One of the items on this year’s bucket list was to take Athena camping. I’m embarrassed to say that she’s never been before, especially since I loved camping as a child and it’s one of my earliest memories. We wanted her first overnight camping experience to be in eastern Canada so it would be similar to what I remembered as a child. We packed our bags and made our way to Fundy National Park in New Brunswick to experience camping like never before for all of us.
With minimal camping gear with us on our extended vacation in New Brunswick, we didn’t know how we were going to make overnight camping work. When I found Fundy National Parks’s oTENTik experience, I knew it was the perfect fit. The Parks Canada oTENTik is a spacious blend of tent and rustic cabin equipped with beds and furniture on a raised floor. It’s not exactly roughing it but it’s a great introduction to camping and tenting. Darren and I never camped in an oTENTik before either so it was a new experience for all of us.
Outside the oTENTik, there is a parking space, a picnic table, two deck chairs and a charcoal BBQ. Inside, there is a table, 4 chairs, a bench, a sleeping area, a solar-powered light and a propane heater. All we needed was bedding, food and drinks, cooking gear, propane and a lighter.
Athena was bursting with excitement when we arrived. She climbed up and down the bunk bed steps dozens of times and anxiously awaited s’mores. Since the BBQ was propane, we used waffle cones and stuffed them with marshmallows and chocolate. Wrapped in tinfoil, they roasted beautifully on the grill and tasted delicious.
As we sat in the chairs and ate our s’mores and hotdogs, we watched a pair of squirrels run and play around us. Even though we were only 1 km from the town of Alma, we felt like we were having deep woods camping experience.
At night when it was time for sleep, Athena used her flashlight as a nightlight and we made shadow animals on the side of the tent.
It was everything I imagined our first camping experience to be with woodland creatures and delicious food around a fire followed by snuggling up in the tent while telling stories and drifting off to sleep.
Bucket List Publications 
Ooh–sounds like my kind of camping. Great pics of memories to cherish.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoy hiking to a camp spot and tenting as well but it’s a little more difficult with Athena. We’re excited to introduce her to as much as possible and let her decide what works best. 🙂
Have you tried “Glamping”?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glamorous Camping?
LikeLike
Sounds like the kid form of glamping! And in such a lovely area of Canada. Happy travels!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Patti! I’m not sure I’d say it was as luxurious as “glamping” but it was a great fit for us. I haven’t been glamping though. Have you? I think I’d love it. 🙂
LikeLike
I love those tents & beds
LikeLike
There was tons of room for us. A whole other family could have joined us and we still would have been comfortable. Have you ever been to Fundy National Park?
LikeLiked by 1 person
only been in ON and quebec
LikeLike
I always thought camping in a cabin was somehow cheating, but at age 70 I think this would change my mind! I still love to camp in a tent and do it frequently at Waianapanapa in Hana Maui but with young child this is definitely a fun alternative.
LikeLike
We’re excited to take her tent camping as well but this was a great start. She really had a lot of fun and didn’t mind any part of it. I think for the first tenting experience we’ll make sure that there is at least a bathroom near by. She’s potty trained but I wouldn’t chance asking her to hold it while we made our way to a far potty 😉
I’ll have to look into Waianapanapa in Hana Maui. We were recently talking about visiting Maui this year. Maybe I could cross off two items at once 🙂
LikeLike
Sounds like a fun time was had by all, which is the most important part. And though I love primitive camping, not every trip has to be roughing it. Sometimes it’s awesome to do something a little different!
LikeLike
We want to try a much as possible. This is just the beginning 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful! I look forward to reading about more of your adventures!
LikeLike
Wonderful way to go camping. I am Canadian but on the west coast. You leave me longing to visit the east coast asap. I have a ton of relations there, too. I’m sure your girl will forever remember her first camping experience, lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both my family and my husband’s family live on the east coast so we usually spend a lot of time here but I love the west coast as well. Which province are you in?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am in BC near Vancouver 🙂 Either coast is so beautiful, really, hard to choose what is best but I suspect where we have loving family will win that one, lol
LikeLike
Whoa! Great experience for Athena and for all! 🙂
This type of camp is unique, haven’t tried it too. 🙂
LikeLike
Pingback: Athena’s First Camping Experience | tssreviewsdotcom
Did you make it to the Reversing falls in St. John (https://webetripping.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/the-canadian-maritime-provinces/)? We did that a few years ago.
Glad Athena had a great time, I bet you guys had a blast. The tents look awesome!
