When you decide camping is the type of vacation experience you want it opens a wide variety of choices in terms of what, when, where and how.  The first order of business is to decide what type of camping experience you want to have.  Following are some very important questions you should ask yourself and answer honestly before planning your camping vacation.    

1. Am I using camping as an inexpensive way to travel to a destination and sight see along the way?  For example; I want to take my family to Disney World but do not want to incur the cost of staying in a hotel or motel while traveling to or from the theme park or when I arrive.

2. Am I using camping as lodging to do something else in the outdoors?  For example; many hunters, fishermen and photographers use camping as a way to get close to the quarry.

3. Am I using camping as a means to get away and simply enjoy nature?  For example; you may have a high stress job and would like to get away to relax with an eye to simplifying your life for a short period of time.

4. Am I using camping as a way of doing something my family can enjoy and share?  For example; due to busy schedules you do not have enough family time and feel you are missing quality time and shared experiences as your children grow. 

For numbers one and two above, the camping experience is secondary to the reason you are camping.  Therefore the type of campground you choose may be based on how close the campground is to the place you want to visit as versus the amenities the campground offers, i.e. game room, movie night, putt put golf, etc…  If you are not looking to “get away from it all”, the site density (number of sites per acre) provided by the campground may not be an issue.  Of course, if you are camping at Disney World in the summer with the family it’s nice to have a swimming pool to relax in after a day with Mickey Mouse.  However, in the case of hunting and fishing camps, the bare necessities may be all you require and the site density would be an issue as overcrowding would drive away the quarry. 

For numbers three and four above, the core of the experience is the “camping” itself and not site seeing or other core activities.  This does not mean that you will not be doing activities such as hiking, swimming, fishing or some site seeing, but these activities are secondary to camping and getting away from the day to day experience.

Of course, your choice of campsites will also depend on whether you are an RV or tent camper and your level of camping skills.  If you are an RV camper you probably have many books and ideas on areas that best suit your rig.  However, if you are a tent camper there are various rules and regulations that will affect your camping experience in state and federal parks and forests as well as private areas, i.e. open fires, gathering fire wood, use of water, etc…  None the less, picking a campground based on the experience you are looking for and your personal skills heightens your chances of having a successful camping vacation. 

So my friends get out your pen and paper and plan your camping experience.  Answer the above questions, and find the perfect campsite for you.  If Disney World is your destination, a private campground, with a pool, close to Disney or on the property may be ideal.  However, if you want to get away from it all, a secluded tent site in a remote State or National Park or Forest with nearby hiking trails and natural swimming “holes” may be the ideal.  Whatever you decide, make sure your skill set is up to par and have a safe and fun filled trip.
 

Tags: camping basics