Camping

Before you head for the campsite, make sure you have everything you need to make your travel safe, comfortable and enjoyable. Remember that failing to plan is planning to fail. But what exactly will you bring? The answer lies in figuring out what kind of a camper you are, what your comfort level is, and what style of camp will you have. The complete gear you need covers basic fire building, cooking and dining, lighting and other miscellaneous items that you think you need.

Minimalist camping

These campers can do without a lot of comfort and equipment. They are willing to accept the wilderness as it is, adapting to the natural terrains and weather conditions. They prefer to sleep on the ground rather than lie on a camping cot. Their camp is sparse, creating fire rather than using a stove and lighting small candles rather than using a lantern. The minimalist really tries to experience the outdoors by choice.

Gear-oriented camping

These campers are people who want to be comfortable and prepared. You can find chairs, tables, cots, stoves and other conveniences in their campsites. Gear-oriented campers enjoy the outdoors but they also prefer little amenities that will make their camp a home away from home. Their camping checklist is long and extensive. If you are this type of a camper, you will need some basic things such as a tent (preferably with rain fly and window), sleeping bag, stove, food and water.

In the campsite, if you need to gather some wood to build a fire, bring a small axe to split the logs. You can place your matches in a sealed container, or maybe you can carry butane lighter. Some campers bring dry logs if they are going out on a rain-soaked day.

For your hearty meals, there are a lot of easy-to-cook foods available. If you want to eat an elaborate meal however, then a more sophisticated camping stove (like those with several burners and adjustable flame) is required. Also, bring a cooler and ice packs to preserve your fresh food.

Be sure you have flashlights with extra batteries. One lantern or two will be enough to sufficiently light your camp. These lanterns can run on battery, propane or liquid fuel. Do not underestimate the value of lighting your camp at night especially if you have children with you. They will also be able to enjoy camping games with flashlights and glow sticks.

If you plan to do some hiking, you need a backpack, travel guide, compass, good shoes, extra socks, hat and a map. Don’t forget to bring along a multifunction knife, which can be an indispensable tool. One model of a pocket knife even has its own reusable plastic toothpick, which you might have forgotten to include in your checklist. Also, if you like to swim or bathe in a stream or lake (which usually has rock bottoms) bring along some waterproof footgear.

Camping is a great kind of recreation. Find the right campsite for you, the right preparation, and the right tools to ensure that your trip will be memorable. Your checklist will definitely be very dynamic as you add and remove items along the way. But it is absolutely essential to ensure that you have all you need for a great camping trip.

Americans in general love camping and to many families, it plays a very important role in their lifestyle. Camping allows everyone to get away from his or her hectic city life and recharge the batteries. It is also a fun way to spend quality time with friends and family and discover this great country of ours.

In days gone by, private camping sites were mostly populated by hunters, couriers and explorers who only needed to stay for a day or two. Today, this trend is alive and well but more and more people are turning to camping as a great outdoor and recreation activity.

What you require

People generally have different needs and wants and that is usually reflected in the equipment that they bring on a camping trip. However the bear essentials that most would be equipped with would be at the very least, a tent, clothes, food usually in tins, first aid kit, sleeping bags and some kind of ground cover. Today however, many campers prefer to do it in style and many are equipped with camper vans or trailers that are jammed packed with all the comfort that you would want.

New beginnings

If you are just starting out on your own, don't worry. Just get the items listed above, load your vehicle, and head out. It is a good idea to try and stay a bit closer to home on your first trip as camping might just not be your thing after all, and the trip back would be a fairly quick one. If you feel a bit overwhelmed at fist, that's ok. We all had to start somewhere and the best way to learn is to watch seasoned campers and see how they go about things. In any case, most campers already have something in common with you and that is the love of the great outdoors and should you need help, most would not object to offer assistance.

To do list

If you are planning a family camping getaway, the fist thing on your list is to make a booking at your chosen camping site. Try to get in as early as possible to get a pretty good camping site and avoid disappointments. Your next task would be to make sure that you have everything that is required and stock up if necessary. Get your vehicle checked up and arrange for someone to keep an eye on your place for the days that you will be away. Lastly, make sure that you have an up to date map and that you plan your route. If it is a long trip, try to take a route where the whole family will have plenty of places to stop and take little break

Camping with kids.

Kids love outdoor activities but best of all they love to explore. Going camping gives them an opportunity to stretch their wings and learn about new things. They can completely lose themselves in this new adventure that is so very different to what they have been accustomed to.

Safety is paramount

There is nothing worse that an accident on a camping trip, and before leaving your home, you should try to point out as many of the dangers as you can to you children and have a plan should a major accident happen. You should ensure that you carry a first aid kit at all times for minor accidents. Remember that you will sometimes be hundreds of miles from the nearest hospital and that prevention will always be better that the cure.

Camping is an extremely popular outdoor activity, a lot of families go camping at least once a year and many even camp on a more regular basis. One of the most important part of this kind of outdoor activity is that you do it in a save way, prepare yourself and always, always have a good equipped first aid kit with you. It is always important to be prepared because there is always a chance that something goes wrong. And in the outdoors that change is a little bigger than when you go to an amusement park.

