Many people I know think I am absolutely crazy to go camping.

The idea of choosing to spend a weekend or a whole week sleeping in a tent in the woods with very few creature comforts around has them completely baffled.

Why would somebody willingly give up their TV, DVR, Computer, Internet Connection, soft comfy bed, Air Conditioning, working plumbing and so many other things and go live like our ancestors did hundreds of years ago?

Sometimes I don't have a ready response for them because I just understand what they are saying but usually my response goes something like:

• When was the last time you took some time to think?

• When was the last time you actually just sat and listened to the sounds around you?

• When was the last time you looked up into the clear night sky and tried to find all the constellations?

• When was the last time you sat around a campfire with good friends and family and just had a conversation about life?

There are so many things and so many topics to discuss you could literally stay up all night without discussing the same thing twice!

We live in a world that is moving so fast that we often forget why we are running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Those of us that are parents forget that we are doing all this running around and all this stuff for our children because we want them to experience life and learn about so many things before they are thrust out into the cruel world.

We are doing them a great disservice if we don't also show them the world around them. The forests, lakes, oceans, sandy beaches, mosquitos, worms, nightcrawlers, campfires, food cooked on an open charcoal grill and so many other things.

• How many kids today can easily identify all the constellations in the sky without the aid of a book or a computer?

• How many kids today can cook a hamburger or even better a good steak on a charcoal grill?

• How many kids today can enjoy roasting marshmellows over an open campfire with their parents and a few friends?

• How many kids today can identify poison Ivy, Sumac or Oak BEFORE they walk through it?

Camping is important, it's important to the future of our society and our children and ourselves.

Take some time, get outdoors and relax! There is nothing finer in this world!

Till Next Time…

Eric

Tags: Camping