As I sit and get ready for our first camping trip of the season, it struck me. Camping has become very important to me. Not going on long, expensive vacations in a fancy hotel, but just camping. Waking up in the morning and standing on the shore of a lake looking through the fog makes me complete. That may sound somewhat corny, but it's true. I'm going through a lot of life/career struggles right now, and one of the things that has kept me going is this first camping trip- even though we're slated for rain and thunderstorms tomorrow, tomorrow night, and Saturday morning...
I was just wondering how important is camping to you? I don't really mean how much you 'enjoy it', but how important is it in your life? To me there is a difference, maybe not so much to others.
I was just wondering how important is camping to you? I don't really mean how much you 'enjoy it', but how important is it in your life? To me there is a difference, maybe not so much to others.[/QUOTE]
Our family really enjoys the camping experience. For our son it is a time to learn more about the outdoors, meet new friends, see different parts of our state, or where ever we travel. For my wife and I it is a time of peace, a time to enjoy nature away from cell phones, PC's, as well as the responsibilities from work. Since I am more of an "B" type person I do not have any trouble relaxing and unwinding. My wife however is learning how to relax when we travel, but still takes a day or two to relax and forget about the stress of work.
Quote from: jmaddoxAs I sit and get ready for our first camping trip of the season, it struck me. Camping has become very important to me. Not going on long, expensive vacations in a fancy hotel, but just camping. Waking up in the morning and standing on the shore of a lake looking through the fog makes me complete. That may sound somewhat corny, but it's true. I'm going through a lot of life/career struggles right now, and one of the things that has kept me going is this first camping trip- even though we're slated for rain and thunderstorms tomorrow, tomorrow night, and Saturday morning...
I was just wondering how important is camping to you? I don't really mean how much you 'enjoy it', but how important is it in your life? To me there is a difference, maybe not so much to others.
Let me put it this way - when we aren't camping, we wish we were!
It really has become a way of life. I agree with you about the first camping trip of the season keeping you going through the 'winter blues'! Our first is in a month and we can't wait.
I also think that it creates a balance in our family life and ensures that we don't take too much for granted in either direction. When we're home, we enjoy our internet access, television, own bathrooms, etc. It's easy to take this stuff for granted until you camp and realize what life is like without (I don't mean to say camping is a 'hardship', it's NOT - just DIFFERENT). When we're camping, we enjoy sleeping in our popup, our campfire, seeing different parts of the country, nature, and whatever activities the park offers. It's easy to take these things for granted until you have the contrast of living in a house (like when you return from camping and being in your house feels like being shut in a shoebox) - then you appreciate the outdoors and 'the popup life' all the more.
Camping has become THE family activity for us!
Thanks for starting this thread - great topic!
Camping is an important part of our family. Being out in the wilderness, sleeping under canvas, unplugging from daily life. It's a great time to reconnect with nature, each other, and ourselves. It's very balancing. We all look forward to Spring. :D Camping is very seasonal up here in Michigan. The kids even get the camping itch this time of year, asking "When are we getting the camper out of the barn?"
Our family enjoys all kinds of travel, but during the winter months we can't camp, so we do other stuff. We just got back from a Western Carribean cruise where we visited Cozumel and Belize. It was our third cruise. We did a two week land / sea cruise in Alaska a few years ago. That was a blast!
We love to travel year round. In the summer, all our trips center around camping.
It's very important to my family. It has become a part of us. I can say that I think we will always be campers. It's just so awesome to take the kids out of the city & for them to explore and discover new animals, bugs, places, people. It's just great to have camping be a part of our lives.
I was raised in a camping family, and am glad that even as a single parent, I've had the opportunity to raise my son as a camper.
I know a few people who have told me they never camped, and never wanted to! How can this be? It's mind-boggling to me. yeah, there can be bugs and rainy days - but there can also be discovery and delight of a child, campfires and comraderie, billions of stars never seen near any city, loons calling across the water, and listening to rain on the canvas of your tent while you're curled up snug and warm with your family.
Why would ANYONE pass up those oppotunities?
When I can't camp, I'm thinking about our next trip, where can we go? who's going with us? thinking about better ways to pack the canoe or camper, what equipment might work better, or what mods can I make.....
But whether it's in a canoe and sleeping on the beach, or camping in the camper, even in 'camp driveway' gives me a sense of peace. I sleep better, breathe more deeply, and feel more ALIVE!
If there ever comes a day when I can't camp anymore, or at least, get out into nature some, some part of me will die.
I can't ever give that up. Camping is essential to me.
Laura
I've always enjoyed the 'get-aways' - whether it be tenting or even just a night or two somewhere other than home. In reviewing my prior years, seemed as though at least one weekend a month was away from home.
Since getting my PUP, I still have the same desires to escape - about once a month or maybe every other week have a few days away from home.
Yes, camping/travel is high on my priority list.
