Leave as Individuals, Come Home a Family: Vacationing in a Log Cabin

Many urban families dream about getting away from the fast pace, concrete landscaping, and high pressure surroundings associated with city life. Typical family vacations include sunshine, beaches, amusement parks, and staff dressed as cartoon characters. While these types of holidays are great for blowing off steam and having fun, they’re not very conducive to reconnecting with each other as a family.

Sunbathing and reading on the beach are solitary activities, and it’s hard to have a meaningful chat with your teenager while riding on a roller coaster. If you’re looking for a different kind of vacation -one that’s fun, educational, and involves lots of interaction with your kids- then staying in a log cabin in the woods may be just what you’re looking for.

Children that are under the age of twelve are particularly suited for log cabin vacations because of their natural curiosity and enthusiasm for trying new activities. Kids enjoy learning how to fish and hunt with their parents, while the little ones love jumping in mud puddles and splashing in water.

Children of all ages are enchanted by local wildlife like deer, squirrels, and rabbits that pass by. Indeed, observing wildlife in their natural habitat is an excellent opportunity to teach your children about the wonders of nature, the cycle of life, and about respecting our animal neighbors.

Older children and teenagers may be skeptical at first about spending their holiday surrounded by mountains and trees rather than beaches and shopping malls. If they’ve been raised in a city environment, the idea of being in the American wilderness may sound boring or even frightening. It’s important to listen to their objections and empathize, but if you can convince them to be open-minded to the experience, they may end up having the time of their lives.

With hiking trails, lakes, rivers, horseback riding, fishing, and more, spending time in the mountains can be very rewarding. You’re able to spend quality time with family members who won’t be tied up with school, work, or household concerns. In fact, vacationing in the backcountry can afford parents an excellent opportunity to work on their relationships with their children, especially teenagers.

The teen years are a precarious time for the whole family, as the teenager tries to find his or her own identity. They need to separate from their parents in order to grow, but they’re still vulnerable and immature, and need their parents’ support during this tumultuous time. With a cabin vacation, the focus is on activities that are best enjoyed together, which enables family members to communicate and get to know each other on a deeper level.

There are a number of recreational activities to enjoy in the outdoors such as kayaking or hiking, but there are also things to do as a family indoors. Leave the video games and television shows behind and do things as a group, such as playing board games, pool, or darts. Old fashioned ghost stories can also provide a great deal of entertainment on a stormy evening for those with a strong constitution. Many vacation cabins also have hot tubs, which gives the entire family a place to relax.

Curl up by the fire and listen to the sounds of the wilderness. Enjoy being away from the daily grind, and being close to nature. This is your chance to get grounded, relax, and to have fun together. Get to know your family while on vacation this time, and return home a stronger unit.