Are your kids out for summer? Do you have a few vacation days saved up? Since it's National Camping Month now's a great time to pack up your gear and head into the great outdoors. But before you go, be sure to check out these Mindful camping tips.

5 Camping Ideas You've Got to Try

Ready to get camping? Check out the camping tips listed below.

1. Camp at a national park. There are so many camping options you can choose from like local parks to special camping grounds to your own backyard. If you have a hard time deciding we suggest you check out one of the 59 U.S. national parks. They make beautiful summer travel destinations. Learn more from our Mindful Travel series.
2. Pack Mindful gear. Be sure to put solar equipment on your list of things you need for camping. They're a great way to "go green" while you're enjoying nature. Use solar-powered lanterns at the campsite or solar fans to stay cool. With a solar cooker, you can safely make meals for your family without having to start a fire. You can find more information in this article.
3. Have yummy recipes on hand. Speaking of food, be sure to have yummy recipes prepared. You could have the traditional camping food, like hotdogs and s'mores, or you could get creative. How about a camp ham omelet sandwich or camp pies. For more yummy camping ideas, check out these five easy recipes for camping food.
4. Discover new things in the great outdoors. This camping trip can be your opportunity to try new things like bird watching or canoeing. You can also check to see if there are any geocaching opportunities near your campsite. Geocaching is like a scavenger hunt with a GPS receiver, map, and compass. You never know what you might find!
5. Take a journal with you. Being in the great outdoors is the perfect opportunity for you to reflect on yourself and your life. So on your camping trip, be sure to pack your travel journal with you. Write down your thoughts, the animals that you see, or the foliage that you spot on the campground. You can also collect mementos like leaves and flowers and press them in between the pages. For more tips on travel journals, check out this Mindful article.