Our family really enjoys camping. There is something about being outdoors that gives one a better appreciation of life. Camping can be a time of bonding and togetherness that is not often found in our highly distractive modern-day lives. For me, life seems a little clearer when I’m outside and there are no telephones or televisions or other electronic devices around.
I learned to love camping and other outdoor activities as a boy. I spent many days and nights outdoors. Most of the time I was with my parents, cousins or friends. From time-to-time I camped with only my trusted dog Sport at my side. Early on, my parents taught me that there were basic rules for camping. These rules preserve the outdoors for wildlife and other people to enjoy. As an adult, I realized that the basic rules my parents taught me for camping carry meaning beyond the woods. Knowing, understanding and applying these basic camping rules can benefit one in many aspects of life. Here are the three basic rules my parents taught me about camping:
Take all your garbage with you.
Leave your campsite better than you found it.
Avoid disturbing the natural surroundings.
The first rule of camping makes perfect sense in almost every setting. If you “take all your garbage with you,” then you are not contaminating the environment or others. Taking care of your own garbage is also a sign of responsibility. Responsible people don’t burden others or society with their mess. As my mom used to say, “If it is your mess, someone else shouldn’t be cleaning it up.” Wouldn’t it be great if everyone took this approach to life?
In all honesty, it took me a while to fully understand and appreciate the second rule of camping, leave your campsite better than you found it.” You see, the campsite is your temporary base for exploring and enjoying nature. It is not ours to keep. Other people will follow and use the campsite. By leaving it better than we found it, we are being contributors rather than consumers. This is also a sign of personal responsibility. Responsible folks make things better for those who follow. Can you even begin to imaging what our schools and churches and neighborhoods and work sites would be like if everyone thought and acted this way?
The first two rules of camping are about us as individuals. The third rule of camping is about others. “Avoid disturbing natural surroundings.” When we are camping, this rule reminds us not to pollute streams or interrupt mating practices or block migration paths. That is why we leave fallen logs and rocks and nests where we find them. If we apply this rule to the broader scope of life, we see that our actions should not harm others. Again, this is symbolic of responsibility. Responsible people don’t take advantage of other people for personal gain or enjoyment. It is a natural tendency to try to gain more personal resources. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we made sure that we were not harming others as we work to improve our own lives?
As we start a new school year, I encourage everyone to use the basic rules of camping as a guide. When you are faced with a situation, and you are not sure what to do, refer to the rules of camping.
This is the opinion of Bill Nolte, associate superintendent of the Haywood County Schools. This article was published by the
Mountaineer Publishing, Inc. of Waynesville, NC on 8/9/06
