10 reasons why YOU might love to go camping

by Jim Bessey

Why bother camping at all?

Fall camp at secluded site, Holiday Hill Campground

Everything about Home seems better -- certainly the facilities, right? And there's bugs, and mud, and it always rains. So what's the point? Why would anyone want to pay for the privilege of roughing it? And yet, every good-weather weekend, wherever you live, thousands of people head off with tents or campers, even motor homes, to find a spot (secluded or otherwise) so they can go camping. Anyplace but home will do.

Here are ten reasons why we go camping, and why you might like it, too.

1. A change of scenery. Sometimes that's enough. No-four-walls is even better.
2. To commune with Nature -- because for whatever reason, we almost never think of doing that, otherwise. The sound of raindrops on canvas, or the beauty of a few million stars in a pitch-black sky; priceless.
3. To hang out with our friends and family somewhere else, where none of us is the "host," yet we are all still gathered together. Who washes the dishes? Maybe you can flip for it.
4. To leave the TV off. The best way to do this is to remove the option to turn it on in the first place. Camping is great for that! Radios are okay, but not too loud. That's the rule.
5. To get away from all the ordinary crap that clutters our daily lives at home. All those to-do lists and chores will still be there when you get back. Forget them for a few days or a week. Chop some firewood instead; it's good for you.
6. To force our kids to spend time with us. For many of us, you have to remove A LOT of options from the kids in order to make "time with the parents" appealing. Little do they know, we're pretty good company when you give us a chance. Hey, remember "board games"? Yeah, those are cool.
7. So we can have campfires and roast marshmallows. Two great things you never get to do at home! Why can't we have campfires at home? Good question, isn't it?
8. Camping gives up permission to sit in chairs and just hang out, alone with a book or in a ring of seats with 20 friends around a big fire -- it's all good.
9. Maybe there are hiking trails, or fishing ponds, or horseshoes, or a big pool, or paddleboats, or fireflies, or playgrounds, or group bingo, maybe even karaoke. You won't find most of those at home, will you?
10. Reason #10 should be a big one, right? There must be ONE totally awesome most compelling reason to go camping. "Because we hate hotels and they are expensive." How's that? I'll bet there are dozens of other great reasons we love to go camping. What's your #10?

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