Every camping store who sells camping gear will sell ready made first aid kits, and most of them will sell first aid supplies that you can use to refill your own first aid kit. You can also make a first aid kit yourself specifically tailored to your and your travel companions needs and the environment were you will be camping.

What Should Your First Aid Kit Contain

You can divide every first camping kit in to tree kind of items, the essential basics, helpful items and other very important stuff that you need to be able to find in one catch.

The essential basic needs for your first aid kit are:

- compress bandages
- adhesive bandages
- instant cold compress
- gauze pads
- first aid tape
- oral thermometer without mercury or glass
- aspirin or other pain relief medicine
- medical gloves
- antibiotic pills and ointment
- inhaler
- emergency blanket
- scissors and tweezers
- antihistamine

There are some helpful items that are not really essential but would be wise to take with you in a camping first aid kit they don't take up much space and it can really improve your camping trip if you have them with you and are in need of a:

- anti-diarrhea medicine
- germ-killing hand gel
- lip balm
- tick tweezers

Some other important stuff that you need to take with you and can put in your camping first aid kit are

- small sewing kit
- matches
- extra flashlight
- extra batteries
- radio
- phone

and for each camper a whistle that they can use if they are lost.

Check Check Double Check

You should always prepare for the worst when you go camping, you will be in an area where you can't reach a drugstore or a doctor very quick and if you carry a well stocked camping first aid kit, you know you will never have to worry about small camping health incidents. You should also ask your camping companions if they use any medicines like inhalers or other incidental products like these. And you should check if they have them with them or place an extra inhaler in the first aid kit.

A well stocked camping first aid kit should be checked before every camping trip and you should replace every item that is outdated, broken or dirty. The first aid items should be placed in a waterproof bag, the best bags are the ones that is especially designed as a first aid kit for camping, this way your items will be save for accidental damage and small water infiltration in case of rain or accidentally dropping the bag in a steam.

With camping everything comes down to good preparation, you need to think about food, water and other supplies, and your camping first aid kit is an important part of that.

If you have never gone tent camping, try to take someone with you who has at least some experience, it is not that difficult but there are some things you should be aware of before you go. For example, it is essential that you know how to build your tent, if you want your camping trip to be an enjoyable experience you should make yourself knowledgeable about all kind of camping techniques. In this article we will give you some tips to start tent camping.

Before you even leave your home, you should build your tent at least one time in your yard or a park in the neighbourhood. This way you can be sure that you have everything you need to set up your tent and you know how to do it.

Choose a safe location

As a novice, for your first camping trip choose a location close to home. So you can drive home if you are having some problems on your camping trip. Also choose a location that is safe to stay, you are away from the safety and comfort of your home and you should try to make your camping trip as safe and comfortable as possible, this way you can enjoy your camping trip to the full extent.

Building your tent on a slope is not a save place, but that is just common sense. Most novice campers would pick a nice spot in a valley near a little creek when they would have the opportunity to choose. However that is not always the safest place to build your tent. You should always try to build your tent on high land, especially when you are camping in the rainy season. The land where you built your tent, should also be even, and you should remove all rocks, sticks and other hard stuff, it should be comfortable to sleep on, you are going to need all the rest you can get.

Protect your tent

When you have cleared the ground from all hard matters and other stuff that could damage the tent, you should use a ground cloth. A ground cloth is an essential peace of camping gear you can't do without. During all kind of weather and especially in the rainy season this cloth will protect the ground floor of your tent from any kind of damage. little sticks and rocks can't penetrate the floor and because of that water can't come in. A ground cloth is a cheap way to protect your expensive tent. You can buy it in different sizes in any local camping store and most gas stations. When it is extremely rainy you can dig some ditches around your tent with a ditch leading down and away from your tent.

Hammer those stacks

Most tents come with stacks, some are wood, other aluminium or steel but they are the stuff that keeps your tent in place and you cant do without them, so check and double check if you have packed your stacks. The stacks fix your tent to the ground and you should use a hammer to secure them in the right way. By placing first the back stacks, then the front and after that the stacks in between you can tighten the tent in to shape, there will be no dents in the canvas and water will just run down the tent. The stacks also will keep your tent from being blown away in case of heavy wind.

Every year we read or hear about hikers or hunters having to be rescued or even worse. You can bet that when these folk left home, the last thought on their mind was having to fight for their lives in a situation they just would not be prepared for.

Being prepared for an outdoor trip means more than taking along a first aid kit. Assuming the worst means you should be prepared to spend at least one night outdoors without shelter. Then, if your day trip turns sour, you are ready for the worst.

Typically, it is major trips and expeditions that are well planned with emphasis on survival. This is natural in some sense, as you are already planning to be outdoors for an extended period of time. It is the weekend warrior going for a Sunday afternoon hike, that can end up in the most trouble as in these situations, no thought is given to wilderness survival. After all, it is just a little afternoon hike, right? Wrong !