LikeLike
I haven’t. I don’t think I’ll have time on this trip but I’ll look into it for next time. Our family still lives here so we’ll be here again 🙂
LikeLike
That kind of camping is right up my street!
LikeLike
Sounds fantastic. I love camping. I’ve camped through France and Spain and it was so interesting and if you ever come to the UK. You must try camping in the New Forest. Its so lovely and soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo english! 🙂
LikeLike
Hey! I spent a lot of time tent camping in Europe including France, Italy, Ireland, and Switzerland but it was in my early twenties when I had very little concern for where I stayed. Maybe when Athena is a little older, we’ll try in Europe again 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having children changes the way you do things I’ve found-even camping. I know having my two-now 22 & 20 meant I had other consideration and needs that were took into account. In my bucket list is a trip down the coast of Western Australia. Wild camping as much as poss 🙂
LikeLike
Cheryl and I visited New Brunswick in May. We spent time exploring the Fundi Trail which is beautiful and drove thru Fundi Park to the Hopewell Rocks. The tide changed 38 feet the day we were there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Was this your first time visiting? Did you visit other provinces as well?
LikeLike
I have always wanted to try out one of these for my blog. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you live in Canada?
LikeLike
Yes, in Vancouver so we have lots of camping opportunities
LikeLike
I love camping, but I wouldn’t if I had to rough it. I want a hard floor and a door I can lock when I sleep, so either a cabin or a camper of some kind works for me. I’m glad Athena’s first camping trip was so great for her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do enjoy tenting but after this, I may want a hard floor and a door as well 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are such a great mom! Athena is so lucky to have outdoorsy experiences. I didn’t go camping for the first time until I was 22! Athena is on the fast-track to outdoor and nature know-how. Have fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marissa! We try to expose her to as much as possible and let her decide what she likes doing most. It’s nice to have things for the whole family. What did you think of camping when you first went?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lesley! My first camping experience was hilarious because I agreed to live in my boyfriend’s truck with him for a year, and we visited 30+ national parks, Canada, and Mexico! I agreed to it without ever having camped before because I loved him so much and wanted to spend that quality time. Even after living in a car we’re still together after 8 years! We figured after living in a car together there’s nothing we can’t handle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s both funny and sweet. I couldn’t agree more. If you want to really know someone, just travel with them.
Congratulations on 8 successful years and here’s to dozens more. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember when your little girl was born – and now here she is with her folks on a Canadian camping experience! She’s a lucky little girl – and so adorable, too. Enjoy!
LikeLike
Thank you! I feel like it was just last week that she was born and now I see her doing so many things that I didn’t expect for years. It really does happen over night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A far cry, though, from the tiny backpack two-man tent which was my introduction to this pastime. Still, when the bug bites, it will probably get to that!
LikeLike
We’d like to show her as much as possible and then we can decide as a family what fits us best. Hopefully this is just the beginning of tons of camping experiences. 🙂
LikeLike
What an adventure, and such wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLike
Aww. She looked liked she had a great time
LikeLike
Nice! My youngest never liked camping, though I tried a few times. A set up like this might have made the difference!
Good job mom!
LikeLike
I hope that she likes tent camping as well. I think when we go back to California, we’ll try a spot on the beach. I’ll let you know how it goes.
How old was your youngest when you first took her? I’m wondering if I waited too late.
LikeLike
I think we went too early! He was 2 and just felt comfortable in a tent
LikeLike
Whoa! Great experience for Athena and for all! 🙂
This type of camp is unique, haven’t tried it too. 🙂
LikeLike
we just took ours camping for the first time, too – and we rented an RV and met the grandparents at the campsite. Similar to you : not roughing it, but being outside a lot and enjoying summer and family and s’mores!
LikeLike
Wow, that is a long way from camping when i was a kid. We just pitched a tent, and slept in a sleeping bag. How times have changed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Adorable! What a beautiful memory. :0)
LikeLike
Civilised camping – like it.
LikeLike
Omigosh! What a great, great idea for s’mores!! I never would have thought of that way to make s’mores on a grill. I have a housewarming party coming up and we can’t have a bonfire because of the local wildfire hazard level, but I totally want to have these instead. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! That looks like such a lovely experience…that oTentik idea is so cool
LikeLike
What a great way to camp! I loved the smores idea of using a waffle cone!
LikeLike
Sounds blissfully full of memories and looks very comfy! 🙂
LikeLike
What a great first time experience. The look on your daughter’s face with the cone indicate that you will be camping a lot in the future. It is so special when your plans work out they way your dream. Thanks for sharing your story.
LikeLike