Guest Author - Nicole James

I was fortunate enough to have a somewhat normal childhood, one where we took one or two vacations per year. We went Washington DC, San Diego, and Europe, as well as the beach on many occasions. However, both my younger brother and I agree that our greatest family vacation was the one we spent camping, just 2 hours from our home in suburban Boston.

Mind you, I was a city girl, and the thought of sleeping outside and pooping in the woods was worse than just about anything for me. However, the parents overruled and we were off to spend an entire week camping near the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

We were going to do “real” camping this week, there would be no luxury RV or fifth wheel for this girl. My mom had gone to a local sporting goods store the week before and bought everything she thought we’d need. We had the tent, the little stove, sleeping bags and coolers galore.

It didn’t take long before my perma-scowl was off my face, and I broke into my first of many smiles for the week. Being with my parents and brother that week was just so much fun. We swam in the lake, went for amazing hikes, and played games every night. Most importantly, it was just us. Nobody else to compete for my parents time, no other kids or adults to take away our attention. It was just us, and it was just perfect.

Many families don’t consider camping as a viable vacation choice. People are scared off or intimidated with the idea of sleeping outside, and all that comes with it. However, it is nothing to be afraid of. Furthermore, and more importantly in this nightmarish economy, camping can be incredibly affordable.

Camping does require an initial financial outlay in order to buy the tent, sleeping bags, cooking supplies, and other items. However, you can buy most of these items for under $300, and provided you care for them, they are good for years and years.

Campgrounds do charge a fee for their tent sites, but they are extremely reasonable. For example, Wolfeboro Campground in Wolfeboro, NH has tent sites for $26-$30 per night. Each site is very large, private and comfortable, with a picnic table and grill, and is set amongst the most gorgeous scenery you’ve ever seen.

Your only remaining expense would be food, and you can choose to do it very inexpensively, or you can choose to go all out. Either way, there is nothing like cooking s’mores with your family on an open flame, and a steak on the charcoal barbeque can easily out-taste steaks from the finest steakhouses.

Camping requires everyone to be a team player, and there are even jobs for the littlest members of your family. Roughing it in the woods really brings out the best in everyone, and yes, it sometimes brings out the worst. However, if you have to be stuck in the woods with someone, wouldn’t you want it to be your family? Being alone, and having to rely on each other is a wonderful way to gain trust and respect within a family. In addition, camping brings with it many times when you have absolutely nothing to do but talk. It was these talks that I remember best from my childhood and now, I relish the opportunity to experience that with my own children. When you camp, you have no choice but to leave the hustle and bustle behind, and that is almost always the prescription for a successful family vacation.

Oh, by the way, due to the campground facilities, I have never once had to poop in the woods.