Now here are two assumptions people make: 1) "I have a cell phone and/or GPS - I will be ok." Without cell coverage, or problems locating satellites, or even flat batteries, you may end up with no help at all. 2) "I am a couple of miles from a town and civilization." You can get very lost in under two square miles and that is assuming you are not injured. Consider how long it will be before anyone even starts looking for you. Guaranteed it won't be until dark!

Here is a simple and sensible checklist for a day outdoors, doing any activity:

* Know the terrain - This is especially important if you are in an area that that you are unfamiliar with. Understand how wet or dry it is. How steep or wooded. How many trails, and where the nearest human habitation is. Know the surrounding area too in case you find yourself wandering far off course. You can get all this information from readily available topographic maps.

* Know the climate and weather - This is critical. Weather changes account for some of the highest number of deaths in the outdoors. Some areas can have major weather changes in a matter of minutes, without warning. This can involve lightning storms, sudden snow storms or even rapid drops in temperature or simply rain. With the ubiquity of the web, local weather is easy to find.

* Correct dress - Following on climate, you should dress appropriately in layers. You should also pack in extra clothes to accommodate any sudden weather changes. Just as a little insurance. You can always shed clothing if it gets too hot, but you cannot add clothes you never packed. The reason for dressing in layers is that you can remove or add as conditions change. You also want to avoid sweating when the air temperature is cold as your inner layer becomes damp and will chill when you slow down. By dressing in layers you can avoid this.

* Tell someone - Tell someone where you are going and how long you will be. This sounds obvious, especially if you are going hiking near home, but is very important. If you leave and nobody is home, just leave a note or a message on your own answering machine. Try and leave a map if possible, but otherwise a description of where you will be. A search and rescue team armed with accurate coordinates will be able to find you quickly. The same team being told "he's in the woods somewhere" may never find you!

* Survival Kit - Create a survival kit that is compact and can fit into your pack easily. Take it with you whenever you go out. Leave the items in the survival pack. That way, you just need to pick up and go, without having to worry whether it's all in there.

Example Survival Pack: Band-aids, Bandage/tape, Pain Killer, Antiseptic Cream, Needle, Tweezers, Magnesium Fire Starter, Waterproof Matches, Pocket Knife - swiss army, Fixed blade knife, Mini Flashlight, Rope/cording, Duct Tape, Compass, Space blanket, Mirror, or old CD, Whistle, Flare (if you have room), Glow Sticks, Candy bar.

The items listed above should fit easily into a small tupperware or bag. This is just an example and you should tailor it for your own needs, terrain and time of year. With a survival pack of this kind, your odds of survival increase dramatically. Do not forget to take along some water, it may be tough to find some clean water under stress.

No matter what you take with you and how well you prepare, your brain is still your best defense. Take the time to study basic survival skills or take a course. Knowledge can keep you alive. The information included in this article is just the beginning of what you should know.

Be safe and enjoy the outdoors.

You packed up the truck, checked over your gear, and headed out into the outdoors for a great weekend or week of camping. Then it hits you: was it the lantern? The fishing tackle? Your favorite hunting knife? What was the one thing that you forgot? It doesn’t seem to be a question of whether you forgot something but rather what it was that was left behind and the relative importance of it. Maybe you have twenty different flashlights from twenty different trips, and you didn’t remember to put one of them in your truck. Whatever that one thing is, it may surely get left behind unless you plan ahead.

One of the most basic and most helpful things you can do to save yourself some aggravation and some trouble is to make a trip list. Write down every little thing that you think you will need on your trip, from matches to underwear, and write it early! Trying to make a list the night before you head out will mean enduring the same mental scramble that you would go through in the morning. Instead, begin making your list as soon as you decide to go on the trip and add the things you need to it each time you think of something. You will be so on top of the contents of your pack that you may even know the number of raisins included in your trail mix!

The second part of this plan is implementation. This means reading and following the list when you are packing your car or backpack. Flashlight? Check. Pack it, then cross it off or highlight it or whatever works for you. It is key that you don’t erase anything though. You can use this master list again when you are preparing for your next outdoor experience. In fact, as soon as you get back add anything that it would have been nice to have so that you will indeed have “it” next time. For instance, did you fall in the creek and have just enough socks for the weekend? Make a note to bring extra socks on the next trip.

There is a third hint that goes along with the list idea and that is to pack before the night before or morning of your trip. This will help to ensure that you are not running around in a panic trying to get through the list before your ride comes to pick you up or it gets too dark to head out. Start piling up your camping equipment four or five days before your departure date so that you have time to remember where you stored the sleeping bags and cooler or to find out that you need to buy batteries for the flashlights.

The earlier you pack the better. If you can, it would be a good idea to start loading your vehicle early as well. However, don’t leave things in your truck bed overnight unless you have a locked garage. Otherwise you may find your equipment missing in the morning. For added assurance, you may want to tape a note to your own windshield so that you will not forget to throw in your cooler, the table lantern, or the family tent. If you are going on an excursion where you will need to bring food, you should also make a grocery list and stash it in the car the week before you leave for your trip. This way you have the list with you when you stop at the grocery store on the way home from work. You will also have the list with you when you stop to pick up cooler items on the way out of town.

