What To Expect On Your 1st Glamping Trip

If you’ve never been glamping (or camping!) before, you’re probably wondering what to expect. Sleeping under the stars is a transformative experience that sparks a primal connection to Nature. You’ll fall asleep to a bullfrog lullaby, wake to birdsong, and feel invigorated by the fresh forest air - all while enjoying modern amenities without the hassles of traditional camping.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a check-in to check-out guide for your overnight outdoor experience. We also recommend reviewing tent details and glampground amenities and our packing guide before arriving at camp.

Check-In

Just like a traditional hotel, you’ll check-in to camp at the front desk in the lobby. The Firelight lobby tent is furnished with a leather couch, tables and chairs for dining and gathering, a game library, camp store, and a full bar. You’ll be greeted by a Camp Host who will check you in, provide camp maps and details about the property.

Arriving At Your Tent

Your Camp Host will give you your tent number and directions for the short walk from the lobby tent to your tent - they can also help with luggage if you’d like assistance. When you unzip the tent flaps, you’ll find a plush king bed or two queen beds made up with high thread count linens and an extra comforter if temperatures are cooler during your stay.

The tents are also outfitted with a chair, writer’s desk, trunk for storage, hanging rack, bedside tables with lanterns, a desktop mirror, a carton of boxed water and cups, tissues, and a waste basket.

Through the back tent flaps, you’ll find a private covered porch with two rocking chairs and a small table. Immersed in the woods, this is the ideal place to enjoy a cup of campfire coffee, a good book, or to simply be still and observe the sights and sounds of the forest.

To adjust the temperature of your non-electric tent, there are zippered windows on both sides of the tent that can be opened for extra ventilation or closed for warmth. The electric tents have fans and heaters.

When you’re ready to freshen up, the bathhouse is a 2-3 minute walk from your tent and outfitted with hot showers, flushing toilets, eco-friendly toiletries and freshly laundered towels. In addition to a unisex section of the bathhouse, there are 2 full private bathrooms.

Exploring Camp + Surrounding Area

Firelight Camps is pitched in Ithaca, NY, an urban oasis with endless trails, waterfalls, gorges, wineries, cideries, and local shops to explore. Buttermilk Falls State Park is in Firelight’s backyard, with the trailhead to the upper park located right on property. Check out more local parks and outdoor adventures here.

The Finger Lakes region is famous for its award-winning wine country. Enjoy a taste of the region on an experiential guided tasting tour with Experience! The Finger Lakes or independently explore local cideries, distilleries, or wine trails. Check out our favorite producers in the region here.

The lobby and lounge areas at camp are ideal for game nights, outfitted with a game library, bocce court, and corn hole. Or for some true r&r, unwind in a hammock, strung up between the trees at the peak of camp.

Dining

Ithaca is home to a vibrant culinary community with endless options to satisfy every palate. Firelight is just a short 6-7 minute drive from downtown Ithaca if you’d like to dine off-site and stroll through Downtown Ithaca Commons. Or if you prefer to stay at camp, roast-your-own hot dogs, sausages and seasonal sides are available for purchase from the camp store.

To explore the flavors of the region from the comfort of camp, try Ithaca To Go, a local delivery service with an impressive array of menus from Ithaca’s best restaurants that you can order online and have delivered right to camp!

Propane and charcoal grills and grilling tools are also available for Firelight guests in the lounge area outside the lobby tent with propane and lump hardwood charcoal supplied. To take your fireside meal up a notch, Firelight Co-Founder Emma Frisch’s must-have manual for campfire cooking, Feast By Firelight, is available for purchase in the camp store (online and at camp!).

In the morning, you’ll be greeted with a complimentary, locally sourced breakfast in the lobby tent, including hard boiled eggs, quick rolled oats with assorted sweet and savory toppings, yogurt, pastries, fresh fruit, coffee, juices, and a variety of teas. Vegan and gluten-free options are available!

Relaxing Fireside

The Firelight campfires are sparked in the outdoor lounge areas morning and night. Sitting around the campfire is a timeless activity that spurs a deeper connection with Nature, friends and family, and community.

No glamping trip is complete without the quintessential campfire snack - a homemade, artisanal s’more kit. The recipe was created and perfected by Firelight Co-Founder, Emma Frisch. Each Firelight guest receives a complimentary s’more kit during their stay.

Check-Out

When it’s time to reconnect with your daily routine, you’ll feel refreshed and recharged as you check-out with a Camp Host in the lobby tent. Just like at check-in, the Camp Hosts can assist you with luggage as you pack up for your trip home.

Long beyond check-out, your glamping adventure will create a lasting feeling of peace and connection, two of Nature’s greatest gifts.

Emily LeedyJuly 30, 2019