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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.

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....

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 these 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.

Carting Out Trash

Bring plenty of these because the Maryland State Parks system (like many other municipalities) believes in not providing them, as well as trash cans, for your convenience. Their party line is that it encourages visitors to remove trash on their own, resulting in less litter when, in fact, it is a means to pinch trash removal pennies and results in actually more litter from irritated patrons who might otherwise put their trash in provided receptacles. Apparently, the park staff agrees because they considerately provide a makeshift receptacle in the bathhouse and a dumpster in the camping area. In addition, trash bags are great ways to store and pack clothing, bedding and anything else needing protection from dirt and water.

User-Friendly Tents

In the spirit of low maintenance camping, purchase a "pop-up" tent that sets up in minutes. Such tents are not as common in larger sizes (four persons and up) so I had to look around. I found an excellent four-person dome tent, the easiest to erect, at Target Stores, of all places, for about $80.