Crazy For Camping?

By Glenn H. Kipps

Planning your camping vacation can be a very tedious task. However, it is neccessary if you want to have a successful Camping Trip. A very well-though-out plan will insure that you forget nothing, whether it be important or unimportant. The best way to do this is to make lists. By the way, this should be started at least three days before you depart on your [tag-tec]camping adventure[/tag-tec]. Start with a master list that lists all of your main categories. From there you make a list for each of your main categories. There is an article that explains this process in detail. It is so well written that I decided to feature it in this post. It is titled “The Importance of Organized Lists for [tag-ice]Camping Supplies[/tag-ice]“. The actual author is unknown, but it comes from this website: www.camping2u.com. Here it is:

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The Importance of Organized Lists for Camping Supplies

By: www.camping2u.com

Organization is the name of the game when planning any family vacation. The adults involved have to be sure to include every necessary, and several unnecessary items, on the packing list.

There are few things more inconvenient than having to find a convenience store in an unfamiliar area or worse yet, find out the missing item can’t be replaced in your location.

Due to the rural setting of many campgrounds, it is extremely important to be sure you have all of your family?s essentials on a list. Having well thought out lists for camping supplies can make the difference between a great vacation and one where you wished the weather had been a little cooler.

The first thing to do is create a master list for all of the important items needed for your trip. This is the list from which all of the other lists for camping supplies will be made.

Be sure to include sections on food and cookware, tents and sleeping essentials, and personal items, deodorant and shampoo. Obviously the master list will be more detailed than that, but those are good places to start.

Simply go through your familys routine in your mind and write down the needed supplies. From there modify the list for any extras that being away from home make necessary.

Depending on the size of your appetite, one of the most important lists for camping supplies could be the food and cookware list.

Decide what kinds of meals and snacks you are planning to have on the trip and create a grocery list. Cookware is directly related to your food choices. Be sure to have the appropriate pots and pans packed for the trip.

As far as the tent and sleeping bags go, make a list of the items and then go through to be sure they are all in good working condition. This is one of those lists for camping supplies that are best used as a check off list while packing the car.

Personal items are extremely vital for hygiene and comfort during a trip to nature. Check this one a lot. You don?t want anyone forgetting his or her special ointment or contact case and solutions.

This is why personal items are one of the most important of the lists for camping supplies. Be sure to include wet wipes, alcohol sanitizer, and first aid items on this list.

If it makes you more comfortable, visit one of the many camping websites for help with your list. Some actually provide pre organized checklists to make this process easier.

http://www.camping2u.com is your ultimate resource site on camping out and a source to most everything you always wanted to know about camping and camping supplies - but never knew how to ask… Check it out - Grab The Free Course ! http://campersupplies.camping2u.com

In association with http://www.articlefire.com

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I hope you found this article as informative as I did. Lists are an integral part of planning your camping vacation. Yes, planning is a very tedious task. However, watching the plan for your camping trip slowly unfold on paper can also be very much fun. What have you got to lose? Absolutely nothing, but maybe a little bit of your time.

By Glenn H. Kipps

A very important component for a camping trip is your [tag-tec]tent[/tag-tec]. You have to remember, this is going to be your house for a certain duration of time. In this article, I am going to tell you what to look for when choosing the right tent for your [tag-ice]camping trip[/tag-ice].

The first thing you should consider is the quality of the tent. Is it sturdy? Does it bleed? For those that are new to camping, what I mean by bleeding is, when the tent is wet from either rain or dew, does water drip inside when you touch the inner walls of your tent?

The next thing you should consider is the dimensions of the tent. If you are bringing the whole family, a three room cabin tent may be what you need. However, to maximize your privacy, you may want to get two or three smaller tents depending on the size of your family. This way, you and your significant other will have your own tent and the kids will have theirs. If you are a backpacker traveling alone, a two man lightweight tent is definitely the answer. All tents have the dimensions and the amount of people they sleep listed somewhere, whether it be on the box, in a manual or on a tag sewn onto the tent itself. In a nutshell, you should identify your camping needs.

Another thing to consider is your budget. Be sure you can afford the tent you choose. However, do not totally replace cheapness for quality. Remember, if you buy a more expensive tent, you save in the long run, because you will not have to replace it as often. A cheaper tent will cost you more in the long run, because it will not last as long as a more expensive tent. If you are on a budget, I would suggest taking the middle of the road.

