Northern New England — and New Hampshire in particular — offers a wide variety of experiences and opportunities for camping with the family.

As you read this, I am spending Father's Day at Hid'n Pines Campground in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, with my wife, Amy, and sons Kaiden, 8, and Kael, 6. Summers are busy with all sorts of activities, but we make time for two to three family camping trips.

Growing up in a small town in rural Maine, my friends and I would often venture into the woods and camp out for the weekend. That connection with nature is something I've worked to instill in my own kids, and camping offers a great chance to do that.

Amy and I have been together for more than 20 years and have been camping together nearly the entire time. Before having kids, we would put everything into backpacks and hike into an area and camp for a couple of nights.

While we look forward to those “pack-in” trips again when the kids get older, for now we've learned the joys of campgrounds and have been bringing our boys camping since they were born.

We often invite friends to come with us and have frequently heard new parents balk at the idea of bringing babies along, but having an infant on a camping trip really isn't a big deal. If anything, we found that getting the kids used to being in a tent or camper at an early age means they will grow up feeling as though camping is second nature.

As is the case when you bring a baby anywhere, planning is key. Make a checklist of what you'll need, and be prepared. Early on, we found that we had more supplies than we needed and soon were able to streamline the whole process.

We decided to purchase a pop-up camper in 2003, just after Kaiden was born. The simplicity of a tent is hard to beat, and learning to drive with the camper (especially if you have to back it up) was ... um, interesting.

But the biggest advantage we've found with a camper is most evident when bad weather comes into play. We've had lots of gorgeous New England summer days during our outings, but there also have been some rainy weekends.

Kids — and let's face it, adults, too — can get pretty bored being stuck in a tent (even a big one) all day while it rains. But a camper, even a small pop-up like we have, offers the space to engage in activities such as board games, reading and playing with toys.

Of course, if the weather is nice, you want to be outside enjoying the surroundings. My family likes to vary the types of campgrounds we visit, alternating between rural state parks and campgrounds that offer pools and activities.

There are advantages to both. Adventures in hiking and exploring are favorites for my boys, and the state parks often offer more in the way of trails as well as ponds, rivers and streams to wade into.

The woodsy state parks also offer a better chance to observe wildlife. At Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, we've had nighttime visits from a red fox and a flying squirrel, and we've enjoyed daytime moose sightings.

The “family campground” alternative is also nice. These places usually offer a variety of sites to call your own during your visit, from simple tent spots to areas wide enough for a recreational vehicle. The big advantages for a family at these campgrounds are the activities and amenities. Most have pools and recreational halls for activities such as ping-pong and often offer events such as ice cream socials and concerts to bring campers together.

And, of course, no matter where you are, the best part is spending time together as a family. Sitting around the campfire, enjoying s'mores and building memories are things I cherish and look forward to doing again and again.

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Ian Clark may be reached at iclark@unionleader.com.