More and more people are discovering the benefits of camping as a form of recreation. A type of recreational activity where the participants leave the comforts of their urban or city dwellings in favor of a commune with nature, camping is one of the best stress-release activities that people in high-stress office environments are beginning to appreciate. Because of the strenuous exercise and the many long and relaxing walks through woods and forests, camping also has plenty of relaxation benefits as well as a built-in body exercise routine to it.

Types of Camping:

Camping, however, is not as easy as it sounds, and if you want to begin camping, there are several important basics to consider. The first is the type of camping you want to undertake with your friends, or by yourself. Some of the common types of camping that are done include the following: survivalist camping, or camping with minimum resources. The aim of this type of camping is to foster basic survival techniques such as how to build fire from scratch, how to find food in the wild, basic protection against the elements and potential threat from wild animals, as well as how to find a safe place to spend the night when in the wild. Survivalist camping, of course, requires background knowledge about survival techniques, or at least the company of an experienced survivalist camper, to ensure that the event will conclude safely.

Work Camping:

Work camping, on the other hand, is when a camper lends a hand and provides some sort of labor to a landowner in exchange for a place to camp. Bike camping is the term used when camping is incorporated into usually long-distance bicycle trips, where biking is done during the night and light camping gear is carried along the travel to allow camping at night. Kayak camping is similar to bike camping, but makes use of kayaks instead which allows greater amounts of luggage to be carried, and is a common camping practice in areas with rivers, such as North America. Recreational camping, finally, is one of the most popular modes of camping, and is often incorporated into many youth programs such as in Scouting. Recreational campers often use a full camping set that often fits in a backpack. It is also called backpacking, and involves long walks carrying the backpack, which must be as lightweight as possible.

Safety Reminders:

For safe camping, among the important gear to include in your backpack are the following: first aid kit that includes rubbing alcohol for instant wound disinfection, basic medication such as aspirin, antihistamines for your allergies, and bandages. It is also important to bring a good cutting device such as knives that have fold on their own for portability as well as easy handling. Flashlights and matchsticks are also important for making fire at night, although making fire from natural materials is sometimes an agenda with some forms of camping. Aside from these, bring your own food and clothing, unless you plan to wash clothes on site and hunt for food on site.

With these camping basics in mind, you can enjoy your camping experience safely.