Camping Makes the Weekend Perfect
by: Chuck Fitzgerald
Do you have a weekend without anything to do or a weekend when
you don’t want to do anything? I know what I’d do. I would pack
up the truck and head for the woods. Sitting by a camp fire with
your favorite people solves many problems, so you shouldn’t wait
too long between fires. My favorite thing to do on a weekend is
to camp. Are you looking for an easy way to camp? How about car
camping? I love it!
First of all, let’s define car camping? When you can drive your
vehicle right up to the camp site, that’s called car camping.
Even if you’re driving a truck it’s still called car camping. The
advantage of car camping versus primitive or base camping is that
you can take anything you want with you. If you want to take a
hammock or huge grill or a stack of magazines, you can. Load your
car or truck with food, clothing, shelter, bedding, games and
anything else you want to take along and get going. It’s really
that simple.
So where can you car camp? Just about anywhere. National and
state parks don’t allow car camping except in designated
campgrounds, other than that, you can car camp virtually anywhere
on public lands. The internet is loaded with websites that can
help. Start looking at www.backcountrytoys.com/education.htm. Our
Education Center is loaded with up to date camping information.
Here are some things I take along when I car camp: hiking gear,
bird watching binoculars and field guide, a radio for music and
weather updates, tent, cot, sleeping bag, grill, shovel, fire
starting gear, lots of food and drink, first aid kit, a stack of
reading material – this can also be used for building a fire –
such as newspapers and magazines, rain gear, hammock, dogs and
dog food, folding chairs and table, stove, table service and
utensils….you get the idea. I take all that I need to be
comfortable. If you don’t have these things, don’t fret, all you
really need are food, shelter and common sense.
Camping is a great way to renew and strengthen relationships.
Take your spouse, your children, your siblings, your friends.
Without the distractions of television, telephone, internet and
alarm clocks, you will have a wonderful time. I’ll always
remember something a dear friend of mine told me years ago, “Time
spent in our great outdoors is time added to your life.” That
sounds like a good reason to go. Use this information and you’ll
Get It Right The First Time.
Get Outdoors!
Chuck Fitzgerald is the President of Arizona based BackCountry
Toys, an online store providing backcountry specialty gear and
educational information for outdoor enthusiasts. Visit
www.BackCountryToys.com to
receive the free newsletter "FreshAir”
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