Last Minute Getting Away: Friends, Family and Stylish Camping

Yesterday, while sitting with my two good friends Miss C and Miss L the topic of camping came up.  Passionately Miss C brought up the idea of a family camping trip in a few weeks.  She also wanted to make sure we would be camping in style as she looked straight at me, the resident stylish camping expert. No glamping.  Just good ol' family car camping but with no discomfort or sacrifice.  Think of it, four families spending the weekend together and just enjoying the summer away, unplugged from the every day.  We excitedly agreed we were all in, making a pack to go (and forcing the commitment when the dates were actually saved to our calendars).

We were in and starting to think about the trip several weeks off when Miss C texted later in the day to inform the ladies that the only weekend we could get a site at our chosen destination was THIS weekend...oh and the caveat, we had to be there Thursday.  Thursday.  That was 2 days away!  We had no meal plans.  No equipment assembled.  No kids packed.  And officially no husbands until the weekend.  Yet, we all agreed to shout Carpe Diem and seize the day.  Our mantra was be spontaneous and just go!  And go we are.

At Grasshaven, we are utilizing this trip as a fun way to share a blog series.  Called Carpe Diem Camping, we are sharing tips and recipes for getting ready to go on a last minute four day camping excursion.  We are outlining the menu, detailing the shopping lists, and just sharing general experiences when four families come together to enjoy the outdoor with spontaneity.  So follow along on this post for stylish camping expertise or view the Grasshaven blog and go get your camp on! No excuses.

Family time outdoors

The life of an entrepreneur and outdoor style advocate can be a bit fast paced.  Always searching for amazingly stylish camping and RV'ing products, sharing ideas to get families outdoors and just keeping up on the burgeoning business of Grasshaven Outdoor - it takes a tremendous amount of time.  But,  I am also a mom.  So today, I took the morning off and spent it with my kiddos.  No big hikes, no big outdoor events, just being together and playing a little miniature golf.  I am an advocate for getting the family outdoors yet I think many people interpret that as doing some big "outdoor" event.  No so.  It can be as simple as throwing the ball in the backyard or walking up the street to say hello to a neighbor.  The outdoors is a special place even if it's as close as you back yard.

Take a few minutes and some deep breaths.

Step outside and just enjoy.

The outdoors is calling.

And so chronicling the journey begins

As I continue my entrepreneurial journey into the great outdoors, I made the conscientious  decision to chronicle the ups, downs and everything in between as I build Grasshaven Outdoor and continue to evangelize the idea that camping and the outdoors do not need to be dirty, lack comfort or forgo style.  Thus, I have recently launched dawnbitz.com and this blog as the venue to detail those trials and tribulations.  Hopefully with candor, humility, and gratitude (and maybe some funny stories along the way), it will help to inspire others to fearlessly trust, believe and let go, so that the right path will emerge for them.


For anyone who does not know me, my name is Dawn Bitz.  I am a mom.  I am a wife.  I am an entrepreneur of a stylish camping and RV housewares company called Grasshaven Outdoor.  I defected from corporate America, where I had a long standing senior level position.  One night, I had an epiphany.  An epiphany about stylish camping.  Two weeks later, I quit my job and Grasahaven was born.  I truly believe that when you are on the right journey (and unequivocally trust in that journey), opportunity opens up before you.  I think Oprah sums it up nicely when she said:

“I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you. ” 

― Oprah Winfrey

For me, some of the biggest gifts along the way has been the people with whom I have met over the course of this journey.  I could spend hours and countless blog posts about each and everyone of them.  The joy and learnings each has bestowed upon me and the gratitude I feel each day is unmeasurable.  One such person is Julie B.  She has been instrumental and inspiring in more ways than she knows.  I have the fortune of meeting with her tomorrow to discuss ways of sharing stylish camping and outdoor inspirations to help get the family outdoors together.  I know I will leave my meeting with her invigorated and with an affirmation that I am pursuing something I love.

And that is really what this journey is all about.