In this day of fast-paced living, it sometimes seems impossible for parents to instill in their children a taste for the simpler things in life. After all, there's television, computers and even video games to compete with, not to mention many a youngster's desire to compete with their friends for the "most stuff." When faced with this quandary, many a family turns to tent camping to get their little ones back to the basics while also presenting an outing that's fun and rewarding.
Camping in and of itself is a great hobby for families to undertake together. Tent camping, however, has a number of advantages over more expensive forms of camping when it comes to teaching the kids that fun and adventure are available at virtually no charge.
The advantages to this most basic form of camping can include:
* Affordability. Camping can get expensive, but tent camping doesn't have to be. A few sleeping bags, a tent, food and hiking gear and you're good to go. Leave the video games and television at home!
* Sense of roughing it. Parents who really want their kids to understand how good they have it at home will find tent camping can do just that. With just the necessities for survival, this is a great lesson for what's really needed and important in life.
* Accomplishment. Putting together
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a good campsite and making it work for cooking, fun and fireside chats takes teamwork - especially in putting up the tent. When a family works together to make their temporary quarters livable and comfortable, each member can benefit from a sense of accomplishment.
* Better opportunity for viewing nature. Unless you'd like to take it to the next level and sleep under the stars, tent camping is as close to nature as you'll get. While the tent keeps the wildlife, and hopefully the bugs, out, it will ensure the sounds, and depending on the type of tent, some of the sights get in.
One of the most important things to do before heading out on a camping excursion is to pick out the tent. Tents come in all shapes, sizes and even colors, but there are a few basic things you'll want to consider in the purchase.
* Size. If you're taking a five-person family, a pup tent won't do. Make sure the tent you buy is suited for the number of people you are bringing along plus one, possibly, for extra room to stow gear.
* Materials. A good tent doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, but it does need to be sturdy and rated to keep the rain out. Look for strong materials.
* Ease of use. Beginning campers can fail to make it past the first night if their tent is too complicated to pitch correctly. It's no fun to sit around holding up the top of the tent all night, so make sure the tent purchased is one that's fairly easy to assemble.
Camping is a wonderful family hobby that doesn't have to cost a fortune. Tent camping can be a whole lot of fun if a little planning goes into the adventure and some smart choices are made at the store and at home before heading out. Make sure you know the basics of the terrain and do check out the expected weather and plan accordingly.
