Camping can be a welcomed adventure for neurodiverse kids – because of wide open spaces, fresh air, and the calming quiet of the outdoors – but for our son Jeffrey, it’s always seemed as though the significant differences between a camping experience and his everyday routine, and the unusual sensory aspects of camping, such as it being hotter- or colder- than usual environments, sleeping in a different bed (and sometimes on the ground instead of a bed) and often sleeping with other people in the same space, and direct exposure to rain, wind, mud/dirt, animals and insects – have outweighed the positives.
Despite all of this, Jeffrey recently went on a camping trip with his high school. Making the trip was a big step for him – he had many opportunities to go with Cub Scouts, and his middle school and elected to stay overnight once but then never again. I get it – he’s a creature of habit, and of comfort (as am I). But away he went to Prince William Forest.
Rocket Around Q: You recently went camping with your high school – how did it go? Jeffrey A: It went pretty well. It was fun-ish – more fun than the last camping trip.
RA Q: What kinds of activities did you do on the trip? Jeffrey A: We could kind of choose activities, like walks and board games. We had to make meals and we did s’mores around the campfire. We hung out and did reflection.
RA Q: What did you like most about it? Jeffrey A: I think making s’mores. And the walks were pretty good. I also like that the counselor slept in the next cabin, rather than in our cabin – that made it more fun than the first camping trip. The second night was better than the first.
RA Q: Why did you like the second night better than the first? Jeffrey A: It was easier to sleep. The first night was cold – like 40 degrees. I probably slept like three or four hours. The second night was better – it was warmer, and I slept eight hours. The rain woke me up in the morning.
RA Q: What were your least favorite things about the trip? Jeffrey A: The first night, when it was cold. I put on pants, socks, and a jacket, and it was still cold. I feel like I can never get warm enough in a sleeping bag if it’s cold out. I can’t pull it tight enough around me.
RA Q: Your school goes camping twice a year, and students aren’t required to go – will you go again? Jeffrey A: Apparently, the fall camping trips and spring trips are different from each other, but the fall ones are pretty much the same each year, and the spring trips are pretty much the same. I think I’ll do the spring trip since it will be different, but I probably won’t do the fall one again.
RA Q: Would you choose the outdoor aspects of camping over other kinds of trips? Jeffrey A: Probably not. It can be pretty hard sleeping on a camping trip – you might be in a cabin with people who snore, and it can be too cold or too hot. I would probably choose other kinds of trips for that reason.
RA Q: I know that last time – sleeping on the camping trip was really hard for you, and this time we gave you earplugs – did that help? Jeffrey A: I didn’t need them this time – no one was snoring, so I didn’t have to use them.
RA Q: What advice would you give other kids who are going on their first camping trip? Jeffrey Q: Take a warm blanket in case it’s cold.
RA Q: What could make camping better from your perspective? Jeffrey Q: Maybe to only go for one night. Shorter is better for me.
Resources on Camping for Neurodiverse Families:
Book Review: Traveling Different – Chapter 13—The Great Outdoors—Camping, RVs, and More