As many of you might have heard before, one of my favorite sayings is "What you got in your pack, is what you got in your pack." It's an expression about preparedness. If you going into the woods and plan on being there for a while, what you planned and packed will be essential to your survival or maybe your comfort. There are two main types of camping. Backpacking with the guys and family camping. Both will have very different challenges and obstacles. The guys (or gals if you prefer) backpacking trips are usually going to have something significant to overcome, or something to kill and eat while it still moves (ok, a little over the top on the last one). It's all about cutting your pencils in half to save on the weight of your pack, looking at the map legs you are traveling and pushing all boundaries. It's going to be climbing Mount Hood, or take on a part of the AT trail. Something with gusto that you can slap your buddies back and say, "You remember when you screamed like a little girl when you saw that bear?" Fond memories of manliness and stupidity.
Now the family camping is a whole different ball of wax. It's all about making sure you brought the comfy blanket to sit on while you star gaze, all while eating expensive cheese. Pack on that 10 pound air mattress so the wife and kids have a nice slumber after a day on the tour bus listening to ranger Ted tell you about the seventeen varieties of dandelions. Then hearing the complaints that I didn't bring their favorite fruit cups for snacks. Meanwhile, my pack weighs more than I do, and none of it is anything for me. But, family camping memories last longer than anything else. They are a growing experience for all family members, even though some members won't make it back from the woods. Bears got to eat, right?