First Camping Trip

February 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you are ready to embark on your first ever camping trip, there are a few things you can do to get prepared.

First things first, gather all the necessary supplies.  You will need, but are not limited to bringing, a tent, sleeping bag, cooking supplies, fire starting supplies, food, drinks, bug repellent, sun tan lotion SPF 15 or higher, first aid kid, and fun games and activities to do.

If it is your first time camping and you do not want to be in a tent, you can always get a cabin or something else like an RV to stay in so you don’t have to be so close to the ground.  Bring enough food for yourself and others on the trip so you don’t have to make any journeys to get some more if you run out.  Water is a must and make sure you have plenty if not too much water on your camping trip.  To cook, you will need all those supplies, such as a pan or pot.  Starting a fire doesn’t require too much skill if you have the proper equipment for fire starting — such as an insta-log, gasoline and a lighter.  Bug repellent and sun tan lotion are important for your health, along with the first aid kit to take care of any emergencies.  Remember some fun games and sports equipment to give you something to do to pass the time, such as a Frisbee and a deck of cards.

Remember to take it slow and not jump into any situations that you have never experienced before.  If you have never hiked before, take it easy, and do not expect to backpack for five days straight, unexperienced.  Enjoy yourself and have a good time with being in the outdoors, it is your time to experience nature.  You can even keep a journal to document your trip so next time you are prepared to step it up for another great experience!

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Staying Hydrated When Backpacking

February 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Staying hydrated while backpacking is of key importance and it is very easy to become dehydrated — depending on effort, location and some other factors.  If you are backpacking at a grueling pace, you should always be drinking water. even up to 2 bottles an hour, depending on the amount of sweat.  If you are hiking moderately, one bottle an hour should suffice and if you are backpacking lightly, perhaps a little less than one bottle should be enough.

Depending on your location, your sweat level may vary, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay extremely hydrated.  For instance, if backpacking in the South West, the air is so dry that you may be sweating boat loads, but you do not physically feel it on your skin, for it evaporates almost instantly from leaving your pores.  If this is the case and you know that it is hot outside, although you’re not sweaty, please drink as much water as possible, up to two bottles an hour.

Keeping water on your person at all times is a must.  Remember to bring reusable water bottles, as they are better for the environment, and refill them as much as possible at every stop.  If you are not stopping for many hours or even days, you may have to prepare to carry a heavy supply of water.  There are ways you can even get water from the wild and there are boiling and pill methods that you can include in your water to make even water from rivers and streams drinkable.

Some trails have wells or drinking water fountains that you can use, if you are lucky, but remember to include your water-cleaning capsules to the water so you don’t get any kind of stomach ailments from the water.  Staying hydrated is one of the most important aspects to backpacking and remember this on your next adventure!  Happy trails!

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Preparing for Bad Weather While Camping

February 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Bad weather can come out of no where when you are camping, but remember to be weary of it and most importantly — be prepared!

First, remember to check weather conditions before you begin to camp — preferably do not even choose a time to camp when there might be a storm lurking in the near future or, if you camp in the winter, a potential snow storm.  If there is only a chance of rain, you might as well choose to camp because one night of rain is not too difficult to bare.

Secondly, have the supplies you need to protect yourself in poor weather conditions.  Let us first discuss the need to protect your supplies, which are of utmost importance and may even be damageable.  The camping gear that you have should be enclosed in a water proof package and then placed inside of a water proof backpack or duffel, or whatever you are using to carry you items.  Electronics and valuables should be double bagged, if not triple bagged, in the same way.  You should always be prepared with a plastic or re wearable poncho that is of water proof material and you may even be able to put your backpack on underneath it.

Third, your tent should be completely water proof.  Ensure that you have the enclosed top cover on the tent securely and tightly fascend.  When you enter and exit the tent, make sure that you zipper everything completely shut because you would be surprised how one little hole in the zipper can result in a flood while you sleep.  Some tents and made cheaply and the corners end up getting small holes which in turn result in water damage — so make sure you buy a tent of high quality first and foremost — but you can always repair a tent with tarp tape or glue.

If you remember these provisions while camping, you should have a amazing, and dry, time!

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Camping Games

January 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Two campers with gear hiking through Bear Moun...
Image via Wikipedia

Camping is a great time to bond with your friends and family members and create lasting memories. While there will be tons of memories about hiking up hills and mountains and hiking through forests and trees, it is often the memories that are created from playing camp games that will stay with you the longest.

Camp games are an essential part of any camping trip. There will be times when you will need to entertain yourself and your friends. Pulling out a small camp gaming pack will provide hours of fun and excitement. A camp gaming pack is a small bag of goodies that any camper can use to play a number of different games while they are camping. These goodie packs usually contain one or two packs of cards, dice, items to use as poker chips and even a small pad of paper and pencils to keep track of the scores. With these camping game packs you will be able to enjoy a wide range of games from spades, pinochle, Texas Hold’em poker and even canasta. You can even bring one of your foldable poker tables, and set it up right on the camp grounds.

