Posts Tagged ‘Family’
Camping & The Family Unit
Camping & The Family Unit
Over the years a sad change has taken place in our country, one born out of circumstance and need. A change that defines who we are as a people and a species, yet we never saw it coming, or if we did were to busy to give it much thought. A change that challenges the very structure of our civilization, and threatens the values that have kept us strong in times of crises. That change is within our own families.
My friends the concept of the “Family” as a unit has all but ceased to exist in today’s society. Sure we still fall in love, get married, and have kids, but as soon as the kids are out of the infant stage things seem to go down hill. Now don’t get me wrong it’s not your fault, I know you parents out there love your kids with all your hearts, and I know you kids love your parents. It’s just a very busy and stressful world we live in today. In most cases both Mom and Dad have to work to make ends meet, not to mention the meetings, appointments, and the endless running around that it takes just to keep a household functioning properly. So what about the children, well they get introduced to an endless string of substitute parents in the form of, daycare givers, preschool, then their in school where their teachers are in charge, after school there are babysitters, or nannies for those that can afford them. In the evening, depending on Mom and Dad’s work schedule, the whole family might be in the house together, but things are different here too.
When I was a kid families would all sit down and eat supper together, maybe discuss their respective days. After dinner, once we all helped clean up, it was off to the living room. There was only one television in the house back then, so we’d all gather around and watch TV for the evening, talking, laughing, maybe even crying (depending on what we were watching) but it was us interacting with each other as a family.
How many times a week does your whole family sit down together for dinner? As for watching TV, most kids have one in their rooms, so they go there to watch, or to play video games, talk on the phone, or chat online. Then in the morning,(again without a family breakfast), we say hello and good bye on our way out the door.
Well I think it’s time that we make some changes of our own, not to the fast paced world we live in, that’s just going to keep on getting more hectic and stressful with every passing year. We need to make a serious, conscious effort to spend more QUALITY time with our families. That doesn’t just mean our kids, there’s also our brothers and sisters, our cousins, aunts, uncles etc. some of who we might not have seen in years. It’s a shame when we lose touch with friends over the years, but when you lose touch with your family, well that’s just wrong. Lets all make a commitment to staying in touch with our families, and if you have children, MAKE some time, do things together, get to know each other again.
I firmly believe that CAMPING is one of the best ways for a family (especially one with kids) to spend time together. You might ask “why not just take a regular vacation”? Because on most vacations everyone will find different activities they would like to do, and you’ll all end up going your separate ways (just like at home.) Seriously camping is a relatively inexpensive way to enjoy some real quality time as a family. Now a lot also depends on what you consider camping. To me Rving is not camping, it’s just a motel on wheels, (sorry that’s just my opinion). Structured campsites are a good option for the first time camper. Those are campsites that have designated spots for each camping group. Or the kind of camping trip I prefer is to National forests that allow tent camping anywhere within their boundaries. When I go camping there is nobody around for miles. Once in awhile you might hear a car in the distance, but other than that it’s peaceful. Just us and the sounds of nature. Don’t let that intimidate you, we don’t have to lug our gear far, we find places, usually when traveling a dirt road, where you can pull your vehicle way off the road and camp close to your transportation.
Camping is a great way for families to bond. During the day you can hike, go horseback riding, swim in the lakes and rivers in the area, take scenic drives, depending where you go there might be miniature golf, go karts, bumper boats, county fairs, gift shops the list goes on and on. (one quick note, when I take kids camping with me I don’t let them bring any I pods, DVD players, hand held video games, or cell phones, they take away from the whole point of the trip) I like to gather brochures to get ideas for some indoor activities in the vicinity (or even if you have to drive a little ways) in case there’s a rainy day or two. You might find cavern tours nearby, museums, or you can usually find a bowling alley or movie. Then there are cook outs, most of the time you can find picnic areas equipped with grills, or you can carry one of those portable grills with you. The point is these activities will be done together as a family.
