Funny thing about moms: they’ll do just about anything if it means having the family together.
Even go camping. Or, especially go camping.
Because, superstars that they are, moms are still just people, and some people love to camp and others simply haven’t tried it yet. If your mom falls into the latter category, do her one of the biggest Mother’s Day favors of her life and take her on our GetCamping! Mother’s Day Camping Trip Mother’s Day weekend at Falls Lake. And because it’s Mother’s Day, she doesn’t have to lift a finger. Here’s the deal:
- Arrive anytime after 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 11.
- If you have a tent, great, bring it. If not, we’ll have one for you.
- No sleeping bag? No problem. We can supply one of those as well.
- Saturday afternoon we’ll have games and snacks for the family. We’ll also have a couple of kayaks on hand that you can paddle.
- Camp dinner will be served at 6 p.m.
- At 7:30, we’ll hand out headlamps and take a 1-mile hike in the fading light of day.
- After the hike, we’ll gather our camp chairs and head to an adjoins meadow to take in the night sky. And s’mores, of course.
- Sunday, wake up to a pancake breakfast with coffee and a few other early morning essentials (fruit, yogurt). We’ll spend a leisurely morning with more games, another short hike if you like, or more time behind the paddle.
- We’ll break camp around noon.
Location: the B.W. Wells Group Campground at Falls Lake State Recreation Area in Wake Forest.
Cost: $95 for the family. Includes a packing list of personal items you might want to bring as well.
It’s a great option as well for the mom who loves to camp, but would love not to have to do all the prep and cooking.
You can learn more and sign up here.
Other Mother’s Day options
If camping really isn’t your thing, here are a few other things going on that mom might enjoy. Events are free unless otherwise noted.
1. Mother’s Day Hike, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, Hillsborough. 2 p.m. 3 miles. There’s a good chance of seeing rhododendron and mountain laurel in bloom on this hike that takes in a shaded bluff along the Eno River. More info and signup here.
2. Mother’s Day Art in Nature, Leigh Farm Park, Durham. 1 p.m. Celebrate Mother’s Day by creating art in nature using found materials. $20. Learn more and sign up here.
3. Oaks and Spokes Mother’s Day Ride, downtown Raleigh to J.C. Ralston Arboretum, 10 a.m. Second annual Mother’s Day event heads from the Capitol to the Arboretum and back: bring a helmet, a bike and some water. All levels of riders welcome. Learn more and sign up here.
4. Mother’s Day 5K, South Park Mall, Charlotte. 8 a.m. Not just moms but the entire family is encouraged to race. Activities for kids include face painting, bouncy house, make a card or sign for Mom. Mimosas for mom. $40. Learn more and sign up here.
5. Queen City Urban Art Showcase Paint & Play Mother’s Day edition, Charlotte, 6-9 p.m. Features sip & paint, comedians, line dancing, games, food, massages, raffle tickets, vacation voucher and music. $25. Learn more and sign up here.
6. Mother’s Day Paddle, Headwaters Outfitters, Rosman, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. On this 3-hour paddle commencing at Hannah Ford, mom’s paddle free on Mother’s Day! Learn more and sign up here.
7. Sunday Slow Riders Ride: Mother’s Day Edition, Charlotte. 2 p.m. A 15-mile ride from Gumbo in Plaza-Midwood to the McGill Rose Garden. Must have your own bike (and helmet and water), arrive by 1:45 p.m. Learn more and sign aboard here.
8. Mother’s Day Yoga Event at House of Hops, Raleigh, 11 a.m. Element Hot Yoga teachers present Hoppy Flow yoga class on the patio at House of Hops. Drinks and games follow. All levels yoga class. $10 suggested donation benefits Second Chance Pet Adoptions. Learn more here.
9. Mother’s Day Float Trip, Tar River, Greenville. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Knee Deep Adventures hosts a 3.5-hour Mother’s Day paddle trip on the Tar River. $40 for a single kayak, $60 for a tandem. Learn more and sign up here.
10. Mother’s Day Paddle, Jordan Lake, Apex. 8:30 a.m. Frog Hollow Adventures sponsors this paddle, which goes in search of the bald eagle. 4-5 hours on the lake. $40. Learn more and sign up here.