If you’re camping in the wilderness for an extended period of time, a deck of cards can also be a handy survival tool. Card games keep your mind sharp when the isolation starts to get to you, and if you are wandering unfamiliar trails, bring a few extra decks so you can mark your trail and easily find your way back.

While it might seem a bit odd to create camping memories with your small camping game pack, it really can be the high point of a camping trip. You will be sure to have your friends and family members bonding, laughing and sharing stories in no time when you pull out those packs of cards.

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Camping Coffee Makers

January 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Mmmm, the smell of coffee in the morning almost equals the smell of fresh mountain air on a crisp early morning. It is invigorating and refreshing, to say the least. While you are outdoors camping, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t have a fresh cup of coffee before you start your day. There are many types of camping coffee makers that are available from percolators to timed automatic makers. Some outdoor enthusiasts would rather just bring some instant coffee along, though others simply feel that instant will just not be good enough.

There are various manufacturers that carry camping coffee makers. Coleman makes almost every camping product and they do make a stovetop coffee maker, as well. It sits right on top of the camp stove and brews ground coffee quickly so you won’t have to wait long. Once the coffee is brewed, however, it will not stay hot unless you put it directly into a thermos.

Another type of available coffee maker for outdoors sports activities is the French press. Simple to use and convenient because of the small size, you just add some course coffee grounds and hot water. Within about four minutes or so, just press the grounds all the way to the bottom and enjoy an excellent cup of coffee. There are options available with two cups that stack inside each other for sharing the morning coffee experience.

You can buy the Mugmate Coffee Filter and have coffee in any standard mug in minutes. The lightweight feature is a bonus when hiking and backpacking because it only weighs about an ounce. Whether you are on a camping or backpacking trip, it is so compact that it will not add much to the load. There is an espresso maker made for the stovetop while camping also. It is lightweight, durable and makes wonderful espresso in just a few minutes.

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Have Fun with Kids While Camping (or just feel like one again)

January 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Whether you have kids to take camping or you just want to feel like one again, there are lots of fun things to do. Almost everyone has enjoyed an outdoor adventure at some point or another in their lives and camping is one good way to relive those days. It may be time that you get out and enjoy those things once more.

Campfire songs can be an important part of the fun with kids. If singing isn’t their style, then it may be simply sitting around the campfire under the stars at night with the family. No matter the activity or none at all, spending family time around the fire will bring many memories that will last their lifetime.

Swimming in the lake or reservoir is something fun to do outdoors with the family. You can bring floatation devices for younger children and spend an entire day there. Inner tubes are always fun to relax in the water on a hot sunny day. Don’t forget the sunscreen though or the sunburns may put a damper on the outdoor fun.

Bike riding is another excellent thing to do with your kids while you are camping. Many trails are made just for cyclists to ride safely off the roads. Many of the campgrounds have bike rentals if you did not bring enough bikes for the whole family. Teach them bike safety before your day of bike riding and rent helmets for the younger ones, if you’d like. Leisurely bike rides can be perfect for family time during your camping trip.

Horseback riding can be another outing for the family in campgrounds that offer stables and horse rentals. You may not want to try this activity with small children, though teenagers seem to always love horses and riding.

Photography should be included throughout the overall trip. Taking pictures of all the activities during the camping adventure can give visual memories for their scrapbooks or family albums.

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Top 10 Camping Tips

January 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Even if you are a long time camping pro, everyone can use a few camping tips and there are ten listed here. The list is comprised of mainly things that people tend to forget or do not even think about bringing with them until its too late. Having a list handy might save that from happening to you.

  1. Make sure your tent is big enough to accommodate all of your family. Bring sleeping bags, pillows, blankets and air mattresses for all.
  2. Towels are sometimes forgotten. Bathing and swimming will require towels for drying yourself off, though many times it isn’t considered before you set off for the trip.
  3. Hand soap or sanitizer for keeping the camping atmosphere from making you feel so unclean. You can buy wet wipes for quick freshening up.
  4. Insect repellent or citronella candles for warding off any unwanted bug bites. Taking along some Benadryl in case you do get a bee sting or some mosquito bites might be a good idea too.
  5. Handheld flashlights, plural. You can never seem to have enough flashlights when you are camping and it’s a good thing to have a stationary camping light on a picnic table, as well.
  6. Fire starter of some sort. Dryer lint works wonders with starting a campfire, as does corn chips. Strange, but true, these have been known to help the best campers.
  7. Waterproof matches, if you aren’t going to try starting the fire with sticks like in scouting.
  8. Multi-purpose tools are great to have along. One that has several tool items attached will lighten the amount of tools to bring.
  9. Zipper bags or sandwich bags are handy for packing trail mix and other snacks for the day’s events.
  10. Shower shoes or flip flop sandals are an essential item that most people don’t think about. Not only are they quick to slip on, they are good protection from germs in the shower.
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    Camping for Couples

    December 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

    ContentWho wants to spend the night in an expensive hotel when you can go camping instead? As far as romantic weekends go, camping is one of the less traditional options, but it is a fun way for a couple to spend time together.

