Whether you're a complete novice-or rediscovering the outdoors-these tips can get you going. Last Christmas, my parents asked one another for sleeping bags. They got them, together with camp chairs, portable cookware and plastic wine glasses (from this writer). See, as newlyweds, Dad and mom loved to camp. They settled down, and decades passed while their desire for the outdoors faded to the background. But after a couple of trips with friends to nearby state parks as well as an outing to the Utah desert beside me last fall, they were hooked (better, re-hooked). So, now it's official: My parents are renewing their vows-with camping. They're in good company. Almost 34 million Americans sleep underneath the stars each year and that number keeps growing. It makes sense, especially in these economically challenging times: When you invest in a tent and other basic gear, your biggest expense will probably be a campsite that costs $20 or less every night. But that's just scratching the top of what the activity has to offer. The opportunity to "unplug" can be especially valuable for families. Camping rookie Hannah Bissell, 38, and her husband took their two children with an overnight trip last summer. Son Ethan, 6, and daughter Morgan, 4, swam within the lake and explored the woods in a nearby state park. "There weren't any video games, no DVDs-nothing plugged in-and they still were built with a great time," Hannah says. Joining the ranks of tent-pitchers and campfire connoisseurs might be easier than you think. Car camping is simply by driving to the campsite, establishing your tent and preparing meals on the grill. You don't even need fancy sleeping-bags, just blankets and pillows at home. "Full-service" campgrounds feature bathrooms and showers, fire bowls, grills and picnic tables. If you prefer a more one-with-the-woods experience, opt for primitive campsites-these spots might possibly not have running water, but they score at the top of scenic beauty and solitude. And whether or not you pitch your tent in a five-star campsite or just in your backyard, there's one essential bit of gear sure to make camping more fun: a sense of adventure. Happy Camping! Go outside with tips in the American Hiking Society's Seth Levy.Buddy-up. Go out with friends or family members who be aware of ropes, or look for local chapters of organizations like the fitness Club that may host group outings. Inquire. Tap the staff at a local outdoor store for the best camping spots and gear recommendations-some stores, for example REI, even offer free camping clinics. Ease in it. Especially if you have kids, practice pitching your tent inside your backyard. For your first real adventure, select a full-service campground near your home; venture farther while you gain experience.
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