For many of you searching for articles on rustic camping, I likely don’t need to convince you that camping is a positive. I might not even need to convince you that it’s a wonderful thing to do with the family. I know I always felt this way. In fact, the first camping trip my wife and I did as parents was rustic camping with our first born as an infant. In cloth diapers no less!

That said, when confronted with the simple “why?” questions, it might not be easy to justify to the unconverted that they should abandon AC, TV, running water, refrigerators, a perfectly good stove, even *gasp* internet access, to spend their precious days off roughing it out in the middle of nowhere. Those that you are trying to enlighten can often be your own children (or spouse).

Regardless of the age or reluctance, have no fear, it’s never too late. The only thing that I’ve found that varies is how much of an effort it will take for the conversion. This is not to say that everyone will go from couch potato to survival expert. To the contrary. If you have someone already crazy into the wilderness, I think it’s safe to say they need no convincing. Instead this list focuses on things that are the most universal. I don’t think everyone has a die hard backwoods camper buried inside them, just waiting to hike the full North Country Trail, nor should everyone. We’re all different. Variety is the spice of life, but in that same spirit, everyone should at least give rustic camping an honest chance.

Here are just ten reasons why.

1) Family Time

By this I mean real, quality, time with the ones closest to you. This is a far cry from the family sitting together in the living room, each with a device in hand, in silence (see number 2 on this list). This is different from the conversations had in the car on the way from one event to another. In fact, this takes even a calm family dinner conversation to another level. All interactions with the people we love can be valuable in their own way (I happen to love listening to my boys on drives to and from school) but the more distractions we remove, the more we are “forced” to focus on who we’re actually interacting with.

Modern campsites absolutely have their place in the camping landscape. That said, this is one place where rustic camping wins out in my book, especially now. There was a time when having an electrical hookup meant some basic conveniences. Now, with a place to readily charge phones, tablets, laptops, etc, the distraction difference from daily life has lessened. Going truly rustic and having just your family conversation to turn to around an evening campfire can pay great dividends. In addition to family trips, I try to take each of my boys one on one once or twice a year. My nine year old has four of these trips under his belt and neither of us would trade that quality time.

2) Unplug

Connectivity is important, but “connectivity” can be an issue. I’m guilty of this too. Believe me, it would be more than a bit suspect for someone to deride technology and electronic connectivity… on a blog. I’m definitely in a glass house if I’m going to sit here and decry the evils of technology. When home and worn out I thoroughly enjoy some mindless entertainment on my phone. My whole family watches various online shows, and we’re all gamers to one extent or another. When we do this, though, we are often each silently in our own world. The 10 or so feet across the room or from one room to the next might as well be miles. I remember the first time I sent a text to my wife from the couch when she was in the kitchen… it wasn’t the last. Don’t judge.

To say that this attachment to tech is pervasive is an incredible understatement, and trust me, it’s here to stay. For me at least, that means I need breaks here and there to keep my sanity. Some have the willpower to do this anywhere, but the limited recharging and spotty connections of going rustic makes it easier to put aside remote connectivity, for a while at least. Personally, I come back refreshed and excited when I reconnect. Absence makes the heart grow fonder I suppose😊.

3) Get to Know Nature

Maybe you were raised on a farm or out in a rural community in general. Maybe nature is second nature to you. We’re not born with this knowledge though. It’s important for children to experience the natural world first hand. Now, I’m not suggesting you drop them alone in the woods with nothing more than a knife and some flint and say: “Good luck. Don’t eat anything poisonous.” Like I said in #1 and 2, it’s just a matter of removing a few comforts to get a better look at what remains.

When going rustic, that stuff that remains is mostly nature. Arm yourself with some basic facts about the plants, animals, and features you might see on your trip. Share these periodically with your family. Don’t pretend to be an expert or all knowing. It’s better to encourage them to pay attention and find their own answers. Before you know it, your seven-year-old might know more about plants and animals than you do. They will have real pride in that.