    To ensure that you and your partner have fun on your camping trip together, be willing to compromise. This is particularly important if one partner has been camping for years and the other partner is new to camping. Start with a short trip together to ensure that both people have fun. Another factor to compromise on is where you sleep. If it is the first camping trip for one of you, sleeping in a sleeping bag in a tent might be too much of a shock. Instead, consider sleeping in a camper or a yurt. A yurt is a Mongolian-style hut that is a bit less rugged than a tent.

    Find a campground that has couples-friendly activities. A campground located on the waterfront is perfect, since there’s plenty of space for romantic canoe trips and sunbathing. Additionally, a campground with camp sites that aren’t too close together is a preferable choice. If the camp sites are practically on top of each other, it’s hard to sit with your honey and have romantic fireside talks. Look at a campground’s marketing to determine if it’s a good place for couples. If there are lots of activities for children, keep looking. Rowdy kids aren’t conducive to a romantic camping trip, especially if you’re looking for a weekend away from the kids!

    Most importantly, have fun with your partner. Eat s’mores, sleep in, and unplug yourselves from technology. A break from answering emails, texting, and taking phone calls is fun too. This can make for the perfect camping trip for you and your partner.

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    Great Foods for Camping

    December 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
    Potatoes lyonnaise
    Image via Wikipedia

    ContentGrocery shopping for camp food should be exciting. After all, when else do you have an excuse to eat sugary, fun foods every day? Everyone has their own camp food favorites, but there are some essentials everyone should have.

    First, you have to have graham crackers, chocolate candy bars, and big marshmallows. S’mores are such a big part of camping that leaving them out almost feels sacrilegious. Be sure to bring extra marshmallows; you never know how many you’ll accidentally burn!

    Grilling is a standard camp activity, so take advantage of it by bringing good grilling foods. Hamburgers and hot dogs are musts, as well as the buns and condiments that go with them. However, you should also consider bringing corn on the cob. Cooking corn on a grill gives it a nice, smoky flavor that you just can’t get at home.

    Corn can also be cooked in foil. Camp potatoes are also a perfect choice for foil cooking. Bring a potato for each person, cube the potatoes and add salt and pepper. Wrap tightly in foil and place foil packet over coals. You’ll soon be enjoying delicious, salty camp potatoes that go with breakfast or dinner.

    Staying hydrated is important for campers. With how busy the days and nights get, dehydration is a way to end a camping trip early. Bring lots of bottled water. If your group doesn’t care for the taste of water, bring some individual stir-in packets of juice, lemonade, and Kool-Aid. If you have the space in your cooler, bring some soda as well. You may need the caffeine to get through your camping trip!

    The food is one of the best parts of camping, so don’t short change it. Bring lots of food that’s easy and quick to prepare, as well as a large variety of snacks.

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    Preparing for a Camping Trip

    December 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

    ContentEveryone looks forward to a camping trip; whether you are going with friends, family, or a romantic partner, it’s the best way to unwind and take a break from real life. To get the most out of your camping trip, plan ahead and prepare appropriately for your trip.

    As early as possible, plan the days that you’ll be taking your camping trip. During busy season, campgrounds fill up very early and very quickly. The earlier you pick your dates, the better selection of campsites you can select from. Waiting too long can get you a bad campsite, or worse, no campsite at all.

    Make packing lists early, especially if you are camping with children. Nothing ruins a camping trip faster than having to go home because you forgot a toothbrush, glasses, or tent poles. Even better, give each person their own individual packing list. As they pack each item on the list, cross it off.

    Stock up on delicious camp food. Camping is a vacation, so feel free to splurge on foods that you usually can’t afford or don’t allow yourself to eat. Sugary sodas, candy, and s’mores are all camping staples. Ensure that you have enough food storage for whatever you bring; not having a cooler can leave you with warm sodas.

    Shortly before leaving for your trip, check all of your camping gear. It is far too easy to leave out an essential tent part and have no place to sleep when you’re camping. Check your cell phone and ensure it has a full battery; if there’s an emergency, you don’t want to be more than a phone call away. Write down the address of the campground as well as your camp site number. Have everyone in your group carry it on them at all times; if there’s an emergency, they’ll need that information to get help quickly

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