SAMPLE ANSWERS:

Sample 1
I will never forget my first camping holiday. It was a day of the summer before school of 2009
when my family and I decided we should do something adventurous before the start of school so we
take a camping trip to Danube Delta. The next day packed up our things and after a long journey we
arrived at destination, a big and modern hostel.
I loved the campsite, not only because it had the best views I have witnessed in my years of
travelling, but because the staff were friendly and helpful. The facilities on the campsite were very
good with a drying room, showers, a wash area, and a very well stocked shop, where you could buy
souvenirs.

Here I went with the boat on the Delta channels, I learn how to catch fish and watched the
best sun sets ever, with truly amazing colours. The time that I've spent there was great and I hope I
will go there soon.

Sample 2
My family and I went on a camping trip once. The four of us drove out to Peace River where
we rented some canoes and rowed down the river, camping out at different spots every night. The
entire trip was absolutely amazing. One day in particular however, will remain in my memory forever.
I'll never forget the beautiful images I saw and I how I felt.
The day began just like any other. I woke up, stepped out of my tent, and observed all the beauty
surrounding me. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, the alligators were croaking, and the
bugs were buzzing. You could still smell the citronella from the candles we lit to keep the bugs away
the night before. Without saying a word, we all sat down and had our breakfast and drank our special
tea. I looked around at everyone just then and I realized that it would be a day like no other. I could
tell they understood it too as we all sat anxiously waiting for it to begin.
The water was so calm that day. It looked as if we were drifting through a mirror. The trees were more
colorful than ever before and with no help from the wind, they vibrated in the clear blue sky. The few
existing clouds were glowing in all the colors of the rainbow. Everything was silent then. We were all
too overwhelmed to really say anything. All you could hear were the songlike sounds of nature. I
swore that I could make out a melody from those sounds and as I listened closer, the melody became
louder. Then I looked into the trees again and noticed they were still vibrating. When I took a closer
look, I began to notice patterns in the leaves. Suddenly I realized that you can really find beauty in
anything. All you have to do is look close enough.
At that point I decided that I wanted to take a closer look at everything surrounding me. I stared
passed the mirrored surface of the water and discovered a whole new world lying beneath me. The
bottom of the river was cover...

Sample 3
I'll never forget the seemingly endless summer camping trips to the lake in the Mojave Desert. We
started out early in the morning, just as the sun was peeking out from the horizon, wearily yet

excitedly loading up the van with our luggage and camping supplies. Once we finished, we crawled
into our seats, pillows and blankets in hand, ready for the long road trip ahead of us. We napped for
some time, as Dad drove along the desolate two-lane highway to the lake. When we awoke, we played
road games and talked anxiously about camping. Finally, we reached the marina. Here, we met up
with the rest of the family. As the adults loaded our luggage into the boat and launched the boat into
the water, we wandered around in the marina shops admiring all the little trinkets and scuba
equipment. It took several trips back and forth to the site to get everyone's luggage, but the first ride
was always the best. We pulled out from the marina and slowly proceeded along the glistening water
until we passed the "NO WAKE" signs. After that, we skimmed across the water, bouncing over each
wave, the mist whisking across our faces in search of the perfect campsite. Once we found our ideal
site, we pulled in just far enough to jump out into the water and help tie up the boat. We then began
to help unload the boat and set up camp. Once we were all settled, we wandered off into the depths of
the site to explore. We roamed around until just after sundown, where after we enjoyed a nice long
night swim. Drained from the day's activities, we moseyed off to bed, still in our swimsuits-we lived in
our swimsuits. I can almost hear the adults chattering into the night and the music softly playing in
the distance.
We were up bright and early the next day to set off into the water. For hours we just floated around,
talking, playing games. Games I would never forget. My uncle crawled up a huge tree in the water, like
a bear, and tied a long rope from the tip of a branc
Sample 4
Every year many families take a trip to the state park campgrounds. My family have been a
few times. As soon as you see the entrance sign, a sudden tingling feeling bubbles through your body
knowing a week of relaxing bliss is about to be engaged in. I roll down the screeching window, and I
can almost smell the crisp earth, see the glassy lake, and taste the campfire cooked smores and
hotdogs.
We'd set up our campsite as fast as elves making toys on Christmas Eve. I can hear the fresh,
cool lake calling my name. Days on end we would swim carelessly in the glimmering water. I learned
how to catch fish and clean their raw, scaly bodies. I will never forget the sharp, rancid scent. But as
the sun sets, the lake would slowly grow cold. The sky filled with bright, twinkling stars. It almost
looked as if someone spilled a container of glitter in the sky. The campfire would blaze, warming the
cool summer air. I could feel the heat touching my face and the campfire smoke almost perfumed your
clothes. We would cook hot dogs hamburgers, fish, corn, smores; you name it.
My favorite part was cooking marshmallows. I'd hold it over the fire hoping for it not to catch
on fire. But most of the time I'd pull it out with it drenched in flames, dripping sticky marshmallow and
burnt to a crisp. Yet, there was always something about campfire-cooked food that I loved. Waking up
in the morning with slimy, mildewed tents was probably the only downfall in the experience.
At the end of the week we waved good-bye to the campgrounds. Keeping the memories of the
dazzling lake, crisp earth, twinkling stars, and sweet smells of campfire food. Having a ripping feeling
of sadness, I'd leave with a smile on my face, knowing I'd be back next year.