After an exciting day you head back to camp, get a nice campfire going, set some folding chairs around the fire, toast marshmallows, make smores, or even cook out on your campfire (although that’s not as easy as some people might think) You might be surprised at some of the deep conversations you can get into around a campfire, and you’ll feel close to one another, like it should be. After the days activities and relaxing around the fire take it’s toll, you’ll be ready to go to sleep, so retire to your tent and rest well my friends, your in the arms of Mother Nature, and surrounded by the people you love.
Written by:
Bob Wegener
For more tips and advice visit us at: http://loveoftheoutdoors.com
Bob Wegener is a plumbing contractor, and an aspiring writer, with a passion for camping. My wife and I try to go camping at least once a month in spring and summer into early fall, sometimes with other people, other times by ourselves. We really like to take our young nieces and nephews. I truly believe Children should be introduced to nature at an early age, and be able to experience all the joys she has to offer. We also have an online store featuring products that have to do with camping, and other outdoor activities. Please visit us at: http://loveoftheoutdoors.com
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Rv Family Camping
You are planning to go on a RV camping trip with the family. How can you make it a memorable and enjoyable experience? Get the family involved! Each family member probably has a different idea what the RV vacation should be like. Give them the opportunity to express where they would like to go and what they want to do.
Planning a RV trip is definitely a family affair. Discuss what each person needs to take along on the trip including personal items such as books and CD’s to keep them occupied during the slack time of the trip. If they are old enough, make them responsible for their own items. A RV checklist is extremely helpful in preparing for an extended trip.
Make a list of the places your family has decided to visit. Then enter these destinations into a web site that offers free trip planners. Follow the prompts, and print out the results. The printout will give you valuable information such as mileage between locations, travel time required, cost of the trip, and road conditions you can expect to encounter.
For each individual destination, write down what you want to see and do. For example, if one of the choices is a favorite lake, you might list fishing, boating, hiking, and a side trip to a historical location. By making such a list you will know ahead of time what to pack for each situation. Do this for every intended major stop. NOTE: Just because you have made these lists does not mean your plans are etched in stone. You can still be flexible enough to change your plans, but at least you will have packed the items you need.
Selecting your campground: Where you spend each night can be the most important factor of your trip and with some pre-planning you greatly reduce your chances of being disappointed. There are many different types of RV campgrounds and RV parks available; from the very deluxe five-star membership only RV resorts to primitive sites with no water, sewer, or power.
Selecting a campground site where you want to spend the night or a few days is relatively easy. It is important, however, to do your homework before a final decision and if necessary a reservation is made. You will want to stay at a camp- ground that will meet the needs of the plans that your family made at the very start.
You can find a list of campgrounds near the area where you intend to stay by looking up on the web directories of RV parks and campgrounds. Review each possible RV park listing for their rating (most of these parks are inspected by other rv’ers hired by the directories) and facilities such as laundry, store for RV camping supplies, number of spaces, picnic areas, etc. Then call the RV park for reservations. It is best to guarantee your space with a credit card since you cannot be certain of what time you will arrive. There are just too many variables that can arise during the day’s trip to assure an exact arrival time.
If you don’t require all the extra amenities offered by the RV parks but simply want water, power, and perhaps a sewer hookup, there are several camping alternatives available. National Forest campgrounds often have spaces for RVs as do state parks and county parks. They are usually less expensive than their commercial counterparts and offer a safe environment for your family. The NFS campgrounds honor the Golden Eagle Pass for seniors which entitles you to substantial discounts. You might also consider the unimproved sites available with limited or no hookups. These campgrounds can be found in a listing of BLM or Corp of Engineer web sites. These unimproved RV sites cost as little as five dollars a night and the surroundings can be breathtaking!
