Around The Camp Fire

Water Packing When Hiking

admin — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:42:06 +0000

Every year we hear about the consequences of not drinking enough water in the summer months, when people tend to go camping. Heat stroke is something to take seriously because it can be fatal—and it often begins when a person is dehydrated. When you go camping, be sure to plan to take along a sufficient amount of water for hot days and for all campers, including the four-legged kind.

It’s too bad there is no such thing as “dehydrated water”—it would make backpacking a lot easier. Probably the heaviest thing you carry while backpacking is the water you need to keep going. It is important to know water conditions near where you are going. Water purification supplies will do you no good if there is no water to be had.

Car campers and RV campers have more choices, of course. But be sure to know what your campground offers. Some places have a water hookup or at least a place where you can get water from a tap. You may have to bring your own water for primitive campsites at a state park.

Picking the Right Activity for the Day

admin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:36:08 +0000

The activities you pick to do at your picnic can make it a success or failure. Choosing which activities will be popular and which will not be is not particularly hard, however. Generally considering the location of the picnic and the weather will help you determine what toys or games you might want to bring to keep everyone happy.

If it is over a hundred degrees out and the sun is high in the sky without a cloud in sight, games that require a lot of running around will probably not be particularly popular. However, if your picnic area includes a pond or pool, the suggestions for a game of water volleyball would probably go over extremely well. If there is no water, a game of cards or poker in the shade might be popular.

On the other hand, if it is a cool sixty degrees out, the suggestion that people go for a swim will probably be quickly vetoed. This is the time to suggest a game of flag football or basketball or something of that sort. While people will still get warm, it will not be completely unbearable. A picnic stands a better chance of being successful if the activities are planned with the weather and park facilities in mind.

How To Choose The Right Camping Equiment

admin — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:45:46 +0000

When you or your family are planning for a camping trip then there are things that you have to take them with you for the adventure. You have to decide what kind of food are you going to take with you ar the clothes or maybe something for shelter. Now when it comes to the food the primary thing is a “camp stove” to prepare hot meals. If you are planning to camp in colder conditions then you should take a “gasoline stove” with you.

Now the most popular shelter that you can use for camping is a tent. You have to make sure that the tent is light weight and well ventilated. You should also be careful about the material of the tent. Also take a waterproof floor that extends upto 7 inches from the sides. Also you should take long sleeve clothing with you to protect you from the insect bites. A sleeping bag is an essential equipment that you should take with you for camping. If you keep these few things in mind then your cmaping is going to be a real fun.

Hiking and Water—Rain or Stream

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:14:59 +0000

At some point in every hiker’s career, he is bound to encounter water. Be it a stream crossing gone wrong or a sudden downpour, it is important to be prepared. Part of this is having the correct clothing and supplies on hand that allow them to handle situation without spoiling the hike.

When crossing a stream, the ideal situation is to keep clothing and gear from getting wet in the first place. Wading across might be fun on a hot day, but rolling pants up to keep them from getting wet and making sure feet are completely dry before putting socks and boots back ensures that the hike can continue in comfort. In the event that a hiker ends up in the water unintentionally, it is important to dry off before moving on. An experienced hiker will be wearing quick-drying or water repellant gear and carrying an extra pair of socks, a good example to follow.

Handling a downpour is slightly easier than dealing with an unintentional dunking. Always carry a poncho or rain shell, even if there are no storms expected. Some new jackets are made of material that is impervious to water droplets but still allows the skin to ‘breathe.’ If it does happen, however, it is again best to be wearing fast-drying clothing.

How to Find Great Camping Sites

admin — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:10:34 +0000

There are a lot of camping sites available and they all have their pros and cons. There are magazines, the yellow pages and books that lists all the campgrounds.Another great source of information comes from your friends and relatives that have visited particular campsites. There are two different types of campsites- one is the one where you park your vehicle and you can pitch your tent right beside it. There is usually a picnic table and a built in grill. The other campsite is known as the rustic camp area. With this camping site, you can choose where to set up your tent or tents. This is great if there are several family members going. The downside to this is that usually the bathrooms are further away.

Be sure to stay away from campsites that have electrical hookups.This is good for people that have trailers and want to camp.Other great places to camp are National Forests and state parks. Some campgrounds require a reservation and some do not.Where ever you decide to camp, it will be an experience that will be a memorable one.

Adding a Rain Shield Over Your Tent

admin — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:44:14 +0000

Many people who have been camping in the wilderness and have seen their tent be destroyed by the elements lament about the lack of protection that many tents have against heavy rains. Indeed, a lot of rain in a short time or a flooding rain that can puddle on the roof of your tent can cause the structure to snap or break down, which can render your tent useless.

For those who own tents that may become victim to a heavy rain breaking the structure down, adding a supplemental covering as a rain shield can help protect your outdoor shelter. Many newer tents come with a covering like this, but the integration of these covers into the tent design can do more harm than good.

Instead, what you can do is simply buy a tarp and some large PVC piping and create your own rain shield with a frame. Using a tarp that can cover the entire area of your tent as well as a few feet around the perimeter can allow the rain to strike this cover and not your tent, allowing you an extra protection against downpours and other inclement weather. A structure like this can extend the life of your camping equipment for a minimal investment.

The Rise of the Family Camping Tent

admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:29:39 +0000

Recently, more and more families have taken up the joys of camping in the great outdoors, and as a result have caused a shift in the sales and designs of camping equipment available at many stores. Camping has long been considered an activity where families weren’t the primary market for items, and the resulting lack of large “family sized” camping equipment was noticeable until very recently.

Many sporting goods retailers are now pushing the larger, more comfortable “family tent” for your outdoor activity. The dimensions of these designs can be as large as twenty feet square, and can feature two or three separate rooms, storage areas for belongings out of the way of the standard living space within, and extra enclosed areas that act like “tent porches” away from the sleeping areas.

The growth in the production of this type of equipment has been successful both for the families that use them and the manufacturers of the tents. The prices for these pieces of equipment are low enough to allow most families to buy one for occasional use, and the extra space in the tents allow for a family to be close while out in the great outdoors. If you’re looking for a great way to take the family camping, doing so with a “family tent” may be a great way to go.

Save Money and Rent Camping Equipment

admin — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:06:53 +0000

If you are new to the camping scene or you just do not go camping too often, it is a good idea to look to your friends for camping equipment. Between the tent, sleeping bags and cooking utensils, the cost of a fun camping trip can really add up. Ask your friends if they have any camping equipment you could borrow for your trip. Make a list of the camping essentials and cross off each item you can borrow. You may find that your camping experience will be cheaper than you thought.

Perhaps your friends rarely go camping and do not have much equipment to loan you, look into locating a rental shop. A rental shop will be able to offer you all the equipment you need for your trip at a reasonable price. Best of all, you will not have to worry about proper storage of the equipment after you use it. Check out a few different shops before you rent and review their policies regarding your usage of the equipment. Make sure there are no hidden fees!