Now that summer’s here, school’s out and you’re thinking of ways to entertain the kids. Why not plan a camping trip? It’s the classic family vacation, with fun activities and outdoor living. Summer camping trips are a great way to travel without breaking the bank, and at the same time to educate the kids about the natural world. Many campgrounds offer onsite activities like arts and crafts, races and visits from bears. Bear characters, that is. And if you catch the camping bug, many campgrounds are open year round for fall and winter camping trips too.
Camping is a budget-friendly holiday
Camping is hands down the most popular way to spend a holiday. As of 2013, a good chunk of the population, at 40.1 million Americans, went camping that year, according to the 2014 American Camper Report. That number represents fully 14% of the population over the age of six years. On average, each camping trip lasts over two weeks: 14.9 days to be precise.
When it comes to accommodation, there are many different options, such as tents, RVs, yurts and cabins. Some people can dispense with shelter altogether and just bivouac in the open. More power to them, we say. Regardless of which option you choose for your family, camping is easy on the wallet. Because there are camping amenities dotted around the country, it’s a good way to travel, sightsee, and introduce your kids to the great outdoors.
Introduce your kids to the world of nature
For many people, a camping holiday is where they first learned to love the world of nature. It’s a chance to give the same gift to your kids, which they will treasure for ever. In a world where everywhere is glued almost nonstop to a small screen, it’s a gift to be able to walk in the solitude of the hoods, catch a glimpse of deer and eagle, and to know the trees, wildflowers and grasses by name.
Many campers combine their camping vacation with other outdoor activities. The vast majority, or 87% of campers, also plan activities like hiking, kayaking swimming, fishing and more on their summer camping trips. Many camp resorts have hiking and biking trails as well as facilities for fishermen. And then there are splashparks for kids, where they can cool off and use up some of that kid energy.
Campgrounds offer onsite activities and fun
Onsite campground activities include playgrounds for the kids, arts and crafts, races and wagon rides. Some camp resorts even have movie and bingo nights. And then there are the bears! Bear characters, of course, not real wild bears, who should be left to themselves. But a visit from Yogi Bear is bound to be a big hit with kids of all ages.
Camping vacations are a great way to get closer to your family and to the world of nature. Many family campgrounds stay open year round, so you’re not limited to summer camping trips. Fall and winter camping have their own unique attraction, and can be combined with seasonal festivals and events.
Summer camping trips make for some of the best family vacations, with experiences and memories that you will cherish for a long time. The 2014 American Camping Report found that 99% all campers had plans to return the next year. It’s easy to see why: for a budget-friendly, fun-filled vacation, camping is hard to beat.