Tracy Anne Alverson-Euler's blog

Before I go into tips for tent buying, let me say this: If you aren't avid campers, and only find yourselves heading back to nature once or twice a year, don't purchase a tent! You can rent camping equipment, or borrow from family and friends for those occasions you camp. I only suggest buying camping materials (any really) if you go more than four times a year. Any less, and you are hogging up space, and wasting money.

20 fun things to do while camping:

1. Sing folk songs while setting up camp.

2. See who can collect the most firewood in fifteen minutes.

3. Play frisbee [away from the camp fire of course]

4. Find a body of water to splash in

5. Fish and cook your catch

So you want to go camping, but you've got a little person to consider? Don't sweat it.

If you've got vacation time coming up, but can't afford to rent that beach front property you've been swooning after, think more simply. You can still go away and have a blast, and your bank account won't cringe in horror. If you've been camping before, good for you! These money saving tips will be something you can store away for the future...if you haven't, seriously consider it.

Imagine:

You're deep in the forest on a quiet spring day...the birds are singing, the trees are providing you with shade and the occasional breeze, and the terrain you're walking on is smooth, but not too easy so you feel like you're accomplishing something by hiking. The best part? Your baby is strapped to you, getting his or her first taste of nature.

Not everyone thinks camping sounds like a great idea – in fact if you interviewed a dozen or more folks [men and women] you'd find that most covet the luxury of their cell phones and comfortable beds far more than a tent and campfire.

No child left outside... Kids these days have no reason to be outside. Homes are filled with speedy INTERNET connections, video games, movies and television shows. Going into the backyard to play has become a hassle for kids, instead of something that sprouts joy and creativity, and it needs to stop.

Get your toddler and kids oriented with orienteering!

If you aren't familiar with orienteering, it's time! For the adventurer in all of us, this is the perfect way to teach kids [and adults too] how to use maps to find your way through the forest. Even the younger kids can do it [toddlers especially love orienteering] and it's a great trade to have in a world that uses GPS system to get us where we need to go.