NVS Parent Reflection - The Sweetness and the Struggle: Camping is Both!
Sep 12, 2025 | by Marissa Steinberger (NVS Parent)
From prepping food to gathering the gear, from the schlepping to the chaotic packing to beat Friday traffic, it’s no easy thing to get out the door for the school camping trip!
I had my own struggles, and I heard plenty from others: gear lost on the highway, meltdowns in the car, essentials left behind, air mattresses popped when we got there, traffic jams. I know I wasn’t the only one stretched past my regulation zone just trying to get there and get set up.
But as soon as we arrived, I could sense the joy these kids had just being together in nature, soaking in these last days of summer. I remembered exactly what all the effort and struggle were for.
The freedom and excitement in the eyes of these kids - biking under the trees, laughing around campfires, jumping and splashing in the water, filling their sense of awe, and then banding together to help each other look for a parent when someone needed something. These are the memories worth making.
That first night, my son curled up under the stars, let out a yawn, and said, “I wish we could stay here forever.”
And in that moment, I felt it. That’s the sweetness. That’s the moment all the effort was for.
As the weekend went on, I settled more deeply into the sweetness of it all: the connections, the full belly laughs, the slower rhythm of simply being together.
There was space for deeper conversations, the kind we rarely get in the hustle of daily drop-off and pick-up life. Conversations like, “How are you really?” and “It feels like we only really get to connect on these trips.” And it’s true. These weekends carve out a space where we can be more present for ourselves, our kids, and for each other.
Also, let’s be honest, food tastes better outside, and when you’re with people you love, even better!
I’m so deeply grateful for every ounce of effort that went into making this happen: the planning, the packing, the cooking, the showing up, the clean-up. It’s not small. It takes a lot. And I’m convinced parents are actual superheroes. Truly.
And no one embodied that more than Anna, such a powerhouse. The kind of “doer” that keeps everything running while making it look effortless. We’ve been so lucky to have her organizing, keeping us on track, and making this camping trip happen.
To all of you parents who carried more than their share, gave extra hugs, played music, or showed up even when they were running on fumes, thank you. You made magic happen, and it was worth it.
Here’s to the struggle, the sweetness, and everything in between.