Select the tent color that best suits your needs. Light colors make the tent brighter on the inside and provide cooler temperatures. This is best for summer camping. Darker colors provide a dark, cave-like feeling inside the tent. They also harness solar energy to help provide a warmer environment inside. This is best for winter camping.

There are many tent manufacturers. Some are noted for making inexpensive tents, while other are noted for making more expensive tents. As you know, I am partial to Coleman. They are a little pricey, but they are built to last. I just bought my first Coleman tent last year. It is 7′ x 9′. It is a little roomy for one person. However, I like a lot of room to move around. Any way, the most impressive feature to me is that it doesn’t bleed. I have not even bought the waterproof spray Coleman offers. I know that I will eventually have to buy the spray and recoat it. However, it has been a year and I haven’t needed it yet. If you can’t afford Coleman, another good choice is Eureka. Their tents are of high quality for the price. This is what I consider taking the middle of the road. Another good manufacturer is Northwest Territory. I had one for many years. Durability is not a problem. However, they do bleed. You need to waterproof them immediately out of the package. After that, you need to do this on a regular basis.

In short, when choosing the right tent for your camping vacation, you need to identify your camping needs. Take your time when considering which manufacturer you are going to go with. Remember, this is going to be your home for a few days or maybe a week. The right tent will keep you comfortable, especially during unfavorable weather conditions. The wrong tent will have you packing your camp and heading for a motel. Now, that would be a real waste of money all the way around.

By Glenn H. Kipps

A sleeping bag is one of the most important items you can bring on a camping trip. After all, how enjoyable can your trip be if you are not sleeping comfortably? There are different types of sleeping bags built for different weather conditions. For instance, if you are camping in the dead of winter, a 50 degree bag is definitely not the answer. Ideally, you need a 0 degree mummy bag. However, some people are not comfortable sleeping in a mummy bag, so a rectangular bag with a cold weather rating will suffice. If you want to camp in the summer, a 50 degree or above rectangular sleeping bag is all you need. There are also kids sleeping bags, which are minis of adult sleeping bags. Most of the kids bags are rectangular in shape. So, you see, choosing the right sleeping bag depends your [tag-tec]camping needs[/tag-tec]. Here is an article by Vinay Choubey that explains the different types of [tag-ice]sleeping bags[/tag-ice] and their uses.

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by Vinay Choubey

There are three basic bag shapes: rectangular, tapered and mummy.

*Rectangular shaped sleeping bags are probably the most popular and the most readily available style. They are roomy and comfortable. These styles are easier to pack and carry. They are quite snug and they work well in intense conditions.

* The mummy bag is shaped like a cocoon and has only a single side seam. Mummy bags are more expensive because they’re more complex to make, but are worth it! A mummy shaped sleeping bag is wider at the top (near the shoulders) and smaller towards the feet. The main advantage of a mummy shaped is that it better fits the shape of the body and consequents has the advantages of better insulation, less weight and less bulk. Mummy sleeping bags are preferable where warmth is critical or where weight/bulk is very important.

* Tapered bags follow the shape of the body, increase warmth and are lighter. It is wider in the shoulder area and narrows at the bottom.

Sleeping bags also come in a range of materials depending on their use. A flannel-lined sleeping bag provides warmth but also provides softness next to the skin. Nylon sleeping bags “breathe” better and do not retain moisture, so they will dry more quickly than other styles. Poly-cotton blends are probably the most durable option and work best in extreme terrain.

There are also differences in the way sleeping bags are sewn and filled. Down fill provides great natural warmth, but cotton, polyester, and new types of synthetic fills are also available. Many new synthetics use a “hollow fiber” method that keeps sleeping bags light and allows for good compression when packing, while still offering excellent warmth. Synthetics are affordable and easier to care for than down.

The way sleeping bags are sewn is also important to consider. Some are made like quilts and the entire bag is stitched into small pockets of fill. This keeps the fill in place, instead of letting it all fall into one section of the bag. Other styles sew “tubes” into the design, using long narrow pockets instead of small squares. Tubular designs are also intended to keep fill in place.

You can also find great sleeping bags for children. These designs are smaller, child sized versions of regular sleeping bags. Most are made in the rectangular style, and you can find a wide variety of designs and trademark characters. Some are made to coordinate with bedroom accessories and are perfect for use as extra sleep space when your child has a sleepover.

Sleeping bags are not just for camping any more. They are used for all kinds of adventures, as well as sleepovers and slumber parties, or when beds are limited on vacation. If you need a sleeping bag, don’t just pick the first one you see. They are available in many different designs and constructions to suit nearly any use you can imagine.

