Grandma is laid up in a camp chair with a bum knee, the toddler hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in six months, the teenager is demanding wifi in the backcountry, and the 10-year-old is darting for the river. Welcome to multi-generational camping. It’s chaotic, absolutely bananas, and the most fun you’ll ever have with the whole family. The stories that come from these adventures will last long enough for the kids to become grandparents and still keep telling them.
Multi-generational camping is one of the hottest trends in outdoor recreation right now, and it makes sense. With families spread all over the country, everyone’s lives are getting crazier and crazier; the demands on our free time are getting numerous. To help get the best out of any vacation, multiple generations are coming together to experience more time together.
It’s also becoming more popular for grandparents to leave the parents at home and take the grandkids out camping. This is known as “Gramping”. We’re going to provide some tips and information for every generation to keep the whole family included. Read below for some tips on keeping the crew entertained, safe, and ready to hit the great outdoors.
Why Multi-Generational Camping is Having a Moment
Considering that everyone in the family would like to get together more, it stands to reason that multi-generational camping would take off, but the statistics support it. According to KOA’s Families and Kids Report, between 2020 and 2023, 118.2 million total families camped in the U.S. More than ⅓ of grandparents (37%) now take their grandchildren on at least one camping trip without the children’s parents. Likewise, nearly 3 in 10 Gen Z campers and 2 in 10 millennials report taking trips specifically with their parents or grandparents. To go along with that data, three-quarters of family campers say camping together strengthens family bonds. This is data taken from millions of people across the U.S. The stats are in: People like camping with their family.
There are numerous studies that find that elderly people who have interactions with children under 10 experiences more happiness and even live longer! More specifically, a peer-reviewed study published in Leisure Sciences in 2016 found that intergenerational family camping promotes the healthy development of the individual and strengthens family bonds, confidence, and self-reliance in the outdoors. Another study found that parents who were taken into nature when they were young are significantly more likely to take their children into nature. This study confirmed that outdoor culture and family camping genuinely are passed down from generation to generation.
Honesty Means Safety for Everyone in Your Family
When our elders start to show some signs of aging, it can be a difficult conversation to have for everyone. It’s tough to broach the subject, and it’s tough to admit that we need help. The fact is, if you’re going to provide a fun and safe environment for everyone, there are some things to consider for all the different age groups.
The Daily Pace:
Things are different for the elderly and children. Naps are often taken, rest is needed, and the general pace of things slows down. For those in their healthy and mobile years, it’s important to keep this in mind and let the slower folks in the group set the pace. Keep everyone apprised of the requirements of the daily activity, including length of time, physical expectations, rest spots, availability of bathrooms, food, etc. Knowing before they go helps the older generation and parents with young kids plan ahead.
Sleep Schedules:
More than just nap time, it might be necessary to begin quiet hours earlier than normal, and the morning may start before the sun comes up. This early-to-bed, early-to-rise schedule is conveniently adopted by infants and the elderly alike. Better than disrupting their schedules, it’s much easier for the rest of the folks in camp to accommodate those who need their sleep. This is something to consider when it comes to tent placement, though. More on that later.
Everyone Needs a Full Belly:
It might not be easy or enjoyable for every generation to just grab a bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Camping with kids and camping with grandparents usually translates into some different dietary needs. Fresh fruits and vegetables, well-planned and home-cooked meals, are usually appreciated by everyone. With multi-generational camping, cooking can become a shared activity where everyone teaches, and everyone learns. It’s an incredible bonding opportunity.
Divide Up the Camp Duties:
No matter what age they are, folks do better to have a little structure in camp. It keeps them busy, offers a place for the task side of their brain to activate, and for the littles, it’s a sense of contributing and accomplishment, a great way to build confidence. Easy roles like storyteller or morale officer can be assigned and updated each day. Provide a faux list of responsibilities, and it becomes a great task list and makes for fun camping for all ages.
Location is Everything
After some of those difficult conversations have been had, take that information back to the planning board and consider where to actually strike camp. Kids seem to be able to fall into place wherever they land, but for the older generation, it’s best to think of these things before you arrive. The ADA and Architectural Barriers Act mandate that public and private campsites provide accessible sites. When reserving, use Recreation.gov and select “I need accessible camping” in the search filter. This is a genuine resource that most campers don’t know about.
Here are some practical criteria to consider for multi-generational groups:
Level Ground:
It’s simple, but true. Many campsites are featured on the banks of rivers, in mountain landscapes, or just on very uneven ground. This is a non-negotiable for people with mobility challenges. For an older camper, even a subtle slope can become a falling hazard on wet grass or loose sand.
