Camping evolves into more popular pastime

Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail Jack and Mary Harper, Joplin, enjoying tent camping on the Fourth of July weekend.

Camping! Either you love it or hate it, depending on when, where and how. The when is still about the same for most campers, but the where and how has changed a lot, over the years.

Southwest Missouri offers visitors a wide range of camping experiences, from primitive solitude along the banks of lakes to developed sites, offering amenities including boat ramps, swimming beaches and modern plumbing.

Boaters on the lakes will find campgrounds accessible by boat. Most campgrounds and picnic areas are near water. Visitors are encouraged to come prepared with swimsuits and fishing gear.

How well you prepare for a camping trip is a perfect predictor of the enjoyment and comfort you will have.

Fred and Patty Thomas, St. Charles, travel several times each summer to Table Rock State Park.

Fred Thomas said, "We are spoiled by the park. On our first camping trip here, we had such a good time that we keep coming back, even though there are many campgrounds a lot closer.

"The first time we went fishing near Kimberling City, we caught the largest bass and most ever. It was close to everything, so you could stay put and have a good time or go to Branson for excitement. We have camped for years in Missouri and have our favorite campsites.

"In looking back, I think the best places we found were places where the attendants were the best and places we didn't like were spots where the attendants were sour or worse. You might find the most beautiful campground in the state, but if you can't enjoy it, why go there?"

As for the how of camping, there are more ways to camp than there used to be campers. If you are like most outdoor enthusiasts, you can't wait to wet a line, hit the trail or relax at the beach.

Today's campers can spend more time having fun and less time setting up camp because of all the new camping items that offer weekend warriors things that make camping much easier than in the past.

Tent campers have tents they can set up in less than a minute. The latest generation of outdoor gear is designed to make your life more comfortable in the great outdoors.

Thomas said, "You don't have to leave all the comforts of home behind anymore. We started out with a tent, like most campers, but over the years, we have moved to a pickup truck camper, to our new RV.

"After seeing all the new tent camping gear that is available today, I am tempted to go back to tent camping. Well, maybe not, but things are much different than when we started camping 35 years ago."

The where to go camping has also changed. Today, Missourians have so many camping places to go that the decision becomes difficult.

With all the state parks, Corps of Engineers and private campgrounds across the state, the choices are nearly unlimited.

As you plan your camping trip, you might want to check the Missouri Tourism's campground guide that lists private and public campgrounds in the state to assist you in sorting out what each spot offers, thus avoiding surprises. And you will find much of what you need to know to help choose the right campsite.

Picking the right campground puts the "happy" in happy camper.

According to the Recreational Roundtable Survey, outdoor recreation participation leads to a higher quality of life for both children and adults. Outdoor recreation, including camping, leads to improved health, gives people a better appreciation of nature and the environment, and also promotes stronger family ties and values.

Tom Nelson, Joplin, who has taken the first camping trip of the year with his family over the Fourth of July Weekend for the past 25 years, said, "Over the years, camping without TVs and all the electronic devices has helped us to get to know each other on a level that only the outdoors can provide. It helps promote teamwork and is something we can enjoy as a family."

In Southwest Missouri, the camping experience can mean many different things. You can go canoeing down a cool, clear Ozark stream, go boating, fishing, backpacking, observing wildlife or a variety of other things to do while camping. There is a campground ready to accommodate your needs.

Happy camping.