Camping at Holland State Park

At this moment, most if my family is sleeping or trying to sleep.  We just got back from several days of camping at Holland State Park.  We were there with our friends, Matt & Sarah, and a group of their church friends.  It was hot and humid.  We spent about 5-6 hours of Saturday out on the beach at Lake Michigan.  Michelle and the kids actually went out on Thursday morning.  I wasn't able to go until Friday evening, after work.  I suppose that is why I'm not sleeping and they are.  Camping is a great way to make your kids exhausted, hungry and cranky.  What parent doesn't love a child who is exhausted, hungry and cranky?

Going camping always sends several thoughts rattling through my brain.  In no particular order:

• What defines camping?  We were in a tent this weekend while most people were in trailers.  Trailers have electric, running water and often AC.  Is this really camping.  If it is not camping, what is it?  Is it trailering?  No, that is a term you use when you are hauling something in a trailer (I always think of "trailiering" snowmobiles, because of my Dad).  Camping Lite?  Woosey camping?  The experience formerly known as camping?  I'm not sure.  We have other friends who would say you are not really camping unless you have no water source, no electric and you have to hike to your campsite.  I would call that backpacking, but hey, who am I to say?
• Why do we go camping anyway?  It is really a lot of work, especially in a tent.  You have no kitchen, no refrigerator, no bathroom, no tub or shower and you are only just barely protected from the elements (and that is if you have a good tent).  A tent has absolutely no soundproofing.  You cannot keep outside noises out or the wailing-child noises in.  Preparing for camping seems to take days.  Packing the van is always difficult.  You have to set up the tent, set up all your other stuff, get ice for the coolers, constantly move the coolers to keep them out of the sun, keep the tent closed to keep bugs out, pack everything back up while trying to keep track of your kids, bring it all home, unpack, wash everything and then put it all away.  Camping is more work than work.
• So then, why do we camp?  That is obvious...campfires!  Ahhh, everyone loves campfires.  We love campfire food, we love to talk around campfires, we love to just stare at campfires.  There must be something instinctual about it, because everyone loves it.  If you have kids, they love to run around, ride their bikes, go to the playground, look for frogs, go swimming, and eat s'mores.  Heaven for a child.  Have you ever met a 5 year old who didn't love camping?  They don't exist.  We camp because our children love it and, let's face it, we do a lot of inconvenient and difficult things for the sake of our kids.

I'm sure we will keep on camping, or whatever you want to call it.  Some of it will be in a trailer.  Some of it will be in a tent.  Sometimes we will be in a "modern" campground and sometimes we will "rough it" in a rustic campground.  I would love to go backpacking with the kids someday.  Sooner rather than later.  You have to admit, it is always an adventure.