What is it that makes us want to sleep out under the stars or cook over an open flame? What is it that makes us want to be out enjoying God's great creation? Is it something encoded in our DNA? Whatever it is, it makes life interesting doesn't it?!

A person that lives a camping life spends most of the time thinking about the next camping trip. When they are packing up at the end of a trip, they are already planning the next one. They will plan a vacation based on the location's campgrounds or backpacking permits. Does this sound like you? I know that describes me to a T!

A person that lives a camping life usually thinks in a unique way. A three day weekend? "Let's go camping!" Vacation time? "Let's go camping!" A nice quiet weekend? "Let's go camping!" The "perfect" getaway? Spent in a tent, with a camp fire, surrounded by what God has provided: trees, creeks and plenty of hiking trails, preferably on the shores of a lake, so can get a little fishing in too!

A camping life is not for everyone. You have to enjoy the outdoors. You have to have an appreciation and a respect for nature. If this appeals to you then you either already are or are ready to live "A Camping Life".

However you live your camping life, whether you are camping just to be camping or if you are camping as part of a hunting, fishing or hiking trip, there is certain equipment that you will need.

Basic requirements would be a tent and a sleeping bag. Depending on your idea of a camping life and your level of comfort the list of camping equipment could get quite long. You may need all, some or none of this equipment, just choose what fits into your camping life.

For comfort, you may need an air mattress. If your like me, getting a little older, sleeping on the ground in just a sleeping bag does not fit into my camping life. Just make sure you buy a quality one, if not it won't be much better than sleeping on the ground. Of course you don't want to blow this up yourself, so you will need an air pump, same here with buying quality, you don't want to end up spending an hour fighting with the pump just to get your mattress aired up.

Now that we have covered comfort, it is time to look to the practical. It is time to set up your camp. Your idea of the camping life may include cooking over an open flame or you may want the convenience of a camp stove. Either way you will need cookware. Make sure when you buy your cookware, if you are cooking over a camp fire, you get the kind that is made for this type of cooking. Now that you have your camp set up, you don't want to be tripping all over this camping equipment, so don't forget to get a lantern to light your way.

Now let's talk about the extras for your camping trip. If you are camping as part of a hiking trip through the back country you will need a backpack, make sure it is a hiking backpack, not one like kids carry to school. This can make a huge difference in the way your load carries. While you are hiking you may want to do a little bird or wildlife watching so you may want to invest in a good pair of binoculars. You will definitely want to pack a camera for all the beautiful scenery you will be seeing. A good waterproof one would probably be the best, as these are usually more rugged than the average camera. One last extra a lot of people don't think of is walkie talkies. If you are in a large group these can serve several purposes. One purpose could be smaller groups can hike in different directions and still stay in touch with each other. Or even if you are not in a large group, if someone is lost there is a means of communication.

Whatever your idea of the perfect camping life is: I hope your next camping trip will be the best camping life you can live.