What’s life without a bit of adventure? Highland Lake residents, the Webbs, have always been drawn to the outdoors. Before having kids, Brittany and Jared were cross-country travelers, backpacking through countless national parks. Now that 6-year-old Colton and 3-year-old Abby are in the picture, the camping experience looks a little different—rather than four legs, the family moves on four wheels. The Webb family camper van is full of fun, excitement, and plenty of snacks!

On their last adventure, the Webbs spent the weekend at Alum Creek Campground—their typical kickoff spot for the camping season. Because it’s so close to home, it allows them to enjoy time away while still participating in local sports and activities that the kids are involved in. Another promising quality of Alum Creek is its “family-friendliness”. As a family of four with two young kids, this is a must-have for any campsite they visit. Their next planned excursion is to Mohican State Park at the beginning of the summer. Mom has her first triathlon of the season around this time, so they’re creating a fun family trip out of it!

You'd be gravely mistaken if you thought 3-year-old Abby was too preoccupied with princesses and dolls to enjoy the great outdoors. The spunky toddler’s favorite part of any camping trip is playtime with worms! Abby loves all bugs—she has books about them and is always looking for insects. Especially after a good rain, you’ll find her inspecting the ground for a new friend.

On the other hand, 6-year-old Colton’s preferred outdoor pastime is fishing with Dad! The last trip was particularly enthralling for him as he lost his fourth tooth! Luckily, it was Sunday morning, so the Tooth Fairy could visit him back at home that night rather than attempting to locate the camper. Speaking of nighttime, what does a typical night look like during a Webb family camping trip? First and foremost, the kids take showers—the best-spent camping days leave them covered in dirt. Afterwards, a bedtime story is read and the two little ones sleep in their shared room. Since they don’t share a room at home, this aspect of camping is lots of fun for them!

The Webb parents offer two tips for families looking to get into camping: “Embrace the dirty”. Let loose and have fun! Dirt can be washed off, but memories can’t. Secondly, acknowledge that adjusting to a new setting might be difficult for your family, especially young children. Playing outdoors might be familiar for your kids, but living outdoors is another story. There may be unexpected obstacles, so be flexible, especially if it’s your first time! Maybe camping isn’t for your family, but you’ll never know until you try! The Webbs have certainly grown to love life on the campground: “We’ve always found camping and being outdoors to bring out happier kids and are so grateful to give them beautiful experiences across the country”.