Camping In The Great Outdoors ...continued

Copyright © March 1998 K. Myers

Here's the bottom line. To really enjoy your camping experience you should decide up front what you want to get out of it.

Not everyone wants to hike through mosquito-infested swamps or walk through thorn-choked trails to reach the perfect campsite.

Yet some truly enjoy the "roughing it" style, soaking up the mysterious "bond" between man and nature, becoming "one" with their surroundings in the wilds.

Before you choose your equipment, food, and destination, think carefully on what you would like to experience in the great outdoors. For example, if you have children, do you want to make it a fun and educational adventure for them? Or, do you just want to "get away from it all" away from traffic, phones, city noises and distractions?

If it's peace and quiet you're seeking, a relaxing atmosphere that doesn't involve a lot of work, perhaps you should check out resorts and lodges. Be careful to choose one which doesn't offer a lot of "amusements" such as children's playground, etc. or you may not get the peace you're seeking.

If you are camping with children, on the other hand, you may want to choose a park or campground with additional amusements, particularly if they're used to staying at home and watching television. They may need other activities in addition to hiking, fishing, berry picking, nature walks, etc. If introduced in a fun and friendly fashion, these activities can be a terrific way for your child to acquire a healthy respect and ambiance with nature, yet children may feel a bit suffocated and need to burn off some energy in other pursuits.

All parks, resorts, and campgrounds have their own regulations regarding what activities are allowed. Be sure to check when registering for their list of regulations - in particular:

Campfires: Do they have specified areas, burning pits/bbq's, etc? Do you have to bring your own firewood or purchase it from them? Are open campfires allowed at all?

Trailer/RV's: Do they have individual hook-ups for electrical, water, waste, etc.? Do they have outdoor washroom facilities? How much room is there per camper/RV (you don't want to be crammed in too tight)? Does each trailer/RV lot have its own picnic table (or other outdoor eating facilities)?

Other Facilities: Some parks and campgrounds have additional facilities such as laundromats, children's playground/amusement rides, tennis courts, golf course, trail riding, ...the list goes on. To get the most enjoyment from your experience, be sure to find out all you can on your chosen destination.

Miscellaneous Regulations: Some campgrounds do not allow smoking on their nature paths. Some require you to already have special licenses in order to use their facilities (such as fishing license, hunting license, etc.). Some do not allow alcohol on their premises. Be sure to check into their rules and regulations before making your reservations to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Once you have decided what you want to get out of your outdoors experience, it's time to find the right location. Be sure to check out our Resource Center for some excellent guides.

Enjoy your adventures - and send us your True Stories! We'd love to hear from you!