Family Adventures, Lakeside Memories, and the Joy of Being Outdoors
Hello, outdoor lovers! Are you going camping? Have you been camping this year? Do you have a favorite spot?
Camping is an inexpensive way to entertain the entire family. As a kid, my family vacationed this way every year. It was wildly fun and exciting! We had this favorite place we loved to go to—a crystal-clear lake, perfect for boating and skiing. There was a sandy beach with a gradual slope to the lake bottom so that small children could have fun playing in the water. You had to walk a long way to the boat, anchored in the deeper part of the lake, but it was worth it for the safety of the younger kids.
The water was pristine—so clear that even in the deepest parts you could see to the bottom. The lake was large. In fact, to a small kid, it felt huge. You could not see the other side from your campsite. It felt like the lake just stretched to the horizon and disappeared.
The campsites were generous. There were enough trees that you could always string a clothesline or anchor a tent if necessary, and you had to find a spot for the hammock. The perfect camping spot was, of course, right on the water. We always managed to end up there, even if we had to wait for a day or two.
As I talk to families now, I hear that they, too, have their favorite spots in the national parks or along the shore. And tents come in all shapes and sizes. You can put up one that looks like a yurt. There are bell tents and cabin tents, and you can even have a car tent that attaches to the back of your SUV. They come in all sizes as well. You could have a small pup tent for privacy or a giant lodge tent.
Putting them up may be a challenge, especially the really, really big ones. Setup time is the time to head for the water or the lodge, as cursing is sure to be part of the operation. It seems that tents generally do not just pop up on their own.
Once the site is set, the real fun can begin. Sleeping bags and air mattresses come next. Inflating air mattresses can be a pain unless you have a battery-powered pump, which I highly recommend. Then you can inflate other items as well: beach balls, floats, and more. Camping is a great place for water toys of all kinds. If you are lucky enough to have a boat, then skiing is a must—or tubing as well. Blowing up the tube definitely requires a pump. Those things are huge!
Of course, the campfire at the end of the day lets you roast marshmallows and make s’mores. Camping is not camping without the chocolate and marshmallow goo.
Explore related reflections:
The Right Mindset blog
Seasonal reflections
Therapeutic approaches
Learn more from trusted outdoor resources:
U.S. National Park Service
Recreation.gov Camping & Reservations
U.S. Forest Service Camping
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By Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst
