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Our Intentions for Camping: Faith, Flexibility, and Fresh Air

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." - John Muir

All of our kids have been camping since they were two or younger. It's important for us to regularly disconnect from all the pressures and obligations of our busy lives. I feel like all the artificial stress we place upon ourselves cause us to forget ourselves -- to forget why we're here, who put us here, what's truly important. Camping is strenuous, too, but in a very different way than regular life. Camping brings us back to our origins; we feel the stress of survival that all humans have felt since the creation of Adam (as), while at the same time, reconnecting with the earth and sky. We remember Who created it all.

We've getting ready to leave for our fall camping trip this week. A lot of people think of camping as just a fun family trip, but it means a lot more to me. It's much more than just a getaway -- it's a chance to reset, reconnect, and reflect. We're not just packing gear -- we're packing intentions. This trip is our way of stepping into stillness, into nature, and into a deeper connection with each other and with Allah.

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein

These are the intentions I'm packing this weekend:

Spiritual Intentions

  • To pray in nature and feel the presence of Allah in His creation
  • To slow down and listen -- to the wind, to each other, to our own hearts 
  • To make space for reflection, dhikr, and quiet worship

Neurodiversity-Aware Intentions

  • To honour each person's sensory needs and emotional rhythms
  • To create a calm, flexible environment where everyone feels safe
  • To let go of rigid expectations and embrace the moment
  • To celebrate small wins -- whether it's trying a new food, hiking a trail, or simply regulating through nature

Homeschooling Intentions

  • To learn through experience -- plants, stars, survival skills, storytelling
  • To foster curiosity and wonder outside the classroom
  • To let nature be the teacher and our children be the explorers 

Family Intentions

  • To reconnect without screens or schedules
  • To laugh, rest, and play together
  • To hold space for each other's needs and emotions
  • To build memories that feel like healing
"Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are." - Gretel Ehrlich

What are your own intentions when you consciously spend time in nature? One thing I've been noticing more and more in my life is the power of intention. Intention can transform an entire experience. After all, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, "Verily, actions are but by intentions, and every man shall have that which he intended."

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