Family fun is not only affordable, but can create wonderful memories when you all hit the road with your tent, camp cookout supplies, and a few lawn chairs for relaxing.
Hotels are fun but can be very expensive and families are watching their dollars more closely these days. If you believe that you can’t take a vacation this year, try a tent and the minimal cost for a weekend getaway. You’ll see things you could never experience in the sterile environment of a hotel room.
Many locations that offer camping sites have refreshing and clean swimming pools to use, so you won’t miss that. Most offer nice, hot showers and other amenities that will make you wonder why you didn’t try this before now. Game rooms complete with pool tables, arcade games, and other entertainment for the kids are standard in many camping facilities.
For a much different experience, try rough camping in a tent. Go to your local state park or national forest and put up your nature dwelling for an even closer natural weekend. If you time it just right you could be living outdoors at the peak of the fall color season when all the deciduous trees are in their glory. Wake up in the cool morning to the sun peeking over the mountain ridge highlighting this phenomenon.
Later, throw a line into the water and catch the family some dinner. There’s nothing quite like a freshly caught trout over a campfire. In the summer the kids will enjoy floating on tubes in the water all day. Sit in a hammock and catch up on your reading while the creek trickles nearby.
You can bring your cell phones and laptops if you wish. The kids can even bring their DVD players with the advances in today’s mobile technology. This is something you’ll decide on. In other words, you can have the joys of nature and as many comforts of home as you wish. It’s up to you.
Backpacking is the epitome of wilderness outdoor camping. You’ll drive to a trail head and walk off into some of the most beautiful areas in the world. Those experiences are unique and require a minimum of equipment for a short overnight. You’ll need a shelter, a good pair of hiking shoes or boots for all in your party, and backpacks in which to carry your gear. Most areas suited for backpacking are either free or require a very inexpensive permit.
Family vacations are still possible if you choose to buy a tent and go camping. Anywhere you choose to camp you will find that your dollars go much further than the traditional hotel stay family trip. If you’ve never taken your family camping you are in for a treat. Some of the best memories can be found in watching your child catch his first fish or hike to the top of a mountain for a breathtaking view that can’t be found anywhere else. Getting away for a few days doesn’t have to be impossibly expensive. Buy a tent and head for the nearest state park.
Paul Castillo talks about the various best tent options you can bring with you when going on a camping trip. For instance, he uses his best family tent when he goes camping with his family, and his best backpacking tent if he goes solo. He writes about this and reviews tents in his blog.
