Outdoor Activities for the Camping Trip

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

You’ve already got the family set up on your camping site – a fire going to prepare lunch, two tents raised, more firewood for later, and a cooler full of cold drinks waiting to be consumed. So far, so good, right? There’s just one problem.

What do you do now?

Sometimes, the fun of a great camping trip can be dampened when you’re looking for activities to fill the hours. Instead of going into the woods to find adventure, you’ve discovered that all you’ve found is a campsite. So how do you have some fun while you’re out there, without taking away from the rustic experience of being away from civilization? Here are some suggestions for some fun, natural activities to enjoy outdoors.

-Fishing.

Fishing is one of the most popular activities for camping, particularly as you can do it anywhere you have a good source of water. Fishing can kill the time when you’re waiting for a meal to heat, or it can be turned into a long afternoon trip if you decide to rent a boat or a canoe. Of course, this all depends on whether or not you’ve got access to water.

-Hiking.

Hiking can usually be done anywhere you have a camp site – all you need are some basic supplies (including a first-aid kit, and perhaps some navigational tools) and you can go explore. Many people find this a serene way to pass the time, while kids might find it to be a good way to seek adventure and look for wildlife.

-Photography.

Hiking can be blended with photography if you bring a camera along. For any visually-oriented members of your family, this is a great way to pass the time while directly enjoying the sights of nature. You could also buy disposable cameras and send your children on a mission to find the best pictures possible while they wait for dinner.

-Paddling/kayaking/rafting.

If you’ve chosen a campsite with access to a water site, you’re in luck – lakes and slow rivers can be great for kayaking while whitewater rafting sites are great places to go and camp. These can often turn into day-long activities, so make sure you stock up on sunscreen and have plenty of water available to drink.

These are just a few of the options available to you when you go camping. The key is to prepare for the “downtime” that inevitably comes when you can’t instantly turn on a television set. A few simple purchases or some wise campsite choosing will help you fill the time easily – and wish you had more to spend!

Photo Credits: Rick McCharles

Tips for Merging Your Camping and Fishing Trips into One

Friday, March 27th, 2009

For those of you with an entire family to please, finding an ideal summer vacation can mean coming up with more questions than answers. Will the kids enjoy camping? What might we do while camping? How can I get some fishing in? Should we go north or south this summer?

The clever vacationer will be able to answer many of these questions with one simple answer: one vacation that includes something for everyone.

Half of the battle of vacationing effectively is filling your time with activities and adventures that truly help you cut loose and relax. On vacation, idle time can often be wasted time. That’s why this article will explain how to merge a camping and fishing trip into one fun, easy vacation.

First, the other half of vacationing effectively is planning.

If you’re going to have a great fishing trip on top of a great camping trip, you’ve absolutely got to scout for the best sites that integrate both. Some great camping sites won’t have any access to good fishing, and some of the best lakes don’t have any camping possibilities whatsoever. You’ll need to search for a camping site, first and foremost, but you’ll also have to make sure it has access to a clean body of water that’s known for good fishing.

Second, you’ll want to consider how you’ll actually accomplish your fishing once you’re at the site.

Can you do it off the platform? Chances are you’ll want to rent a boat instead, so this should be one question you ask your campsite early in the conversation: are boat rentals available, and how much do they cost?

Don’t be afraid to ask about the local fishing, specifically the types of fish you can expect to catch and how deep the lake might be. These will give you clues as to what bait to bring, and a little more research will help you make the most of your fishing outings once you’re out on the water.

Once you’ve done the planning, much of the vacation will fall into place. Simply bring along the right baits, tackles, and tools you need to catch fish and be ready to enjoy a camping trip that will keep the entire family occupied.

Photo Credits: radcarper