Proximity to Restrooms:
This is extremely important for the young and old alike. Getting a 4-year-old to the potty in time becomes a moment of panic when they say those four panicky words: “I have to go!” For the elderly, especially those with more frequent visits, having the restrooms nearby is required. Depending on mobility, you should also check for handrails. Many modern campgrounds feature them in all their bathrooms.
Cell Signal or Park Ranger Proximity:
This applies to family camping and camping of all ages. Just knowing that a campsite is near a ranger station, or has a camp host, or that there is someone trained in emergency intervention just makes people feel better. Also, camping with grandparents means there are whole other families they are dear to, who they need to check in with. Their other children and grandchildren probably want updates as well. The cell signal just provides peace of mind for everyone.
Shade and Shelter Options:
If it’s not shade, if it’s just being indoors and taking a break from constant exposure, having something close to camp where older folks can escape, or parents with little can go and unwind with little attention is super helpful. Around camp, keep plenty of shade options, more than a good-sized canvas tent, as a hub for everyone. This is a good use for a quality canvas tarp. Tying a couple up in the trees, building a lean-to, and having a spot to sit in the shade will keep everyone, of all ages, happier.
Nearby Access to Trails:
The urge to get out and hike never goes away. For that, you don’t want to use up everyone’s energy before getting to the trailhead. Check out TrailAccessProject.org for lists of adaptive trails nearby. Again, this is an underused resource for those doing some family camping with elders.
The Question of Shelter: Space is Not an Option
This is really what it comes down to. This is where your multi-generational camping experience will be memorable or infamous. For some, and especially if people have been camping for generations, this may not even be an issue. But for those who are trying to incorporate a whole group and keep everyone happy and comfortable, there are a few options, and a few things to consider.
Where are they sleeping?
Some people, particularly the older generation, like to have their own space. Others prefer everyone in the same space. Regardless, you’re going to need a high-quality tent that can hold up in any weather, accommodate people of different groups coming and going, which also means good temperature control, and something that, considering its size, provides options. For all of these needs, a canvas tent is simply the best option.
They are durable, come in numerous sizes, are very simple and straightforward, and they have the immediate feel of coming home, even after hours on the road, getting away from home. There are three tent sizes below to consider. Based on what your family prefers, the following models come highly recommended in any arrangement. These canvas tents are all made by WhiteDuckOutdoors, are extremely durable, and with a timeless style, every generation will be quietly, or outwardly, appreciating them.
The Personal Sleeper:
If a couple or family wants their own sleeping space, or if the grandparents want to be left alone, the Prota Canvas tent is the perfect tent. There is ample room for a couple of people, and with a couple of small children and everyone’s gear, four fit great. These are affordable enough to keep a couple on hand, and they go up in only a matter of minutes.
The Larger Group:
The line of Alpha Wall tents is incredibly versatile. This can be your family sleeper, your kitchen and mess hall, the game room, or, with the 14’x16’ size, one of these tents can accommodate a few of these activities or settings. Its traditional rectangular design leaves everything to the imagination and is the essence of versatility. This open floor design inhibits nothing.
Bring them All Inside:
The Bell Tents, Avalon and Regatta, come in numerous sizes and are the absolute pearl of the White Duck canvas tent lineup. They are gorgeous in every backdrop, and their functionality is perfect for a family dynamic. The round shape, centered around a single center pole, encourages connection through face-to-face conversation, open dialogue, and an inclusive atmosphere. They are the perfect family camping tent.
The Size Beyond:
There is one more tent that is in a league of its own. The 23’ Avalon Optimus bell tent. For a multi-generational trip, this is the eBay way to get everyone comfortably under one roof. It is a spectacular tent that, with all the hustle and bustle of camp, will feel like the family circus has come to town. It is heavy, and it does take a couple of hours for a few people to set up. But this tent was designed for the family experience.
You Know Your Family Best
No one can tell you what your family likes to do on a campout; the only advice to take is the best family campsite setup if your crew is into games and campfire stories. Awesome. If they need to be next to the river for some 5:00 am fishing, or a stroll through the meadow during golden hour, then get a little deeper into the wild. Whatever you do, just remember to slow down for those who need it, keep the bathrooms close by, the ground in the camp flat, and set up a whole valley of canvas tents if you must. Everyone of every age deserves to be outdoors. And everyone deserves to be comfortable while doing it.
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