Being in the woods is no excuse to leave little luxuries back at home. In fact, I’d wager that it’s the best backdrop to flaunt your entertaining prowess. I live for the idea that you can maximize every moment with just a little extra effort. Call me a “glamper” if you must, but attention to detail makes an experience unforgettable.
Hospitality isn’t just for fancy hotels, and camping isn’t just for roughing it! Here’s how to combine the two for a next-level camping experience:
1. Set the Table: A tablecloth and some good dishes go a long way to turn a weathered picnic table into dining al fresco. I use a throw blanket that can double as a wrap by the fire later, and I always keep a lookout for vintage cafeteria trays or tin plate sets that travel well and conjure up summer-camp nostalgia.
2. Lighting is Everything: Battery-operated lanterns are great for function, but I’d rather set the mood. Nothing kills the vibe quicker than a blinding glare surrounded by light-drunk bugs. Mason jars make the perfect lantern for candles and keep the wind from blowing them out.
3. B.Y.O.Bar: Nothing is more amateur than showing up with a bottle of booze and not knowing what to do with it. Sipping whiskey from the bottle is great for showing you haven’t lost your youthful spontaneity, but you can do better. The key is pre-batching cocktails at home and then funneling them into mini bottles or mason jars that easily fit in a bag or cooler. Bring some proper glassware. Again, mason jars are a good durable option for cocktail glasses that fit perfectly in a beer koozie for transport.
4. Go Analogue: It physically pains me when I’m soaking in the nature vibes and someone whips out their phone to remind me of the connected world I’m trying to escape for the night. The campground is no place for phones. Keep mobile technology out of sight, out of mind. I know, I know, we all want photos of our amazing campground dinner party to revel in later on Instagram. I’m guilty of this, too! Rediscover your camera or bring a Polaroid to capture the memories.
5. Tent Hotel: The worst hour of camping is when you first get to your campground full of excitement and anticipation, only to delay that cold beer and camp chair while you set up a dusty tent and get organized. It’s really fun to blow your guests’ minds by setting up a full tent hotel room that’s ready when they arrive. Think of it as an outdoor guest house. My camp guest shows up to a tent with an air mattress fully made with comfy sheets and a nice Pendleton blanket, as well as a crate nightstand set with some magazines and a filled water bottle. And I can’t help myself from leaving a little chocolate on their pillow. Just because.
There’s a time and a place for roughing it, and I enjoy a good backpacking adventure when the situation calls, but there’s no reason you can’t also create a five-star camp experience and bring your hostess game to the woods.
This article was originally published in RANGE Magazine Issue Four.
Illustration by Andrew Groves.