There’s nothing like a good camping trip to get back in touch with nature –especially during the hot summer months when a trip to the mountains can provide a breath of much needed fresh air! I can picture it now –setting up camp in the shade of the trees, going for a refreshing swim in the local lake or river, taking a canoe or kayak out for a spin, or sitting around the campfire.
Of course camping these days looks a lot different than it did when I was a child! When you spend time in the splendor of majestic Redwood or Sequoia trees like the kind you find in the California mountains, it’s hard to imagine hauling in all the stuff that was a necessary part of the camping experience back then. Sometimes you want to camp in a designated campground with facilities and hook ups, which obviously makes it easier for a family style vacation. But sometimes you want to go deeper into the woods, get away from it all and “rough it” a little so you can experience a true communion with Mother Nature. If you are an experienced backpacker then you already know how critical it is to pack light and bring items that are multipurpose and/or re-usable no matter where you go.
Whichever way your pleasure tends, there are ways to camp without altering or harming the ecological landscape of your chosen campsite. Whether it involves using the latest, coolest gadgets and gear, or just some old fashioned common sense, we are all stewards of the environment and have a responsibility to enjoy it and share it with others (including it’s natural inhabitants) without spoiling it.
Of course greening any camping trip or vacation starts at home before you leave and while you are away. For more on this see my previous blog post. Once you’ve ensured that your home will operate in a sustainable, non-wasteful way while you’re gone you can plan your out door adventure accordingly.
What do you do to green your camping? Do you have any green camping tips or wisdom you’d like to share? I’d love to hear what other people are doing in this area. Please post about your recent camping experiences or camping gear you’ve acquired that makes your outdoor adventures sustainable and eco-friendly. Thanks!
As busy as our lives are these days, even something as simple as planning a vacation in the great outdoors can become a source of stress. This goes double if you’re trying to incorporate the green living techniques you use at home while you’re miles away from civilization. Here are four simple ways to minimize your footprint and keep it green any time you go camping.
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For many of you Labor Day weekend represents the last chance of the year for a mini-camping vacation, so I thought it would be good to share some tips on how to green your camping. Of course these tips apply whether you’re a frequent camper or just an occasional one. And if you’ve never been camping before but have considered it or are planning to, then this is a great opportunity to do it right from the get go.
I’ve been on a little bit of a break from blogging and writing this summer so I apologize for not getting this out sooner but I’m back now and wanted to share some of this information with you because, while the specifics will vary, the principles apply no matter what time of the year you travel.
While the term “eco-tourism” tends to conjure up images of what some refer to as “volunteer vacations” where you might be involved in a beach clean up project or wildlife preservation program, you really don’t have to sacrifice comfort or go for an adventure in the wild to do it. There are as many different ways to green your travel, as there are ways to travel. It’s all a matter of degree and commitment.