So you have made your list, checked it twice, and packed and re-packed your bags for the weekend. Pile them near the door or in one central location to minimize last minute stress and reduce loading time. Put the list in the glove compartment of the truck so that you can use it to re-pack the truck when you are heading home from your trip. You wouldn’t want to leave with one less flashlight, again.

Camping with the Family can be a Great Experience

Everyone enjoys getting away for a little while just to relax and take their mind off the worries of home and work. Camping can turn out to be a very rewarding experience if you prepare correctly and ensure every thing comes along on the trip to keep the family occupied. When preparing for your next family camping adventure, have the whole family get involved. Including everyone in the list preparation and getting everyone's ideas for camping activities, ensures that every family member is a part of the whole process which makes especially the kids more excited about going and you will be less likely to hear the "when are we going home" question that inevitably happens every time the kiddos go camping. So even if you are camping vakanties in mei,it will turn out to be more satisfying than you would have ever dreamed. Fishing, hiking, throwing a football,and reading can all be examples of great camping activities but every family is different and requires certain demands. That being said, I would recommend taking some time to search the internet to get some ideas for camping activities. Feel free to also check out this site as well. I have put together a great camping checklist that will help you remember everything you need and give some ideas as to what to do when camping.

Geocaching, have you tried out this new high - tech hobby yet? Its getting,
very popular! What is it? Geocaching is a fun adventure game for GPS users.

The idea is to have different groups both individual and organized set caches up all over the world and then share the locations of these caches on the internet.

After finding the location coordinates GPS users can then locate the caches.
As caches are discovered, the finder will usually enjoy a variety of treasures.


Geocache Treasure or Rewards

The only thing the treasure finder is asked to do on finding a cache is to add something themselves.

All the visitor is asked to do is, if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache.

This sure is a great way to be outdoors and enjoy the adventure and thrill of the hunt!

What things might you find in a cache, all depends on its size,the log book, non-perishable food items, books, toys, cds.

Besides the rewards, caches most often contain a log book of sorts that the cache hunters can leave a log entry or note for those future cache hunters.
http://www.geocoins.ca/


What Is GPS

The GPS letters stand for "Global Positioning System," there are a series of about two dozen satellites in a low earth orbit that constantly broadcasts their position.

The receivers then triangulate on these signals and determine where you are on the earth's surface. After selecting a cache, entering the coordinates into your GPS receiver, the receiver will then show you just how far away the cache is and in what direction it is in.


What Makes This So Exciting

The truth is getting to the cache is where most of the fun lies.

Just think about it, even if you know exactly how far and in what direction to go,
what obstigals lie before you. A forest, a highway, swamp, mountain and many other impassible barriers. The idea is you need to find your way around these obstigals.

Now, the summer is fast approaching and are you considering sending your child to a summer camp with a horse program? Surely a lot of questions like what will my child learn? What kinds of horses are kept at these camps? Will normally arise.

A summer horse camp is a camp with a focus on horses-riding. The camp sessions may run from a single day to eight weeks long, depending upon the facility and the program selected. Many offer day camps that teach young children and novices the basics of horse riding. Most camps offer longer sessions where they teach horsemanship techniques to a variety of skill levels. Many of these camps are operated on full-time basis, year around horse farms. The summer camp program is great part of what the farms generally do. The farms also raise horses. It may train or board horses for other people. It will likely have programs whole year long, weather and climate permitting, where people of all ages can ride or learn to ride. Horses and horsemanship is a full-time business for these persons. Others are held at facilities that will not be horse farms, but keep all year at least part of the horses they use.

A horsemanship camp is a great way for your young child to learn the responsibility of caring for another living creature. They put children in an outdoor environment and help developing good socialization skills. A summer camp with a horse program has added benefit of teaching youngsters about these magnificent animals and developing horsemanship skills. Summer programs with horses as the central theme and related activities are found in all regions of the country. Some will focus on the equestrian skills and knowledge. These programs will have classroom studies and seminars that include basics of horse anatomy and the nature of horses along with instruction on feeding, care, and riding. These programs will assign the camper a horse for a three-week session. The care and feeding of that horse will be the responsibility of the child there. Riding skills will also be taught. Many camps will concentrate on English riding styles. Dressage techniques and patterns are practiced with eventing and show jumping. Many of these facilities have cross-country courses for more advanced riders and horses. Summer horse camps are often found on horse farms. These facilities include horse stables, pastures, show or performance arenas, and, depending upon the camp, a cross-country course also. Most also include access to trails through wooded or wilderness areas with proper guidance. Some will provide both covered and outdoor arenas. Most are set in beautiful landscapes complete with white board fences and other pastoral farm amenities for safety.

Safety is the primary element of the activities. Riders are always required to wear approved helmets and boots while on the horse. Every effort is made to match the right horse to the camper’s riding skills and their capabilities. Everyone is aware that horses are big animals, and because of their sheer size, can be dangerous in most extraordinary situations. So every effort is made to reduce the possible risks to the most minimal levels.

