Time spent in the outdoors is the perfect way to rejuvenate the body, mind and soul. Getting away from the city and unwinding in nature's cradle are some of the many benefits of camping.
Camping is one of the best recreational activities, and a favorite among families, youth and couples all over the world. The benefits of camping are multifarious, with each person gaining something different from the experience. Studies have shown that humans subconsciously desire to connect with the natural world, by being around plants, wilderness, and the seas. Termed 'biophilia' by medical professionals, it has brought to light a fact we always knew, that the outdoors have a positive effect on a persons quality of life.
Advantages of Camping
Family Time: Camping is one of the best ways to connect and bond with your family. If a hectic work schedule is leaving you with little time for your family members, a weekend camping trip is the perfect answer. With no television, computers and cell phones to serve as distractions, activities such as setting up camp, fishing and cooking will have everyone working and spending quality time together. Add to this fun activities such as camping games and bonfires, and everyone will have a blast.
Cost-effective: Going camping is possibly your cheapest/most cost-effective holiday option. Money spent on airline tickets and hotel rooms can be scratched out and replaced by significantly smaller amounts spent on driving to your camp site and on cheap reusable camping equipment. For those on budget vacations, homemade camping gear will ensure that the cost of your camping trip will stay to the bare minimum.
Immediate Option: A camping trip can fit into the amount of time you have to spare and does not require much prior planning. It can be for one night, a weekend, a week or more. For short trips, an evening to collect all the supplies you need will suffice. For a spontaneous trip, you can drive to the nearest camping ground and spend the night there. All you will need is food (which could be in the form of sandwiches), water and a sleeping bag.
Variety: Camping opens up the option of several other activities. Many campgrounds come equipped with pools, lakes, and trails, which allows you to go fishing, swimming, canoeing, or biking. Armed with a little bit of research before you leave, you could also try some stargazing or birdwatching. Things to do while camping include a leisurely trip at a campground using tents, motor homes or cabins in the back country with no facilities.
Love for Nature: One of the biggest advantages of taking your kids camping is that it will inculcate in them a love for nature. You can be assured of raising responsible caring individuals, who will leave the planet in better shape than they received it in. They will also learn basic survival skills and create lasting memories. If you are a nature lover, you can revel in the magnificent outdoors and enjoy some solitude and quiet. One of the best things about camping is that it is a simplified way of life, and is a nutshell experience of the lives of our ancestors.
Health: The invigorating fresh air and exercise that a camping trip affords you is great for your health. Apart from the hikes and rowing, even everyday tasks like collecting wood provide a great workout. A weekly or monthly camping trip will not only refresh your mind, but also do your body loads of good.
The next time you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and enjoy a tranquil weekend in the midst of nature, go camping. Armed with a few hiking and camping tips, exploring nature's wondrous beauty is easy enough. Among the benefits of camping is that it removes you from the structured, amenity dependent life in the city and allows you to get in touch with your untamed side. For families with younger children, the importance of camping activities should not be ignored. While older children and adults can connect with nature, younger children tend to get bored and would need fun camping activities to enjoy longer camps. For those who think that a few days away from indoor plumbing and air conditioning is torture, a star filled night sky away from city lights and the magnificence of creation, is exactly what they need to change their mind.
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