Ahh, the great outdoors. Sitting around the camp fire, roasting marshmallows, and spending time with your family. Camping can be a lot of fun, and now is a great time to try it before the summer is over. If you've never been camping, here are a few tips:
Selecting Location For your first camping trip, it's a good idea to pick a location that's not too far from home. Finding a campground should be easy. Most of the campgrounds on public land are listed on the web site recreation.gov. This site allows you not only to find camping, but also to check availability for specific dates and make reservations. Of course, you don't have to limit yourself only to the g o v e r n m e n t - r u n campgrounds; there are plenty of private ones out there too. Stores that sell camping equipment have local guide books that can give you ideas where to find them, or you can search on the internet.
Stuff to Bring Food should be the first thing on the list. Bringing enough food means you won't be that camper who had to run to the convenience store three times a day for every meal. For your first outing it's good idea to keep the menu simple, and plan for meals that are quick and easy to make. As far as camping gear goes, the web site FamilyCampingGear.com has a useful checklist of the things you should bring with you. But please remember that it's not necessary to buy a lot of stuff for your first trip. Use what you already have, and consider borrowing a few items from a friend or renting them from a store that sells outdoor gear. This way you will avoid spending a lot of money on something, only to find out later you don't really need it. After you get a couple of camping trips under your belt, you will be in a better position to decide what equipment it's worthwhile buying.
Kids If you are worried about your kids being bored on a visit to Mother Nature, look for a location that has something to keep them active. For example, look for a campground that has hiking, horseback riding, a beach, or something similar. Bring a ball for a quick game of soccer, football or baseball. Or get your children involved in creating their own trip journal! They can collect small mementos (dry leaves, flowers, shells) to place in the journal, along with photos or crayon drawings of things they see. It's a nice activity for the whole family, and it will help keep them busy.
Know the Rules While each campsite has a set of rules that you should familiarize yourself with, there are some universal ones. It should go without saying that leaving trash is a big no-no. Walking across someone else's campsite is also a no-no as every camper wants as much privacy as they can get. Keeping your pet under control and cleaning up after it is also expected. When it comes to firewood, at many campgrounds you are expected to bring your own as opposed to collecting it on site. And most campsites have quiet hours, and observing those hours helps everyone enjoy their time in the camp more.
Enjoy! Camping is all about breathing fresh air, having fun, learning about the outdoors and meeting new people. I hope this short article gave you a few ideas on how to plan your next camping adventure
This publication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All information was obtained from sources deemed reliable, and while I do not doubt its accuracy, I cannot guarantee it. If your property is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation. © 2007, Resulti and its licensors. |
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