Camping 101: Tips on Camping

Had it with the “rat race”? Got time off but not much cash to spend? Losing touch with your family? Sounds like an old-fashioned campout is just what you need.

Camping is an excellent method to experience the outdoors and spend some time getting reacquainted with your family. Great family camping getaways are easy to plan and cheap vacation options. Nature’s everywhere, so you do not have to go far for your camping getaway. You may journey to a national park, drive to a local campground, or pitch a tent in your own backyard.

Camping 101 starts with planning. This part of the trip is half the fun. Call a family meeting to choose where you’d like to go. Depending on your budget, you can plan to load up the trunk with tents and sleeping bags, pull a camper or drive an RV. The point is to give your family to an unforgettable outdoor adventure, so it does not matter how you plan to camp or the place you intend to go.

If you are new to the camping experience, it’s probably a good idea to start off slow. Book a weekend campsite to get the sense of the camping lifestyle. Get accustomed to cooking over a wood fire and sharing your space with wildlife, before you venture too far away from the comforts of home. Several campgrounds offer fun activities like pools, playgrounds, fishing or recreational boating, so check your local listings to find out what activities lay ahead.

As soon as your kids (and you) recover from the shock of having no television or Internet access, you’ll all have an eye-opening experience. You will realize the nature is fun. Camping opens the doors to a world of new activities, like swimming, rock diving, boating, fishing, hiking, catching butterflies, searching for fossils, and going wherever your energy level and imagination can take you. Campgrounds and remote parks are all full of wonderful ways to enjoy the best nature has to offer. If you’d like to boat or water ski, many campsites offer these and other items for rent.

Don’t expect to take with you your day-to-day dinnerware and automatic coffeepot for your campout. Don’t forget, you will be roughing it, so pack accordingly. Bring plastic dishes and cutlery that can be washed and reused, but won’t break in transit. Make sure you have plenty of sleeping-bags, pillows and additional clothes. Pack the meals you will need, plus a little extra, and keep a supply of ice on hand for perishables like meat and dairy. If you are bringing tins of beans, don’t forget a manual can opener or pack your Swiss army knife. If you aren’t sure what things to bring, ask an associate at your local sporting store to assist you to select your camping needs. Call on friends who like to camp, and ask them for tips.

Just like your old scoutmaster used to say, “Always be prepared”. Make a list and check it three times before you leave on your camping trip. Make sure that there is enough food and fresh water for everyone. Bring food that can be easily prepared on your campsite. Pack clothing for all kinds of weather. Don’t forget sunscreen, bug spray and hygiene items. Toilet paper and paper towels are absolute necessities. Bring along some soap and toothpaste, but leave the hair gel and makeup at home. Mother Nature doesn’t care what you look like. She just wants you to enjoy your stay.

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