As you sit in your office dreaming of your next camping trip, your mind likely conjures up a picture of a beautiful, peaceful, natural setting. Camping can be a perfect time to unwind and spend time with family and friends, not worrying about your work schedule or other daily stresses and just getting in tune with the natural world. Relaxation and quality time with loved ones is why many of us enjoy camping trips away from our daily life, but your next outdoor journey can incorporate adventure as well as relaxation!
For any outdoor enthusiast who decides to take a camping trip to the beach, the mountains, or any other destination, there are a variety of enjoyable activities that are easy to include in your adventure. Depending on what you are looking to get out of your camping trip, you can select activities that require more exertion or those that just allow you to enjoy the natural surroundings.
Consider some of the activities below for your next camping outing:
Hiking
This may seem an obvious endeavor for a camping trip, but it is a great way to explore new areas and to complete some valuable exercise. Depending on the location of your campsite, there are likely already established trails that make a hiking trek easy to include. Most state and national parks provide maps of their hiking trails, and most maps include information on difficulty and length for each hike. Check with the nearest Ranger Station to see if they have maps of the vicinity that you are camping in.
Bike Riding
Exploring nature via bicycle is another excellent way to discover all that any natural area has to offer. Your campground might have trails that are specific to biking, or you can choose to explore via local roads. Wherever your biking treks take you, just remember to stay safe, wear a helmet, and keep to approved areas.
Fishing
Depending on the location of your camping adventure, fishing is a fun option to add to your trip plan. Before leaving for a trip that includes fishing, though, make sure you have any necessary licenses and the proper equipment. In some private campgrounds, there may even be equipment available to rent if you don’t have any of your own.
Plant and Animal Identification
For those who enjoy finding out more about the natural world while out on a camping trip, this is an easy, educational option. Consider purchasing a guidebook of flora and fauna native to the location you are visiting. You can also take photos of plants and animals you come across, and research them via mobile apps to discover what types of living things are found in the area. Just make sure to leave the area how you found it so that others can enjoy it also.
Create Sparks in the Dark
Did you know Wint-O-Green Life Savers create sparks in the dark? Actually, most sugar-based candies will spark when you bite them but it’s usually very faint. The effect is called triboluminescence which is the emission of light resulting from something being smashed or torn. With the Wint-O-Greens the crystalline sugars get crushed and electrons get forced out of their atomic fields. The free electrons bump into nitrogen molecules, get excited and then need to release the excess energy. During this process they emit light. Even if you don’t like the science behind it, it’s fun for everybody.
Make Colored Fire
Color the flames of your campfire with colored fire packets. Kids (and adults) love to see the flame change colors and it’s a fun night time activity. You can also make it a rainbow fire science project and make your own.
There are numerous activities that can add to the overall enjoyment of your next camping trip, but whatever you choose to do, remember that camping is a fantastic opportunity to take a break from the everyday. So, even if you decide to just sit by the campfire and watch the sparks fly, camping is always a great idea!
