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17. Camping Lessons
Many campers start out by getting some lessons. These may come in the form of family
campouts with your children's youth groups, like the scouts. Sometimes there are seminars at
camping and vacation expositions. Commercial campgrounds often hold programs to help people
get into camping.
There are also professionals in the outdoor recreation field who are available to teach you. They
often will provide all the gear, except for your personal belongings, so you can "try before you
buy."
Hiring a camping guide to instruct you in the finer points of camping will get you off to a fast
start and help you avoid some pitfalls. You are generally able to fully participate and learn the
various camping skills from an expert.
With a professional planning and outfitting your trip, you often get to go places you would never
have gone before, such as in a remote wilderness area. This gives you the opportunity to explore
all the possibilities that lie ahead in your camping career, without worrying about whether you
are capable yet. The professional will be responsible for your safety, as well as your learning
experience. Most professionals are trained to avoid situations that may lead to emergencies, and
are trained to handle the emergencies that do develop, including first aid situations.
You can easily find these professional camping outfitters, by searching the web or directories for
outdoor recreation guides and outfitters that specialize in camping in the regions you are
interested in.
Here in the state of Maine, and similarly in other US states and Canada, there is the Maine
Professional Guide Association whose website (
www.maineguides.org
) lists their members and
what activities like camping that they offer.
Whether you get some lessons or choose to go it alone, there will always be some other campers
around to help you out. Campers seem to love helping each other out.
Have fun!
