With family, friends, or as a lone adventurer, summer is the ideal season to explore nature. An outdoor digital detox is the ideal way to cap off the summer. Research has shown that a seven-day break from social media apps enhanced mental health, and it’s obvious that people are looking for new methods to put down their devices as more than 76 million videos on TikTok have the hashtag #digitaldetox.
It might be challenging to turn off our smartphones between work, school, and digital downtime. Thankfully, many of us will have more opportunity to disconnect and decompress with a tranquil vacation in nature now that summer has here. The RSPB Shop has put together this helpful wild weekends guide, which includes where to go, what to bring, and the best outdoor activities, to help you organize a peaceful holiday and put the screens away.
- 3 Practical Tips for Locating Family-Friendly Camping and Hiking Locations
You may escape from it all without traveling abroad. Beautiful, family-friendly camping areas abound in the UK, making it the perfect place to spend a staycation. There is a location for everyone, whether they choose to hike along the amazing trails of the Lake District or unwind on a picturesque campground in Wales with a view of the shore.
- To help you plan your trip and identify the best family-friendly locations, consider these top tips:
1) Seek out trails with easy terrain and fascinating landmarks: When going on a hike with your family, choose routes that are easy to moderately difficult so that you can comfortably finish them in a few hours. Keep an eye out for regions with interesting landmarks because doing so will add to the family’s enjoyment and keep the kids from getting bored or restless.
2) Look for campgrounds with family-friendly amenities: If you’re attempting to reduce screen time while traveling, make sure the campground you choose provides a variety of amenities. You may get your family to spend time together without using their phones by using the game room, swimming pool, or other on-site activities like kayaking.
3) Immerse yourself somewhere utterly new: Camping somewhere you’ve never been before is the ideal way to enjoy a screen-free trip. You’ll be too busy spending quality time with your loved ones to be concerned about your phone because there are so many interesting local places to see and enjoyable things to do, including birding where you can see birds that you don’t typically see at home.
According to an RSPB representative, spending time in nature away from screens is a fantastic way to rekindle relationships with your loved ones:
“It might be difficult to switch off, especially now that screens play such a significant role in our lives, but getting back to the fundamentals and taking your time in nature are both good for the mind. Digital detox allows one to focus on in-person social connections without interruptions. The ease of camping and being outdoors is a terrific way to spend time with friends and family and offers the space to re-connect with yourself, nature, and your loved ones.
Where to go for a weekend without screens in nature
Prime locations for camping and trekking in the UK include:
The South West is one of the most popular areas for UK vacations, thanks to the spectacular Jurassic Coast that stretches across Dorset and Devon and the coastal walks in Cornwall. Trails like the one from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door provide breathtaking vistas until you arrive at a magnificent beach that’s ideal for a quick lunch and some downtime.
The Lake District is a national park in Cumbria that offers countless, stunning hiking trails across its distinctive U-shaped valleys and jagged hills. Haweswater is a fantastic place to see a variety of birds, including raptors. Here, campgrounds offer a breathtaking backdrop of mountains and lakes that make for the ideal morning views.
Scotland is a hiker’s heaven because of its countless glens and several lochs. Families can also take pleasure in viewing famous structures and places like Glencoe’s Hagrid’s Hut or the numerous fairy pools on the Isle of Skye.
Wales: Wales is home to numerous hiking paths and outdoor pursuits. Hike waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons or climb Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in Southern Britain. Why not, instead, set up tent close to the beach? A fun family weekend by the sea is ideal in Tenby.
essentials you should bring
The key to organizing a fantastic camping vacation is planning, since the last thing you want to do is show up without the necessities! Who knows what sort of misadventures you might have? If you prepare for every scenario, even the weather, your trip will go smoothly.
Following are the RSPB’s top suggestions for packing:
While camping:
It’s always important to have a sturdy tent that can endure any weather. A pop-up tent may be advantageous if you are traveling with kids because it will take less time to set it up.
There are many different sizes and densities of sleeping bags. Look at sleeping bags that are appropriate for the kind of weather you will probably experience where you will be staying.
If your campsite allows them, camping chairs are excellent for lounging around your tent or spending the evening around the campfire. Select lightweight, folding chairs that are simple to pack away and transport on day trips.
For transporting your camping supplies and bringing your needs on walks, a sizable backpack is a must. In order to readily access your water bottle, map, and other belongings without having to dig through the main compartment, go for a design with lots of pockets.
For morning coffee, afternoon tea, or nighttime hot chocolate, you’ll need a campfire and mugs. To reduce how much you bring, stainless steel cups work great for keeping drinks hot and cold.
While hiking:
a water-resistant jacket to keep you dry when sightseeing and trekking. To stay dry and comfortable when hiking, you’ll need a lightweight, water-resistant outfit.
For prolonged outdoor activities, use a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Your skin requires UV protection even when it’s gloomy outdoors, especially if you plan to hike outside during the peak hours of 11am and 3pm.
A picnic:
A portable picnic blanket that can be rolled up will assist shield the ground when having a beach picnic or a quick meal mid-hike. So that you can make and carry your own lunch and prevent waste from plastic wrappers, containers, and carrier bags, don’t forget to pack a cooler bag as well.
When opposed to single-use products, reusable dishes, bowls, and cups that can be cleaned at your campground are considerably more environmentally beneficial. Additionally, they are reusable for each camping trip year after year!
Bring a reusable bottle with you if you want to carry hot or cold beverages. A thermal insulated bottle will retain beverages at the proper temperature for hours, which is vital for hiking.
Fun activities for your camping trip without screens
Plan some enjoyable activities for the day and at camp in order to keep you and your family active and reduce screen usage while you’re on your trip. According to research, 95% of parents feel technology makes it harder to chat, play, and interact with their children without being distracted on a regular basis. A wild weekend is the ideal opportunity to change this.
The following are some enjoyable family-friendly activities:
1) Nature observation: Get up close to the environment and look for species. While on your nature hikes, a Mighty Magnifier is excellent for examining leaves, rocks, shells, and everything in between. A micro animals guide can help you recognize any particular creatures you come across.
2) Birdwatching: Whenever you go on a hike, look up instead of down at your phone. Invest in a nice pair of birdwatching binoculars, including a set of kids binoculars for your young children, because the sky are full of fascinating birds, both large and small. Keep an eye out because you might be fortunate enough to see a Peregrine Falcon in Pembrokeshire or a Buzzard in Devon.
3) Campfire tales: By telling stories, you may engage your family in conversation while also fostering imagination. Before moving around the circle, have one person begin the story so that each person can continue it and see what you all come up with!
Source- Travel daily