What’s So Good About Camping

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Camping, thousands of people across the United States enjoy camping trips every summer, hell, plenty of people even brave the cold winter months to do a spot of cold weather camping, so there must be something going on, people don’t sleep outside on the floor, under canvas and try to cook something edible over a campfire for fun do they? You betcha’, and over the last few years camping has become even more popular for families and couples trying to escape the rat race of urban life for a few days . . . which means that there are some terrific, ingenious supplies and camping gadgets to choose from and make your camping experience even more comfortable. Some even go so far as to call it “glamping” . . . sounds cool.

What’s Good About Camping

1. Simplicity – once you’ve mastered putting the tent up which does take practice, especially if you haven’t marked the poles with colored tape
2. Healthy – all that fresh air and exercise, camping is definitely good for both the body and the soul
3. Fun – good clean fun is compulsory when you’re camping, it just kinda’ happens 
4. Bringing families together – there ain’t no room doors for moody teenagers to slam, and you can even put a ban on games consoles, iPads, iPhones and other technical gadgetry, it’s all in together guys, everyone should help with the cooking, even washing up can be fun when you’re camping – no, really.
5. Price – camping trips are a great and affordable way for the whole family to enjoy a few days away from it all.

Camping Supplies – Getting Started

Camping is a very affordable way for the whole family to enjoy a little vacation time together, but there are one or two camping supplies which you will need before you start.  There are some great camping stores which can help to get your camping supply stash started, stores like REI have great selections of lots of stuff including camping and hiking supplies. So what sort of things do you need before you can enjoy your first camping trip.

Camping & Hiking Checklists

• A tent is an essential part of your camping equipment, you can’t go camping without one! Choosing the right tent will depend on lots of things. Camping is a very social activity and you may find that you have friends or relations gate crashing the party, so make sure that the tent is big enough for at least one extra camper, just in case. If you’re going car camping then your tent will only be pitched at the beginning of your trip and stay there, so it doesn’t really matter if it’s big, heavy and takes some time, but if you’re the type of people who like to camp out on hiking trips then your tent will have to be small, lightweight and easy to erect.
• Somewhere to sleep is essential too, some sort of sleeping bag is the usual, depending on the type of weather you’ll be expecting with some sort of sleeping pad to protect you from the hard floor. Some people do, however, use air mattresses, pillows and covers making their camping experience a real home from home.
• Cooking is great fun when you’re camping, it’s important that a stove is among your camping supplies. Campfires are forbidden on many camp sites and at certain times of the year, so it’s essential that you have some sort of camping stove to make your morning cuppa and to prepare your porridge . . . porridge is an essential camping breakfast in our house . . . . I mean in our tent! Don’t forget to take cooking pots, plates and cutlery too.
• Comfortable clothes and shoes are essential for your camping trip too. You won’t find it necessary to dress for dinner, just something comfortable and suitable for the weather will suffice. Don’t forget waterproofs either, rain and camping kind of go together and if you get your clothes wet it can be a little difficult to dry them off in a two man tent.

Well, the rain certainly hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm for camping has it?