11 Key Items for Indoor Camping

As Cadys growing up we were taught to be creative in our thinking, and even think outside the box.  This was a basic, fundamental guideline that carried through to my own children.  Now that they have flown the coop and say that I’m a few feathers short of a pillow, I get to continue this legacy with my step-son and husband.  It’s taken them a couple of years, but they are getting the hang of it.  Last weekend they demonstrated how far they have come in the process.  It looked something like this:  Pouring rain + Father/Son Campout = not much fun.  Result…..Indoor camping!  The following is a list of key items that were involved:

1.  A tent   Of course you need a tent!  You’re camping!  Don’t set up camp in the back bedroom to hide the fact that you don’t want to camp in the rain. Go for the gusto!  Have no shame.  Pitch

   

   Tents are the definition of camping.
   This one has a few
    battle scars.

   that puppy smack dab in the middle of the living room so everyone gets to share in your adventure.
2. Sleeping bags  As previously stated, you’re camping!  Turn off the furnace so that the evening temperature drops a few degrees.  Having a slightly cold nose during the night will make the experience a little more authentic.
3. Fireplace or insert  You can build a fire, roast marshmallows, make s’mores, or just stare at the flames as they hypnotize you with their gyrating dance.  If you don’t have a fireplace, think outside the box and light some candles.
4. Camp chairs   These are mandatory for when the fire casts it’s spell, you enter that zombie-like

   

   Candles help create the facade
   of "real" camping

   state, and are sucked into the endless abyss of flickering yellow and orange flames.
5. Ceiling fan/portable fan   Even though the camping is taking place indoors, it is important to recreate the outdoor feel as much as possible.  Ceiling fan = wind.  I put mine on medium low for a pleasant breeze.  It got turned off sooner than I wanted, but hey, I wasn’t the one camping.
6. Sound FX machine   Self explanatory.  Do you want to camp by a river?  By the ocean?  During a thunder storm?  In a field with crickets?  The choice is yours when you camp indoors!  Note:  I wouldn't suggest the heartbeat mode.  That would be a little creepy!
7. Snacks   What is camping without tons of junk food to eat?

   

   Yesss! Snacks!

8. Mosquitoes  Each camping trip needs at least one rampant mosquito making everyone miserable.  I didn't hear of any on this adventure, but someone kept closing the slider behind me every time I left it open...
9. Candles   These substitute for the lantern on the picnic table where you eat, talk, and play games after dark.  If they are flameless, you can even hold it under you face and make scary ghost noises.
10. “B.I.F.F.Y.” sign taped to the bathroom door.  I’ve been told this stands for “Bathroom In Forest

    

    This sign's job was two-fold

    For You.”  Not all campgrounds have primitive amenities.  Some have flushies and running water.  Make sure you bring your flashlight so you don’t take a wrong turn.  Remember, you’re camping and it's dark out there!
11. Flashlight   You don’t want to get lost in the middle of the night going to the BIFFY and “accidentally” end up in your own bed.

Just like "real" camping, all the gear was left in the living room.  I finally moved it to the garage floor where it remains because again, just like "real" camping, nobody remembers where the supplies came from, so we’ll just figure it out later.

To my fellow camping staycation enthusiasts:  If you have any other tips or funny stories, please share them below so we can all hold our heads high as we enjoy what I'm sure is going to be the latest craze in camping.  It could happen!

Peggy - #4