Camping under the Connecticut stars
Last month, my family and I decided to escape the busyness of everyday life and spend some quality time together camping at Housatonic Meadows State Park in Connecticut. Winding down the summer in the cool August air with early signs of autumn starting to make their presence felt made for the perfect setting for a few days outdoors with my kids and their significant others – ten of us in total. There’s something special about unplugging and being surrounded by nature that creates an atmosphere of closeness, and Housatonic Meadows did not disappoint.
Located right along the Housatonic River in Sharon, Connecticut, the park offers some of the best scenery Connecticut has to offer. After setting up camp in the rustic, wooded campground, we spent much of the afternoon walking along the river and on the nearby trails, which wound through serene forests and offered glimpses of the river glistening through the trees. The peace and quiet, punctuated by the sound of the river and the occasional birdsong or the rustle of wind through the trees, was exactly what we needed.
Camping can be an undertaking, especially with so many people. Planning for meals and snacks that will keep everyone happy and full of hiking energy can be challenging. Cooking it all on an open fire is even more so. Although we have gone camping for years, my goal this year was to keep everything as simple as possible. To that end, I brought with me a large propane griddle and sought out delicious and easy-to-prepare meals.
Of course, no camping trip would be complete without a proper cookout. For this, we came prepared—thanks to Press Burger in Wilton, Connecticut, who made sure we had everything we needed for a perfect meal under the stars with their “Grill Kit.” They took all the guesswork out of our campfire feast, providing pre-packaged burgers, hot dogs, and buns along with all the classic fixings—fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and, naturally, all the condiments one could ask for. Together with cups of banana pudding and whoopie pies for dessert, Press Burger’s Gill Kit came perfectly packed in a few boxes and was ready to be grilled and immediately served. This amazing service from Press Burger proved to be easy and stress-free.
As evening approached, we fired up the griddle and got to work. There’s something about cooking outside that seems to make everything taste better. The burgers, perfectly seasoned and packed by Press Burger, hit the spot. They were juicy and full of flavor, and the buns—soft yet sturdy enough to hold up to all the toppings—were just right. The hot dogs, too, were a hit, cooked to perfection with that satisfying snap when you bit into them. Everyone loaded their plates with their favorite trimmings and dug in.
Sitting around the picnic table with our paper plates piled high, we shared stories, jokes, and the simple joy of being together. It was one of those moments where everything seems to slow down. No phones, no distractions—just good food, great company, and the quiet of the woods surrounding us.
After dinner, we transitioned to the quintessential camping ritual: the campfire. We sat in a loose circle around the firepit, the crackling flames reflecting in everyone’s faces. My daughter brought out marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers, and soon enough, we were toasting s’mores over the open fire. Between bites of sticky marshmallow, we found ourselves laughing and reminiscing about past trips and future plans.
Housatonic Meadows offers a little bit of everything for campers—great hiking, fly fishing, and easy access to the river if you’re into canoeing or kayaking. We didn’t venture out on the water this time, but just being near the river added a peaceful ambiance to our stay. The park’s simplicity is part of its charm, and it allowed us to focus on what mattered most: spending time with family.
No camping trip is complete without plenty of snacks and treats. Again, we sourced out two of our best snacks of the trip to some unique providers. The first was the amazing gourmet popcorn made fresh and packaged daily by the amazing group at Ridgefield’s Prospector Popcorn. Prospector Popcorn’s stated mission is to “… craft the finest gourmet popcorn while creating competitive and inclusive employment for people with disabilities.” This snack proved to be one of the favorites of all – with amazing flavors like Pistachio Ice Cream, Classic Carmel, Summertime S’mores, Belgian Chocolate Toffee, and Buffalo Cheddar, there was something for everyone! These tasty bags of deliciousness accompanied us on all our hikes, strolls by the river, and even just sitting by the fire.
Another favorite snack was an amazing box of individually packed gourmet cookies, each made from scratch by the good people at Keksi. Ordered online, these homemade cookies are not your run-of-the-mill cookies. Made with real butter, natural vanilla, and other premium-quality ingredients, we picked flavors like Coffee Cake, Animal Cracker, Strawberry Shortcake, Raspberry Lemonade, Snickerdoodle, and Chocolate Chip, these cookies have become a family favorite. And, thanks to their rapid delivery and individual packaging, they make for the perfect and slightly decadent camping snacks.
By Sunday morning, we reluctantly packed up our tents, but no one wanted to leave. It was one of those weekends where, despite being so simple, it felt like we had truly reconnected. As we loaded the cars, we all agreed we’d be back to Housatonic Meadows for another weekend next year. And when we do, you can bet we’ll be stopping by Press Burger, Prospector Popcorn, and Keksi cookies again—they’ve all officially become camping staples in our family.
In a world that feels increasingly fast-paced, it’s weekends like these that remind us of the joy of slowing down and savoring the moment, whether it’s grilling burgers by the campfire or just sitting together under the stars.
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