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Take some advice from a frequent camper who's learned that overnighting in a local park is just as thrilling, and less cumbersome, than a long hike into the wilderness.

I want my kids to have the same enriching experiences I had when I was a youth, but when it comes to planning an overnight in the wilderness, I know why my parents sent me camping under the care of others.  Simply put, it's not easy, especially for weekend warriors who haven't polished their "rub two sticks together" or tent pitching skills.

Of course, campgrounds have changed enormously since I was a kid, too. Many have become slaves to huge RVs that require electricity and running water -- unheard of in my youth. And many have learned to accommodate millennial kids with swimming pools, waterslides, rental cabins, evening Karaoke shows and other amenities that make the family camping experience so much easier for parents.

Going Native like our Forefathers

However, some of us still want the natural woods and the unplugged stars. So, for those adults who want to introduce the wonders of nature to their kids without outside assistance, I offer these guidelines:

• •  First, remind yourself that what the kids consider camping is not the same as what you might consider camping.
• •  Second, remember that one need not venture far into the wilderness or deprive oneself of civilized comforts to enjoy the woods, nature, a tent and a campfire.

Having said that, here are some tips for "camping" with children in your local recreation area or state park, as I've done many times in Maryland. You can leave the national parks and slopes of the Himalayas to other for a few years....

Take Advantage of Public Bathrooms

The facilities in the local visitor center and playground area are less crowded, better equipped and maintained, and cleaner than the ones in most campgrounds.

While campground facilities are acceptable, the only reason to tolerate them is the hot showers and shorter walk from your tent. The bathrooms in the visitor center are the best, with hot water, soap dispenser and A/C, but only available when the center is open.

My only significant complaint about my recent state park experience is that the bathhouse hot water heater ran out of propane gas Friday evening (according to what a park worker told me) after most campers arrived and was not refilled until Saturday evening. Apparently, the park management defines customer service in peak season as consisting of simply waiting until heating fuel runs out to determine when it is time to refill. I wonder if park vehicles are refueled with the same strategy? Considering the fees are meant to include these amenities and are not inexpensive (but otherwise well worth it), this was inexcusable.