Find more about Sleeping Bags at http://www.ShoppingSoLow.com .

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As far as manufacturers go, I am partial to Coleman. Coleman has a large variety of bags for every camping need. They, like everything else Coleman, are also built to last. You may spend a bit more money, but you save in the long run. If you buy a cheap bag you may have to replace in 5 years, it ends up costing you more in the long run, because a Coleman sleeping bag will last you for many years. I hope this post and the above article by Vinay Choubey has helped you in your quest for choosing the right sleeping bag.

By Glenn H. Kipps

camping can be a rewarding experience, no matter where you are. However, camping in national parks is one of the best ways to experience the great outdoors, because [tag-tec]national parks[/tag-tec] offer the most options. These options range from full service campgrounds with all the facilities you need to [tag-ice]wilderness camping[/tag-ice] with no facilities whatsoever. When planning your camping trip, you must know that there are two types of campgrounds. There are those that accept reservations and those that are operated on a first-come, first-served basis. Those that accept reservations are a little more expensive than the first-come, first served campgrounds. However, on a big weekend such as Memorial Day, you may want to make a reservation, because you may not find a campsite in a first-come, first-served campground. In this article, I will explain everything I mentioned in this paragraph in detail.

Option #1 - Full Service Campgrounds With All the Facilities

These campgrounds are perfect for the family outing. They have full bath facilities complete with sinks, toilets and showers. They also have electric power hookups as well as a camp store. Some of them even have an amphitheater where you can watch a show or a clubhouse where they hire DJ’s or live bands for you partying and dancing pleasure. There are usually quiet hours starting at 10:00 and pets are required to be on a leash. They also offer three options for camping (some, not all). There are cabins for those who do not want to set up anything. There is almost always an RV area for those that do not mind some set up (such as hooking up the RV to get electric power) but don’t like to camp in tents. Then there is tent camping for those that really like the outdoors, but want all the amenities that these campgrounds offer. I am going to stick to tent camping for the purposes of this article.

Option 2 - Back Country Camping With Limited Facilities

These campsites are great for those that want to be a little rowdy without having to deal with quiet hours. However, the facilities are very limited. You may just have an outhouse. However, some of these have a small building with a single shower, a toilet and a sink. Every year, I camp in a place where you have to drive 1/2 mile to the closest bath house. That doesn’t bother me, because I am not one for observing any kind of quiet hours when I am camping. If the site has more than just an outhouse, these sites are also perfect for a romantic experience alone with your girlfriend or wife without your neighbor being a few feet away from you. You do need a permit for this type of camping. Each park has its own rules for getting this permit. Sometimes it is as simple as filling out a form on the day of arrival. Other times, you have to apply for it months in advance. In the latter, it is all about timing. Always plan ahead, or you could be left out in the cold.

Option 3 - Wilderness camping with no facilities

This type of camping is perfect for the all out adventurer from the kayaker to the backpacker. However, you must never travel alone. It is always a good idea to have at least one other person with you to go for help. Both of you should be CPR certified in case of an accident that renders one of you unconscious. If there is more than two of you, only a couple of you need this certification. This ensures that everybody has a high expectancy of coming back alive. Nothing is ever 100%, but the chances are better than average. You also need a permit for this type of camping.

The best way to make a reservation is through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS). Through the NRRS, you can make reservations for the USDA Forest Service, Army Corpes of Engineers, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation outdoor recreation facilities and activities. You can reserve individual campsites up to 240 days in advance, cabins (booking window varies from 180, 240 and 360 days in advance), Alaska cabins up to 180 days in advance and group facilities up to 360 days in advance. You can make reservations online at http://www.recreation.gov or by calling NRRS at 877-444-6777. If you do not want to make a reservation, you can take your chances at one of the many first-come, first-served campgrounds. Remember, this can be a tough way to go if you are planning your trip on a big weekend. You may end up staying in a hotel, if you can even get a room there. What a bummer. At any rate, camping in national parks is really the best way to enjoy the camping experience. However, sometimes you have got to plan in advance, or you could be left out in the cold.

by Glenn H. Kipps

What is a Camping Trip without a [tag-tec]campfire[/tag-tec]? It would be a rather boring [tag-ice]camping experience[/tag-ice], don’t you think? Building a campfire can be a very rewarding experience, but there are some safety precautions and other factors one should know about before leaving. Here are a few tips on campfire safety that should be adhered to in order to ensure you have a great camping experience.

