Camping With the Family

June 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Some people love to camp. Families who like the camping experience try to take advantage of camping whenever they can. They plan for their trips and they map out their hiking routes.

Obviously a camping trip takes a little more planning than a hotel trip. You are actually taking your shelter with you, the traveling hotel room if you will. Making sure the tent or whatever structure you are going to be using is ready, clean and bug free is the very first step. Airing it out for a day or so before packing it up to leave is a good idea.

If your camping trip is taking you somewhere that food is not readily available, then you have to prepared for that as well, along with how you are going to cook the food you bring.  Will you be using an open fire? If not make sure you have enough propane for your portable cooking surface. Make a supply list and check it frequently.

The unpredictable weather always presents a challenge so make sure you are prepared for anything. Keep your clothes dry in plastic bags and make sure sleeping bags can be kept dry. Take enough extras with you for an unexpected storm, who knows when that will happen? Hot days can turn into cold nights, so make sure you have enough warm blankets packed.

Camping can be a great way to see the beauty of our land that we so often miss by just driving by. Take advantage of all mother nature has to offer, just don’t underestimate her.

 

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Camping Best Way To Get Away From Busy Life

March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you are looking for a break from your heavy work schedule, or if you are bored with your work and are looking for way to refresh then camping can be your thing. Camping is a best thing to do for adventure lovers and for those who look forward to spend time bonding with their friends and family. Camping is always full of fun and these will always remain the memorable moments of life.
During camping with friends and family you can spend time with them which was otherwise not possible when you are on work. When you are busy with you are work it is natural that there will be a gap of communication between you and family or friends. These gaps can be bridged during camping, you yourself will witness the difference when they start sharing things with you and you do the same.
Always choose a good place for camping according your interest. If you are looking for mountain climbing, skiing or rock climbing then find a place where you can have it. Camping can be made more fun by playing games with everyone. There are numerous games that can be played and enjoyed at the same time, like scrabble, poker, chess or cards. A bonfire is a must thing to have during camping it will help you bond well with all your friends. You can sing songs play games which will involve everyone.
A camping experience will always leave you enthralled and will give a memory to cherish throughout your life. People who like hunting can go for hunting camp to a forest. After camping you will always return back with a fresh mind and you will feel relaxed and will be able to concentrate on your work and produce excellent results. Life needs change always do things that interests you whenever you can.

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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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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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Choosing the Right Daypack

January 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Whenever you are planning a camping, hiking or climbing expedition you will need a good, sturdy daypack for carrying your items. Having the right kind of pack for the adventure will make your entire outdoors experience better organized and more efficient. You can pick one of the panel loaders and top loaders, with optional compartments, depending on your outdoor sports activity.

The panel loading type of daypack is fastened with a U-shaped zipper around the front of the pack. When it is unzipped the flap falls completely open for full access. The wider opening pack allows for more organization when you are loading your gear and when you are looking for specific contents. Many students use this kind of pack for their school books and supplies, as well as trip leaders and parents.

The top loader type has a simple opening at the top of the pack that is secured with a drawstring or sometimes a zipper. This kind of daypack can be great for hiking with extra gear because it can be stuffed to capacity with such things as shoes, ropes, helmet and rack. There are also a few that include both options of a top loader and panel loader all in one daypack.

Choose the right size daypack for your purpose. The bigger capacities of about 40 liters are good for the trip leader that may need to carry more gear than the others. Primarily, the 30 liter multi-sport daypack is sufficient for most hikers and campers.

Think about what your standard load of equipment will be and find packs with specialized features like daisy chains, crampon patches and ice axe loops. Depending upon what you will be carrying and the amount of time that you will spend hiking, you might want to consider the kind of daypack that carries a couple of fresh water bottles so you won’t get dehydrated on the hike.

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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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    Great Foods for Camping

    December 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
    Potatoes lyonnaise
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    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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    Tips for First Time Campers

    December 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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    Getting out into the wilderness is just great! It’s absolutely wonderful to wake up in a cozy sleeping bag and just breathe in the crisp mountain air. There’s just nothing like it! Here’s a few basic tips to make your camping trip eventful and fun.

