Siblings, whether we like it or not, are there for the long haul. RV camping offers families, especially brothers and sisters, a special opportunity to grow and bond. It’s not just the close quarters of an RV – which can sometimes spell trouble – it’s something more. Here are five ways camping in an RV helps to make siblings into the best of friends. Take a look at your kids, or think back to when you went on trips with your siblings – are they true?

1. Experiences are shared.

    It’s a well-known fact and a frequently recommended prescription for relationship building: doing things together, spending quality time, helps strengthen bonds. Even if you experience something differently, you’re still together, which cultivates special memories that are fun to return to in years to come.

2. The diversity of activities and personal interests encourages everyone to try new things.

    Maybe you’re a thrill-seeker and your sister or brother is a bookworm. The diversity of interests among siblings, as well as personality, gets everyone to try something new, whether that’s strapping on a helmet and riding an ATV or walking through the woods looking for specific species of birds. According to an article in the Huffington Post in October 2014, “Experiencing something new heightens awareness and activates adrenaline. These senses work together to make meaningful memories that last, which help fortify and strengthen your relationship.” If it’s a new activity or a visit to someplace new, you’ll experience its newness together at the same time – and you’ll feel a deeper sense of “togetherness.” Of course, as all siblings know, these differences can be really annoying at times.…

3. Camping gives you some separation from the parents.

    Let’s face it, you know you were different around your siblings alone versus around your parents… and your kids are that way, too. Campgrounds, RV parks, and RV resorts offer a relatively safe place for older-aged siblings to explore independently of their parents. Whether it’s biking around or stopping by the convenience store for some ice cream, you and your siblings can strike out on your own. Teenage siblings can go further and maybe take off on a more advanced hike than the rest of the family. You never know what kind of conversation will ensue!

4. Reducing distractions helps siblings get to know each other better.

    With all the hustle and bustle of life, between various activities and things to do, the only time siblings see each other may be at the breakfast table and just before bedtime. Even then, that time might be spent in front of a screen. Camping slows life down and gets everyone doing something, together. Whether that’s playing a board game or going to the beach for a swim, siblings can get outside their “normal environment” and interact with each other differently – and get to know each other better as a result. It can be as simple as coming to know that he doesn’t like chocolate ice cream, he likes strawberry. As siblings get older and topics of conversation shift to more high-level things, camping provides the perfect setting for those conversations to occur.

5. Camping is fun – and funny!

    It’s a commonly used adage for romantic relationships: Laughter is the best medicine. But this is also true for sibling relationships. Camping in an RV is fun, doing new things is fun, and the time everyone played spoons and ended up throwing themselves across the table is fun – and hilarious. According to an article on HelpGuide.org, “Laughter relieves stress, elevates mood, enhances creativity, and makes you more resilient. But it’s not just good for your emotional and physical health. It’s also good for your relationships. Laughter brings people closer together and creates intimacy. And it’s an especially powerful tool for managing conflict and reducing tension when emotions are running high.”

What are some of your favorite memories camping with your siblings, or what do your kids say is their best memory? Please share on ourFacebook page!