We are making our annual trek to Sauble Beach soon, but this year we are camping instead of cottaging.

    You would think that living in a tent with no electricity, cooking over a fire and having to hike to a bathroom or shower would meet with some resistance from the kids.  Nope.  They are genuinely excited about going.

    Their excitement has nothing to do with communing with nature or getting away from it all.  Their reason is much simpler.  When we camp there is a total relaxation of the rules that normally govern our home.    

    I blame my german background for the fact that I  find dirt, noise and confusion generally irritating. When we camp, all rules are thrown out the window.  Or tent flap, as it were.

    Cookies for breakfast?  Have at it!  Crumbs and spills?  It’ll feed the wildlife!  No regular schedule for eating or sleeping?  Who cares!  Potato chips as the vegetable for supper?  I’ll join you!  Personal hygiene at an all-time low?  No one knows us here!

    It’s not how I would want to live my whole life, but for a brief time in the bloom of summer it is a freedom we all enjoy.