How Important Is Camping To You?

[ColemanCampingFamily]

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!!

[WolfPack]

Camping is very inportant to me and the kids. its when you can relax and recharge the battery. :U

[sacrawf]

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.

[JAL&JKL]

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.

[A2SuperCrew]

Some of these posts are great material for an ongoing feature in PUT......

Dave?

[threebeachboys]

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

[A2SuperCrew]

...................The perfect combination of the familiar and new adventures; of nature and comfort; of roughing it and convenience.

Pam

EXACTLY!       Our own beds, but in new places!

[Hargus]

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.

[Used 2B PopUPTimes]

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.

[fallsrider]

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.

[cyclone]

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.

[Used 2B PopUPTimes]

EXACTLY!       Our own beds, but in new places!

I saw a t-shirt that said "Home is where you pop it up".

[spearmint]

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!

[endless horizons]

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

[ilovecamping]

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.