Best Spots for Camping Eastern PA
If Pennsylvania is your vacation destination, naturally, you would like to know about the best spots for Camping Eastern PA. Here is some useful information regarding some very good camping spots in Pennsylvania.

Appalachia Campsites
Whenever we look for accommodations for us, whatever purpose it may be, we always give top priority to the cleanliness. This is where Appalachia campsites score very high when we compare sites for camping in Eastern PA. Other amenities at this camping site are also very good and the courteous staff gives Appalachia campsites an edge over the others. This site offers some abandoned wooden sites as well.

Although the roads are not paved, they are very attentively cared for. These camping sites in Eastern PA are very large and spacious, each having a fire ring and picnic table. Because these campsites are near the highway, you may face some noise. However, it is not loud enough to irritate you and be a significant disturbance. It is possible to access the restrooms from all sites. Restrooms are neat and clean with free showers.

Listed here are some of the amenities and activities just to give you an idea how Camping in Eastern PA can be very enjoyable:

1. Swimming pool and Pond
2. Video Games and Pool table
3. Recreation hall and Live Entertainment
4. Playground
5. Television and Movies
6. Laundry services
7. Kids planned activities
8. Ice cream and Snack bars
9. Security gate

You can take your pet with you at these sites. Moreover, you can have some additional fun because the restaurants, amusements and retail stores are situated at nearby places.

Eagles Peak Family Camping Resort
Situated at the top of mountain, these sites for camping Eastern PA are really of very high quality. These sites offer many camping options so you can choose according to the type of camp you need. Almost all the amenities and activities found in other similar campsites are present here too. As an additional feature, this campsite in Eastern PA has two swimming pools. One swimming pool has a beautiful snack bar. The other one is smaller and is designed for the adults only.

Some Other Campsites and a Few Tips
Some other options for Camping Eastern PA are Lake-In-Wood, Otter Lake Camp Resort, Starlite Camping Resort and Warwick Woods Campground. No matter which campsite you choose, a little bit of planning will always make it a more memorable experience for you. For example, the majority of food you take with you might be the kind that does not require cooking. This saves time, trouble and space for packing. Be sure to take a mosquito net and suitable bed with you so that you can enjoy a sound sleep.

With these tips in mind, you're sure to enjoy camping Eastern PA.

If you are looking for camping cookware that will last you a lifetime, then you cannot go past cast iron cookware for camping. When you are getting ready to take that long overdue family camping vacation, you want to know that you have cookware that you can rely on. In order to get the most out of your cookware, this article will explain the things that you should look out for.
Easy To Use
When choosing camping cookware, always keep in mind that everyone else is going to use it and if you need a degree in engineering to do so, then don't get it. The cookware should be so simple that a five year old should be able to use it. It should also double for something else. An good example of this would be for bowls to be used as plates and vice versa. Today, you can also find utensils that can also do this, meaning that instead of buying a knife and fork, you only buy a knife that can turn into a fork. The general rule is to buy the least amount of items as possible that can be used for a wide number of tasks.
Long Lasting
Cookware durability is probably the most important deciding factor when campers decide to splurge on new camping cookware. You definitely do not want cookware that comes with a handle with care label attached to them but you want cookware that will be there year after year. In this case, spending extra money on cast iron cookware for camping makes perfect sense if not cents. In case you have to pack up and leave in a real hurry, you need to know that your cookware can be quickly thrown into a box but still be intact when you decide to stop again.
If visiting lots of different towns is what you have based your up and coming camping trip around, then you do not want to waste your precious time with packing and unpacking your cookware every time you are on the move again. This is another reason why you should maybe consider cast iron cookware for camping before purchasing camping cookware.
Cleaning Made Easy
Unfortunately, every time any piece of cookware is used, it needs to be cleaned at some point in the future before being reused. This is more applicable to camping cookware as your goal is not to carry too many items but a few items that can serve several roles. The trick is to find cookware that is easy to clean, does not stain easily and can be washed quickly with just some soap. Cast iron cookware for camping is not only the most durable camping cookware that you can get, but it will also meet all of the criteria listed above.
Money Well Spent
We all know that money does not grow on trees but that does not mean that spending extra for good quality cast iron cookware for camping that will be with you for years to come is bad either.
Quality cast iron camping cookware can be quite expensive so if you are just starting out, or if your budget is tight, you should probably consider used or second hand items instead. A good idea, is also to find a good balance between cast iron and normal cookware and slowly replace the non cast iron items over time.
To purchase quality camping cookware below retail price, you should visit specialized camping sites or auction sites like Ebay on the Internet.

