Camping & The Family Unit

Camping & The Family Unit

Over the years a sad change has taken place in our country, one born out of circumstance and need. A change that defines who we are as a people and a species, yet we never saw it coming, or if we did were to busy to give it much thought. A change that challenges the very structure of our civilization, and threatens the values that have kept us strong in times of crises. That change is within our own families.

My friends the concept of the “Family” as a unit has all but ceased to exist in today's society. Sure we still fall in love, get married, and have kids, but as soon as the kids are out of the infant stage things seem to go down hill. Now don't get me wrong it's not your fault, I know you parents out there love your kids with all your hearts, and I know you kids love your parents. It's just a very busy and stressful world we live in today. In most cases both Mom and Dad have to work to make ends meet, not to mention the meetings, appointments, and the endless running around that it takes just to keep a household functioning properly. So what about the children, well they get introduced to an endless string of substitute parents in the form of, daycare givers, preschool, then their in school where their teachers are in charge, after school there are babysitters, or nannies for those that can afford them. In the evening, depending on Mom and Dad's work schedule, the whole family might be in the house together, but things are different here too.

When I was a kid families would all sit down and eat supper together, maybe discuss their respective days. After dinner, once we all helped clean up, it was off to the living room. There was only one television in the house back then, so we'd all gather around and watch TV for the evening, talking, laughing, maybe even crying (depending on what we were watching) but it was us interacting with each other as a family.

How many times a week does your whole family sit down together for dinner? As for watching TV, most kids have one in their rooms, so they go there to watch, or to play video games, talk on the phone, or chat online. Then in the morning,(again without a family breakfast), we say hello and good bye on our way out the door.

Well I think it's time that we make some changes of our own, not to the fast paced world we live in, that's just going to keep on getting more hectic and stressful with every passing year. We need to make a serious, conscious effort to spend more QUALITY time with our families. That doesn't just mean our kids, there's also our brothers and sisters, our cousins, aunts, uncles etc. some of who we might not have seen in years. It's a shame when we lose touch with friends over the years, but when you lose touch with your family, well that's just wrong. Lets all make a commitment to staying in touch with our families, and if you have children, MAKE some time, do things together, get to know each other again.

I firmly believe that CAMPING is one of the best ways for a family (especially one with kids) to spend time together. You might ask “why not just take a regular vacation”? Because on most vacations everyone will find different activities they would like to do, and you'll all end up going your separate ways (just like at home.) Seriously camping is a relatively inexpensive way to enjoy some real quality time as a family. Now a lot also depends on what you consider camping. To me Rving is not camping, it's just a motel on wheels, (sorry that's just my opinion). Structured campsites are a good option for the first time camper. Those are campsites that have designated spots for each camping group. Or the kind of camping trip I prefer is to National forests that allow tent camping anywhere within their boundaries. When I go camping there is nobody around for miles. Once in awhile you might hear a car in the distance, but other than that it's peaceful. Just us and the sounds of nature. Don't let that intimidate you, we don't have to lug our gear far, we find places, usually when traveling a dirt road, where you can pull your vehicle way off the road and camp close to your transportation.

Camping is a great way for families to bond. During the day you can hike, go horseback riding, swim in the lakes and rivers in the area, take scenic drives, depending where you go there might be miniature golf, go karts, bumper boats, county fairs, gift shops the list goes on and on. (one quick note, when I take kids camping with me I don't let them bring any I pods, DVD players, hand held video games, or cell phones, they take away from the whole point of the trip) I like to gather brochures to get ideas for some indoor activities in the vicinity (or even if you have to drive a little ways) in case there's a rainy day or two. You might find cavern tours nearby, museums, or you can usually find a bowling alley or movie. Then there are cook outs, most of the time you can find picnic areas equipped with grills, or you can carry one of those portable grills with you. The point is these activities will be done together as a family.

After an exciting day you head back to camp, get a nice campfire going, set some folding chairs around the fire, toast marshmallows, make smores, or even cook out on your campfire (although that's not as easy as some people might think) You might be surprised at some of the deep conversations you can get into around a campfire, and you'll feel close to one another, like it should be. After the days activities and relaxing around the fire take it's toll, you'll be ready to go to sleep, so retire to your tent and rest well my friends, your in the arms of Mother Nature, and surrounded by the people you love.

Written by:

Bob Wegener

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