Summer days and nights bring out the outdoorsman in almost all of us, and a few brave souls actually answer the call by packing up their tents, sleeping bags, and marshmallows and heading for the nearest (or furthest) campground. What can we learn about marriage from these hardy souls? Here are 7 ways camping in the great outdoors is similar to the great adventure we call marriage.

1. Anticipation. If you’ve ever been around children as they prepare for a camping trip, you may have noticed the similarity they have to giddy brides-to-be. Even wary campers, like me, feel a boost in energy as the big night nears, in nearly the same way that the bride and groom, and their friends and family, feel the excitement build as they approach their wedding day.
2. Preparation. Have you seen those Wedding Day checklists in the bridal magazines? Although the items differ (invitations and flowers; roasting sticks and bug spray), campers need to be prepared, too. Although we are very occasional campers, years ago my husband printed and laminated a list of Camping Supplies. Now, it’s as easy as pulling it out and checking off the necessary tasks/supplies. Maybe someone should sell a laminated list for brides!
3. Setting Up House. Whether or not the groom carries the bride over the threshold of their new home, one thing’s for sure: they have their work cut out for them. Unpacking dishes can take hours, never mind the rest of it! And any camper—even one-nighters like me—can tell you that the fun doesn’t start until after the tent is set up, the coolers are unloaded, and the snacks are on the picnic table.
4. Adventure. The wedding day is an adventure in itself, but marriage, wow! There are so many paths for married couples to explore, regardless of whether they’ve been married a week or ten years. Just as campers look for adventure on hikes in the woods, married couples will have more fun together if they keep exploring life together.
5. Reality. Camping isn’t all fun and games, you know. Setting up the “house” is work and so is taking it down, cleaning up your site, and trying to freshen up without catching a foot fungus in those showers. Married couples soon find that day-to-day life requires more than a little work, too. Somebody has to buy groceries, clean laundry, cook food and cut the grass. Finding a rhythm that works for both of you is key to keeping your marital reality sane.
6. Rainy Days and Nights. Have you tried camping in the rain? Or packing up a campsite in a downpour? If not, I can tell you that it requires patience and teamwork, which are also two essential ingredients in a marriage when the going gets tough. If it’s important to respect each other and communicate well when life is good, it’s crucial when someone loses a job, when you relocate your family, or when illness strikes.
7. Revealing. Without access to Kohler showerheads, well-lighted mirrors, pedicure kits, or the remote control, camping helps us show our pared-down, true selves. With artifice stripped away, we have a chance to get to know ourselves and our other campers in more depth than in other environments. A good marriage is like that, too: Honesty promotes growth, closeness, and understanding, which is good for any relationship that’s going to last a lifetime.

photo credit: wildxplorer