1. Before going on your camping trip, make sure you choose the right campground. Before you make a reservation (neccessary on a busy weekend like Memorial Day), find out the campground’s rules on campfires. Believe it or not, some campgrounds do not allow campfires at all. They have their reasons. However, I can not imagine what they could be. I usually avoid these places like the plague. If you do not do your research and show up at one of these places, you are just plain out of luck… “Oops!! Look at the signs around the campground. No campfires!! Sorry, honey. I should have done my research.”

There are also areas where you can have campfires, but you can not pick your wood from the woods. There are many places in these areas where you can buy bundles of wood for $3.00 a bundle on up. You have to spend a little bit of money if you want your fire to go all night (or until bed time anyway). However, if you get to one of these areas and you want to build a campfire, that is what you are going to have to do. In California, this type of camping is unavoidable. I did a lot of camping there and did not find a place anywhere where you could pick your own wood.

Then, you have the places that, pretty much, have no real restriction. The only thing they ask is you adhere to general fire safety. These are my favorite places to go.

2. Most of the latter type campgrounds have designated fire pits. USE THEM!!! They are there for your safety. They are usually in the area of the campsite where there are the least low-hanging branches and furthest away from your tent site. If there is not a fire pit, you can easily build one by gathering enough big rocks to put in a circle. This wall of rocks must be big enough to keep the wood inside the ring. Also, clear away any twigs, dried leaves, paper, etc within several feet from the fire pit.

3. When building your fire, start out with small twigs, a little paper and anything else that can be used as a fire starter.

Side note: Some folks put dried leaves on the pile to help start the fire. I do not use them, because they make a fire smokey.

Then, you start putting your kindling down. These sticks are a little bigger that the twigs (about 1/2″ to 1″ in diameter). After that, throw on you bigger logs. There are several way to do this. I like to build a tepee style fire the best. I feel this is the strongest fire structure. There you go… A little architectural lesson from the Indians.

4. Make sure your fire is a comfortable size. Building your fire too big could be catastrophic to the people in your group as well as your camping neighbors. It will not be a great thing for the wildlife and the forest either. “Oh, no! The tree overhead just caught fire. What should I do?” Make sure that you have the correct equipment (ie. bucket full of water, shovel or a fire extinguisher) in case the fire does leave the boundaries of the fire pit.

5. Have fun. Bring out the weenies and the marshmallows. Play cards. Tell stories. However, you must also be safe. Respect your fire. There should be no horseplay around the fire.

I hope these tips on campfire safety have helped you plan a safe camping trip.

[tag-tec]Camping can be fun[/tag-tec] if you take the right precautions. Here is an example of how a Camping Trip can go totally wrong (extreme worst case scenerio) and a few tips on how you can prevent these things from happening to you.

Your food tent is torn to shreds. A family of racoons is snarling at you. Your kids are trembling in the car with your wife. You are standing behind the car banging a stick. However, it is too late. They got to your meat and everything else that is not secured in a can or jar.

So, you figure, for tonight, you still have your canned goods. What was that? You forgot the can opener. After walking a quarter a mile to various campsites, you realize no one has a can opener. They opted for steaks and shish-ka-bobs - nothing in cans. The camp store is all the way at the entrance to the campground (about 1.5 miles away in some instances). You have already walked a good ways. By the time you get back to the campsite, you have lost all motivation to drive to the camp store to get a new can opener. So, you end up borrowing some bread from a neighbor (the racoons already got into your bread) and have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner. Your stomach is growling with hunger.

After you and your family eat the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you have a couple of beers. A little while later, you go into the woods to relieve yourself (at this point, the bathroom is just too far to walk). On the way back to the campsite, you step on an in-ground bees’ nest, and your legs are twice their size and hurt like you know what. There is no stream or even a puddle to jump into to relieve the pain.

Your back is burnt to a crisp. Your feet are bruised from the rough terrain. Your arms are covered with mosquito bites and bee stings from when you stepped on the bees’ nest. Your ripped up t-shirt is binding a gash in your leg caused by your tripping over a sharp stick.

Your dog has disappeared over the horizon chasing a squirrel. You took off his collar to make him comfortable and don’t know how you’ll find him. You stepped in his droppings and ruined your moccasins.

The campfire spread to dry leaves around it and melted one end of your cooler, exploding the cans of beer inside. You have hot beer all over you as a result. At least the canned fruit and the grape soda are fine. They are in the other cooler away from the fire.

The kids are crying and your wife is sulking, because they are hungry. Remember, the only thing you all had to eat was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. You drop down in dispair on a tree stump.

