Station Wagon Camping

THE STATION WAGON has revolutionized car camping. "Station wagon camping" is a new term in our language. You begin to understand it when you see a family (in this case, the Donald F. Anderson family, 4641 S. Washburn Av.) vacationing beside some Minnesota lake with all the comforts of home in camping gear. These photos were taken near Ely, at Birch lake campground, one of several camping areas in the Superior national forest. The current surge of interest in car camping is a major social phenomenon. More persons camped out last year than ever before and the trend is continuing. The manufacturers of camping equipment are fully aware of this new interest in outdoor living. IF YOU'RE new to camping, you're wondering what to buy to camp in comfort. You need: tent, tarpaulin, cooler, stove, camp cooking kit, lamp, air mattresses, sleeping bags and blankets. The tent is your major item. Consider seriously the tent with sewn-in groundcloth, mosquito-netting door, and a fly that shelters the doorway.

ORIGINAL CAPTION: Family camping is no longer primitive business. The Anderson family had home conveniences in a forest setting. (Tribune photos by Earl Seubert, with original captions)

On a trip, the floor space behind the front seat becomes a safe play area for Kristin, 11, and Rolf, 13.

You don't have to stay put at the camp site. You can use the campground as base of operations, go sight-seeing in the area.

Air mattresses, basic for sleeping comfort, can also be used for sun-bathing and water fun.

Station wagons are spare bedrooms for the younger members of the party. Besides flashlights your camp will need some kind of lantern.