#8: Go Camping... anywhere

There's nothing like the great outdoors. Nature and all of the surroundings of night life are usually left outside and ignored within the walls of our comfortable homes. So why not gather some friends, snacks and venture outside for a chance to go camping?

Before you roll your eyes and wonder how on Earth you can go camping when all you see are concrete sidewalks, taxi cabs and building complexes... keep reading.

If you think the only place you can have a legit camping trip is in the middle of the woods, think again.

The Woods

Courtesy of flickr.com

For those who have the luxury of heading on over to a nearby campsite, throw on some bug spray, grab some friends, and head on outside.

What you'll need:

• Bug repellent 
• Tent
• Sleeping Bags
• Flashlight
• Map of the area
• Two-way radio [Back in my day, we called 'em "walkie-talkies"]
• Plenty of food and water
• Marshmallows

You and your buddies will feel like your kids again; ones who are on an epic adventure. Camping in the woods or a camp site will make you feel one with nature, as you hear the crickets chirp, the owls hoot and count the billions of stars in the night sky. The peaceful sound of the night will probably reduce any stress you've been feeling prior and being surrounded with people you care about, will make for a great time.

Get some wood and build a campfire, share ghost stories or some laughs, play games and roast your marshmallows on sticks over the crackling flames.


Your backyard

Courtesy of flickr.com

If you can't get to a camping ground and you have a yard, why not make use of it?

What you'll need:

• Tent
• Sleeping Bags
• Flashlight
• Casa Moda "S'mores" Maker
• S'mores necessities: Marshmallows, graham crackers, Hershey chocolate

Sure, the lights from the neighborhood might not help in adding to the effect of a "real" camping trip, but you and your friends can enjoy being outside, share scary or funny stories all night and still eat those yummy roasted marshmallows. Since you're not on camp grounds, the law in your background concerning fires may be a lot stricter. Therefore, I suggest getting the Casa Moda S'mores Maker.

This S'mores Maker grill comes with ceramic containers for marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate, roasting forks (eliminating the need for filthy sticks lying around in the woods) and includes a burner for the fuel and handle and a snuffer to extinguish the flames. This thing is fully loaded with what you need to have a real camping night whether you're in the middle of nowhere or your own backyard.

Your Living Room

Courtesy of flickr.com

So, if you look out your window and instead of a yard, you see concrete, lights, and yellow taxicabs zooming in and out of traffic... then camping out in your living room or spare bedroom might be the perfect option. It may not be what you had in mind, but no one said you couldn't enjoy camping indoors!

What you'll need:

• Chairs and a large sheet for your "Tent"
• Sleeping Bags
• Sound machine
• Microwave
• S'mores necessities: Marshmallows, graham crackers, Hershey chocolate

Your tent may be a sheet draped over several supporting chairs and your sound machine just might be an illusion of crickets chirping or a fireplace crackling, but there's nothing wrong with using your imagination. Surround yourself with some of your closest friends and plan to have a good time. Being indoors provides so many conveniences, and the microwave is one of them. Create your epic s'mores sandwiches, pop them into the microwave for just a few seconds, and enjoy. It's quick and easy! Turn off all the lights in the house and share the same stories you would if you were outdoors.

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So, obviously, camping in the woods requires you to be much more prepared than your backyard or inside your home, but any way you look at it, you'll not only appreciate nature/your surroundings (wherever you may be), but the time spent with the people you care about. Not to mention, you now know you can enjoy marshmallows and s'mores anywhere! Yum.