Taking "Roughing It" Out Of Family Camping
Family camping without rustic hardships
may have lost some of the romance experienced by early pioneers, but
it also makes the enjoyment of nature more appealing to a broader
range of modern families. |
Not too long ago "Roughing It" and "Family Camping" brought
the same pictures to mind.
Going camping in the great outdoors on a family camping trip meant
several days of roughing it with few of the amenities of modern
living.
Real "Roughing It" meant sleeping on the ground in blankets and
cooking over an open camp fire after carrying everything in a
backpack before finding a suitable wilderness location.
'Everything' may well have included a hiker's tent with poles and
stakes, bed roll, snack packs, water bottle or canteen, and much
more. |
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Not necessarily a fun experience for every family member. Not
everyone enjoys being in
the outdoors so much that they are happy to put up with these
discomforts.
Today, far from living off the land, a family camping
trip can mean driving right to your campsite and living in
conditions like a home away from home. Some families prefer
traveling in a recreational vehicle or motor home, fully equipped
with all the comforts of home.
Those that prefer family camping in a tent can more comfortably
enjoy their weatherproof lightweight cocoon, with built-in floor,
zip up doors and windows, even separate compartments for privacy and
no inside poles.
Modern tent designs and fabrics have the strength to withstand a
storm without a leak, and they’re much lighter to carry and easier
to set up.
Family tents now usually come complete with hooks and pockets to
hang and store things, mesh windows to keep out annoying insects,
and other comfort features...
… and campsite cooking is much less likely to be over a camp fire. Not
only are there dangers of forest fires in many rustic locations, the
convenience of cooking with gas is so much
easier.
Camp food has come a long way from dodging the smoke to broil
sausage over the embers on a stick. Meal times at a well equipped
family camp can mean gourmet quality cooking.
What's more, portable refrigerators powered by gas, car batteries or
solar power can keep food supplies cool and fresh.
Camping supply stores now offer an astonishing array of other
comforts, from well padded camp beds with storage pockets, to
body-hugging camp chairs with built-in drink holders - all
lightweight and made with clever compact folding designs.
Comfortable sleeping bags, with either natural filling like goose
down, or advanced artificial materials, ensure a good night's sleep
whatever the weather.
Solar and battery power options have brought the convenience of
electricity to camping, and most paid camping grounds offer electric
power connections and water at designated tent sites.
The facilities of home that were automatically given up when camping
in earlier days, such as music, televisions and other "essential"
gadgets of modern living, are often now a part of wilderness family
camping life.
”Roughing it” has taken on a new meaning.
Richard Rossbauer
About the Author -
Richard Rossbauer has been writing about doing Fun
Things, Niche
Marketing, helping others create a rewarding web presence,
and Online security for a good many years. His
www.RichardPresents.com website offers tips and
tools for doing fun things like family gardening, camping,
cooking, bird watching, and other enjoyable and entertaining
activities. . |
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