So you've decided to go camping. You've checked out the camp sites that are accredited by the ACA or American Camping Association and KOA or Kampgrounds of America. Now you need to decide how much you want to "rough it." Are you staying in an RV, or a pop up camper? Perhaps you're pulling a travel trailer. Much too "luxe" for you, you say. You're a real man and all you need is a sleeping bag and a tent.

Choosing a tent for camping is the first task for any camping trip. What type of weather conditions are you expecting? Always be prepared for the worst, rain, wind, and cold. There are three season and four season tents available. Four season tents are heavier than three season tents. They tend to have more poles than three season tents to help them withstand wind and snow fall. Of course, most of us are fair weather campers. A three season tent will be fine for us. So, now, what style of tent do you want?

What style of tent you want may depend on how much backpacking you're going to do. If you're a pack backer you'll want to keep your load as light as possible. A tarp tent may be the one for you, or if you're camping in summer a lightweight warm weather tent may work.

If you're the type of camper who likes to "rough it" at a drive up base camp area then the weight of a tent will not be an issue for you. You will probably be more concerned with how many people will be sharing your tent. A two man tent will most likely be uncomfortable for two large adults and all their gear. Those with camping experience say that you'll want to look for at least 30 square feet of floor space per person. They say that you should divide the number of people a tent says is it's capacity by 2. If you're traveling with young children you definitely want to look into a larger model of tent. You'll want a large area inside your tent, especially as you may experience some inclement weather and have the children inside the tent for long periods of time. It would be nice if they had an area to play their board games.

Before you spend your hard earned money on a tent go to your neighborhood camping store where you can actually see the tents set up. Walk around in it. Lie in it. Stand up straight in it. Make sure that the tent you choose will meet all your camping requirements before you get to your campsite.

There is no need to get four season tents for gentle summer camping. Even if there is a heavy downpour, the use of sleeping pads combined with adequate planning should keep everything fairly dry. The important thing is to not camp at the bottom of a hill, to make sure the rain fly is secure, and to take advantage of natural cover.

But, a four season tent can be a nice thing to have for extreme conditions, and if you have the money to spend on one, it is a luxury that can really improve your camping experience.

Basically, the difference between four season tents and regular tents is that a four season tent is tighter, with heavier outer walls. When it is all zipped up, there is no space anywhere for the elements to get in.

In addition, four season tents are often stabler so that they can resist extremely heavy storms if need be. This does not mean, however, that you cannot use four season tents in nicer weather. Many styles of four season tents come with the ability to unzip the outer fly so that you can keep cool on summer days, while still braving near-arctic temperatures in the winter.

You will find, however, that the more extreme the conditions for which it was designed, the more specialized a four season tent will be. For example, some true mountaineering four season tents are not things that you would like to take camping on a warm summer night.

The ventilation panels are small, with the result that it will be stuffy and hot at night if you are camping during the summer with them. Additionally, they are made of heavier, stronger material, and as a result are an added burden for your normal camping trip.

And of course, good four season tents can be prohibitively expensive, running upwards of $500 dollars sometimes. Compare this to a 1-2 person summer tent that you might buy at your camping store.

I got mine for $30 dollars and, although it provides little warmth, it works alright during the summer when combined with a decent sleeping bag.

The truth of the matter is, it is important to think about what you will be doing before you go out and buy expensive mountaineering equipment and four season tents that you will not need. You must make sure that your equipment fits its purpose.

So you want to take your kids camping just like you did as a child with your parents of grandma or grandpa. Oops - the campground they took you to is now condos on the lake!

Let's assume you are new to camping but you have some experience as a child. You will need to become familiar with camping gear. If you have a friend that camps a lot you can go with them to learn the basics. But would I go with a friend and show him he is smarter than me? Not a chance. For I would never hear the end of it.

The first thing you will need is some type of shelter for you and the kids. Then you will need something to sleep, in a sleeping bag, and something to cook with. Pots and pans for portable barbecue - hey you know how to use that! Already you are on the road to your first camping trip.

What Gear Do I Need?

Most first timers start out with a tent. The first tent should not be too expensive but it should provide good shelter in the wind and rain. With all the models out there spend some time looking them over - do not get one that requires a masters degree in engineering to set up. Stick to the basic needs, as you get more experience the tent can be given to the kids as you will upgrade to a fancier one.

Remember you are camping on a budget - no use in spending thousands of dollars for all the gear only to find the wife, kids, or yourself hates camping. The tent should shield you from bugs sun and the rain.

There are bugs our there in the wilderness so beware. The tent should have a good screen to keep the little varmints out and yet be easy for the kids to open.

The tent will be some place to sleep and store your clothes. If the weather turns bad then the kids can play or read in the tent under supervision. It's nice to sleep under the stars but you will have to get a tent sooner or later.

