Camping

"My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass." Deuteronomy 32:2


This is My Father's World - Hymn
http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/t/i/s/tismyfw.htm


Making plans is an important part of anything. Even more so when you will be away from home, in the wilds and living with what you take! Even God, in His infinite wisdom, had a plan when He created the Heavens and the Earth! So to simply throw things together and hope for the best is not a good way to prepare for camping!

It isn't hard to prepare for camping, but there are certain things you need to do weeks ahead, days ahead and when you leave. This page will help iron all those out for you so you will be able to be well prepared and have your plans in place ahead of time.

Your assignment for this page is to create a camping plan for your family. This will include a campground, supplies, food list, first aid kit list, day plan and a rain plan. At the bottom of the page is an assignment form you can fill in with all these items. This can be your dream camping trip - or a practical one! So have fun and take your time going through the links. There is ALOT to see on these links and alot of information to learn.


Campgrounds - the necessity of calling ahead!

First, decide where you are going to camp. This will determine what you take with you! You can go somewhere very close by, you would be surprised how many places there are to camp within an hour of where you live. Or you can decide to drive farther and go somewhere special. Either way, decide where you are going and make reservations. Some of the more popular campgrounds can fill up even a year in advance. Don't try to pack up and go and realize when you arrive there is no room for you - call ahead!

The following link allows you to search for campgrounds by city, state or national parks. There is also a wealth of information on here including a detailed camping checklist.

http://www.camping-usa.com/

US Campgrounds by State:

http://www.camping-usa.com/campgrounds/

KOA Campgrounds are well-known for being family-friendly:

http://koa.com/

Once you know where you'll be camping, you will have more information about what you might need and how the campground is set up. Some campgrounds are luxurious with showers, flush toilets, even swimming pools! Other campgrounds are very rustic and you need to carry in your own water, dig a hole for your toilet and showers will only happen if it rains! With campground information, you will know what you will need to take with you and can prepare for it. Some campgrounds even provide a map of where each camping site is and how far away it is from a water supply, toilet and shower so you can reserve the perfect spot for your family.

Supplies - having what you need on hand makes for a more pleasureable time!

There are specific needs when you go out camping: shelter, water and food. These are the top three in the right order. Without shelter, you can more easily succumb to extreme temperatures even if you have food and water. So shelter comes first. Water comes second. You need water to survive, you can live for weeks without food. So water comes second. Food comes third. Without food, your energy level and ability to regulate body temperature can be affected. After these three comes more comforting supplies such as light, toilet paper, and comfort items such as cushioned pads to sleep on, pillows and the ability to shower. When camping, get your priorities straight!

The following links offer several good lists to consider for camping gear and supplies. There is no complete list as many items can be personal choices or based on your financial ability - for example: a cheap flashlight works just as well as a more expensive Coleman propane lantern. So look at the lists provided and write down what your family would need, and what you can afford or already have available.

Very detailed lists:

http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/list.html

http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/checklists.htm

Day Plan - how to decide what to do and when!

Hiking and exploring are probably THE most fun things to do while you are camping. Make sure you have sturdy, comfortable shoes, a water bottle and a camera with you. Always use the buddy-system and make sure you stay with your buddy. Take time to really look around you and, as Psalm 46:10 states, "Be still, and know that I am God." Take time to listen, to sit and watch. Observe what happens around you. Soak in the quietness of the forest or the force of the waves at the beach. Listen to the sounds of the birds and try to determine how many different bird calls you hear. Look at the moss on the trees - how many different types are there and why are they different from what you see on the ground or rocks? Collect small rock samples and take them back to camp and compare them to your book on rocks (which you should have brought with you for this purpose).

Camping is a time for exploration - but also for laziness and relaxation. Although it may sound strange to you, take an afternoon nap surrounded by the sounds of nature. You will be able to stay up later and star gaze without being too tired and your body earns a rest from your busy daily activity.

Camping is also a time to get away from electronic games and gadgets and learn how to really play - with cards, board games, guessing games and even singing or story-telling!

The following links have some suggestions for you:

http://www.campingblogger.net/camping/10-things-to-do-on-your-next-camping-trip.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4RBAoBiiG4

Rainy Day Plans - have plans for when it rains and you can't explore or leave the tent!

Rain happens. The earth needs rain. So athough it may spoil our plans for several hours or even a day or two, be thankful that God is watering the earth so it can continue to grow and be beautiful for us. When it rains while you're camping, consider yourself enmeshed in nature - you can't escape the rain, even the sound follows you inside the tent! Instead, take stalk of your situation. If everyone is tired, rest. Sleep, listen to the rain, read books, play cards or board games or write a letter to a friend. Use the time to do something quiet if you can and listen to the rain around you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFVNt-WDq0s&feature=related

If everyone is full of energy and there is no thunder or lightning, consider taking a nature walk or hike in the rain. Just be careful because things will be slippery, but going out in the rain can be fun. Part of your supplies should include a large plastic, rainproof parka that lets the water drip right off you while you enjoy you exploration.