Took a 35-ish friend and her 13 yr old daughter camping a couple of weeks ago as they asked "to learn about camping." I took my hybrid trailer; I loaned them a 4 person tent. Also loaned them a 40 deg. double sleeping bag and a lantern.After the first night my friend reported she was "too cold." It turned out she hadn't zipped up the bag, but had just used it as a blanket for the two of them. Dinner #2 was hamburgers on the grill, with charcoal as the campground didn't let us burn wood and we couldn't find any firewood to buy anyway. When asked to make a mound of the charcoal, the teen carefully took them out of the bag, one at a time, and built a very professional-looking pyramid. However, she then did a splendid job getting the charcoal lit. Her mom couldn't understand why we waited until the flames went out before starting to cook. Dinner #3 was pork steaks, again on the charcoal. This time Miss Teen just dumped it into the grill and scooped it into a pile. Very satisfactory.I'm not sure I sold them on the joys of camping, even though we ate s'mores a bunch. I did explain that as far as I'm concerned, camping is what you do so you can enjoy the country: travel, inexpensive lodging, scenery, new places, nature, etc. They both enjoyed watching the stars, the Milky Way and a truly huge number of meteors, but I'm not sure they'll be back around the campfire.It was fun though, and I thought it might make you smile. Have any of you ever "taught" camping to a friend? Not kids or grandkids, that doesn't count. :)

If Cub Scouts counts, we have taught of bunch of kids, as Cub master over three years.A good time of my life.

inexpensive lodgingNow THAT I find funny! Add the all the expenses for your rig-initial cost, fuel, maintenance-then add the cost of the campgrounds and you'll see it's not so "inexpensive".That said a couple of things come to mind. Not everyone is born with an innate sense of the outdoors. Some have to learn. It's up to us to teach them. I was a boy scout leader for about 5 years and did some campouts. Yes, it's amusing to watch them but even more fun to teach them.

Having been on an all expense paid 1 year camping trip in SE Asia many years ago, courtesy of my Uncle, is why I love the way I camp now.

Crowe wrote:inexpensive lodgingNow THAT I find funny! Add the all the expenses for your rig-initial cost, fuel, maintenance-then add the cost of the campgrounds and you'll see it's not so "inexpensive".I agree that an RV is definitely not a particularly inexpensive way to travel, possibly unless you have a large crowd (and then you have a large crowd in an RV, which has its own problems).Tent camping, on the other hand, can fairly easily be money-saving when compared with motels or hotels.

DrewE wrote:Crowe wrote:inexpensive lodgingNow THAT I find funny! Add the all the expenses for your rig-initial cost, fuel, maintenance-then add the cost of the campgrounds and you'll see it's not so "inexpensive".I agree that an RV is definitely not a particularly inexpensive way to travel, possibly unless you have a large crowd (and then you have a large crowd in an RV, which has its own problems).Tent camping, on the other hand, can fairly easily be money-saving when compared with motels or hotels.It's what you make of it. You can buy a million dollor Prevost or a used TT and truck for 10 thousand or even a tent. Some people just don't care for camping regardless what it cost.

Camping 101 | Good Sam Community

OutdoorPhotogra
Explorer
Oct 24, 2015
AmericalVette wrote:
Having been on an all expense paid 1 year camping trip in SE Asia many years ago, courtesy of my Uncle, is why I love the way I camp now.

Ditto my father-in-law which is why my wife didn't grow up camping. I spend my fair share of days sleeping on the ground in Afghanistan not to mention many days in the field in NC and VA - I'm content to have weather protection these days and not feel soft.

I grew up where camping was pitching a tent in the middle of the woods for hunting squirrels and hope the mosquitos don't pack you off. And I loved it as did all of my friends. Nearly everyone camped.

I've taught my wife to camp and to a lesser extent fish but I think fishing offers the best example. Don't start someone bass fishing where they may not get a hit for an hour. Put them on a bream bed where the challenge is not getting hung up. Move up from there.

I'd start a friend in good weather where it's not too hot or cold at night. Assume they don't know anything and not get frustrated. Keep it simple on food so it's camp fare but not too hard. Yes, s'mores help a lot!
retiredtravele1
Explorer
Oct 24, 2015
I've never 'taught' camping to anyone, but have given out some pieces of advice, when asked.
DW and I got into camping, with a tent, to have inexpensive vacations. The gear was more than paid for the first couple weeks of camping rather than staying in a room someplace.
We had to learn camping, making mistakes. Mostly, assumptions on weather and not thinking weather could change 30 degrees in a day.
We're not finding many people with an interest in camping. They're around, just not in my circle.
Jim_Shoe
Explorer
Oct 24, 2015
I camp because I can go where I want, when I want, and stay as long as I want. I spent my working life traveling for the company, flying in planes where the seats got smaller and the crowds got larger, sleeping in so called high end hotels where I had to keep my shoes on because my socks would stick to the carpet, sleeping on a bed where yesterday's top sheet became today's bottom sheet and eating in hotel dining rooms, staring at a wall while I waited for my meal that, on occasion, was served hot.
No, thank you.
ken56
Explorer
Oct 24, 2015
Campgrounds are getting too crowded now anyway so don't be teaching others how to enjoy the beauty of this country and the joys of dragging your own home on wheels all over the place using roads that are full of road ragers and hate people that go the speed limit. Any one who asks me how I like camping I tell them I hate it and just don't even think about getting into it because its too expensive and all that setting up and breaking down every time you move is too much trouble so why bother?? RIGHT ??? Lets all just keep this our little secret.... OK ? huummmm??
colliehauler
Explorer III
Oct 24, 2015
DrewE wrote:
Crowe wrote:
inexpensive lodging

Now THAT I find funny! Add the all the expenses for your rig-initial cost, fuel, maintenance-then add the cost of the campgrounds and you'll see it's not so "inexpensive".

I agree that an RV is definitely not a particularly inexpensive way to travel, possibly unless you have a large crowd (and then you have a large crowd in an RV, which has its own problems).

Tent camping, on the other hand, can fairly easily be money-saving when compared with motels or hotels.
It's what you make of it. You can buy a million dollor Prevost or a used TT and truck for 10 thousand or even a tent. Some people just don't care for camping regardless what it cost.
DrewE
Explorer II
Oct 24, 2015
Crowe wrote:
inexpensive lodging

Now THAT I find funny! Add the all the expenses for your rig-initial cost, fuel, maintenance-then add the cost of the campgrounds and you'll see it's not so "inexpensive".

I agree that an RV is definitely not a particularly inexpensive way to travel, possibly unless you have a large crowd (and then you have a large crowd in an RV, which has its own problems).

Tent camping, on the other hand, can fairly easily be money-saving when compared with motels or hotels.
AmericalVette
Explorer
Oct 24, 2015
Having been on an all expense paid 1 year camping trip in SE Asia many years ago, courtesy of my Uncle, is why I love the way I camp now.
Crowe
Explorer
Oct 24, 2015
inexpensive lodging

Now THAT I find funny! Add the all the expenses for your rig-initial cost, fuel, maintenance-then add the cost of the campgrounds and you'll see it's not so "inexpensive".

That said a couple of things come to mind. Not everyone is born with an innate sense of the outdoors. Some have to learn. It's up to us to teach them. I was a boy scout leader for about 5 years and did some campouts. Yes, it's amusing to watch them but even more fun to teach them.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Oct 23, 2015
If Cub Scouts counts, we have taught of bunch of kids, as Cub master over three years.

A good time of my life.

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