Let’s face it, spending a weekend in the woods with no showers or heat or big comfy bed is not everybody’s idea of a good time. Many parents today were not raised with a strong outdoor experience, themselves, which makes it difficult for them to appreciate the experience now. So what can you do if your spouse is not interested in camping?
3 Camping Trips to Enjoy With Your Family This Summer
We have enjoyed a week of 80-degree weather, here in San Jose, and it has got me thinking about what kind of camping trips I want to plan, this summer. It’s a lot of fun to try different things and camping is no different. If you are just starting out, it makes sense to plan your first few trips close to home, just in case you forget something, or the weather takes a turn for the worse. As you gain experience and confidence, though, you are going to want to venture out and explore some new areas. Here are three ways to camp this summer that will keep your family excited about the outdoors and the camping experience.
Springtime Family Camping, are you ready?
Backyard tent-check (BenSheldon on Flickr)
With most of the country beginning to thaw out, now is a great time to start planning for your first family camping trip, this spring. For many families, this will be the first camping trip since Labor Day. That means camping gear that has been in storage for months needs to be checked before hitting the backcountry. Also, springtime weather is unpredictable, so it makes sense to prepare for the worst, regardless of the weekend forecast.
Best Winter Beach Camping Getaways
When it’s time to beat the winter blues, a weekend family beach camping trip might be just the thing your kids need, to burn off some cabin fever and get outside. Beaches are a lot more laid back in the winter, so camping spots are a lot easier to get. And, while temperatures may not allow for splashing in the surf, there’s still fun to be had playing in the sand and spending some quality time with the kids around the campfire.
Busiest Family Camping Weekends for 2010
Photo by North Cascades National Park on Flickr
2009 was a banner year for many popular family camping destinations. Parks in Maine, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota and Virginia all set attendance records last year, with big national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite also putting in big numbers.
There is a renewed interest, across the country, in family camping trips that offer more bang for consumer’s vacation buck. Vacation hours and holidays have also been under pressure during the economic recession as companies cut expenses, including employee benefits. All of this is leading up to another banner year for the parks, which means the busiest family camping weekends in 2010 are sure to fill up quickly.