At Rudger, our mission is to help everyone — including ourselves — get outside more and connect with nature. To live this out personally, my family set a goal: camp at least once every month during 2025.

We kicked off the year strong and have already built some unforgettable memories:

• January: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

• February: Painted Rock Petroglyph Site

• March: Joshua Tree National Park

• April: Grand Canyon National Park

Next up, we have some exciting trips planned:

• May: Chiricahua National Monument

• June: Arches National Park

• July: California Coast (Route still being finalized!)

We’d love your help: drop your suggestions in the comments on where we should explore next!

Learning and Growing Together

Our 8-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son are loving each adventure. In fact, my son now asks, “When are we going camping again?” before we’ve even unpacked the car!

As we camp month after month, we’re getting better at it too. Meals are improving, we’re sleeping more comfortably, and we’re figuring out the right balance of activities for the kids. (For example, our first trip involved a bit too much hiking for little legs.)

On our most recent trip to the Grand Canyon, we hit a new milestone: we packed the tent into its carry bag perfectly on the first try! A small win, but a proud moment after many trips of wrestling with tent poles.

We’re also experimenting more with outdoor cooking. Our favorite meal so far? Pineapple Bacon Fried Rice — a huge hit with the whole family!

Why Camping is Worth It

Camping isn’t always easy — it’s definitely more work than staying home for the weekend — but it’s been absolutely worth it. Watching our kids grow more confident outdoors, completing Junior Ranger programs at national parks, and learning new skills together as a family has been priceless.

Our daughter especially looks forward to the Junior Ranger programs. She proudly shows off her badges after each trip, a tangible reminder of her experiences and learning.

We hope our journey inspires you to set your own goals for getting outdoors more this year. Whether it’s one weekend or twelve, adventure is always closer than you think.

Got a favorite camping spot?
Let us know in the comments — we’re always looking for our next adventure!