Finally, if your family is the adventurous type and enjoys the boondocks for activities such as hiking or riding off road vehicles in the sand dunes, you might want to consider dry camping. This type of camping is where there are absolutely no facilities available. You are simply camping where you park. Dry camping, however, usually requires the use of a power generator. The importance of pre-planning and proper packing is paramount when dry camping because of the lack of any facility readily available close by.
Family camping can be a great experience for all, and especially for RV campers. When the trip is over there will be memories to share that will last a lifetime. For more camping information: http://www.picnicplacemat.com“> ThePicnic Placemat
Piet Van Lier is the owner of a small business that manufactures the Picnic Placemat, the newest and most useful accessory for picnics, rv’s, camping, etc. Mr. Van Lier enjoys leisure outdoor activities and spends much of his time traveling with his wife and family in their motorhome. He is the writer of http://www.picnicplacemat.com site. If you find this article useful visit our site for more information.
ThePicnic Placemat
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Fun Family Camping
Camping with the kids can be a great experience. Teaching children about the wilderness while they still are young can be very rewarding. With all of today’s distractions (iPods, Facebook, Twitter, cell phones) it can be hard to get in good old-fashioned quality time with your kids. Going camping is a great way to escape from all that and get in some some family bonding. But why else would families go camping? Why take your children on an adventure? Here is a list of reasons to start them young:
Teach them the value of adventure. The last thing you want is to regret having not shown your kids the world, and how cool it really is. Taking kids camping can teach them how to have fun in the outdoors, and how to appreciate nature.
Get them out of the house. Almost as bad as not showing your kids the world, is letting your children become couch potatoes who don’t do any physical activity. Teaching your kids to go outside and have fun in the outdoors ensures they will have active and healthy lifestyles. We know that physical activity is extremely important for our health, and what better way to teach your children this value than to let them go play in the beauty of the outdoors?
Eliminate the wimp factor. You never want to hear that your little ones are afraid to try new things, that they are stuck in their ways, or that they don’t want to try. One great message that camping teaches children is yes you can. It helps them develop self esteem and be more willing to try things out. This lesson is completely necessary for well balanced children.
It’s fun. It is totally fun. You will enjoy every minute of it with your kids. They are free to play as much as they want, and the best part is there are no expensive paintings or televisions to break, and unending learning and fun to be had. More than just why, is how. How exactly should one attempt to take children camping? Here are a few tips and tricks from the pros:
Bring a tent. A quality tent can make all the difference in the world. A good tent can keep you comfortable and make your kids feel safe.
Pack the right clothes. Bringing the right clothing along can help you stay comfortable and warm in any situation. Children have a hard time coping when they are improperly fittted for the conditions.
Be ready with snacks. Remember that kids don’t always have great ability to control their eating schedule. When they are more active, they need to eat more, make sure you have enough. Nothing makes grumpier kids than making them hungry and not feeding them.
Start the fire before dark. Getting the fire started during daylight hours can save tons of trouble. Nothing helps keep the family happy and together than sitting around the campfire. In addition, the fire will be a great place to tell fun stories and impart parental wisdom on the children.
Include your kids in everything. They will love helping you hunt for firewood, set up the tent, or purify water. Remember to them this is all a new and exciting process.
Play some games. Lots of everyday games are much more exciting in the wilderness. Take hide and go seek for example. With a bunch of hiding places, and and endless playing field, this game becomes much more fun.
Don’t forget your boots. Wearing a good pair of hiking boots can be a good idea even if you don’t plan on hiking. They help keep your ankles supported and protect you from underbrush.
Brian is a lover of the outdoors and has great experience hiking, camping and more. He also loves http://www.moosejaw.com/
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Going Camping With Friends Or Family?
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Camping Tents For Sale, Outdoor Camping Tents, Best Family Tents
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Family Camping Tips
One of the fondest childhood memories I have are camping with my dad. My dad and I would grab our tent, sleeping bags and fishing poles and head down to a local lake for a weekend. Camping can be a wonderful activity for the entire family. It can also become a huge calamity if you are not prepared or don’t know what to expect.
