When winter fades, the trees start to blossom and the days start getting longer, people yearn to spend more time outdoors. They're ready to explore the countryside and reconnect with nature. All this and more are just some of the reasons why people enjoy camping.
Camping can be a great activity for families, close groups of friends or those who just need some quiet time all to themselves. It helps us appreciate the beauty of nature all around us and realize how amazing the surroundings can be. It can make us enjoy the small things in life. Camping lets us create and share experiences that you can't get from watching TV or being glued to a smartphone.
Whether you're a novice camper or thinking of going camping for the very first time, there is plenty of information that you can find to help make your next outing enjoyable. Do a little research to find out about different places and parks where you can go camping. You can search for articles about popular camping destinations and do some research into different kinds of tents and other camping equipment. You can also visit your local sporting goods store to see different camping products and accessories that are available.
Here are ten significant reasons why you should go camping:
1. It gives you a break from technology
There are quite a few campgrounds that have limited cell phone signals or Wi-Fi capability if they have any at all. Going camping can give people a much-needed break from their constant reliance on modern technology. You can go camping in a traditional camper or recreational vehicle, and some campgrounds have Wi-Fi. However, for a pure organic experience, sometimes it's better to go without electronic devices for a few days. Camping trips are a perfect time to unplug and relax. They give you more time to admire the natural beauty that is all around you. You can spend your days hiking, fishing, canoeing, walking nature trails and finding many more activities to occupy your time. At night, you can gather around the campfire telling ghost stories as you listen to the sounds of wildlife. Some night’s you might choose to lay back and stare upwards, as you ponder just how many stars there are in this great big galaxy. Technology has its purpose, but there are times when we all just need to get away from it all. Being in the company of close friends and family members as you admire the beauty of nature is what some camping trips are really all about.
2. It's an affordable vacation
Camping is a very affordable vacation alternative. You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on airfare or a hotel, entertainment, meals or souvenirs. All you need is some camping gear, a good tent or two, a few sleeping bags, enough food and beverages for your party and a cozy campsite. Whether you need or want more, that is up to you. Most camping equipment is very affordable, depending on what your needs are. They are built to withstand inclement weather conditions and should last for many years. Just make sure it's properly maintained and stored securely when not in use. The biggest expenditure you'll probably have to make is spent on the gas used to get to your campsite. You can spend a weekend in the woods or a few days at a national park campsite. You can even camp out right in your own backyard. The only limit is your own desire and imagination.
3. It helps you connect with nature
With every camping trip, you're bound to have unique adventures and experience some of the most beautiful places in the world. Take some time to research different state and national parks for points of interest. Get some feedback from family, neighbors, and friends about any camping trips they may have taken. This can give you some ideas for places to go and things to see. If nature, photography or wildlife, camping gives you opportunities to be inspired. There are millions of subjects for your next artistic masterpiece. It's also a very pet-friendly pastime. Feel free to take your cat, dog or other pets along to help share the experiences with you. Animals enjoy the great outdoors just as much as humans! Inquire as to whether or not pets are allowed at your campground before you go, and get ready to have fun.
4. Camping is a great way to bond with people that you care about
Sometimes, people get to know each other better during the time they spend together on vacations and other excursions. You get to spend quality time in the great outdoors with family, friends, co-workers or whoever else you choose to go camping with. You get to bond with people that you care about and create unique, lasting memories that you can't quite get from any other kind of vacation experience. Every camping trip is different. Each one offers new things to see and do and new memories to create. For parents, it can be an educational experience for them and their children. They get to learn more about local wildlife and how to take care of themselves in Nature's confines.
5. You don't have to adhere to a schedule
One of the best things about camping is that you can do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it. It gives you a chance to break away from the everyday schedules and routines that many of us are accustomed to. That can be a welcome adjustment for some people. For once, you don't have to plan what you're going to do every day. You can go on a camping trip with some ideas in mind of things you'd like to do, but just keep in mind that the weather can always throw a monkey wrench into the works sometimes. Pack some rain or warm weather gear, depending on the situation. You may also want to bring along some board games, books or other items that can be healthy distractions. No camping trip is perfect, but there are still ways to enjoy it even if weather or other things get in the way of your plans.
