With spring in the air, thoughts turn to camping

Among the growing numbers of RV campers are Ben Jeffery and Allison Markle, who camp at Indian Point on Table Rock and also Stockton State Park often during the summer. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

In May, campers' thoughts turn to the campgrounds for many reasons. Spring, camping is special. You don't have to put up with many bugs, and usually the fishing is at its best. Camping in a tent or RV can be a family adventure during spring before the big Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the camping season.

Many Missouri families, like Robert Parker's, are ready for a trip to the campground. The Parkers have made their first camping/fishing trip to kick off the season for the past 20 years during the holiday weekend.

Parker said, "We usually camp near a lake like Table Rock, Stockton, Pomme de Terre or Truman where we can also fish. Around the big holiday weekend, the fishing is good, so we always end the second night with a fish fry. This year should be no different."

Camping is the oldest way of living. The refinements of modern civilization haven't dimmed the appreciation for a place in the vast wilderness away from it all.

America's camping roots run deep. Organized camping dates back to the 1860s, but recreational camping didn't really take root until the 1920s. With the advent of the automobile, Americans began to access a world beyond their neighborhoods. In fact, Model T owners Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were campers themselves.

Rather than camping for economical reasons, people also camped because they loved being outdoors. As campers became more experienced, they formed checklists of necessary items. As the list grew campers found that enterprising entrepreneurs introduced better equipment.

Today's tent campers have more compact, lighter weight, quicker to assemble, take down gear. The way things are growing, soon maybe we will pack a two pound, six person umbrella tent in a glove compartment with a solar cook set that requires no matches.

Campers are combining their trips with other activities including fishing and hunting. Earlier this month, some area turkey hunters camped out near the turkey woods. Jack Mayfield, Blue Springs, along with several hunting friends, started camping during the spring turkey season and the November deer season. Mayfield said, "Camping is a big part of the season."

Tent camping is still popular, but now there are pop-ups, pickup campers, motor homes and even houseboat camping. At sport shows across the country last winter, I saw RVs in the $ 200,000 price range. No matter how much camping evolves, what is important to many people is that there is always a spot in the wilderness waiting for their return.

The Zaring family, from left to right: Carter 2, Chris, Aaryiah 10, who loves to fish, holds a string of perch, and Brittney, are tent campers. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

Campgrounds in our area abound. There are private, state parks and Corps of Engineers campgrounds all around the lakes that offer great camping opportunities.

One avid angler/camper is Bob Martin, who moved to the Ozarks from Kansas City a few years ago. Martin said, "After I retired, my wife and I were able to camp any day of the week instead of just weekends. It has been great. We have camped and caught bass at Table Rock, trout at Taneycomo, white bass at Bull Shoals, crappie at Truman and walleye at Stockton.

"Our next fish we will try to hook this year is a muskie at Pomme de Terre or Fellows Lake. Missouri is a great place to camp and fish. With so many species of fish available, you can always catch something from bluegill to catfish."

Its interesting that as Missourians' leisure time decreases, their camping and outdoor time is increasing. Outdoors is a cherished part of our lives, and, although many families have been camping this year, the Memorial Weekend jump starts the season for many campers.

You never know what the weather will be this time of the year so be prepared. Mayfield noted, "It usually rains at some point over the big weekend, but we have learned to live with it and to use the weather to our advantage."

Camping has come a long way in the past few years and more and more people are finding out why. Now is a good time to check out that camping and fishing gear and get ready to head for the campground.