We reconnected with our Peace Vans Modern customer, Erika Evans, to see how she’s enjoying her Mercedes Metris camper van. Erika worked with us to bring more comfort and convenience to her adventures with our Weekender Camper van conversion—the perfect option if you’re looking for a little more interior room and don’t need all the bells and whistles of our Full Camper van conversion.

Erika grew up tent camping. As she got older, she became less and less interested in sleeping on the ground, rounding up all the gear for a weekend trip, and dealing with the post-adventure cleanup. The Weekender has made her transition from weekday driving to weekend camping seamless. And now she’s sharing those adventures with an extra human—a tiny extra human.

Erika and her husband, Eric, welcomed their son, Liam, this spring. It wasn’t long before Liam was joining them on their outdoor explorations. The family’s first trip was to Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park/Wanapum Recreational Area overlooking the Columbia River when Liam was 8 weeks old. 

Think camping with an infant or small child sounds like a logistical nightmare? According to Erika, it’s much easier than you think! Check out her 7 tips for camping with an infant.

#1 START LOCAL

We’ve discovered that going camping with an infant isn’t really that much more work than any other “leaving the house event” with him. Having the camper van made that possible—I think tent camping would've been out of the question. When starting out, give yourself some added peace of mind and pick camping spots that are closer to home. Maybe that’s the nearby state park or the Hipcamp an hour away. Picking a place that allows you to get home quickly or access services you typically use provides a little cushion of confidence that civilization isn’t far away if you need it.    

#2 KEEP AN OPEN MIND

It can be easy with a newborn to get caught up in the what-ifs and unnecessary worries. We strongly feel that spending time outside is a part of our lifestyle, and we can integrate our baby into that. It’s essential to maintain those things that are therapeutic and are bringing you joy. I don't think you have to give these up when you have a baby. My husband and I both find peace and feel very refreshed after spending time camping. The hardest thing about camping isn’t necessarily the baby—it’s me. I'm the planner. And I don’t have the brain cells left to have the passion and organization for planning. Getting out the door is the hardest part, but once we're there, it's easy. Give yourself grace, keep expectations low, and you’ll have a much better experience.   

#3 DIAL IN THE SLEEPING SETUP 

Our baby is still a little too young for co-sleeping, I wasn't comfortable having him sleep with me under the blanket when he’s so small. Our go-to setup involves making both beds. My husband sleeps on the pop-top bed, and I fold down the backseat and sleep on the bottom bed next to Liam in his bassinet. That way, I can pull him out of the bassinet when he needs to eat. When you’re picking out a stroller, it’s super helpful to opt for something with a bassinet attachment approved for overnight sleep. It makes for more accessible travel with your baby because their sleeping environment is always the same—whether the bassinet is sitting on the bed of the camper van, attached to the stroller, or at home in its stand. 

#4 BRING ACTIVITIES FOR THE CAMPSITE

Chances are you’re not going to hike those 10 miles to the summit or shred a 50-mile mountain bike trail with your infant (although that would make for one wild campfire story). Build in lots of chill time at the campsite. Bring a deck of cards, board games, a journal, or a movie. Take advantage of the time to relax, not have to run around anywhere, and be present with your baby in nature. The camper van awning is prime for chill time. It creates this great, protected outdoor living room. 

#5 TAKE TURNS

If you’re camping with another person, make a deal to swap baby duties for an hour or two (this is especially nice if you’re nursing and short breaks are all you have). During this time, go for a run, a quick paddle, or whatever fills your cup in the great outdoors. Enjoy your normal activities; just downsized. And make sure you’re back by the agreed-upon time so your partner can do the same. 

#6 ADAPT

Learning to let go of something that has been working and adapting to new situations is crucial. You finally find something that works, and then one day, it's not working anymore—and it's because your baby is changing so fast. So you have to be willing to say: “Thank you for your time, this tool I was using for whatever situation.” Say goodbye to it and move on. That goes for camping and just about everything else. 

#7 LEAN INTO THE WONDERS OF NATURE

Being outdoors is an excellent opportunity for development, even at this very young age. You may not think about it, but there are so many wonderful sensory experiences your infant can have. Even simple things that we tend not to think about—like a strong breeze or rain or being able to put feet in the mud or lie in the grass. As they get older, being outside is a great resource to cope with life’s ups and downs, be active, and stay healthy. Guide them so you can do adventures as a family and enjoy that as a bonding experience. Introduce them to these things and see how they like it, but also be mindful of their own passions as they develop.

Ready to Journey With Your Little Ones?

Check out our fleet of rental vans or Metris conversions for sale!