Day 8: Departure
Breaking camp, saying goodbye, and heading home.
The Day at a Glance
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00–7:00 | Wake up, begin final packing |
| 7:00–7:30 | Quick breakfast |
| 7:30–9:30 | Break camp, clean up |
| 9:30–10:00 | Final site walkthrough, checkout |
| 10:00–10:30 | Last look, photos, departure |
| 10:30+ | Drive home |
Morning
Wake Up with Purpose
Today isn’t leisurely. Goals:
- Break camp efficiently
- Leave the site better than you found it
- Hit the road at a reasonable hour
- Arrive home safely
Quick Breakfast
Keep it simple:
- Cereal, granola, fruit
- Finish perishables
- Use disposable items to minimize dishes
- Clean as you go
Breaking Camp
Phase 1: Interior (While Others Handle Exterior)
In RVs:
- Strip beds, bag linens
- Empty refrigerator
- Clean out cabinets
- Wipe all surfaces
- Clean bathroom
- Secure all items for travel
- Final vacuum/sweep
Phase 2: Exterior
Kitchen area:
- Clean all cookware (or pack dirty—your call)
- Secure coolers
- Dispose of trash properly
- Pack all food items
Camp furniture:
- Collapse all chairs
- Roll up rugs/mats
- Take down canopy/shade
- Pack tables
Fire area:
- Scatter cold ashes
- Return fire ring to original state
- Police for any debris
Phase 3: RV Departure Prep
- Disconnect electric
- Disconnect water
- Retract awnings
- Raise stabilizer jacks
- Check underneath RV (nothing left)
- Hitch tow vehicle
- Check all lights
Phase 4: Final Walkthrough
The Ten-Foot Rule: Walk your entire site in a 10-foot grid. Look for:
- Tent stakes
- Trash
- Kids’ toys
- Forgotten items
- Anything that wasn’t there when you arrived
Checkout
Site Condition
Leave it better than you found it:
- All trash in dumpsters
- Fire ring cleaned
- Picnic table returned to position
- Nothing left behind
- Site looks ready for next family
Park Exit
- Return to entrance station if required
- Thank the camp host if you see them
- Take final photos at park sign
Departure
Before You Go
- One last look at the reservoir
- Photos at a scenic spot
- Bathroom stop (no more vault toilets for a while!)
- Top off water bottles
Saying Goodbye
This place held your family for a week. It’s okay to acknowledge that:
- Quick moment of gratitude
- “We’ll be back” if you mean it
- Let kids say goodbye in their way
The Drive Home
First Stop: Lake George
- Gas up
- Snacks for the drive
- Cell service returns (brace yourself)
Drive Strategy
See Road Trip Guide for entertainment strategies.
Additional notes for departure:
- Everyone’s tired and maybe sad
- Keep energy positive
- Plan something to look forward to at home
- Don’t over-schedule arrival evening
Screen Re-Entry
Cell service and internet return. Consider:
- Gradual reintroduction rather than immediate immersion
- Processing trip first before digital world returns
- Kid expectations set before phones come out
Arriving Home
Unloading Priority
- Perishables to refrigerator
- Dirty laundry to laundry area
- Gear that needs cleaning/drying
- Everything else can wait until tomorrow
Evening at Home
- Easy dinner (delivery or pre-planned simple meal)
- Unpack only what’s necessary
- Showers (real showers!)
- Early bed (road trips are tiring)
Post-Trip Tasks
Within 48 Hours
- Unload everything from vehicles
- Start laundry
- Dry tent/tarps if any dampness
- Empty and clean coolers
- Charge batteries/electronics
- Sort trip photos
Within One Week
- Clean all gear
- Store camping equipment properly
- Service RV if needed
- Return rented items
- Share photos with extended family
- Write trip notes while fresh
Future Planning
- What worked well?
- What would you do differently?
- What should you buy before next trip?
- When is next trip?
The End (For Now)
What You Accomplished
Seven nights away from normal life. Meals cooked over fire. Fish caught (maybe). Stars seen. Time together without competition from the usual distractions. Stories now shared.
What Stays With You
The specific memories: someone’s first fish, a sunset that stopped conversation, a moment around the fire, a hike that was harder than expected, a teenager who surprised you, a grandparent who shared something you’d never heard.
What Comes Next
Home. Routines. Screens. Schedules. But also: photos to look at, stories to tell, and the knowledge that you did this together.
You’ll be back. Maybe not to Eleven Mile. Maybe not soon. But you know now that this kind of trip is worth the effort. That’s something.
The Trip Isn’t Over When You Leave: In the weeks ahead, you’ll remember things. Share them. The trip continues in the telling. The campfire stories now include this trip. That’s how it works.