I wish this post could be about of all the things you can do to make camping go right.But if you know anything about camping or kids, you’ll know that is just wishful thinking.

My parents provided a TON of logistical support on our camping trip. They made the reservations for the campsite where we stayed in Amish country in Pennsylvania, and paid for it. They keep one of our tents for us and let us borrow a second one (we own two, so this made three total). They brought all the camp kitchen supplies, two screened-in dining enclosures, and did almost all of the meal prep and clean up. They provided sleeping pads for under the kids’ sleeping bags (The same ones my sibs and I slept on camping as kids!). They brought extra camping chairs to share (we only own two).It was my job to help my kids pack appropriate clothing, sleeping accommodations, and once we were there, put everyone to bed, supervise the kids, bathe them, and toilet them, the latter few with support from my mom and the Chaplain.Since the Chaplain worked right up until the day we had to leave, I was alone with getting everyone packed. Even with bigger kids helping little kids, packing for a camping trip is an intimidating prospect. My oldest has a summer job 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, and believes this excuses him from making any effort at home. He packed the night before, did nothing to help with family packing, and did exactly what I asked him not to do: waited till the last minute to strap his bikes on the back of our truck.

We ended up arriving with no sleeping bag for him.I didn’t even feel bad.

But I found out later that the quilt my parents offered him was the one off of their own bed (I honestly thought they were so resourceful that they had packed an extra blanket).There were thunderstorms while we were there, while combined with some bedwetting, led to damp accommodations for some of the kids. One evening, there was a sudden, heavy thunderstorm, combined with some absent-minded zipping (I’m looking in the mirror) that resulted in water getting into one of the tents. That night, pooling of water at a low point at the other side of the campsites led to water seeping up through the bottom of another tent, causing one kid to wake up in a puddle, and the commotion of getting that kid dried off and back to sleep woke another one.But despite sleeping without black-out shades (I hung tapestries in the tent the Chaplain and I shared with our youngest two) or white noise, the kids slept remarkably well, and we had a really good time.Our campsites were right near a road where Amish buggies, scooters, and other modes of transportation regularly passed. Every time the sound of horse hooves was heard on the pavement, there was a rush of feet at our campsite as the kids ran to get a peek.

There is a nearby grocery store, breakfast buffet, and lovely general store all in the same parking lot with great prices, luscious produce (think fat, juicy peaches and corn on the cob), and tons of fabric for $3.39/yd, which is OBSCENE. I did all my Christmas fabric shopping while we were there, to the tune of less than $60 and about 15 yards.Despite the rain, we were able to spend time at the pool, take a few brief walks, and there was even some sitting around reading. Everyone had moments of rest and quiet, mixed in with refreshing activity. The older kids made fast friends with some of the other kids at the campgrounds. My sister was able to come by for the afternoon and hang out.I have been listening to and reading a lot of books lately that ask me to:

1. Be vulnerable.

2. Not listen to my inner voice.

3. Live in the Moment and Surrender.For all the things that could’ve gone better on our camping trip – me being more independent with camping supplies and logistics, me not leaving my parent’s tent door unzipped during a violent rain storm when I went into it to close the windows to keep the same violent rainstorm out, remembering to bring sleeping bags for all my kids, or make it clear that it was their job to pack their own, being able to feed my own kids while camping . . . do you hear me? ME ME ME MY MY MY.

Someday in the future, the kids will be a little older. We’ll have more camping supplies of our own, and maybe a way to fit them in our truck or tow them. I’ll have a few more kids who are old enough and able to help me prepare for a big trip and know what needs to be done so I don’t have to do everything physically AND mentally.

Right now, though, we are not there. We have a ton of kids, not a ton of camping supplies, and a willing spirit for adventure. We showed up, and my parents helped make it happen. We had good family time. My teenager was smiling so hard he forgot to do zombie eyes in every pic I took of him. He had sweet moments with most of his younger sibs. My kids got to read and walk with their Grandma, learn some swimming skills, and have quality time with Grandpa. They got to spend time with their dad and mom, and they got to do it outside. We were soggy a lot, and it was part of the fun.

So, camping with seven kids? Totally possible. Get all the help that is available, practice gratitude, surrender your expectations, and go with the flow.