Camping - Family Fun In The Woods

By: Mike Foster

Camping is a lot of fun for people who enjoy the opportunity to
spend some quieter moments in the woods. For individuals who are
able to get away for a few days, the experience can be
invigorating. The challenge of going without many routine life
conveniences in itself can be gratifying to those who like to
"rough it." One of the greater challenges, however, is faced
when the camping trip is accompanied by others who are not
quite as exuberant.

Let's suppose you have big plans for a long weekend in the
woods. You take half a day off of work on Friday and intend to
stay until Monday evening. This time, though, it's a family
trip. You are anxious to experience a few refreshing days of
family time away from the city or suburbia, but your spouse has
marginal interest and your children are easily bored. What do
you do?

In order to realize the benefits of both competing needs (i.e.
time away in the woods and happy family experience), you make
some adjustments to accommodate the preferences of everyone.
You, for example, may be the energetic adventurer who would be
more than content with a sleeping bag, clean water, and a
hunting bow. Your wife, on the other hand, might enjoy walking
in through the woods for a few hours, but at the end of the day
prefer a warm bath in a hotel room. And for the kids, baseball
and video games are their sources of fun. Trouble is brewing
unless you plan ahead.

Though it will take some effort, you can meet at least a
portion of the interests of each person.

So one of the keys to creating a win-win scenario concerns both
how you approach the trip and what you bring.

Some recommendations follow.

STANDARD STUFF

•Locate an established camp ground that is secure and safe.

•Spend a little investigation time on the Internet to locate a
camp ground that offers some flexibility for family preferences
and optional activity opportunities.

•The family tent should be bigger than a, um, pup tent. Decide
in advance through family conversations if everyone would
prefer to stay together in one large tent, one for the adults
with another for the kids, or (especially given older kids of
different genders) a separate tent for each person.

•Warm (warm!) and appropriately sized sleeping bags. And did I
mention making sure they are warm...

•Some form of cushioning for under the sleeping bags. This
could be an air mattress or perhaps a foam cushion.

•Flashlights and extra batteries that do not have an expiration
date from the turn of the century.

•Matches, and lots of them, in a waterproof container. Even if
the matches do not drop into a river, humidity can make them
might more difficult to strike.

•Toilet paper. Though you should expect that camp site
restrooms will keep ample supply of toilet paper, do not bet
your embarrassing discomfort on it. And if you are at a camping
area that does not happen to provide toilet facilities, you -
the adventurous one - might find it thrilling to make do with
leaves. But you will be the only one. On second thought, if the
camp site does not have toilets, look for another.

•If you bring any canned foods, do not forget the can opener.
Having done that once in the woods myself, it was not a
fun-reinforcing experience. And I was hungry...

•A basic first aid kit.

•Extra clothing. Especially if there is a forecast of any rain.

EXTRA STUFF

Though certainly not comprehensive, here are a few additional
items to consider bringing along in order to help make your
time in the woods a positive experience for everyone. The more
you bring on the trip, the more you may feel like you are
simply dragging your home life into another environment. So you
must weigh the balance.

•Bear in mind that you are headed for the woods, not a hotel.
Bring soap, shampoo, towels, and other bathroom items that you
might ordinarily expect to find supplied to you elsewhere.

•Similarly, if you are most comfortable sleeping on a pillow,
bring one or more.

•For family members who need corrective lenses, bring an extra
pair of glasses or contacts. If your primary items are lost,
you do not want vision to be compromised in the woods.

•Camera, film (if using exposure film), camcorder, battery
chargers, and binoculars. There are often beautiful memories
you will want to capture from your visit with nature.

•Sun screen for warmer weather. Tree leaves will generally
protect exposed skin in the woods, but rays do get through and
you do not want to spend days 2 and 3 of your trip burned from
the previous day's activities.

•Pain relievers, antacids (consider, after all, what you are
likely to be eating...), and medication that family members
typically need.

•One or more sets of Walkie-Talkies. If anyone wanders off and
gets lost, a means of communication may be critical.

•Kitchen comforts, such as snacks, coffee, dishes, plates,
cups, baggies for food storage.

•Games and playing cards. Maybe even a football to toss around
in open areas.

•TV guide. Ok. Maybe not...

The main point to keep in mind is that when you are camped out
in the woods, most normal conveniences of the home are
unavailable, so some family members could feel trapped. You can
help to ensure the trip creates a very positive set of memories
by respectfully taking all participants into account. You won't
regret it!

Horseback Riding Article Source: http://www.horsebackridingarticles.com

About The Author: GreatWay Plus, LLC. Owner: Mike Foster. Check us out at www.GreatWayPlus.com

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