From camp setup to s'mores around the fire, each moment of your camping trip is worth documenting. And, with so many ways to capture the moment, there's no reason you shouldn't. Choose the best method for your family so you'll never forget a moment that passes by.
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Make a Nature Box
Kids have a way of finding treasures as they walk on the beach or through the woods, and these become precious to them. Instead of losing the small souvenirs between the tent and the car ride home, put it in your nature box.
Bring a shoebox, and pile everything in, including rocks, leaves, twigs, flowers, and acorns, whatever has been collected. When you get home, buy a plain box and decorate it with the leaves and twigs, but place heavier items inside. Put it on a shelf that everyone can see and access. With all your camping memories in one place, it's easy to go back and remember.
Create a new box for each camping trip you take, and compare what you found and did at each different place.
Create a Video
These days, videos are easier than ever to make, even with minimal video experience. Bring your camping memories to life with a film. Try these two platforms.
- Vimeo: This application allows users to make 6 second videos. That doesn't sound like a lot of time, and it's not, but it may be a good way to capture each separate memory on its own. At the end of the trip, you'll have a gallery of videos to look through.
- Magisto: Access this free video editor online or on your phone. Simply choose your videos, pick from one of their pre-selected themes and add music. Now your friends and family can truly experience the trip just as you did.
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Write a Family Journal
Sometimes, memories can't truly be captured on film or video, but can only be expressed in words. Use this theory to create a family camping journal. Consider the many ways you can fill it.
- Take time each night to recall everyone's favorite events of the day. If your children can write, have them pen an entry themselves. Or, choose one scribe to write it all down.
- Tape leaves, flower pedals, and other relatively flat items inside the pages to bring life to the stories you tell.
- If your little ones can't write, have them draw their memory and you write a caption below it.
Take Photographs
No matter how fast technology moves, there will always be magic in photographs. But, don't lug around a big, heavy camera. Instead, take photos with your phone. With a light build and a variety of sharing options, you can capture each moment from the trail to the beach. Use these techniques to make the most out of every image.
- Use a hashtag: Put all your camping memories in one place: use a unique hashtag on every Instagram photo. For example: #SandersCampingVaca. If you're camping with a large group, this is a great way to see everyone's photos in one, easy to find place.
- Play with fun apps: With kids running around, it's almost impossible to get the best image first. HDR Fusion merges multiple images together, to bring up the light or balance out an overexposed shot. That's not all, check out a few more great iPhone photo apps.
Camping memories are worth documenting, and there are a variety of ways to capture the moment. Whether you enjoy taking photos, collecting memorabilia or just spending time writing in a journal each night, make sure you leave the campsite with something to remember each and every minute of your trip.
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