Family vacations get more andmore expensive each year.
Have youpriced a trip to Disney World lately? What about a week in a condo in Florida? If you're lucky, you can find a good deal occasionally, but these typesof vacations aren't often in the budgets for many families.
My suggestion...
why not try a campingtrip?Camping can be a great way tospend quality time with the people you enjoy most, your family and friends.
Camping also builds a sense of appreciationfor nature and all it has to offer.
People from all walks of life, young and old, have grown to love andenjoy camping.
It's an activity thatmost everyone can do, regardless of income or social status.
Camping sometimes presents challenges andthese challenges can often create an everlasting bond and memories betweenfamily members or friends.
It's a greatway to "get to know" someone! The benefits of camping aremany.
For starters, just being in theoutdoors can be an exhilarating experience.
Getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the computers,the phones, the traffic, the deadlines...
all seem not nearly so important whenyou're spending time with nature.
Whenyou get far enough away from the city, the air isn't filled with pollutantsand breathing the fresh air is great for your health!When camping, you're generally moreactive.
Setting up camp, a hike, ridinga bike, fishing or swimming are all activities that get you moving, even thoughthey may not feel like exercise.
There'scertainly nothing wrong with setting up a hammock in the shade and taking anafternoon nap occasionally! I personally prefer camping inthe fall & spring, when it's not too hot or too terribly cold.
Insects aren't nearly as bad during thecooler months as well.
And I'm a suckerfor a cozy comfortable campfire that's just right for cooking hot dogs androasting marshmallows!Some people don'tlike the cold weather and would rather camp during the summer months.
If you're in the south like we are, then youknow that in the middle of summer, the heat can become quite intense.
Camping during July and August in the south,is better spent on a lake or river side, or in a campsite with utilities whereyou can run an air conditioner or fan.
If you are camping where it's hot and youintend to hike, bike or perform some other strenuous activities, it's best to dothem early in the morning or late in the evening and reserve the middle of theday for throwing horseshoes and resting in the shade.
Public campsites are availableall across the US.
Many of these siteshave utilities such as fresh water hookups and electricity.
Interested in "roughing it"?Try camping at a "primitive"campsite.
The conveniences of water andelectricity are great, but there is nothing quite like camping without a safetynet!Check with your state's "parks andtourism" department, and they should be able to provide you with a list ofcamping areas in your state.
So get your camping gear togetherand plan your next outing with nature! You'll be glad you did!