Have your children absconded from your suburban lifestyle? You aren’t alone; many times, children spend some times living and working in a large city. Cities can offer a number of perks: more people their age, more entertainment venues, and the convenience of public transportation saves on the cost of purchasing a car.

But it can be hard to convince your city child to come back home for an old-fashioned camping trip. Between arranging their work and social calendar to accommodate the trip and the prospect of sleeping on the ground in a tent, some city dwellers can be difficult to convince to join any of your family camping vacations.

If you find that you are struggling to convince your adult child to come for a trip to the woods, then before you try bribing them like you used to do to convince them to study, try these tips.

Rent a Cabin

Renting a cabin might seem like a cop-out if you’re a camping purist, but consider it a healthy compromise between you and your child.

Cabins are a great way to experience the outdoors, while still maintaining a modern level of comfort and utility, and sleeping in an actual bed might prove to make all the difference for your urban dweller.

You don’t even have to rent a cabin with electricity if you don’t want either, just don’t let your city child know that.

Find a Campground Within a Short Drive of a City

Again, compromise here is key. While hiking might be the most popular camping activity, that doesn’t mean there isn’t also time to explore the more settled portions of the local landscape.

The city doesn’t need to be large, in fact some small cities are surprisingly rich with the kind of culture and arts that your child likely appreciates.

There are a number of wonderful attractions in Sioux Falls, for instance. There is the the Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival, several local theaters, a sculpture walk – there’s even a winery nearby!

If you spend a little time with your child enjoying the city sights, they might be more inclined to enjoy the camping experience.

A Chance to Unplug

If you time your pitch right, you might not need to do much convincing at all. City life can be so exhausting that your child might welcome a chance to get away from the fast paced, electronic deluge of the city. If you hold off until your child is at their most burned out to ask, not only will they likely agree, but they might even be grateful for the trip.

Camping is a time honored American pastime, and something families love to share. Most likely all you have to do is remind your city child about the joy it’s brought them in the past and they’ll be willing to give it a shot.