What went wrong?!

First of all, you should have stored your food in the trunk of your car. If you don’t have a trunk (hatchback for example), you should have stored your food a little ways away from any of your tents. That way, if an animal takes an interest in your food, it won’t destroy your campsite. Also, do not take any food into your tent. If you want a midnight snack, eat it outside. As for the can opener, you seem to be a good candidate for those folding ones that fit on your key chain, providing you don’t lose your keys.

As for the bees and mosquitos, you should invest in insect repellant. It really works. Also, a first-aid kit should be a given for campers. Do you know if any member of your family is allergic to bee stings? People die from bee stings. An antidote exists for that, too, and can be made part of the kit. Also, a good kit has an ace bandage for such things as the gash in your leg (Weren’t you watching where you were going? Hope it wasn’t a favorite t-shirt.).

Oh, no! You didn’t bring something most people wouldn’t leave home without? Sun block! You had better hope your good old buddy next door doesn’t slap you on the back and say “Welcome home!”

Did you really think the collar was uncomfortable for your dog? Under no circumstances should you take the ID off of your dog. He can’t say his name and phone number. Ever hear of a leash? Also, wild animals often see them as prey.

Your moccasins are probably history. Don’t you know that good campers bring waste bags and scoopers? You’re lucky your neighbors did not meet the same fate. You might have been history! Wearing moccasins, to a camp out is not bright anyway. You will probably be soaking your feet for a week. Hiking boots exist, you know.

As for the fire, what did you think would happen with dry leaves all around the flames? The word “dry” is a clue. Did you think there were tiny little firemen hiding in the leaves waiting to put out the inevitable fire? Get rid of any dry leaves before you start your fire. Also, have the [tag-ice]beer cooler[/tag-ice] in reach but not so close that the fire can get so much heat to it that all the ice melts and the beer explodes.

Camping can be fun and extremely rewarding as long as you use common sense.

By Glenn H. Kipps

Camping with the kids! You knew the time would come! Jimmy has outgrown the backyard campsite.

“This isn’t real camping.” he says.

Janey always echos her brother. Yeah! This isn’t like real camping!” she says, as she glances at her brother for approval.

Camping with the kids. You’ve heard all of the stories… the nightmare… and especially that thousand-decibel cry, “I wanna go home!” at two in the morning right after a coyote somewhere out there howls at the moon.

It’s a right of passage, they used to say for the father to take his son [tag-tec]camping[/tag-tec]. Now… guess what?! Mom and the girls stick out their chins and say, “We’re going, too!”

You hope for the best, but all of those stories from your friends with children… they’ve “been there”. Fifty Million people can’t be wrong. Best friends Randy and Jane insist they’ve been emotionally “scarred for life”.

So here you are… with a loaded SUV ready to make your own nightmare. This is where the prayers come in.

The [tag-ice]campsite[/tag-ice] is beautiful, but kids don’t notice such things, or do they?

Hey, Dad,” Jimmy says, “This place is really beautiful!”

“Yeah, it’s really bee-yoo-ti-ful!” echoes Janey with a giggle.

Guess you were wrong.

But kids don’t pitch in. They just run around. As you prepare to drive to the camp store to get some important supplies you forgot at home in your haste to get on the road, you glance at the pile of tents, coolers, equipment, etc.,and sigh thinking of the work ahead.

Coming back from the camp store with the necessary items that were forgotten at home, you are sure you have come to the wrong campsite. The tents are up. The food is stored properly. The folding table and chairs are in place, and a cold drink awaits.

“The kids did it,” his wife says jubilantly, “with a little help from me.”

Wrong again!

It’s getting late. To get an early start in the morning everyone agrees to retire early. You are expecting that two a.m. cry, “I wanna go home.” You can’t sleep. Your watch says two. The next thing you know, your watch says seven. No one woke up.

Wrong again!

Everyone’s ready to hike the trail. This will be it, you think. They’ll be complaining about aching feet, hunger, you name it. We’re halfway. You’re tired. They’ll be whining in a minute.

“Whatamatter, Dad? Here, let me take your backpack.” Jimmy is sympathetic.

“Yeah, you’re tired,” says Janey as she tilts her head at you and pats your head.

Can’t believe it! Wrong again!

The day was wonderful… and the next day… and the next. We sang all the way home.

Camping with the kids! …One of the great experiences in life. It’s a lot of fun, too! You always knew it. (Also, it’s great to have someone along to carry your backpack, lol.)