Sample 5
First Family Camping Trip

As my dad loaded the back of our old, red, Ford Explorer, my mom was shouting off essentials
that we should have packed for our camping trip, but may have forgotten. When we were finally
loaded in and the back was stacked so high that we couldnt see to back out, with: tents, sleeping
bags, and all the necessities needed for a successful camping trip, we were on our way. As we
proceeded west down the highway we were getting closer and closer to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt
State Park.
When we arrived after a quick, two hour trip, we followed the winding road to pick out our
perfect camp site. After a little evaluating of the flatness of the ground, the fire pit, and the
accessibility of the bath house, we had found it: number thirty-two, our home for the next three days.
We backed the car up and started to unload all of our things and equipment. It took a little while, but
after we had fought with the tent and made a trek to the bathhouse, we all plopped down and enjoyed
the great view of the lake right beside our campsite. The rest didnt last long though, we had to gather
wood, build a fire, and make dinner before it got too dark. Deciding what to eat is a struggle for my
family if we are home or away from home, the decision was finally made on grilled hotdogs, baked
beans, and chips. After we had all pitched in to help prepare the meal, it was time to eat. There was
large, cement, picnic-style table where we ate our meals, the benches were pretty hard and
uncomfortable, so we covered them with two quilts that ride around in the back of my moms SUV.
That was a big mistake! Apparently, quilts that are made by your great grandmother should not be
used as table covers, and are probably worth a lot of money; as we were informed by two elderly
couples who were passing by in their RV.
After we finished eating and put our valuable, antique seat covers back in the car, we
decided to go on a walk around the lake. It was a small lake with a few ducks and birds that lived
nearby. The campground wasnt very crowded, but it was interesting to see what the other campers
were doing and how they were living outside. When we got back, we all needed to go take showers
and get ready to go to bed. We gathered everything together that we needed and walked to the
bathhouse. It was pretty small and only had two showers, luckily there were not that many people
camping at the same time as us, so we pretty much had it to ourselves. When I was finally in my tent
and laying down, I realized it wasnt that uncomfortable and I was pretty tired so I fell right asleep to
the sound of a faint crackling fire and distant crickets.
The next morning, breakfast was kind of the same routine as what we had done to prepare
dinner. The air smelled of coffee and fires that had smoldered all night. It wasnt long until my sister
and I had gathered more wood and started up another fire for breakfast. Our campsite looked pretty
clean and organized; we kept things in the car that we werent using at the time and the rest in our
tent. My mom tied a piece of string between two trees to hang our bath and dish towels on. I thought
it was pretty ingenious, and it worked just like a clothesline.
The only surprise we had on the trip was a visit from a nearby raccoon. It slowly wondered up
to our campsite and sniffed and pawed at the ground. It wasnt extremely big or small in size, just a
normal raccoon that was minding its own business. We were really in its habitat, so we took a few
pictures and left it alone. It scampered away after a few minutes and our trip was near the end. It felt
good to be going home and to be in a house again, but once in a while I think it is good for everybody
to be a little closer to nature and the outside world.