Camping is very important in my life. It helps restore me for my non-camping time.:)
VERY Important...and as far as my DD is concerned it's "THE" most important thing
For me it has become very important. As a former long haul truck driver that has been to every state (except Alaska) and most provinces of Canada with my wife, I still love seeing new places. I want my kids to get the thrill of seeing new places as well. It has always been a dream of mine to get an RV of some sort and now that I have one I want to make the most of it. What makes it so important to me is 1) it's a time to be with my kids without all the distractions of home and 2) I love being out in nature and experiencing all it has to offer. Sitting in the cool morning air with a cup of coffee while the sun comes up is a beautiful thing. I would camp every weekend if I were able to.
Good luck with your life/career struggles. Being out in the woods with only the sounds of nature is a great way to clear your head and get a grip on things.
I would have to agree with everyone else. Camping is a big part of my life.
I have been going since I was probably 5 or 6. I camp for lots of different reasons whether it be to just be out with friends on a long weekend, go out for a few days trail riding on the motorcycles, 4 wheeling or hunting it all revolves around camping in some form or another.
I take 3 major trips a year and lots of little ones. I spend most of my time planning the "next" trip as soon as I get home from the last one.
2008 just started and I am working on trips for 2009 already.... :-()
DT
Let me see.... I can put it to you this way. We have 2 boys 5 and 6, the 5 year old says during a snow storm in Jan. Can we go camping yet? :frosty: Mind you we already had at least a foot of snow on the ground. So we'd say camping ranks pretty darn high over here.
We also have been cut short the last 2 years due to health issues. A big bummer but, you have to make sacrafices.
DW and I are at the far end of where most of you are now, that is that you are camping with the kids and family.
We are into the snowbirding stage but the memories of camping definitely linger in this family.
Right now DD is asleep on our couch in the trailer. She is on Spring Break. This will most likely be the last time we will be able to share this much time with her so the memories made this week will be special.
Camping has had a tremendous affect on this family. The travel, people that we have met, the campfires and other adventures have made for a close family.
Camping is also very important to me. When I'm not camping, I'm thinking about camping. I have only had my pupup for two years but tent camped since I was a child. My first husband and I camped all the time. We raised two children camping and it was wonderful. They still have a love of camping. DH2 doesn't understand the whole camping thing. when I first started seeing him he told me I would never have to sleep in a tent again. We could afford hotel rooms anywhere we wanted to go. At first I excited about this. I sold the tent and most of the gear. After a year or two I realized how much I missed camping so I bought another tent. DH tried it and hated it. I was disapointed but okay with it. I told him he was welcome to come anytime he wanted but I was okay with him not going. My DD and her two boys(6 & 7) are my camping buddies.
I am a calmer person when I can camp. I am a supervisor in a commercial bakery. Just yesterday was a bad day. Nothing was going right and I was frustrated. Suddenly one of my girls asked me when I was going to start camping again. I realized I don't stress out nearly as much during camping season.
I need to go camping..
Quote from: jmaddoxI'm going through a lot of life/career struggles right now, and one of the things that has kept me going is this first camping trip.
What I probably would have typed if you hadn't already.
Larry
We just couldn't imagine life without camping. One of my very first memories as a child was tent camping at Fort Wilderness at DisneyWorld. My parents upgraded to a Cox camper fairly soon after that and I have fond memories of camping every year (and using it as a "playhouse" when dad would set it up in the driveway). As a teenager, I stayed in Girl Scouts mainly for the camping, because at this point we stopped camping as a family. My husband got into camping as a Boy Scout and hasn't stopped since. To say how important camping is to us - we were camping when I was 37 weeks pregnant!! And in a tent, no less. Needless to say, I finally convinced my husband that an air matress was in order.
Our son has been camping since he was 10 weeks old (now 7) and would go camping every weekend if we could. It is our time to get away from the "comforts" of home, and reconnect as a family. I am the most relaxed when camping, and one of these days when we finally retire, the DH and I are going to become "full-timers". We want to get a big rig and travel all over the US, staying in State & National Parks as "camp hosts". We really want to spread our love of camping to others around this beautiful country.
In a nutshell, we will be campers for life!!
Camping is very inportant to me and the kids. its when you can relax and recharge the battery. :U
Camping is very important to us; not just for the camping but the active lifestyle opportunities it provides.
Our favorite outdoor activities such as gardening, bicycling, hiking, fishing, and birding have led us to pop-up camping. The pop-up allows me to camp close to a bike race or century ride without the long drive just before and after the event. Camping at new locations has allowed DW to visit arboretums, garden centers, greenhouses, gardens, and garden shows that we might otherwise not have found. And even a short drive to a nearby campground finds new hiking, fishing, and birding opportunities as well as new geocaches to find.
