Be the Dad Superhero!

Imagine a weekend away with no lawn to mow, no shrubs to trim, no ‘honey-do’ list, no social commitments, no unexpected in-law visits, and no kids’ athletic events. Just two days of hanging out with the guys, sharing good conversation, breathing the fresh forest air and enjoying a few cocktails. Imagine, no one to tell you what to do … or what not to do! In short, it’s your weekend - probably the only one you’ll get each year - to do whatever you please.

The only catch is that you have to remember that you’ve brought your kids along with you, so it’s not all “college weekend” again. But, beyond getting a little food into them each day and ensuring they’re not eaten by a big old raccoon, you’re on vacation!

Since 1989 I have had the pleasure of spending a weekend with as many as 700 of my “closest friends” doing what guys do best: relaxing, talking sports, jobs, families, catching a few rays and doing some biking and hiking. 

I say this somewhat jokingly because, as we all know, life is all about our kids and spending some quality time with them. And, when there are no distractions of everyday life to get in the way, you can really enjoy each other’s company, whether doing “outdoor stuff” or just sitting around talking about whatever comes up.

This is what Dads & Kids Camping Weekend has meant to me. With the nonstop pace of what our lives have become, it represents a respite that I look forward to each and every year.

And, while I share my selfish reasons for organizing and participating in this event for the past three decades, you should also know that each year hundreds of dads, kids and moms likewise count down the fifty-one weeks between the occurrences of this annual event. Families literally block off the weekend after Memorial Day (our chosen time each year, and for a good reason that I’ll share later) on their calendars and consider this a sacred happening not to be interfered with. 

I should make clear at this time that, while the dads and kids are the actual participants in our No Moms weekend, the moms are perhaps the real winners. As all dads know, moms work extremely hard taking care of our kids and picking up the slack for us in so many ways. This weekend is one they cherish as well, as it provides a couple of days of peace and quiet, a chance to get away with friends or perhaps enjoy a day at the spa.   

Dads & Kids Camping Weekend is more than just another weekend activity. It has become a tradition for hundreds of families and what it means to the kids, their dads and their moms is immeasurable. It is something that the kids anxiously await each year. It creates great memories that will remain with them for their entire lives and has resulted in friendships that they would otherwise not have made or maintained. 

Most importantly, Dads & Kids Camping Weekend has taught our children how and why families do what they do and the importance of socialization and sharing. They have also learned both to become independent and to watch out for each other. Each year they have an opportunity to participate in something that is truly unique and enriching.

If you are thinking at this point that this all sounds pretty cool but that it would be a lot of work to organize, here’s more good news: I have written this how-to handbook in a format that even a dad can follow. It’s a quick read and outlines step-by-step exactly what you need to do to ensure your own successful Dads & Kids Camping Weekend. And the Appendix has an abbreviated version in the form of a checklist to make your job even easier.