Camping in the Heartland

Family vacations began to be popular back in the 1930s, as many laborers began receiving paid vacations. It also didn't hurt that automobiles had become the norm, and roads now linked the east coast to the west coast and nearly everything in-between. The high cost of urban hotels (and their absence out on the open road) forced American families to be resourceful, and camping soon became the popular way to stay overnight "on the road."

Camping is a wonderful way to be together, whether as a family or as a couple. Memories from these outdoor vacations will be relived many times throughout the years (especially the mishaps ... "Remember when Dad forgot to pack the tent pegs?" ... "Remember when the raccoon got into the cooler?"). Camping is pure, quality time, no matter if you're sleeping out under the stars, in a tent or in a fancy RV.

Ask any kid (or adult, too, for that matter) what their favorite thing about camping is, and it's bound to be s'mores. There's something about a campfire, a whittled green stick and being out in the fresh air that turns a marshmallow, two graham crackers and a chocolate bar into a treat no five-star restaruant can duplicate. And breakfast cooked over a campfire tastes better than even Grandma's home cooking. Sizzling bacon, fried potatoes, fried eggs ... mmmmm, is your mouth watering yet?

Camping is a purely delightful mixture of having the right equipment, preparing the right food, planning the right activities, telling the right stories and singing the right songs. Now is the time to plan your next camping experience ... in the Amish Heartland ... and we want to help!

Equipment " Tents (and pegs), sleeping bags, coolers, pie irons, wiener sticks, lawn chairs, an iron skillet, flashlights, maps, firewood (don't forget the matches), bug spray and sun-tan lotion.

Food " S'mores, fry pies, hot dogs, hamburgers, hobo stew, corn-on-the-cob, fried potatoes, bacon and eggs, Toad in a Hole, coffee, hot chocolate, fresh fish, campfire pizza, cowboy beans, sausage & gravy, beef jerky and trail mix.

Activities " Breathing fresh air, listening to nature, gazing at the stars, telling ghost stories, boating, hiking, canoeing, sitting around the campfire, just being together, singing, fishing, swimming and visiting area festivals.

Camp Songs " Sarasponda, Clementine, Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Waltzing Matilda, Down in the Valley, Home on the Range, Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight, Red River Valley, On Top of Old Smoky, Oh Susanna and Dixie.