Our Annual Friends Camping Weekend: The Trip We Wait For All Year

Every year, we plan a friends camping trip and it’s one of the weekends we look forward to most. It’s not fancy, it’s not complicated, but it’s always full of laughter, fresh air, and the kind of memories that stick with you long after the tents come down.

The planning starts early. Typically in February, we book about eight campsites to make sure we can all stay close together. Then we pick a weekend, send out calendar invites, and let everyone know: come if you can. There’s no pressure, just an open invitation to gather with friends, unplug, and spend time outdoors.

Our group is a mix of everything—babies, toddlers, teenagers, adults, and usually a few four-legged friends tagging along. That’s part of the magic. Someone is always chasing bubbles, walking a dog, rocking a baby, or setting up a hammock. It’s lively, a little chaotic, and completely wonderful.

Most of the weekend is intentionally unplanned. We spend the days hanging out, sometimes at the campground organizing impromptu camp games, other times stretched out on the beach by the lake. There’s always a cooler nearby, a chair in the sun, and someone ready to jump in the water.

Saturday night is our signature tradition: spaghetti dinner. We cook a big, simple meal that feeds everyone, and it turns into a long, relaxed evening around the picnic tables. Plates piled high, stories shared, kids running between campsites, it feels a bit like a backyard party, just with pine trees overhead.

I usually plan some kind of friendly competition for the weekend. Nothing too serious just enough to spark some laughs. Last year, we had a “guess the number of M&M’s in the jar” challenge. Other years, it’s been a riddle or a silly contest. There’s always a prize, and somehow the bragging rights last all year.

And of course, there’s dessert. One of my favorite traditions is making skillet Rice Crispy treats right over the campfire. It’s messy, a little smoky, and always a hit with the kids and the adults too.

More than anything, this trip is a welcome weekend away with the people who make life fun. It’s simple, it’s consistent, and it reminds us why gathering together matters. We pack up tired, a little sandy, and already talking about next year.