Outdoor living 6/1

Sunday, June 1, 2003

Memorial weekend is the unofficial opening of the camping season for many Missouri families like the Tom Nelsons. For the past 25 years, the Nelsons have made Memorial weekend their first camping trip of the year and 2003 was no different. "We plan on camping at Stockton, Truman or Pomme de Terre a lot this summer. Last year I caught some big walleye at Stockton and the kids always like a place around a lake. This year, I was in for a big surprise. We had heard about the damage at Stockton after an F3 tornado hit, but we weren't prepared for what we saw", he said. "I usually stop at Fast Stop, in Stockton to gas up the motor, but this time, there was no Fast Stop. It was unreal. We couldn't believe what we saw and this was several weeks after the tornado hit. It gave us a lot to be thankful for the rest of the weekend," he said. The Nelson's camping adventures began when Tom heard his wife tell the kids that they had been inside too long and wondered why they didn't go outside and play and get some fresh air. "Although we seemed to be going in 10 different directions, we decided to do an outdoor activity that all family members could enjoy so we started camping," Nelson said. According to the recreational Roundtable Survey, outdoor recreation participation leads to a higher quality of life for both children and adults. Outdoor recreation leads to improved physical and mental health, gives people a better appreciation of nature and the environment and promotes stronger family ties and values. Nelson said, "Over the years, camping without TVs, VCRs and video games has helped us to get to know each other on a level only the outdoors can provide. It helps promote teamwork and is something we can enjoy as a family. Our son, Jim, started camping when he was three and is now starting his own family camping this year." Memorial weekend marks the first big exodus to the outdoors for most camping Missourians and while car or RV camping at state parks and campgrounds is the most popular form, canoe campers were also doing their thing. Tom Holt is one of the growing number of canoe campers for several reasons. He said, "Isolation is the main reason I canoe camp. When the campgrounds are crowded on weekends, I load up my canoe and have the benefit of getting away from the big crowd. Canoe camping can be rewarding, but you need to start slow, you learn how to pack smart and organize after awhile. Since you are limited to space, you have to plan on taking just the things you will need and not a lot of frills. Canoeing is not only an enjoyable activity, it complements other outdoor activities including fishing and hunting. This year the squirrel season and the black bass season opened on May 24 so I brought my .22 and some fishing gear." Holt is one of a few Missourians who hunts squirrel this early, in spite of the mosquitoes, ticks and heavy underbrush. "I usually go out very early and since there are plenty of bushytails, it doesn't take too long to get enough for a meal before it gets uncomfortable," he said. Camping has come a long was since covered wagons. It is the oldest way of living. Organized camping in America dates back to the 1860s, but didn't take root as recreational; camping until the 1920s when millions of people changed from rural dwellers to urban residents who had more time and money to spend. All the refinements of modern civilization haven't dimmed our appreciation for a place in the wilderness away from it all. Camping has evolved in a big way over the years. Today, rather than camping for economical reasons, people camp because they love being outdoors. Camping equipment has also evolved in a big way. Tent camping is still popular, but now there are popups, pickup campers, motor homes and houseboat camping. At sport shows across the country last winter there were RVs in the $200,000 price range. No matter how much camping evolves, what's important to many people is that there is always a spot in the wilderness waiting our return. It's interesting that, as Missourians, leisure time decreases, but their camping and outdoor time is increasing. Outdoors is a cherished part of our lives and, although many families have been camping several times already this year, the Memorial weekend jump starts the season for many campers. You never know what the weather will be this time of year, so be prepared. Nelson said, "It usually rains at some point over the Memorial weekend, as it did again this year, but we have learned to live with it and to use the weather to our advantage. Monday was as good as the weather gets and we really enjoyed it."