Whether you are a family, a group of friends, or a just someone looking for a little adventure in your life a camping trip can be a great way to spend your weekend. For a family it can be a relaxing and cheap way to have some fun. For the parents there is no need to shower, put on make up, make your hair look good, or dress up. You are with your family; there is no need to try to impress anyone. I am sure the kids wouldn’t mind not having to shower either.

It can also be a great way to ensure your children have a strong appreciation of nature and the outdoors. For a group of friends, regardless of age (high school, college, or even late adulthood), it can be a good way to be outdoorsy and bro-out. If you want to make things a little more interesting, you can go backpacking instead of camping next to your car. It is a great way to get exercise and it allows you to get further away from civilization. You can even make a game out of the trip and put your survival skills to the test by seeing who can survive the weekend with the least amount of gear/supplies.

For someone flying solo I would suggest going backpacking. It is the perfect way to get away from everything and everyone, and really take in the beauty of nature. Many hiking trails have shelters placed alongside the trail. These don’t work well for groups, but it is a great way for a single person to hike a couple miles without needing a tent.

Once you get to your desired camping location there are plenty of things you can do. If you are camping by your car you can bring some games. Footballs and Frisbees are perfect to toss around at your campsite. You might even be able to get a pick-up game going with another campsite or two. Many campsites offer swimming amenities if you want to go swimming. And of course you'll want to make a campfire. You can roast some marshmallows to make s’mores while sitting around the campfire telling stories and singing songs. You can also cook hotdogs or make more elaborate meals in tin foil. Day hikes can also be a fun activity and the views at the top of the hikes can be beautiful. If you are not looking to exert much energy you can set up a hammock and relax while reading a book.

Camping is an activity that is fun for all ages and regardless of physical ability and I would highly recommend spending a weekend camping this summer.