Are you interested in getting involved in the outdoors, but find the very thought scary? Here are a few things I plan to do with my not-so-outdoorzy wife. If she’ll do it, then it’s likely you can do it too.
1. Take some local hikes - Hiking doesn’t have to be for extremely rugged types. A lot of folks just do it simply for light exercise. Plus, you’d be amazed at what you can find locally in terms of great hikes. If you do some simple Google searches for local hikes, you’ll likely find some great resources. For example, I found a great site for Massachusetts called thetrustees.org. One particular feature that I like is the locator map which pinpoints all of their reservations, many of which have hikes perfect for novices and are within a short drive. This year, I’m really interested to go check out Doane’s Falls, a local waterfall that I never knew existed.
2. Try Geocaching – Have you heard of geocaching? If not, you should visit geocaching.com and check it out. Several of my friends absolutely love it as it makes hiking far more interactive. All you need is a GPS and you’re ready to go. I have yet to try it, but will let everyone know how it goes once I can convince the family to try it with me.
3. Hit the beach – This often overlooked outdoor activity is really a great and simple way to get back into the outdoors. Oceans are truly one of the Earth’s most beautiful sites regardless of your age. Whether it is swimming in the water or just cruising the beach for seashells, your kids will love the beach. Of course, just be sure to protect yourself from the sun.
Hi everyone – It is true that I’m not an expert camper. I still learn more each time I go. However, if you’re contemplating taking your first camping trip this year, here are some tips that I’ve learned and wanted to share with you:
1. Always plan for rain - Even if the weather man says that there isn’t going to be a cloud in the sky, you should prepare for rain. Growing up in New England, I’ve learned this the hard way. It only takes a slight rainfall to soak everything you own and make your camping trip miserable. There isn’t much worse than listening to family members complain about wet clothes and soggy sleeping bags. Be sure to pack ponchos, waterproof matches, two tarps , as well as some back up clothing to ensure your family stays dry and comfy during your trip.
2. Use a checklist - You’d be surprised at how easy it is to forget something. Write it all down, ideally in a spreadsheet such as Microsoft Excel. You can find many standard camping lists online as a good starting point and make adjustments for your own personal needs.
3. Set up your tent ahead of time – If you have just purchased your tent, be sure to set it up before you go on your trip. The benefits of this are two-fold. First, you will find it much more comfortable setting it up on your campsite if you’ve already done it once. You never know if you’ll be rushed to set it up due to an upcoming rain storm so the more practice the better. Second – You’ll see if there are any pieces missing or broken (this often happens with cheaper tents).
4. Don’t act like a gourmet chef – Yes, it is very possible to eat really well while camping. However, on your first trip I strongly suggest going easy at first. Bring hot dogs, hamburgers, deli meats and breakfast cereals. Cooking is different while camping, even if you bring a good camping stove. It won’t be your kitchen so you’ll likely feel out of sorts cooking outdoors. If you go simple everyone will end up satisfied and you won’t be frustrated while preparing it
5. Bring activities for the kids - Don’t come empty handed when it comes to the kids. Bring some simple activities for the kids, preferably ones the family can plan together. I suggest age-appropriate board games, binoculars for bird watching, a telescope for some night-time sky gazing. If the campground roads aren’t too busy with cars, bringing bicycles is also a good idea. Although I see the benefits, I think the any handheld video games or electronic toys should be left at home. This is an outdoors trip after all.
I’ve learned a few things during my familycampman quest. One of which is that many folks have some misconceptions about camping. These misguided fears often result in families that never experience the joys of camping.
Let me take a crack at busting those myths:
Camping is just for outdoorzy folks – This couldn’t be the furthest thing from the truth. Most campers you’ll find are just normal everyday folks who just need to get away from their day-to-day lives. In addition, cabins and yurts (tent/cabin hybrid) make good first outdoor dwellings for those taking their first step into camping and fear the whole tent thing.
You can’t bring little kids - Anytime you’re in the woods you will need to keep a close eye on your little ones. However, you may find that toddlers can be very good campers. They’ll be fascinated with the trees, water and wildlife, as well as find sleeping bags just plain fun.
Camping is boring – Camping is what you make it. Activities can range from hiking, fishing, swimming, board games and star gazing. If you tend to be a socialite then invite some friends and you can have a great old time around the campfire after the kiddos go to bed.
Camping is expensive – While camping does have some upfront gear purchase requirements, you’ll find that the costs are far more affordable than a hotel. If you’re interested in RV camping, I suggest looking into rentals prior to buying. Also, site rates vary based on your requirements, but tent sites at state campgrounds can be as low as $6/night.
You’ll get attacked by a bear – Yes, there are animals in the woods and bears do exist in certain regions. However, in most areas you won’t see any dangerous animals (unless you’re scared of squirrels). However, if somehow you do find yourself in bear country, I suggest not attempting this :
1. Take some local hikes - Hiking doesn’t have to be for extremely rugged types. A lot of folks just do it simply for light exercise. Plus, you’d be amazed at what you can find locally in terms of great hikes. If you do some simple Google searches for local hikes, you’ll likely find some great resources. For example, I found a great site for Massachusetts called thetrustees.org. One particular feature that I like is the locator map which pinpoints all of their reservations, many of which have hikes perfect for novices and are within a short drive. This year, I’m really interested to go check out Doane’s Falls, a local waterfall that I never knew existed.
2. Try Geocaching – Have you heard of geocaching? If not, you should visit geocaching.com and check it out. Several of my friends absolutely love it as it makes hiking far more interactive. All you need is a GPS and you’re ready to go. I have yet to try it, but will let everyone know how it goes once I can convince the family to try it with me.
1. Always plan for rain - Even if the weather man says that there isn’t going to be a cloud in the sky, you should prepare for rain. Growing up in New England, I’ve learned this the hard way. It only takes a slight rainfall to soak everything you own and make your camping trip miserable. There isn’t much worse than listening to family members complain about wet clothes and soggy sleeping bags. Be sure to pack ponchos, waterproof matches, two tarps , as well as some back up clothing to ensure your family stays dry and comfy during your trip.
I’ve learned a few things during my familycampman quest. One of which is that many folks have some misconceptions about camping. These misguided fears often result in families that never experience the joys of camping.
