Camping with Kids Might Just Fit Your Bill

Whenever a vacation looms, parents everywhere ponder the age-old question, "What can I do with the kids?" Living here in the mountains of western North Carolina, I'm familiar with some of the choices parents end up making. They all come here!

I've spoken with these visitors when I meet up with them in our little town. "How's it going", I've asked. "Enjoying your stay with us?" The resounding answer has been ,"Yes!" A significant number of these visitors are here to enjoy a family camping adventure. The area, with its multitude of waterfalls, rivers and hiking trails, never fails to deliver.

In general, a camping vacation offers loads of fun and saves the family budget. After the initial investment of a tent or two, unless you manage to borrow one from friends, and a few camping supplies like a lantern, stove, sleeping bags,etc., your on your way to the woods. It's a fun vacation to prepare for,too, by reviewing books about native plants and animals, glancing at some of nature's soldiers you'll be able to then identify when you live among them. Of course everyone KNOWS what a bear looks like and nothing will calm a bunch of city campers when they catch a glimpse of one of our local black bears stumbling by. Again, do a little reading in advance. If you know how to respond to the camp site "visitors", you may just enjoy the experience instead of having a coronary.

Another suggestion is to turn off the cell phone. Quite frankly, they don't tend to work around here anyway. If you're one of those folks who would agree to a cellular transplant, you may not be comfortable without your trusted cell phone at your side. At least, turn it off. If you should need it, in an emergency, at least your battery will still work.