Camping is a wonderful way to get away from the rat race of everyday life in the 'civilized' world and just relax and enjoy the solitude of the natural world. Folks who like to go camping are known as campers.
Camping describes a whole list of different activities. Hardcore survivalist type campers will set off with little more than the clothes on their backs and the shoes on their feet, whereas 'campers' who prefer the use of RVs arrive at a site equipped with all the creature comforts of civilization.
Camping may be the primary activity, but many campers also add other activities, such as hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, etc. Sometimes Camping is combined with backpacking and is done as a series of day hikes from a central location to a certain destination with various camp sites along the way.
Some people take vacations in remote places with cabins and other modern facilities but this is not actually camping. The terms camping, also known as camping out, is sometimes applied to those who live outdoors because they have too or have chosen too, or for people waiting overnight in queues to get tickets for a concert or some other very popular event. Some people also refer to real camping as roughing it.
One style of roughing it type camping is known as Backpacking, which is a mobile variety of tent camping. Backpackers usually have lightweight equipment that can be carried for long distances by foot in a backpack designed specifically for this type of camping. These folks take long hikes across the land and will set up camp at remote or very rural areas. Backpacking equipment may cost a bit more than that for car camping, but the costs are still far less than using a trailer or RV. Backpacking campsites cost very little or nothing at all if you are far enough out in the wilderness.
Going canoing with the intent of camping is similar to backpacking, but uses canoes to get to the campground or site instead of walking. A lot more supplies can be carried in a canoe than in a backpack. Canoe camping is one of the more popular types of camping.
One form camping is combined with cycling. The bicycle is used to carry the camping gear and as the basic means of transportation. This allows the camper or campers to cover greater distances than backpacking although there is less area for storage.
Some folks love being 'survivalist campers'. They learn the skills they need to survive in the great out-of-doors in any situation. This activity generally requires the skill to obtain food, water, give emergency medical treatments with whatever materials are available, and so on. This form of rough camping is growing in popularity for people seeking the challenge of camping in the wilderness, without any modern amenities that are present at many campsites. It is a great way of enjoying the solitude and beauty of the natural world in it's purest form.
With all of rising costs of gas, airfare, hotels, etc. camping is becoming a popular choice for many families seeking an fairly inexpensive way of taking a vacation without all the costs of a regular type of vacation trip. Most states have parks that offer a wide variety of camping spots for a fairly reasonable rate. Why not try a camping trip today? It's fun, inexpensive, and a great way to unwind from the hustle bustle of the everyday world!