    Leave the Luxuries at Home

    Whether it’s your Chopard diamond ring or your laptop, there are just certain things you don’t want to worry about when you are camping. If you have expensive jewelry on, you’re less likely to really get down and dirty in nature. Plus, what’s the point of being secluded in the mountains if you’re just going to watch movies on a laptop. Leave it all at home and just enjoy the trip.

    Pick a Good Site

    Just like in real estate, it’s all about location, location, location! You don’t want to be camped right by the bathrooms because people will be tramping through your camp all the time. Plus, the smells and sounds coming out of them are none too pleasant either. You also don’t want to be too far away from a bathroom, especially if you have little ones. You also need to look at the tree coverage for the sites. You want to be able to have some shade throughout the day, so make sure you’ve got some good sized trees around you as well.

    Make Sure You Bring the Essentials

    You are supposed to be roughing it, but there are a few things you cannot live without. Toilet paper is a big one. We take for granted that our bathrooms will be supplied with paper, but sometimes that’s not the case. Bug spray, sunscreen, and other toiletries are also a few must haves. Lastly, make sure to pack clothes for different temperatures. The days can get hot in the summer, but the temperature drops quickly after the sun goes down.

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    Where to Find the Best Camping Spots

    November 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
    A campsite at the Iverhuron Prov. Park
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    Finding the best camping sites can be quite a feat. There are so many different places that offer a wide range of camp ground offerings, views, space and crowds that it can be hard to find just the right one for yourself and your family. So how do you find the best camping spots?

    Here is a guide that will help you find those camping spots so that you can enjoy your next camping trip.

    Internet. The internet is the first place that many campers go to when they look for great camping spots. There are many review sites, camping forums and other places that allows campers to share their experience and knowledge about various camping spots. This can help you make a decision to try out a spot or to pass it up in favor of a different one.

    Call the Local Park Ranger. If you are considering camping in a national park or forest, a park ranger can help you with various camping sites that are allowed and have what you are looking for. Sometimes these sites might be directly inside the national park or forest while others might just be surrounding it. No one knows the area better then the park rangers and they can help direct you to where the hot spots in camping are.

    Phonebook. It’s a bit old school but the phone book still provides a great resource when it comes to finding those camping spots that you are looking for. While there are no fancy reviews, first hand knowledge or help from a ranger looking through the yellow pages can help a person find various camping spots in the area of their choice.

    Finding the best camping spots can be a bit tough. However, with the right amount of research and use of resources you’ll be able to find a perfect camping spot for you and your family.

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    Preparing For Your First Mountain Hike

    October 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
    Two campers with gear hiking through Bear Moun...
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    One of the most inexpensive vacations you can take is to take your family camping. The children will have a lot of fun and it can be very relaxing for the parents. Before you go you, you will need to prepare for your upcoming trip.

    The first step is to find a state park where you can camp and determining how far you want to drive. Once you decide on a destination make your camping reservation, you want to ensure you have a spot to camp when you get there.

    You will need to purchase a tent. You can choose one the whole family could use or buy two, one for you and your spouse and one for the children. It is a good idea to put them together before the trip just as a trial run. Make sure that you have all the hardware and poles together in one place after you take them down.

    Make a list of the things that you need to bring. You will need at least 2 coolers for your food and drinks. Decide what you will be eating and pack that at the last moment. You will also need a couple of fold up chairs, blankets, pillows and sleeping bags. Do not forget medications for the family members and a first aid kit.

    To keep the children occupied bring outdoor toys to pass the time. Plan to go on several nature walks and let them collect interesting rocks and things. The state parks generally have a nice playground area for the children to play on as well as restrooms with showers close to the camping sites. Since you will be outdoors for the majority of the time, for safety sake make sure to bring plenty of fresh water and fruit juice to keep everyone hydrated.

    After camping you will be better prepared next time. This is a great way to bond with your children and make everlasting memories.

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