a tent too. There was SO much stuff to take along. Then they lose the pack and play, diapers and toys for a fishing pole and hiking boots. So many wonderful memories you have made as a family in the outdoors. I miss camping but my husband doesn’t like to camp so I pretend our yard is my campground. It is so obvious how T loves the outdoors and he probably always will.
Those are wonderful memories, Diane! And you have a massive backyard if I recall, so that’s definitely campground worthy! 😊
These are beautiful photos Ab. It looks as if you’ve made many wonderful memories. I wish you many more ahead.♥️
I hope you and yours have a wonderful weekend ahead.
Thank you, LaDonna. 💕 Have a wonderful weekend too!
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The best memories are made on camping trips! Those parks are all wonderful and I hope you go camping again soon!
Thank you! And agreed. So many more great memories to be made – and hopefully soon!
First off grilled pineapple looks amazing! love the photos – we are taking both grandsons on an RV weekend trip to a campsite – wish us luck! LOL – great blog
Thank you, Vickie. They sure were amazing. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top and they’re heavenly.
Enjoy your RV weekend with your grandsons. It’s definitely on my bucket list to do a cross Canada RV trip one day! Look forward to your recap posts!
It sounds like T is in his element in the wilderness. That’s lovely that you’ve introduced him to camping and swimming at such a young age. I couldn’t help but laugh that you managed to pack a playpen with you. Your car must have been stuffed. We’re taking a break from camping in Ontario this year too, but are planning to do some camping out west and out east.
Thanks Linda. The hubby and I were talking about how the two of us and our two friends used to pack all our stuff on one car and carpool just fine. Now we have trouble packing just for us three in an SUV. 😆
Your summer plans sound wonderful and can’t wait to read all about it. It’s gonna be here before we know it!
There is so much to love about this post. Those chubby little knees on the first camping pic, that you have Maple leaf camp chairs and the sleeping post picture to name my top three. But I love all the pics and the traditions. You’ve inspired me to get my kids out camping sooner rather than later. The green therapy is so good for us all! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, Wynne. It’s been a while since I’ve looked at some of these pictures and they brought back many happy memories indeed! 😊
He’s having the best childhood 🥰
Thank you Lizi. We hope so. It’s just flying by so quickly!
T looks so cute when he’s taking a nap on the canoe! I believe exposing him to the great outdoors since early age is good for T’s physical and mental health — and maybe it will become one of those fond memories that will stay with him for the rest of his life. And with such beautiful nature right in your doorstep, it would be a waste not to introduce T to it, despite the chilly temperatures.
Thank you, Bama. The napping photo makes me smile and chuckle. We are very blessed to be so close to great outdoor spaces and I am ever hopeful it will contribute to his overall health and resiliency! 🙏
I’ve always been curious about the experience of camping but growing up didn’t know anyone who went. The closest I’ve come is nature walks as a girl scout & hunting back in Arkansas. Lovely photos too by the way 🥰
Thank you, Tammy. It’s never too late to venture out and give camping a try. It is a wonderful and restorative activity. Nature walks and HUNTING sound like such fantastic activities to experience as a young one too!
The serenity would be nice.