Ahhh De-Camping…
Yes, it’s not too early to start thinking about camping in Michigan.
We love seasonal camping in Michigan! I call it “De-Camping” because we don’t have the stress of setting up and taking down camp. We decompress at our happy place. I have 13 years of past family seasonal camping experience. When our two boys were young we were seasonal campers at a campground at Silver Lake in Mears Michigan. Our seasonal camping experiences have left many fond memories! Seasonal camping is ideal if you want to have the opportunity to camp however not worry about reserving a camping sight, trailering your camper and set up and take down of your camp site. You pay a seasonal lot fee for a determined seasonal time. It’s the perfect “tiny cottage”. You will create many long lasting friendships and memories. I will call that stretch of time our family phase of seasonal camping. Because a lifestyle shift occurred, we took a 15 year absence from seasonal camping. Our boys grew up. Then a Next Phase shifted our thinking to get back into it. Grand Kids!
We want to create more memories with our grand kids and family. Our eldest son has shared with his own kids the great memories he had in his childhood. My husband also has fond memories of family vacations at Silver Lake when he was a kid growing up.
However it looks a bit different now that we are grandparents and in our Next Phase. We are choosing to be seasonal campers once again however at a different campground in Silver Lake. Of course!
Even the rv style we considered looks different. At first we were looking at bunk house type campers. After all we needed room for our family and grand kids. This is what we were used to. Well, we thought it over and decided a different layout for us would work better.
If you are considering getting into seasonal camping there are many things to think about. I hope sharing my 13 plus years experience will help you in your search and decisions in regards to seasonal camping or camping in general. Now is the time to put your name on the seasonal camping list at your favorite campground. Due to COVID – 19 the list is increasing. You never know, your wait may not be too long because people’s situations change. this can change the situation to the so called waiting list.
SEASONAL CAMPING ADVANTAGES:
- It’s your own living quarters. It’s safe and clean. With the Covid – 19 pandemic, sleeping, eating and living in your own healthy living quarters is essential.
- Leave your RV on site. RV storage is expensive. Also some rvs are not aloud at permanent residences.
- It’s a “Tiny Cottage” away from home. Get away for the weekend. It’s already set up and ready for your arrival. Time to decompress.
- Consider your work schedule. Is it demanding? A short get away may be just the thing. I work full time school year and have my summers off so this is ideal for our family. And due to my husbands work schedule we don’t get the opportunity to take week long vacations. He just needs to get away from it all!
- No check in or check out times. Friday night starts when you arrive. Not after you set up camp. Sunday sleep in. Enjoy that cup of coffee. Leave later and avoid the rush of the get home camper traffic.
- Picture your happy place. If less than 2 hours away and easy driving, consider that favorite place your home away from home. It could be the beach, lake, a state park close by, favorite city or where your family and friends tend to gather to have fun and create memories.
I have many fun and helpful hints to share regarding de-camping. What to look for to best fit your family needs. Types of rv’s, how to organize your tiny spaces in your rv, and recipes and activities. Check out MI-DIY/Organize tips.
Hmm …will we acquire the seasonal campground life style when we retire? Things to consider as we plan our Next Phase into retirement. For now I am ready for that smore with my grandkids and looking up and seeing the stars at the camp fire!
Bring out the marshmallows!!