6. It's a great way to get in some good exercise
Camping out in the wilderness for a few days or so is a good excuse to get in some vigorous physical activities. Nature hikes, jogging across trails, spending time fishing, biking, kayaking and swimming are just some of the ways to exercise on your camping trip. While you're camping, Mother Nature is your gym. You don't need to buy a gym membership or spend time lifting weights or running on a treadmill. You can do as many or as few physical activities as you'd like and your body is comfortable with. Depending on where you go camping you may be able to get in a few games of soccer, softball or other team sports. You can even make up your own games with your own rules if you'd like to. Anything you can do to get people up and active instead of sitting around is a great idea!
7. It gives you quiet time
Sometimes we just need a break from our everyday schedules. All the responsibilities, commitments and distractions can be quite overwhelming at times. A camping trip can be a good way to get some much-needed peace and quiet. One of Matt's favorite quotes about traveling is "We travel not to escape life, but for life to not escape us." Camping gives us time away from artificial noise and distractions. The only noises you should hear are the chirp of crickets, the scurrying sounds of squirrels running up and down trees, fish jumping in the lake, and other birds and animals close to you. Taking time to listen to these and other sounds can help you calm your mind and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. The stillness of your surroundings can help you find inner happiness and calmness. It can also help you feel more energized for when you do have to go back to your normal life. Being in the calm of nature can really help you admire and appreciate the little things in life.
8. There are lots of interesting meal choices
Another benefit of going camping is the variety of food options. You don't have to go to a fancy restaurant or a burger joint. You can make many pleasing breakfasts, lunches or dinners by yourself or make it a team effort with the family and friends you are camping with. It's a good excuse to bring along food that you wouldn't normally eat, or if you feel like having a "cheat meal" or two on your trip. Even if you do make a mess, at least it will be easy to clean up. You can fish for your supper or pick wild berries. Just make sure you have a guide book with you so that you know what plants and berries are safe to eat. Also, do some reading about different kinds of plant life that you may encounter so that you are aware of what poison ivy and other obstacles to avoid look like.
9. You can learn valuable survival skills
Roughing it often teaches people some important life lessons. Many of these lessons can be learned by going camping. For instance, you have to learn how to put up a tent, pack food and secure it from the elements and animals. Making a fire and making meals without the benefit of electricity are vital skills for a successful camping trip. Camping can also teach people of all ages a better way to solve problems. New challenges and different situations keep our minds active instead of stagnant. They force us to think outside the box and come up with nontraditional alternatives sometimes. Roughing it in the great outdoors can help us think of new ways to do things not only when we are camping, but in other practical situations in our lives.
10. It can help you sleep better
Studies have shown that a few days of camping outdoors can help people who have a tough time getting to sleep at night or waking up in the morning. Camping can do a lot to help us with the natural light/dark cycle. It helps our bodies adjust better and counteract the effects of the artificial light at home that we've become so accustomed to. After a while, enough artificial light can sometimes fool our bodies into thinking it's time for rest when it may not be. Camping can help you get a deeper, more relaxed sleep. You can wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on whatever your trip brings your way.
These are just some of the many reasons why many people go camping every year. It's usually a very stress-free vacation. Camping usually makes people feel happier afterward. You don't need a lot of planning and you usually don't need to do a lot of packing, either. You can go to different campsites every year, or stick with traditional favorites. You can even host a backyard camping party every week or month if you see fit, whatever tickles your fancy is just fine.
There are some who don't like camping because of rain, insects or the amount of work that goes into it. They want their vacations to be as stress and work-free as possible. Those objections are easy to overcome. Pack accordingly and prepare yourself for bugs, weather, plant life, and other situations. Plan your trip in advance and make sure you have everything on your list before you go. Sure, it can get messy and you have to do a little more work than you thought sometimes. However, if you love being in the great outdoors and don't mind a little wind, rain, mud, dirt or snow as you rough it like your ancestors did for a few days, a good camping trip can become a beloved annual family get-together.