There are many types of tents used for many different reasons. Will the tent be used overnight in the warm climate of Florida, or a week-long trip to the high country of Colorado? How difficult or easy will the tent be to transport? Is it water-resistant? How easy or difficult is it to set-up and take down? Is the tent made of fire-retardant material?
Lets look at some items that will help you make the correct decision when choosing your tent.
Some tent styles are free-standing while others are attached to the ground using guy ropes attached to pegs. The poles provide support for the tent and can be rigid, semi-rigid, or inflatable. The pole supported tent is stabilized by the use of guy ropes secured with pegs driven into the ground. The free-standing tent, of course, does not use poles or guy ropes. So, the question is which style is best for you?
Camping tents range in size from those only large enough to hold one person to those large enough for about 10 people. Some tents are light enough to be carried long distances as a "backpack" type tent. Most tent manufacturers classify their tents based on capacity. They use phrases such as "4 berth" or "2 person". These designations do not allow for personal possessions such as sleeping bags or food supplies, so consider this when making your decision. Also, you may be more comfortable if you allow for 1 or 2 less persons than what the manufacturer recommends.
As stated above, a tent for Florida is not suitable for the mountains of Colorado. Manufacturers label tents as one-season, two/three-season, three/four-season, four-season, etc. A one-season tent is mostly for summer use only, capable to withstand light rain. A three-season is for spring/summer/autumn and should be capable of withstanding fairly heavy rain, or light snow. A four-season tent should be suitable for winter camping in all but the most extreme conditions. The expedition tent is for mountain conditions and should provide protection from heavy snow, strong winds, and heavy rain.
If you are camping in the deserts of the Southwest, you are probably not concerned about the tent being waterproof, however, camping in the Pacific Northwest is another matter. Check the manufacturers description to see if the tent has been treated with a silicone impregnation or polyurethane coating. You can treat the tent yourself in need be.
Modern tents are usually made of fire-retardant material, but your safety can be enhanced if you do not smoke in your tent, have open-flame lights or heaters in the tent, or have your camp fire too close to the tent.

How does an ultralight backpacker think? A reporter for a backpacking magazine asked me this in a recent interview. I've gone backpacking in winter conditions with as little as eleven pounds total on my back, so I do think light. In fact, there are some basic questions that seem to automatically come to mind when I am either planning a backpacking trip or looking at gear. I suspect other lightweight backpackers ask themselves the same things.
1. How do I make it lighter?
Habitually ask this of every item you bring. Foam sleeping pads can be trimmed, a stuff sack could be left behind if the sleeping bag can just be stuffed directly into the pack. Shortening a toothbrush and cutting the edges off maps won't lighten the load much, but modify enough different items, and the weight savings can add up to a pound or two.
2. Is there a lighter alternative?
This is where you really save weight, especially if you start with the "big three;" sleeping bag, shelter and backpack. Buying new gear may be necessary, but you can also find the lightest choice among the things you already own. Pick out your lightest t-shirts, for example, or take your light tarp for a short trip, instead of a tent. This can make a big difference in how light you go. Many years ago, I went from a 88-ounce (5 1/2 pound) backpack to a 14-ounce one, and from a three-pound sleeping bag to a one-pound one.
3. What can I leave behind?
"Do I really need to bring this?" Ask that of each item. One shirt may be enough, for example. Ask, "will I use it?" For several trips I carried a small chess set, but never used it. If with a group, see if someone else in the party has an item you are considering. A group of three only needs one stove. Not sure if you can leave something behind? The last three questions may help you find an answer.
4. Are there multiple-use items I can use to cut weight?
If I cook at all (unusual), my pan is my bowl, and my spoon is my fork. Some ponchos can be used as a shelter. A trekking pole can be the support for a tarp shelter or even some tents. The stuff-sack from your sleeping bag can be filled with clothing to use as a pillow. Find ways to use the things you have for more than one purpose, and buy things that have multiple purposes. This is classic ultralight backpacker thinking.
5. Are there strategies can I use to lighten the load?
An extreme example: eat a low-carbohydrate diet for a few days, then load up on pasta the day before a trip. In this way you can store up to a couple pounds of extra carbs in your body, so you won't need to carry as much food. Called "carbo-loading," it's been used by endurance athletes for decades. Another strategy: plan according to the weather report. If no rain is predicted, you can leave the rain gear behind, or bring just the top. In an area with many water sources, you can carry just a one-pint plastic soda bottle, if you fill it up every time you come to a stream or lake.
6. What skills and habits can I work on?
This is partly about learning survival skills. Why? Because being at home in the wilderness makes it safer to go lighter. If, for example, you know how to make a warm bed of dried leaves and grass, it's safe to try that light sleeping bag which otherwise might not be quite warm enough for you. Being able to identify and eat wild edible plants makes it safer to carry less food. In fact, if with sufficient survival skills, an ultralight backpacker can be prepared for almost anything.

