My Brother's First Camping Trip
My brother Cameron was just eleven years of age when he made his first camping trip. It was limited to 2 or 3 days with the scouts, but to him it turned out to be his first great adventure. All of the correct camping accessories had been assembled ahead of time. It took several vehicles, packed with tents, sleeping equipment, camping furniture, rucksacks and everything necessary for camping cooking to transport Cameron and his troop. Way back then, GPS navigation devices hadn't been invented, so it's just as well that the camp site was only a few kilometres away, I could have walked it in less than an hour! He may have been close to home, but on the first night in his tent with all the strange sounds of nature around, he could have been deep in the equatorial rainforest!
The troops' scouting abilities were put to the test with various games and tasks. Camping cooking was tested with a curry making contest. On the second day, the majority of senior boys went on a navigation exercise, which meant equipping themselves with rucksacks, gaiters and walking poles. The less active members of the group had been surprised to find an improbably large variety of camping furniture that offered comfort not usually associated with a camping trip. Having already enjoyed the superb sleeping equipment provided, many chose to relax rather than take part in the activities.
Cameron had prayed for good weather and his prayers were answered. However, it should not be forgotten that not being equipped with the right camping accessories can spoil a camping trip far more than inclement weather. A camper needs only to get wet and a general feeling of misery will take over. Too hot and hydration can present itself as an issue. Even with all of the advances in camping equipment and accessories over the years, whether in tents, rucksacks or GPS navigation, there doesn't yet appear to be accurate electronic local weather forecasting.
Looking back, Cameron's first camping trip was an enjoyable experience. The credit for this should go to the troop leader and his experience in assembling the camping accessories essential for a successful trip. All the tents, sleeping equipment, rucksacks, walking poles and gaiters didn't grow on trees and just as we didn't have GPS navigation back then, we didn't have the world wide web, over which all this equipment can now be located. I consider myself lucky that sites such as http://www.mycampingstore.co.uk make the purchase of camping accessories so easy. Kit yourself out with those essential camping accessories, available from http://www.mycampingstore.co.uk and have an adventure!
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