Welcome to Camp Aerie! This spring is all about taking a break to unplug, get outside and camp (ok let’s be real… GLAMP) at the first rays of sunshine. Inspired by our trip to Lake Tahoe for our photoshoot, we brought all of our camping tips together—from destination ideas to packing tips to power snacks. It’s all for YOU, happy campers!
Show this camp what’s up with our newest spring loves!
What to pack:
- Chill. Play. Move. leggings (like this Chill High Waisted Rainbow Stripe Legging) for everything from early morning yoga flows to late afternoon hikes
- Shoulder Tie Overalls… because everything’s better in overalls!
- Adventure-ready swim: take this bright Bandeau Bikini Top and High Cut Cheeky Bikini Bottom from the lake to the trails
- Chenille Crew Sweaters and Camp Shorts to keep you cozy by the campfire
- All the fun accessories! Store your bandanas, sunnies and scrunchies in a fanny pack for easy travels
Don’t forget the camping essentials:
- Lantern
- Binoculars
- Map
- Cooler for food
- Tent and tent stakes
- Sleeping bag (make sure it’s fit for the temps!)
- Sunscreen
- Whistle
We headed to Lake Tahoe to bring Camp Aerie to life, but there are tons of amazing places for you to unplug and unwind. Here are a few camper-friendly areas we recommend across the US:
- Lake Tahoe in California: From skiing and snowshoeing in the winter to hiking and scuba-diving in the summer, Tahoe has fun all year round.
- Arches National Park in Utah: If you love backpacking, amazing sights and all the photo ops you could ever want, this Insta-worthy park is for you.
- Olympic National Park in Washington: Whale watching? Check. Hiking? Check. Beautiful green forests? Check check and check! This park has a little bit of something for everyone.
- Assateague Island in Maryland: This one is for the animal lover. Kayak along the island to see tons of wildlife, including herds of wild horses that live near the shores.
- Acadia National Park in Maine: This park is the first place in the US to see the sunrise. If you’re an early riser, you won’t want to miss it!
No matter where you go, be safe!
- When you’re picking out your camping spot, be sure to find someplace dry, flat and clean.
- Use the buddy system! Never hike alone and keep an emergency whistle on you at all times.
- Before you hit the sleeping bag, make sure your fire is completely out and all food is put away.
- When going to any park—especially a national park—be sure to follow park rules while you’re there to keep our national parks natural and beautiful.
S’more fun? Yes please. Put a new spin on a classic fave with this trail mix. It’s a must for your next hike!
- 5 cups Golden Grahams cereal (reserve 1 cup for later)
- 3 cups Chex cereal
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (reserve 1/2 cup for later)
- 1 3/4 cups mini marshmallows (reserve 3/4 cup for later)
- In a large bowl, combine 4 cups Golden Graham cereal and 3 cups Chex cereal.
- Combine peanut butter and 1 cup of chocolate chips in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave until creamy, stirring every 30 seconds.
- Add 1 cup of mini marshmallows to the chocolate peanut butter mix and stir to combine.
- Pour mixture over cereal and stir until cereal is coated.
- Slowly pour powdered sugar over covered cereal. Mix until cereal is fully coated.
- Pour mixture into a separate large bowl and mix in remaining chocolate chips, mini marshmallows and Golden Grahams cereal.
- Place into a small sandwich bag for easy transportation.
- Enjoy!
Along with our trail mix, we packed a cooler full of camp-worthy food. Here’s some tips to spice up your camp menu!
- Paper bag bacon and eggs. Trust us. For an easy take on breakfast, line a brown paper bag with bacon to create a “nest” and crack in some eggs. Close the bag and roast it over a fire grate for ten minutes or until cooked through.TIP: Save the plate and eat it right out of the bag!
- Keep it classic and roast hot dogs! Forgot your roasting sticks? Find some thin, long sticks and sharpen to a point. Burn the ends to sanitize and you’re good to get cooking.
- Freeze your water bottles ahead of time. Use the frozen bottles in place of ice in your cooler. Once they thaw, use the water to drink or freshen up!
- Pack granola or protein bars for some on-the-go snacks that will keep your energy levels high. Fresh fruit like apples, bananas and oranges are some of our top picks that come in their own bio-degradable “packaging.”
Retreat Yoga with Erin, Aerie Stylist
For more practiced yogis, use Erin’s flow as a guide to wake up and start your day.
Before you start, set an intention for your practice. Allow yourself to be present and feel like your truest, most authentic self. Put away any expectations you may have for today, and take a moment to appreciate yourself for showing up and appreciate your body for being here.
Start in a seated position and lengthen up through your spine. Slowly turn your head to one side, then the other. Move to hands and knees, and move through a few rounds of cat/cow. Add a few hip circles.
Open up to your first downward dog. Then, lift your right leg and move into a 3 legged dog. Stretch your right leg forward into a low lunge, and lift up into cactus arms. Put your right leg back, and repeat on the left side. Move through 3 rounds of Sun As. Move through 3 rounds of Sun Bs, adding a balancing half moon on each side.
Move into warrior 1. Open up to warrior 2. Reverse your warrior. Next, move into side angle pose. Reverse your warrior and move through a vinyasa. Repeat 1 more time on the right, then 2 times on the left.
Sit back into utkatasana an open into a twist on the right side. Move through center and open to a twist on the left side. Next, move through a vinyasa and open up to warrior 1. Then, move into humble warrior. Open up to warrior 2, into Triangle pose and then move back into warrior 2.
Move into archers pose and hold for 3 breaths. Then, land back in warrior 2. Open up into goddess pose. Forward fold. Then, repeat 1 more time on the right, then 2 times on the left. Next, move to Eagle. and move your elbow to knee 3 times. Then, leg raise, twist, center, open knee and opposite arm, move back to center, then to airplane, twisting half moon, then tree pose—first on the right, next on the left.
Lay on your stomach on your mat and open up for 3 belly backbends. 2 can be bow pose. Move onto your back and open up for 3 backbends, bridge or wheel. Then, lay on your back with the soles of your feet touching for supta baddha konasana. Move into your inversion of choice, or put hips on a block. Then, move the block up your back for fish pose.
Slowly move into pigeon pose, first on the right, next on the left. Come to a seated position on your mat, and stretch your legs out for double leg extension, first on the right, next on the left. Lay down on your mat for happy baby. Let your knees fall to the left and twist to the right. Flip your knees and repeat on the left side.
Savasana.
Namaste!
What are your go-to camping tips? Comment below and tell us!