If you have been wondering why customers prefer remaining glued to one particular shop or individual for particular goods or services, wonder no more! It is because of the services they get that keep on taking them back to the same people. To safari lovers and trip dreamers, it is a strong advice to deal with successful people if you want to be successful. Look at the itinerary below for a five day trip to the Maasai.
Day 1: Nairobi/Masaai Mara
Pick up from your Hotel for a journey south a long the great rift valley, lunch at Narok and then climb the western wall entering Heming's way country "Serengeti Plains" Arrive in the afternoon for evening game drive in masaai mara game reserve,Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Day 2: Masaai Mara
A full day spent game viewing a cross the rich, tree-studded grassland and rolling hills. The famous mara is renowned for its great herds of plain game, black-maned lions, leopard and cheetah but also contains numerous elephant and virtually every type of wildlife to be found in Kenya. All meals and over night in the campsite.
Day 3: Masaai Mara
After early morning breakfast leave the camp for morning game drive until lunch time, return to the camp for lunch. Afternoon optional nature walk or a visit to a nearby masaai village, return to the campsite for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Masaai mara/L.Nakuru.
Pre- breakfast game drive in the park,return to the campsite for late breakfast then leave masaai mara for L. Nakuru National park with lunch served en-route arriving in Nakuru for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: L.Nakuru/Nairobi
After early morning breakfast, proceed for an extensive morning game drive in L.Nakuru National park known for it's millions of flamingos and other water birds. Leave Nakuru after lunch back to Nairobi arriving in late afternoon.
What's Included on the Price.
1: Airport Pick Up
2: Transport in a Safari vehicle
3: Accommodation in two person Tent
4: All Game park entrance fee/ Camping fees
5: Three Meals a day while on Safari
6: Use of our Professional driver guide
Whats not Included
Personal spending money, drinks, International fares, gratuities and personal items. Feel at home to ask more questions for more informative answers and lovely holiday safaris.

Whenever you travel by road, eating right is a big challenge. And if you like camping then you might consider eating fast food or food which is pre-packed which would solve your problem of food with no hassle.These days the advanced camping equipments that are available can turn any of your recipe into a tasty recipe for camping that will keep you family going on the food scene, irrespective of where you station your camping tent.
The entire cooking scene depends on the cooking equipments that you carried for the camping. If you planned your camping well, much in advance, then there are more chance that you may be carrying all the required cook ware for camping .this will make your cooking really comfortable at the campsite. But incase you have not planned your camping trip well, and then you may have to face some difficulties with cooking on road. In case you camping in RV, then you will not have to worry for any of this as you will be equipped and prepared for everything. You can cook, stew, bake and turn any of your favorite recipes into your camping recipe.
In spite of having the facilities to cook you should be ready with the recipes prior to the start of you camping trip. Prepare the ingredients required for the camping recipe in advance to avoid elaborate cooking at the camp site. Camping recipes can be obtained from cook books, and also from various websites which will give you plenty of choices for camping recipes and also important tips to ease the problem of cooking at campsite.
To make your camping recipes more tastier, consider combining various spices to change the taste and also the essence, but try these recipes at home then decide whether you should be trying this as your camping recipe or not.
Also, while deciding on the camping recipes, choose the camping recipes which will require similar kind of spices, this way you can further save storage space and can also work on as many recipes as you like. For instance if you plan a camping recipe as cheeseburgers, then choose a cheese which can also be used for cheese sandwiches. This cheese should also be used for nachos or shredded on tacos. The leftover hamburger can be turned into ground beef for hash or chilli.Be imaginative and decide your camping recipe meals well ahead and pack as efficiently as you can and also try avoiding wastage.
If you decide to take your grill with you for the selected camping recipes, or are going to the campsite which has barbecue grills available, then it is quite obvious you will be using camping recipes that involve using grill.
If you have camped before, you would know the most conventional method for grilling used by campers is wrapping meat in foil paper and desired vegetables, and this foil packet is directly placed on coals. Foil bags are also available in which you can pack the ingredients and place it on coal after sealing it. It is convenient to cut a slit to check the meat on and of. When the meat is done, you can simply slice it and serve. Cleaning for this is also very simple and that is only throwing the foil bag away.

If you have never gone tent camping, try to take someone with you who has at least some experience, it is not that difficult but there are some things you should be aware of before you go. For example, it is essential that you know how to build your tent, if you want your camping trip to be an enjoyable experience you should make yourself knowledgeable about all kind of camping techniques. In this article we will give you some tips to start tent camping.
Before you even leave your home, you should build your tent at least one time in your yard or a park in the neighbourhood. This way you can be sure that you have everything you need to set up your tent and you know how to do it.
Choose a safe location
As a novice, for your first camping trip choose a location close to home. So you can drive home if you are having some problems on your camping trip. Also choose a location that is safe to stay, you are away from the safety and comfort of your home and you should try to make your camping trip as safe and comfortable as possible, this way you can enjoy your camping trip to the full extent.
Building your tent on a slope is not a save place, but that is just common sense. Most novice campers would pick a nice spot in a valley near a little creek when they would have the opportunity to choose. However that is not always the safest place to build your tent. You should always try to build your tent on high land, especially when you are camping in the rainy season. The land where you built your tent, should also be even, and you should remove all rocks, sticks and other hard stuff, it should be comfortable to sleep on, you are going to need all the rest you can get.
Protect your tent
When you have cleared the ground from all hard matters and other stuff that could damage the tent, you should use a ground cloth. A ground cloth is an essential peace of camping gear you can't do without. During all kind of weather and especially in the rainy season this cloth will protect the ground floor of your tent from any kind of damage. little sticks and rocks can't penetrate the floor and because of that water can't come in. A ground cloth is a cheap way to protect your expensive tent. You can buy it in different sizes in any local camping store and most gas stations. When it is extremely rainy you can dig some ditches around your tent with a ditch leading down and away from your tent.
Hammer those stacks
Most tents come with stacks, some are wood, other aluminum or steel but they are the stuff that keeps your tent in place and you can't do without them, so check and double check if you have packed your stacks. The stacks fix your tent to the ground and you should use a hammer to secure them in the right way. By placing first the back stacks, then the front and after that the stacks in between you can tighten the tent in to shape, there will be no dents in the canvas and water will just run down the tent. The stacks also will keep your tent from being blown away in case of heavy wind.