4) Exercise

Living in the 21^st century, I don’t believe I need to justify the benefits of exercise. However, camping isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind. This can be an advantage if you’re dealing with children not crazy about physical activity, or even if you’re having a hard time getting yourself in shape. A nature hike is still a hike and is also a good transition to take children from sitting around the campfire to the world of backpacking. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a good chance they’ll grumble a bit at first.

However, if you give it some time this can become one of the best parts of the trip. Children are natural explorers. Once they start thinking of it as an exploration rather than a forced march, they’ll start to ask to go on hikes. This has actually become one of my family’s favorite things to do when we’re camping, and we seek out trails close to home as well.

It doesn’t stop there: swimming, canoeing, mountain biking, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, etc., etc. The outdoors is full of exercise opportunities hidden in activities that are often exciting and enjoyable. There are so many that I’m confident to say that if you try, you can find one for anyone. Once you do, and they’re hooked, the rest takes care of itself.

5) De-stress

Modern life is stressful, but then again, so was the rural disconnected lifestyle. The difference here is that you’re doing it by choice. I’m sure our ancestors would be baffled by our decision to take our free time to leave a perfectly good roof over our heads complete with the marvels of running water, electricity, etc, and voluntarily sleep on the ground under a thin layer of fabric. Writing that down, it actually does sound a bit nuts. However, sitting and actually enjoying a full sunset, or watching the fireflies come out while your kids chase them around… the simple joy of it is indescribable.

6) Cost

This can seem contradictory since camping will seem expensive if you’re new to it. The initial cost can be daunting: tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, the list goes on and on. Remember though, there is no reason to buy all high-end gear in the beginning. Other than somewhere to sleep and a way to boil water, very few things are a necessity when you start out.

This is especially cost saving if you have a family of five or more. Once a standard room doesn’t cut it, the cost of travel can really skyrocket. Most campsites on the other hand accommodate six and rustic ones are often less than 20 bucks a night. This means that even two sites are far less than any hotel you likely want to take your family to.

7) Sleep

This is another somewhat counter intuitive one. I might not even put this on a general camping list, but camping with younger children can mean more sleep for the parents. My boys will fight sleep at home, but when night starts to fall in the woods, they often keep asking how late it’s getting. The natural cycle of the sun and active days can put anyone lights out well before they would normally give in to tiredness.

Two warnings though: Don’t expect this necessarily the first time or times. The excitement of seeing and doing new things can combine with a campfire to create some late nights. The second caveat is that sleeping in might not happen. If you’re not normally a family that’s up with the sun… you likely will be😊.

8) Novel Experiences

This isn’t just for those new to the outdoors, although it goes at least double for them, Nature is unpredictable. This is really apparent in Michigan. Just try predicting the weather. There is a huge benefit to this, part of which I just recently learned about myself. Trying something new or rolling with something unexpected can be exciting. However, it actually runs deeper than that. The brain is wired to release dopamine during novel experiences. Without getting overly detailed (for one I’m not qualified :)) this is basically a chemical that the brain is hardwired to enjoy.

9) Great Views and Great Skies

Now my opinion here is biased, but I think it’s fairly universal that the vistas of nature can be incredibly beautiful. The view from a ridge, a lake view that stretches to the horizon, morning mist hanging over a wooded valley, they awaken something in us as humans. It is art in real time and all we need to do is watch once we put ourselves in the right place at the right time.

A second pure beauty that you can only really get now in the wilderness is an unspoiled night sky. Nature can get in the way here in the form of clouds. However, once you get some distance from the city glow, a clear night is truly spectacular. Some people live their entire life without seeing the stars as they were seen by our ancestors. I recommend not being one of them. It truly is worth the trip alone if you get a chance to see it.

10) Time Away

We all need vacations. These breaks from the day to day are something we plan for and anticipate even if we honestly enjoy our day to day lives. These breaks from routine give our psyche a rest and allow us time to recharge, think, and step outside of our normal lives. Flights, hotels, cruises, theme parks do all fit this bill, but you don’t need to be a potential Thoreau to make the natural world your next escape from the mundane.