Camping offers variety of ways to get away

Campers today have the option to rough it like in the old days or enjoy a luxurious getaway in an RV.

A cool shaded campsite with pleasant views, kids fishing nearby, enjoying the sunset over the nearby lake and relaxing around a campfire while planning tomorrow’s activities. These are the common images most people have of camping today.

Perhaps you remember or think of camping as sleeping on the hard ground in a crowded tent and cooking hotdogs over an open fire. Well it was, or still can be, that but it also ranges to people spending time in a luxurious RV. Probably for most people it is somewhere in between.

Technology has evolved so that if you are tent camping it is probably in a much improved and roomier tent, sleeping on an air mattress and using the latest Coleman stove or lantern. Even if you are backpacking or camping primitive style it certainly is not as rough as it used to be. The idea of camping includes ev- erything from hiking into the West Canada Lakes Wilderness to traveling by motor home to a private campground.

Camping is a popular pastime with a long tradition, especially in New York State with its abundance of public forest land and state parks or campgrounds. In addition to an affordable way to spend a weekend or vacation it also gives people an opportunity to reconnect with nature. State campgrounds in the Adirondacks and Catskills are operated by the Dept. of Environ- mental Conservation (DEC) while those in the rest of the state are run by Office of Parks and Recreation (OPR).

State parks usually take advantage of a natural attraction (such as a lake) and offer less amenities but more natural activities such as boating, fishing, etc. For example there are many campgrounds along the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Finger Lakes and countless smaller lakes or ponds in Central NY.

Designated campsites at

state campgrounds usually offer swimming, fishing, hiking, playgrounds for kids and more. Usually there is a variety of wildlife there or nearby. For example two of the campgrounds we frequent have ospreys while another has a pair of bald eagles. In campgrounds operated by OPR a certain number of sites usually have electric hookups, while there are none in DEC campgrounds.

Both OPR and DEC campgrounds are listed in a booklet “New York Camping Guide” with lots of information on facilities found at each. You can obtain this guide as well as get information online by visiting the website www. dec.ny.gov/outdoor/camping. Reservations can be made by going though Reserve America at 1-800456 CAMP or www.newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com.

Be forewarned that many of the popular sites at popular campgrounds are booked months in advance. However by going to some of the lesserknown campsites you can still find nice spots for outdoor fun on shorter notice.

Even those who prefer more primitive camping can find places on a first-come, first-served basis with a short walk, paddle or even driving to them. Just a few examples are Stony Pond, the Moose River Recreation Area or Moss Lake. There is no fee for these sites, although there are no services available.

If you are backpacking or hiking, the possibilities are almost limitless. Pick your spot from state forests in the Adirondacks, Tug Hill, Central NY and elsewhere. Certain restrictions (such as camping a distance from the water’s edge) apply and if you camp more than three days at one spot you should get a camping permit from the forest ranger in charge of that area.

Remember if you are not experienced in backpacking you should get advice, or better yet, go with an experienced camper. Have a good map, compass and GPS. For your first trips you should keep them simple, short and close to “civilization.”

If you are just getting into camping you should also ask some experienced person what you need (and what you don’t need). Consider borrowing or renting some of the things for your first few trips. Camping can be a relatively inexpensive way to have a family vacation or get-away weekend. It can be elaborate or simple as you like.

We camped a lot when my children were small and camp even more now. One of the best testimonials I can think of is that one of my daughters who now lives in Connecticut looks forward to joining us with her family. She said that she had so much fun when she was growing up that she wants her daughters to have the same ex- perience. I hope to see you on the lake!

SHORT CASTS

Free Fishing Days: This weekend, June 24 and 25, is designated as Free Fishing Days when anyone may fish in NYS without a fishing license. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce some adult to the fun of fishing, or to encourage those who have not had a license to get back into the sport.

Spey Nation: This Saturday, June 24, “Spey Nation” will be holding their annual event with seminars, demonstrations and allowing people to try and learn the traditional European two-handed methods of fly fishing. There will be rods to try out, experts to give you lessons, raffles and lunch provided by Tailwaters Lodge. The event is free but proceeds from the raffle go to the Fish Creek Atlantic Salmon Club. The event will be 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Pineville Boat Launch area on the Salmon River.

New Gear For Summer: One thing that makes summer nights safer and easier is Brilliant Reflective Safety Strips that shine bright at night but aren’t noticeable during the day. For walking or biking at night they can add an extra element of protection to the light on your bicycle or the one you are carrying. If you are camping or backpacking away from civilization, you can mark your gear so you can spot items easily in the limited light. Available in iron-on and stick-on options, Brilliant Reflective Safety Strips come in several colors. (trentandcompany.com.)

Backpacks are great for carrying your gear, until you need to reach something in a hurry. Unless you are a contortionist, grabbing your phone, GPS or a snack from your bag requires stopping, taking off the bag and digging through it to find what you need. Most packs are lacking storage on the shoulder straps and belts and those that have pockets are generally tiny and hold next to nothing in them.

Clackit StrapPacks are a clip-on pocket system that can be attached to the shoulder strap of almost any backpack. The various StrapPack designs offer zipper pockets, flap top openings, even water bottle carriers. Instead of trying to reach the pockets on your back, now you can easily access essentials at any time.

The Hydaway Collapsible Bottle is designed to reduce the great number of disposable plastic water bottles that are thrown away every year by offering a convenient alternative to bottled water. Instead of having the empty plastic bottle to carry around or, worse, be tossed aside, the Hydaway reusable bottle folds up into a small pocket sized flat shape when it is empty. It even has a travel case available to keep the utensil safe, clean and handy. It comes in two sizes: small (12 oz.) and large (21 oz.), and in eight colors. The bottles are watertight, dishwasher safe and taste and odor free. They are great for hiking, traveling, adventures, camping or other activities on the go.

Lyme Disease is a serious threat to you and your pets. Dogs often get Lyme disease, even though cats are immune. Thermacell Tick Control Tubes are the no-spray, easy way to kill backyard ticks that carry Lyme and other diseases.

Put Tick Control Tubes in your yard twice a year and let nature take its course. Available only online at www.thermacell. com/Lyme. The chemically impregnated cotton within the tubes is picked up by mice and carried into their nesting environments. The chemical then kills ticks in their larvae stage before they have a chance to bite.