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36 Hudson Valley Parent ■ July 2014 By ASHLEY TALMADGE C amping has become an increasingly popular family activity, and it's not hard to see why. There's no better way to ex- perience all of nature's offerings. A leisurely hike, jumping fi sh, s'mores around the campfi re — it all adds up to hours of stress-free quality time with the ones you love most. And even the plushest camping ac- commodations are inexpensive com- pared to other lodging. The Outdoor Foundation reports that one-fi fth of American households with children go camping, and 70 percent of camp- ing trips are made with friends. So when in-town temps soar this summer, pack up your family and head to the mountains or shore for a breath of fresh air. Here are some tips to ensure your family has a great experience: Research and reserve Get recommendations from friends, and access online informa- tion about campgrounds, including Do you love to camp with your kids? What tips work best for you when roughing it with the little ones? "Make sure to have lots of snacks and drinks along. Bring different toys and games that they wouldn't have access to at home. Always have a stash of dry clothes or blankets in the car in case of rain. Baby wipes are good for everything — when they're dry you can use as kindling." — Amy Sullivan, Saugerties "We love camping and go as often as we can in the summer. We try to camp at places where there are extra kid friendly-play- grounds or a pool as well as outdoor stuff like fi shing and hiking." — Christina Gallagher, Newburgh "Insect repellent is a must. When we camped with an infant, we brought a sound machine. A few years we tried other options — a rental house, hotel — but after- ward we regretted the 'conve- nience' because we missed out on that family quality time that only happens when the electron- ics are off and you're outside for days on end. We love camping, and it's also economically wise with a large family!" — Nikki Rogers, Saugerties "Dryer sheets. Tie them to belt loops and chair legs to keep the bugs away." — Jamie Cole, Lake Katrine HVP Chatroom Jim Sullivan of Saugerties proudly shows off the pickerel he caught while camping with his kids, Cayleigh, 5, and Braeden, 3. "We have a permanent site at a family campground in Gettysburg, Pa., with a camping trailer," says his wife, Amy. "We've been camping since our kids were in the womb. They LOVE it now." Happy campers Make your family's outdoor adventure a win! Find the perfect campground! Find camping at a state national park at newyorkstate- parks.reserveamerica.com. Reservations can be made online and range from $10 to $20+/night. Privately-owned, ameni- ty-loaded campgrounds can be found at campgrounds.com, and average about $30+/night.