As a family, we look forward to our weekend RV trips. They give us a change of pace and yet we have the comforts and routines of home. My kids see the weekend at the campground as opportunities for adventure and exploration. I see them as a way to enjoy nature, a change of pace, and a different climate. They also become learning opportunities for all of us as we deal with the unexpected.
The first stage to getting away for the weekend is the planning. Weekends away do not magically appear (nor does the budget to pay for campsites, or time to pack). If you are stuck on this step this will help: 6 Tips for Planning Weekend RV Trips.
The next piece is actually doing it. The specific steps to making the weekend away happen (without letting the prep work take over your very busy week).
I break down the weekend trip into manageable pieces. I find it helpful to focus on my next few steps. This keeps me from overthinking and feeling overwhelmed.
Below I will share my lists with you. Gather what works for you and change what does not.
- What lists do you use when going on a short trip?
- Do you have those gathered and ready for your next travel adventure?
- What have you learned about your routines and your family that you can apply here?
My 5 Stages of the Weekend Trip:
#1 – The week before –
Assuming that the trip has already been planned, I only need to gather what is needed for this specific trip.
- Where are we going? What will do? What do we need? What does the weather look like?
Here is my basic list for a relaxed camping weekend:
- Meal Planning / Grocery Shopping (more in this article)
- House prep – any major chores or cleaning that needs to be done before the weekend
- Laundry – I try to catch up on this during the week so that I do not come home to extra laundry
I do my best to add these tasks into my week from Sunday to Thursday. If something doesn’t get done it’s not a big deal. I do what I can and then give myself grace.
#2 – The day of and ready to leave –
- The Packing list
- suitcase/overnight bag for each person
- bedding (pillows & special blankets)
- extra shoes
- jackets
- swimsuits and the swimming bag
- Restock the RV
I usually keep a supply of these things in the RV ready for use. I just check to see if anything needs to be added or refreshed.
- toys and games
- paper goods needed (paper towel, toilet paper, paper plates, bowls, cups)
- cleaning supplies & bags
- sunscreen, bug spray, & wipes
- towels & hand towels
- Loading the RV
- Suitcases
- pillows and blankets
- snacks, pantry, meals & paper goods
- fridge & freezer
- drinks & water
- pet supplies
- anything unique to this trip
- bikes/scooters
- camping chairs
#3 – When you arrive –
- Check-in
- arriving at the campground, navigating to the spot, figuring out where to park… it is a lot! It’s a process.
- We try to keep the kids relaxed and in the truck for a while. We also do our best to have patience with each other as we communicate and figure out what we need to do.
- Campsite set up
- We use the divide and conquer technique. Jim, the teens, and I have jobs we do every time we set up. Each of us picks a place to lead and then we work side by side.
- Jim is in charge of the hookups and the sewer system while I take the kids and the dogs on a walk. The teens help with the setup and they get out the scooters, bikes, and camping chairs. When they are done, I set up the living room, and kitchen, then I usually begin food prep. We all work together as a team.
- Our goal is to get set up quickly, and efficiently, without drama or conflict. We try to keep the mood light and not allow problems to affect the way we talk to each other. (this can be tricky… especially when things go wrong).
- The first activity
This sets the tone for the weekend. It is helpful to have a specific activity that you will do to begin slowing down. I find that after all that work to get to the campsite and get set up, I need an off-ramp to slow me down. Abruptly stopping and expecting myself to relax often ends in frustration.
To assess what to do next I ask these questions –
- What time is it?
- How long have you been driving and what do the kids need?
- What do I need to get into vacation mode? How can I de-stress and feel settled?
- 1st Activity Example #1: make dinner while kids ride bikes (then eat outside at the picnic table as the sun sets).
- 1st Activity Example #2: go exploring around the campsite or take the dogs for a walk.
- 1st Activity Example #3: get into jammies, eat dessert, then sit around the campfire talking and looking at stars. (This is worth it to me even if we let the kids stay up a bit later.)
