Benefits of Camping

What would you wish to do on a long weekend? Relax at home, catch up or meet friends and family, or get away from the same old routine and head for the outdoors? If you choose to do the latter, then camping is a great option that is sure to refresh your mind and rejuvenate you completely.

It is one of the best recreational activities that is a favorite among people of all ages the world over. 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 surrounding themselves with plants, the wilderness, and the seas. Termed as 'biophilia' by medical professionals, it has brought to light a fact we always knew, that the outdoors have a positive effect on a person's quality of life. So, before you drop the idea of camping, take a look at some of its benefits.

With no television, computers, and cell phones to serve as distractions, activities such as setting up the camp, fishing, and cooking will have everyone working and spending some quality time together. Add some fun activities like camping games and bonfires, and everyone is sure to have a blast.

Cost-effective
Going camping is possibly the cheapest and 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 inexpensive 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 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 can be in the form of sandwiches, water, and a sleeping bag.

Variety is the Spice of Life
Camping opens up the option of several other activities. Many campgrounds come equipped with pools, lakes, and trails, which allow you to go fishing, swimming, canoeing, or biking. Armed with a little bit of research before you leave, you can 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 Mother Nature
One of the biggest advantages of taking your kids along is that it will inculcate a love for nature in them. You can be assured of raising responsible and 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 benefit your body in a great way.

So, the next time you want to get away from the city life, and enjoy a tranquil weekend in the midst of nature, go camping. Another benefit 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 at camps.

For those who think that a few days away from indoor plumbing and air conditioning is a torture, a star-filled night sky away from city lights and the magnificence of creation is exactly what they need to change their mind.