Make Your Backyard Campout S'more Fun With Tips From My Fav Photographer
S’mores Photo By Stacey Doyle Photography
Ah camping! Surrounded by nature, campfires, messy hair, tent assembly, s’mores, citronella spray, stargazing, bears. S’mores.
I wasn’t always one to enjoy camping. I mean, as much as I appreciate all living beings, some bugs still make me run screaming. And the idea of becoming a bear snack isn’t really high up on any list of mine. But you can take precautions against those things and I learned that it’s so important to disconnect and get outside. I do so enjoy getting into the great outdoors. I love experiencing nature and the peace and calm it offers.
Also, scheduling electronic-free days into your calendar is super important. We are all so plugged in these days, it’s nice to literally unplug and step away, even if for a few hours.
However, these days, planning trips to campsites can be a bit of a challenge. Around our area in Northern CA, while we can hike some trails and enjoy certain outdoor spaces, a lot of the National Parks are still closed. Which means their parking lots and service areas (the bathrooms!) are also closed.
And, honestly, we still feel safer staying in place. So what do you do if you don’t feel comfortable going to a campsite yet you’re aching to enjoy a night under the stars?!
Backyard Camping!
We decided to set up a campsite in our own backyard, complete with a tent, grill and all the s’mores ingredients.
Stacey of Stacey Doyle Photography
We pulled out our mini Weber grill, added some dried redwood and pine cones to make a fire**.
**(Please check w your local towns/cities for your burn laws! And always keep a working hose or water source around in case of emergency. While my photos show off a very active fire it was always at a very safe distance from our house, any trees, brush and our tent.)
Shawn cooked up some Beyond Burgers with the works and some field roast sausages.
We also had these beet chips from Trader Joe’s. I don’t know what they do to these chips but they are so so goooood!
And, s’mores. Of course. Is it really camping if you don’t get melted marshmallow and chocolate all over the place?!
We ended the evening by setting up our laptop so we could watch a movie inside the tent. Of course, this happened after we had cleared our dishes and put out the grill fire. Smokey Bear would be proud.
And, you gotta make sure you put all food away, because, bears! Or, in our case, neighborhood cats and raccoons ;)
If you’re looking to have a fun weekend away and yet, aren’t too comfy going far from home, set up a campsite in your own backyard! Or your front yard, balcony, back deck, driveway, your living room, or at a family or friend’s place where you can safely socially distance.
Have fun, wear a mask, wash your hands and watch out for bears!
And, yes, you should definitely have another s’mores. ;)
For more from Stacey Doyle, follow her on Instagram @StaceyDoylePhotography, Faceobook @StaceyDoylePhotography and via StaceyDoyle.com.