Our vacation time (2 weeks -- Spring & Fall) are spent camping. Began camping ten years ago as a way to get away from DH's 24 hrs./day, 7 days/week "On Call" job. The "popularity" of cell phones has inconvenienced somewhat: but there is no other way that I want to GET AWAY. Not a morning person at home but when camping I love to wake up to the sunrise, listening to the birds sing. Sometimes I think it is the only time WE have to actually communicate without interruptions. Two "pop ups" later, we moved to hybrid TT. Love the hybrid TT but with the increasing cost of gasoline won't travel far this year. Afterall, the point is just to GET AWAY and enjoy the beauty of nature. Camping is essential to me for re-group.
Some of these posts are great material for an ongoing feature in PUT......
Dave?
:D
Camping has allowed our family to relax, travel and be together in our own little "home away from home". The perfect combination of the familiar and new adventure; of nature and comfort; of roughing it and convenience.
We love it!
Pam
Quote from: threebeachboys...................The perfect combination of the familiar and new adventures; of nature and comfort; of roughing it and convenience.
Pam
EXACTLY! :D Our own beds, but in new places!
After reading these posts, I guess I'm not as crazy as I thought I was. Yes, camping is very important to me and my family. I enjoy the preparation, the trip to the location and of course the time we spend camping. The last couple of years we have been going to the Eastern Rally and have had the pleasure of meeting some great people. We look forward to that each year. As well as other trips we will make.
I'd have to say that pop up camping is pretty important to me. We've had a lot of family fun and made a lot of great friends over the years. We're looking forward to getting out this season.
D.
It's pretty important to us, too. We could do without it if we had to, but that certainly wouldn't be our preference. Our daughter loves it so much, and our son (9 months old) has done so well on the 4 trips he's been on, that money would have to get really tight before we'd give it up.
We're not sure when we're going to start our season here. Each weekend seems to create a road block. Hopefully, the first or second week of April we can go locally.
It's important enough that after a break of 10 years or so in my adult life, I missed it so much that we bought a tent and started camping again. I am single, so my camping unit is a bit on the non-traditional side. I camp with my sister (or two) and we moved off the cold, hard ground into a pop-up about 5 years ago. We grew up in a camping family and I treasure the memories of all those trips as a child. And, still using that tent didn't stop me from attending that PUT rally in Townsend several years ago. We have enjoyed several later trips with friends met here. I camp to relax - and escape. What a great feeling it is to pull into a cg and know that it's my time for some R&R.
Quote from: A2SuperCrewEXACTLY! :D Our own beds, but in new places!
I saw a t-shirt that said "Home is where you pop it up".
It's very important to me. It is a time to get back to basics and makes me think of what life must have been like many, many years ago - a few hundred years ago perhaps (at least in England). It makes me remember what life is all about and how to enjoy the simple things, the really valuable things in life.
You are closer to nature. It even smells different when you are camping. I am sure my blood pressure drops when I am camping.
I don't have to dress up to go anywhere and can feel completely comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt.
I get to enjoy long walks in nature with my dog - just perfect time!
Camping has become one of the most important things in my life. It is right up there with going to church for me. Growing up we never wentcamping. My parents are immigrants and back in the old country family get togethers were like camping they would say. Well we had no family here so I guess that's why we never camped.
I love campng. Some of my freinds and family say I am crazy! I like to think of camping as opportunities. Like going to the "original" art museum (enjoying the amazment of the creator's creation (art) for us). I think if it as going to see a therapist, (watching my hard working husband sleeping in his camping lounge chair) enjoying the friendship and constant encouragment from my camping family. Listening to the laughter of the kids playing, running, waiting for smores.
Many times I feel like I went to the gym because of all games, walking, hiking, swimming and laughing I have done on a trip. My lungs feel renewed, my mind is clear and my heart is filled with many more great memories.
Many none campers say it is too much work! I say it is joyous work, 5 senses stimulating work, memory making work, blessed with great friends work.
Yes I'm in love with camping
We too feel camping is a very important part of our lives. We have had a very rough winter and are hoping our first trip will help us start to work through things. We started in tents and worked our way through 3 pu's, an htt and now a tt. We will be putting ours on a permanent site this year since gas prices are so high but it will still be wonderful to get away and have others come join us when they can. Our children are all grown now but our DS still loves camping and will be able to come join us more often this year. Last summer our youngest DD joined us for 2 ngts which is the first time she has camped in about 8 yrs. She had a great time and I think she will come again this year. We take our DGD with us at least half of the time if not more. She loves camping and is so excited to be getting ready for another season.
Camping is a true American pastime. Not too many people in the world give up their homes to live outdoors, but here in America we not only do it, but we fight to be able to do it. Camping puts in a simpler place than our regular dog eat dog lives. It gives us the illusion of a simple time, and for most of us it brings back warm fuzzy memories.
From the coffee in the morning to the 40 oz beers at night. I love it all! The bugs, dust and smoke. I wouldn't trade it for nothing. Let's go camping!