If you are not experienced at camping then it might be best to start with a commercial campground. These campgrounds are often listed in the yellow pages. The costs of these campgrounds is often nominal and they usually have showers, bathrooms, electrical hookups, running water nearby, fire pits and a camp store for any necessities that you may have forgotten. Established commercial campgrounds also often have activities for the entire family including swimming pools, hiking trails, paddle boats and fishing lakes. Although most of these campgrounds are set up for campers they almost at always have tent sites as well.
Once you have tried camping at an established campground you may decide to want to rough it out in the woods on your own. To find locations for tent camping you might try doing an internet search on camping.
Regardless of where you go camping it is important that you be prepared. The following is a list of items you should consider for ensuring you are prepared for an enjoyable camping trip.
Camping Inventory
1. Tent. You can find a wide selection of tents in various sizes from 2 person tents to family sizes. You might consider getting the children their own tent. They will enjoy having their own space.
2. Sleeping bags and an air mattress if desired.
3. Flash lights and extra batteries.
4. Matches
5. Cookware. Cooking on an open fire will probably not be good for your best cookware so you might want to bring older pots and pans or consider buying a camping cookware set. Think ahead about foods that will be easy to cook on a fire.
6. Firewood. If you are not camping at an established campground you may not have access to firewood.
7. First Aid kit. This should include band aids, peroxide, gauze, burn crème, tape, a tool for removing splinters, and anti bug spray.
8. Water for drinking
9. Trash bags. Whether you go camping at an established campground or in the woods somewhere it is imperative that you leave the area exactly as you found it. If the location does not have trash bins then pick up your trash and take it with you. Don’t ruin the experience for the next family.
If you carefully plan your camping trip and expect the unexpected by being prepared for anything you will have a great time camping.
Robert Michael is a writer for Webau Camping which is an excellent place to find camping links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.webaucamping.com
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Discount Camping Supplies for Family Trips
Camping can be a really fun experience for the entire family. A camping trip will help improve relationships, and create a more closely knit family. However, be forewarned that all camping trips must be planned carefully. A poorly planned trip can lead to disastrous events, and your supposedly enjoyable trip will turn into a nightmare.
For example, let’s say you don’t have experience camping in a particular area. And due to your lack of experience, you forgot to research the terrain that you are likely to come across. As a result, you didn’t buy the right type of camping boots for the trip. So what do you think will happen? Pretty soon, the entire family will be complaining about sores, muscle aches, and all kinds of foot related problems. Before long, someone is going to put the blame on (who else but) you for not looking into the details.
When planning for a camping trip, details are everything. And most of the details involve camping equipment. You absolutely need the right equipment to ensure that experience remains pleasant, even when there are unexpected circumstances (like bad weather).
If you sit down and make list of all the camping equipment that you need, you will soon find the list growing to include equipment such as cooking ware, folding chairs, sleeping bags, camping tents, swiss army knives, waterproof backpacks, and more!
Your camping list helps you to keep things organized. From the list, you can easily tell whether you need to do additional shopping or not. Most likely, there will be some missing items. If so, it’s now time for some shopping.
For your own convenience, you can buy all your camping items online. On the Internet, there are specialized websites that sell mainly camping equipment. Some of these sites are discount sites, which means that you can buy new and branded equipment at steep discounts. Those are the sites that you should be paying attention to.
Because discount stores are highly specialized sites, you often find important information that will help you make the right decision. Let’s say you are thinking of buying a new camping tent. You will want to know how big the tent is, and how many persons it is for. It can be a tent for 2 persons, or 4 persons. You will then get the advice that you need. For instance, don’t just buy based on the number of people going for the camping trip. You may find that you easily run out of space if you forget to leave allowance for the luggage. Such advice serves as useful reminders.
Also, when you buy from discount stores, you get to save a lot of money. Make a list of all the items you end up buying, and you will quickly realize how substantial the savings can be.
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