Do you have a weekend without anything to do or a weekend when you dont want to do anything? I know what Id do. I would pack up the truck and head for the woods. Sitting by a camp fire with your favorite people solves many problems, so you shouldnt wait too long between fires. My favorite thing to do on a weekend is to camp. Are you looking for an easy way to camp? How about car camping? I love it!

First of all, lets define car camping? When you can drive your vehicle right up to the camp site, thats called car camping. Even if youre driving a truck its still called car camping. The advantage of car camping versus primitive or base camping is that you can take anything you want with you. If you want to take a hammock or huge grill or a stack of magazines, you can. Load your car or truck with food, clothing, shelter, bedding, games and anything else you want to take along and get going. Its really that simple.

So where can you car camp? Just about anywhere. National and state parks dont allow car camping except in designated campgrounds, other than that, you can car camp virtually anywhere on public lands. The internet is loaded with websites that can help. Start looking at www.backcountrytoys.com/education.htm. Our Education Center is loaded with up to date camping information.

Here are some things I take along when I car camp: hiking gear, bird watching binoculars and field guide, a radio for music and weather updates, tent, cot, sleeping bag, grill, shovel, fire starting gear, lots of food and drink, first aid kit, a stack of reading material this can also be used for building a fire such as newspapers and magazines, rain gear, hammock, dogs and dog food, folding chairs and table, stove, table service and utensils.you get the idea. I take all that I need to be comfortable. If you dont have these things, dont fret, all you really need are food, shelter and common sense.

Camping is a great way to renew and strengthen relationships. Take your spouse, your children, your siblings, your friends. Without the distractions of television, telephone, internet and alarm clocks, you will have a wonderful time. Ill always remember something a dear friend of mine told me years ago, Time spent in our great outdoors is time added to your life. That sounds like a good reason to go.

Use this information and youll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!