So choose one that has enough room for you and the family and all the gear you will want to put in the tent while you are out swimming. Your tent should cost between 100 to 200 dollars depending on the style you pick for your family.

If you want to sleep in a tent or under the stars you should have some type of padding. The ground is not comfortable to sleep on. You will find padded mats made from plastic with air bubbles, vinyl cover stuffed pads and the good old air mattress.

I prefer the air mattress as it also doubles for the family to float around on the lake. If you go with the air mattress remember you will need a pump to blow them up - a large foot pump works best.

Sleeping bags

If you are like most people you will be camping in the summer and early fall so do not buy a sleeping bag rated for -20 weather, this will just be extra money that could be used for some other thing you will want.

The light rectangular sleeping bag will do. If you and your spouse want to sleep in the same sleeping bag just zip them together and you will have one large sleeping bag. Do not forget your pillows but if you do roll up your towels they can make not a bad pillow.

Be sure to have at least two ground tarps at least the size of the floor of your tent. Place them down on the ground then set your tent on it. The second one may be used as a shelter above the picnic table.

Campground Cooking

All of us love the smell of food cooking outside whether it is at the campground or in the backyard. If you barbecue a lot at home you already have the basics on how to camp cook. Most public campgrounds and private campgrounds will have a picnic table and a cooking pit at each camp site.

Take a portable grill with you and you will feel right at home. Pick up a gas stove and a set of pots and pans and you are ready to be a camp chef - remember a coffee pot as the nearest coffee shop may be 20 or so miles away.

Depending on your level of cooking skills you will now be able to prepare meals as if you were at home.

When shopping for gear go to the local big box store as they will carry everything you need. Some will have tents set up, if so climb in ask yourself is this roomy and will everyone fit in comfortable. Along with all the stuff you will take with you.

If the tents are not set up mark out a piece of the floor at home with tape - this will be the same size as the floor of the tent - then call a family meeting and get everybody to lay in the tape lines you laid down. Is it the right size? If not reassess your needs.

That's it...you are that much closer to have a fun camping trip for all!

Whether you are a beginning camper or an experienced one, it's always good to have a list of camping equipment you need to take with you. In fact what I do is have a trunk-like plastic container filled with the non-perishable supplies that I always take camping. This way everything is ready to go. Once a year in the beginning of camping season, I update the items and do a supply check.

Food - It's a good idea to have easy to prepare food. Make a list before you go of meals you want to prepare and go shopping. You can always check the internet for good camping recipes. Have on hand dry condiments such as salt, pepper, spices, sugar, and powdered cream. Be sure to bring staples such as coffee, bread, potatoes, catsup, mustard, onions, bacon, eggs, and marshmallows. Camping convenience foods you may want to include are granola bars, instant oatmeal packs and peanut butter and jelly for quick eating. Don't forget something to drink.

Sleeping Equipment - As you are aware, the tent is a very important part of camping. Make sure it is waterproof and has a canopy for rain run off. Include a tarp or ground cloth for under the tent. Make sure the tent is always stored in a dry place to keep it free of mildew. Include sleeping bags to keep you nice and warm and an air mattress to keep you off the ground. Don't forget the pillows.

Lighting - There is nothing worse than walking around a campsite without light. Bring a lantern either powered by propane or batteries. Include a good heavy duty flashlight and it's always good to have a spare one. Don't forget the extra batteries.

Cooking Utensils - Include a frying pan, camp stove with fuel, pot with lid, grill, spatula, coffee pot and tongs.

First Aid Kit - A great ideas is to put together a waterproof container filled with the following supplies that you keep stored with your camping equipment and is always ready to go. Be sure to include Tylenol or other pain reliever, antibiotic cream, antiseptic, band-aids/bandages, tweezers, allergy medicine if needed, sunscreen lotion, bug repellent, antacid tablets and a box of pre-moistened towels such as baby wipes.

Personal Items - Once again it's a great idea to keep these items stored in a waterproof container for easy accessibility. Include bar of soap, hand sanitizer, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush, razor and shaving cream, deodorant, comb/brush, makeup bag, washcloth and towels.

Miscellaneous Supplies - Here are some things that will help make your camping experience a good one:

- Water bottles
- Tools such as hammer, screwdriver and pliers
- Aluminum Foil
- Paper plates, napkins and plastic knives, forks, and spoons
- Paper towels
- Trash Bags
- Tablecloth
- Charcoal
- Fire starter log
- Matches
- Small shovel
- Duct tape for emergency repairs
- Compass
- Small shovel
- Pocket knife
- Weather radio
- Dishpan, scrub pad and dish soap

Bring along your camping reservation and directions to the campground and your good to go camping. Have fun camping!

Had it with the "rat race"? Got time off but not much cash to spend? Losing touch with your family? Sounds like an old-fashioned campout is just what you need.

Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and spend time getting reacquainted with your family. Great family camping getaways are easy to plan and inexpensive vacation options. Nature is everywhere, so you don't need to travel far for your camping trip. You can journey to a national park, drive to a local campground, or pitch a tent in your own backyard.

Camping 101 begins with the planning. This part of the trip is half the fun. Call a family meeting to decide where you'd like to go. Depending on your budget, you can plan to load up the trunk with tents and sleeping bags, pull a camper or drive an RV. The point is to treat your family to an unforgettable outdoor adventure, so it doesn't matter how you plan to camp or where you intend to go.

If you are new to the camping experience, it's probably a good idea to start out slow. Book a weekend campsite to get the feel for the camping lifestyle. Get used to cooking over a wood fire and sharing your space with wildlife, before you venture too far away from the comforts of home. Many campgrounds provide fun activities like pools, playgrounds, fishing or recreational boating, so check your local listings to see what adventures lie ahead.

Once your kids (and you) recover from the shock of having no television or Internet access, you'll all have an eye-opening experience. You'll realize the nature is fun. Camping opens the doors to a world of new activities, like swimming, rock diving, boating, fishing, hiking, catching butterflies, searching for fossils, and going wherever your energy level and imagination can take you. Campgrounds and remote parks are all filled with wonderful ways to enjoy the best nature has to offer. If you want to boat or water ski, many campsites offer these and other items for rent.

Don't expect to bring along your everyday dinnerware and automatic coffeepot for your campout. Remember, you will be roughing it, so pack accordingly. Bring plastic dishes and cutlery that can be washed and reused, but won't break in transit. Make sure you have enough sleeping bags, pillows and extra clothes. Pack the food you'll need, plus a little extra, and keep a supply of ice on hand for perishables like meat and dairy. If you're bringing tins of beans, remember a manual can opener or pack your Swiss army knife. If you're not sure what to bring, ask an associate at your local sporting store to help you choose your camping needs. Call on friends who like to camp, and ask them for advice.

Just like your old scoutmaster used to say, "Always be prepared." Make a list and check it three times before you leave on your camping trip. Make sure that there is enough food and fresh water for everyone. Bring food that can be easily prepared on your campsite. Pack clothing for all kinds of weather. Don't forget sunscreen, bug spray and hygiene items. Toilet paper and paper towels are absolute necessities. Bring along some soap and toothpaste, but leave the hair gel and makeup at home. Mother Nature doesn't care what you look like. She just wants you to enjoy your stay.

Are you interested in going on a camping adventure? If you are, you will need to find a public campground to visit. Public campgrounds are also commonly referred to as campground parks. If this is your first time going on a camping adventure, you may be wondering exactly how you can go about finding a campground park to camp at. If you are, you will want to continue reading on.

When it comes to finding a campground park to camp at, you will find that you, literally, have an unlimited number of options to choose from. One of those options involves using your local telephone book. Your local telephone book should have the name and contact information of local campground parks. If you are looking to camp locally, this is a nice and easy way for to find and familiarize yourself with local campground parks.

In addition to using your local phone book, you may also want to ask those that you know for recommendations. Since camping is a popular activity in the United States, there is a good chance that many of your friends or family members have gone camping before. If they have, you may want to get information on the campground park that they visited, as well as a general overview of their camping adventure, like if they enjoyed it or not.

If you are looking for a campground that is local or even one that is a distance away from your home, you may want to think about using the internet. The internet is a great way to find and familiarize yourself with campground parks. One of the many ways that you can use the internet to your advantage is by using online resources like online phone books or online business directories. These online resources allow you to find a particular business, like a campground park, by searching in a specific area. Often times, you will get the name and the contact information of a campground park by using online business directories or online phone books.

In addition to using online business directories or online phone books to find a campground park to camp at, you can also use standard internet searches. When performing a standard internet search, you may want to think about searching with phrases like "campground parks," or just "campgrounds." If you know where you would like to camp, city and state wise, you may want to think about incorporating that information into your standard internet search. Your standard internet search will likely connect you to the online websites of campground parks.

Speaking of the online websites of campground parks, these websites are a great way for you to familiarize yourself with the park or parks in question. Many campground parks have detailed information on their online websites, like park maps, as well as pictures. You may also find the cost of renting a campsite on their website. It is also likely that you will come across a detailed list on onsite activities that you and your camping party may be able to participate in.

You can also find a campground park to camp at by keeping your eyes open at all times. Some of the greatest campgrounds are discovered purely by accident. Whenever you are out driving, you may want to always be on the lookout for campground parks. Many of these parks are advertised in plain site. You may want to think about stopping and requesting information or using the internet to research the park in question when you get home.

As outlined above, there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding a campground park to camp at. As a reminder though, you will want to try and do more than just find a campground park. You will want to make sure that you take the time to find and choose the one that is best for you and your camping party.