Bored by the same camping sites year after year and looking to broaden your horizons? Why don't you give tent camping in Florida a go this coming camping season and maybe you just might give yourself a camping experience that you will not forget very soon.

From swamps to huge forests and from peaceful lakes to glorious endless beaches the state of Florida has something for everyone. One thing is sure. Your tent camping in Florida is guaranteed to be jammed packed with totally new experiences for all to enjoy.

Camping In State Parks

There are various State Parks that are open to the general camping public and each showcases a different outdoor setting from the other. If you are looking for glorious unspoiled beaches, then Grayton Beach. State Park might be just what you have been looking for. This beautiful camping ground also offers furnished cabins together with running water and electric hook-ups.

If you long for a more earthy camping experience, then a trip to Suwannee River State Park is a must do. With a peaceful river as the backdrop, your stay can be as fun filled or as relaxing as you would like it to be. Pet lovers who find it hard to live their best friend at home, are also welcome and similar to other State Parks, electricity and fresh water hook-ups are available for those with vans.

Another one of the most popular State Parks is Cayo Costa. To get there however, you will need to catch a ferry. The setting here is dominated by miles and miles of beautiful white sandy beaches. This park also offers both camping sites and cabins for hire.

Camping in Florida is a lot of fun if you find yourself at Bahia Honda State Park. Crystal blue waters with pearly white sandy beaches and lots of shady palm trees will greet you at every turn.

Florida National Parks

The Everglades National Park is a must destination if you are planning on tent camping in Florida. The breathtaking scenery is made up of swamp areas, mangrove forests and countless species of wildlife. Unless you have seen a documentary on the Everglades National Park previously, you cannot imagine the beauty that awaits you there. The park offers plenty of tent camping sites that are based inland as well as many others that offer beautiful views of the magnificent beach.

Ocala National Forest is well know for its natural springs. With so many activities to choose and things to see, tent camping can be quite a busy adventure. Of course, it can also be as relaxing as you like.

If you are taking the whole family on a camping trip then maybe Salt Springs will be more suitable. This park offers many activities like swimming, hiking and canoeing that will keep the little ones busy and give you time to relax. However the main attraction there is the under water springs which serve as regulators and keep the water temperature at a very nice 72 degrees all year round.

If you interest is wildlife, then you are surely in for a nice treat or maybe even a few. Countless animals such as alligators, egrets, armadillos and wild turkeys frequent these parks and you would have to be completely unlucky not to bump into a few of them during your stay.

Southern Oregon is home to the World Class Rogue River and it is known for extraordinary scenic beauty, excellent climate, and exceptional whitewater rafting. Take your family camping along the Rogue River and the memories will last a lifetime. It is really an easy task to arrange. Simply contact an Outfitter that specializes in rafting and camping and they will take care of the details from rafting gear to camping supplies. The summer months of June, July and August are outstanding for weather, water flow and warmth. Outfitters generally offer specific dates for Family Camping Trips. Select a two, three or four day trip. Once you have chosen the dates, pack your bags and your dream vacation is about to begin. It is that simple.

Family Camps often begin with a detailed orientation and safety talk. This is important especially when traveling with young children or teens. All of our kids are perfect, but sometimes having the rules and boundaries outlined by a professional makes for better communication! Orientation is a great time for kids and adults to ask questions about the trip and what to expect. You will also be fitted for a life jacket or PFD (personal flotation device) during the orientation. Safety talks often include how and when it is safe to swim in the river, what to do if you fall into the water during a rapid, protection from the sun, hydration and fighting fair. Water fights are usually part of the fun experience on the Rogue.

After the Orientation and safety talk, campers will head to the boat ramp for the first day on the water. Oared rafts, paddle rafts and inflatable kayak may be offered for the Family Camp. If you are traveling with very young children, the oared raft is a must. The guides are awesome with kids and play games with them throughout the day. The parents get to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. If your family has a couple of teenagers, the paddle raft may be a great opportunity for some team work. Each person paddles under the direction of a guide who is sitting in the rear of the boat. The inflatable kayak is a great choice that offers an amazing ride through the rapids. Many Outfitters will allow your family to trade back and forth between the rafts and kayaks.

Rafting on the Rogue River consists of deep, timeless canyons, exhilarating whitewater rapids and sweeping, downhill slides with nothing more than a riffle of shallow water. There are many beaches full of sand just right for little hands to create the best sand castle ever or beaches full of the perfect pebbles that lend themselves to inter-generational rock skipping contests. Then there are the shorelines with the mouth of a creek meeting the Rogue and that might just be the spot wear your family strikes it rich with a little pay dirt from gold panning!