#4 – Enjoy the camping trip –
I am learning to make space for slowing down, slower adventures, and restful days that are satisfying. I love to spend time out in nature. I have found the value in balancing structured activity with unstructured relaxation. I do not have to do everything. I do not have to see everything. Taking the time to build campfires, play board games, and read books at in my favorite camping chair matters to me. I need to just chill out! 😁
Things to think about:
- Be flexible about what happens. – Choose what is most important and let the details go.
- Plan the big things that matter to the adults.
- Meals – Are you eating out or making dinner in the RV?
- Events – Where are you going? How much will you spend? What do you want to see?
- How long do you want to be out? What time do you plan to go back to camp?
- Different types of adventure days: the big hike, going shopping in a small town, visiting the ranger station and going on nature walks, exploring museums, and seeing National Monuments. Adventure days can adjust to the age of your kids and what you enjoy.
- Let everyone have their own trip. – We all see the adventure day differently. My daughter and husband see the hike as a way to get great nature photos, my littles just want to conquer the trail, my teenage son wants to explore all the skinny paths that make me worried, and I just want to enjoy the trees and the view. I have decided to let go of everyone enjoying the same thing in the same way. Each person is allowed to have their own version of the experience.
#5 – Arriving home & the day after the trip –
The day we are headed home I try to make the most of being at the campsite in the morning. We tend to linger until check-out and go on just one more long walk. Then we take the last hour to clean up, pack up, and get the RV hooked up to go. The drive home usually includes a stop for lunch, something fun in the area, and listening to an audiobook on the drive. We try to stay laid back and relaxed as we head home. I call it “staying in vacation mode”. 😉
Quick tips for cleaning and unpacking the camper:
- Divide your RV into zones and clean one entire zone at a time: Kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom, storage, pantry food, and fridge.
- Have a specific list. This helps with memory and with communication with your little helpers.
- Have a simple standard of cleanliness in your mind. (So that you are not striving for perfection but not feeling gross and angry either.)
These are my RV Re-set Lists:
(what does your list look like?)
- Laundry
- clothing
- towels & hand towels
- blankets & sheets
- swimming towels
- Meal Planning & Grocery Shopping
- clean out the fridge and the pantry
- make a grocery shopping list for my next trip
- make meal planning lists for next trip (what worked and what didn’t)
- Cleaning the RV
- EHAP – Everything Has A Place!
- floors vacuumed and swept
- organize papers and stuff put away
Kitchen Zone:
- dishes washed and put away
- kitchen counters deep cleaned
- stove wiped down
- trash emptied
Bedrooms:
- beds made and sheets washed
- reorganize clothing storage
- gather laundry and extra blankets
Bathrooms:
- shower wiped down
- sink, counter, & toilet wiped
- trash emptied
- clean towels
When we get back home from a weekend trip I have a fresh appreciation for my house and my weekly routine. What was beginning to feel boring now feels life-giving and comforting. I am happy to greet my many animals and get back to schoolwork, writing, and household tasks.
I am appreciative of simple things like electricity, running water, and unlimited ice from our normal size fridge. We do enjoy the close quarters of the RV and the togetherness it brings. But coming home to more space and more privacy is nice. The master bathroom that I use daily without thinking about is now on my gratitude list. It is good for me to get out of my routines and shake me up a bit.
Weekend travel creates resiliency and flexibility in me and in all of us. Then, in the midst of a busy week, when things go wrong I have more depth and skills to draw from. My kids often share crazy stories from our trips when ordinary life reminds us that we are not in control. “Hey Mom, do you remember that time when the old RV roof was leaking in the middle of the night and we had to set up buckets near the skylights? At least this rainstorm is not that bad and we are safe and dry in the van. We can change our plans for this afternoon. It is fine.”
Here is a great resource with more ideas:
The RV Weekend Warrior: 10 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Short Weekend Getaways
What steps do you take for your weekend camping trips?
I hope that breaking down the weekend trip into manageable pieces keeps you from overthinking and feeling overwhelmed.
I would love to hear from you! Where is your next weekend trip?
🏕️Happy Camping! – April
