I Have Been Camping

I have some great memories of going camping. It was THE holiday that we went on every year. Some kids my age had richer parents and they went to some hot or tropical country. And some kids didn't have much of a holiday at all. But me and my family were neither rich, nor poor. So we went camping. It was a pretty popular thing to do where we live. Back then, but still now its a popular way to spend your holiday.

When you are a kid its such a great adventure. You go away from home and somehow survive without a home. With just a tent, a fire and a barbecue. A campsite was an amazing place to explore and meet new kids. And moving to a new campsite was always an adventure.

Going to a resort or all inclusive hotel is nice. It is like going to a more luxurious version of your life. Of course that sounds nice, but going camping is like going to a whole different life.

And I get that camping is not for everyone. but I think it can be an important influence on kids these days. In a generation that is growing up more and more with a smartphone and a digital life, going on a camping trip is an important reminder about a more physical world. Kids don't seem as opposed to the idea of camping if you start them on it early enough.

I am sure kids will appreciate the importance of an offline lifestyle much more if they have experienced it. Personally I would love to take my kids camping sometime. But I am a bit afraid of doing it as a single mom. I am not the greatest camper and going out there on my own as the only adult is quite daunting.

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samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

I was a boy scout and loved camping. In even did it a few times as an adult. Today, camping is staying in a Holiday Inn. Why would it matter as a single mom? Would your kids make it difficult?

Sophie123 · 41-45, F

@samueltyler2 The thought of doing it scares me a bit. I am fully responsible for their health. I have to make sure they have a place to sleep, have enough to eat, make sure they enjoy themselves. I feel like I would be letting them down if I struggle pitching the tent or screw up with the camping stove. There are a million things that I don't regularly do that I suddenly have to do alone. Just driving to another country where I don't really speak the local language is a challenge.

Maybe I am just over thinking things. Campsites these days usually have a place to eat and there is always MacDonalds.

But it would be so much easier when it was just me and my ex. It wouldn't really matter if we had cold beans and burnt steak. We'd just laugh about it and have a beer. That is not possible now

samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

@Sophie123 you will do perfectly well modern camping equipment is much improved.

Sophie123 · 41-45, F

@samueltyler2 Thanks for the confidence boost. I still plan on going through with it it in the coming summer!

samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

@Sophie123 your children probably will be very helpful. I ask my grandkids to help me sometimes with electronics. Where are you from since you said camping might be in a country speaking a different language?

Sophie123 · 41-45, F

@samueltyler2 I am from the Netherlands. And if you want to go camping somewhere interesting you often end up crossing the border. Germany and France are the most popular I believe

samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

@Sophie123 e start our next cruise in Amsterdam and my cousins son lived there until recently. I think he still owns an apartment there. We hope to use it when we go there. Do you not speak any German or French? I found that my high school French got me what I needed when I was in the French Alps skiing, in Paris, they are snobs. We were in Paris the Thanksgiving after 911 though and the French were very nice when they heard us speak English and learned we were from the US.

Sophie123 · 41-45, F

I speak some German and some French. But usually they (mostly the French) refuse to speak English. And I can do the basic things but as soon as it gets a bit complicated I fail completely!

samueltyler2 · 80-89, M

@Sophie123 I guess I give off a different vibe, I need help, and they come to my aide.