I recently gave a glowing review of my favorite campsite bathroom that I discovered during a camping trip years ago. 

While revisiting that fateful camping trip for my review, I also realized just how easy that trip was for me (I won’t mention my lack of tent poles because no friend, no matter how MOTHER they are, can help me remember everything).

The truth is that most of my camping trips have been super easy. I literally show up, get some help with my tent, follow someone on a hike, eat, complain about a card game, and sleep.

I can do all of this for one reason and one reason only… CAMP MOTHERS!

Not my actual mom who is just as likely as I am to forget her tent poles.

What is a Camp Mother?

I’m talking about that one friend in the friend group who takes the reins and always seems to have everything planned and prepped before the camping trip.

These Camp Mothers

• Always think ahead & secure rad campsites that need to be booked months in advance

• Coordinate pick-up/meeting places & times

• Send out reminder texts (often with suggested packing lists

• Always seem to have an extra sleeping pad

• Know how to use a camping stove & somehow cook the most epic meals

• Have the best instant coffee or an awesome camping French press

• Force you to wake up for sunrise hikes that end up being the best part of the camping trip

• Ignore complaints about learning a new card game & force you to have fun

Seriously, let’s celebrate these freaks of nature.

CAMP MOTHERS, thank you for all you do! 

I recently had the frightening thought that I might have to take on the role of Camp Mother since so many of my friends have left the city.

However, after trying to coordinate a day trip to Angel Island, and failing miserably because I did not bother to check if the café was open for our post-hike drink/meal agenda (ahem, it was NOT open, and we were left to sit—hungry, tired, and wishing for a beer—while we waited over an hour for the ferry to arrive), I don’t think I’m cut out for it.  

Camp Mothers apply here:

So I’m also taking applications for Camp Mothers who are looking to take on a little camping trash panda who is always down, but absolutely never prepared. Hit me up!