When families go camping together, often it is more than simply pitching the tent and toasting fluffy marshmallows over an open fire. It might be a chance to learn new hobbies together or venture out into nature for the first time to experience its raw beauty. They also may go camping to get a chance to see and talk with someone new for the adults as well as the children. Fellow parents, single and married will have the campground experience as an easy topic to start a conversation and strike up a friendship.

By going to the pool or lake, hiking, gathering wood, or hunting and fishing, families have a lot of activities to enjoy together. There are many campgrounds, that have a wide variety of things to do for every member of your family. It is a good idea to check out what activities the campground offers, before you make your final reservation, to make sure they are what you and your family really want to do on your vacation.

For instance, state park campgrounds may have horseback riding, hiking, rafting and miniature golf. By simply visiting different web sites, you can get a pretty good idea of what activities are available. With all the choices that you will encounter, this preparation will help you narrow down your choices. A lot of campgrounds now have activities for children that include movies, dances, arts and crafts, and even ice cream socials. It is a great way for children, preteens and young adults to meet others their own age. While the children are busy, adults will also have a chance to meet other parents by attending community cookouts and happy hours. You can enjoy the outdoors in many ways, and will find fairly quickly a campground that offers just what you are looking for.

It’s educational. The kids will learn about nature and wildlife as well as about learning about national monuments and state parks. Kids also learn other skills from camping like independence, self-reliance, wilderness skills and first aid.

It’s active. Obesity is a growing epidemic among children. Instead of taking your kids to a theme park or taking them on a vacation where they will just sit around most of them time taking them camping will be encouraging them to swim, hike, and do other outdoor activities.

It’s a way to get great quality time. When you’re off on a family camping trip you will have lots of quality time to spend with your spouse and your kids because it will just be the family in a quiet, beautiful outdoor environment. No TV, videogames, movies, or other distractions will keep you from focusing on your family or keep them from focusing on you. For families where both parents work and are busy all the time it’s a wonderful way to reconnect with your kids.

It’s cheap. Most camping vacations cost a lot less than traditional vacations. Camping in state parks or other historical areas often costs less than $100 for a week’s worth of camping. You will need to spend money on gear, but later in the book we’ll look at ways you can cut the costs of buying camping gear. The biggest expenses that you will have will be food and gas. Eating meals that you cook yourself with groceries you bring with you will be much cheaper than eating in a restaurant three times a day like you would on a traditional vacation, and gas will probably be cheaper than what you would spend on airfare for the whole family.

It’s something everyone in the family can enjoy. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to relax and enjoy yourself without having to listen to one child complain that he or she wants to go to the pool while another cries bitterly because you won’t buy them a new boat/sweater/ toy or trinket and the other just sits in the corner with a sullen look and kicks the bed repeatedly?