"Rat race" got you down? Have some time off but not much money? Getting away from your family? Sounds like what you need is a good old-fashioned camping trip.
Camping is a great way to spend time with your family and enjoy the great outdoors. Family camping trips are easy to plan and don't cost a lot of money. There is nature everywhere, so you don't have to go far to go camping. You can go camping in a national park, a nearby campground, or even your own backyard.
Planning is the first step in camping 101. Half the fun of the trip is this part. Gather the family and talk about where you'd like to go. Depending on how much money you have, you can put tents and sleeping bags in the trunk, pull a camper, or drive an RV. The point is to give your family a once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experience, so it doesn't matter where or how you plan to camp.
If you have never been camping before, you might want to start out slowly. Book a weekend campsite to see what it's like to live in a tent. Before you go too far from home, you should get used to cooking over a wood fire and sharing your space with wildlife. Many campgrounds have fun things to do, like pools, playgrounds, fishing, or boating for fun. Check the listings in your area to see what adventures are in store.
Once you and your kids get over the shock of not being able to watch TV or use the Internet, you'll all learn something new. You'll see that nature is a lot of fun. Camping opens up a world of new things to do, like swimming, rock diving, boating, fishing, hiking, catching butterflies, looking for fossils, and going wherever your energy and imagination can take you. There are lots of great ways to enjoy the best of what nature has to offer in both campgrounds and far-flung parks. If you want to rent a boat or water skis, you can do so at many campgrounds.
Don't think you can bring your everyday dinnerware and coffeemaker on your camping trip. Remember that you will be living in the wild, so pack for that. Bring dishes and utensils made of plastic that can be washed and used again but won't break on the way. Make sure you have enough sleeping bags, pillows, and clothes. Bring all the food you'll need, plus a little extra, and keep ice on hand for things like meat and milk that go bad quickly. If you want to bring canned beans, don't forget to bring a can opener or your Swiss army knife. If you don't know what to bring, a worker at your local sporting goods store can help you decide. Ask camping-loving friends for advice.
"Always be ready," your old scoutmaster used to tell you. Before you go camping, make a list and check it three times. Make sure everyone has enough to eat and clean water to drink. Bring food that is easy to make at the campsite. Bring clothes for every type of weather. Don't forget to bring sunblock, bug spray, and toiletries. We have to have toilet paper and paper towels. Bring some soap and toothpaste, but leave the hair gel and makeup at home. What you look like doesn't matter to Mother Nature. She only wants you to have a good time.
