Michael Auberry, a 12-year-old boy who has been in the Boy Scouts for about a year, vanished Saturday in a heavily wooded area near the Blue Ridge Parkway that winds through the mountains of western North Carolina. His troop, which consists of about 10 scouts and three adult leaders, went for a hike early Saturday morning, but Michael stayed behind with an adult leader "because apparently he wanted to sleep in," said David Bauer, a park ranger. The troop came back to the camp for lunch and Michael was there when they returned, but shortly after lunch they noticed that he was missing.
Bauer told reporters that as far as he knows, there were no arguments or interactions with his family or other members of the troop that would have caused him to leave the camp. Crews were called to the camp to begin scouring the rugged terrain for clues that might lead them to the missing boy. Searchers discovered Michael’s mess kit within a mile of the camp site Saturday afternoon, but the boy wasn't found until Tuesday morning.
National Park Service spokeswoman Tina White said that park rangers worked with Michael’s family to learn all they could about how well the boy might be prepared to react to a situation such as being lost in the wilderness. About 70 people searched logging roads and trails surrounding the area Monday, including crews from the FBI.
Monday’s search was aided by sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s, much higher than the freezing temperatures overnight Saturday and Sunday. "The temperatures definitely play a factor," said White. "It has been very cold at night, but this young man was very well dressed. He had a fleece jacket on and another jacket. We've had people who have been out a week or longer and survived."
Search and rescue teams flew a plane with heat-sensing equipment over the area Monday night, and dog teams were brought in to broaden the search area, with searchers staying on the trails to avoid anyone else becoming lost.
The dog teams proved to be a winning idea, because one of the search dogs was integral to locating Michael Tuesday morning. When the boy was found, he was dehydrated, hungry, and disoriented, but otherwise healthy.
Details are still emerging about why Michael left his camp, but it appears that he was simply homesick and had decided to try to walk home. His father, Kent Auberry, told reporters that he still doesn't know much about his son's ordeal, mostly because he decided not to ask too many questions.
Showing posts with label Hobbies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hobbies. Show all posts
Thursday, 7 July 2011
The First Time Camper - Packing Light
To some people, the thought of camping is far from a vacation. To others, it’s a great escape, a chance to spend time outdoors and reconnect with the essence of nature. If you’re a first time camper it is important for you to differentiate essential items to pack from luxuries you will likely not need. Are you going to have cell phone service at your destination? Do you need your entire makeup bag, or can you get by with a few simple items? And most important, how do you plan to stay warm, dry and fed on your trip? The key to safe and successful camping is knowing what necessities to bring with you, and what to leave behind.
Your needs may be different if you’re camping in a rustic cabin versus tent camping at a campground, or hiking into the woods and pitching a tent there. Since it is a good idea to have some camping experience under your belt before you go off into the woods, your best bet is to start by reserving a campsite at a campground. Even when camping at a campground though, there are important things to consider when packing for your trip.
Utilities
Before you even start making your list of items to pack, find out if the campground has utilities available. If they do not provide electricity, for example, either leave items requiring electricity behind, or bring alternative battery operated items with you instead. If the campground offers running water and bathhouses, don’t weight yourself down with gallons of water you won’t need. Finally, find out if a grill or fire pit is provided so you can plan your meals accordingly. Gathering this information ahead of time can save you a lot of frustration in the long run.
Weather – Plan for Rain
As much as we would like to believe the accuracy of the weather forecast, it is always a good idea to plan for a variety of weather patterns. This means plan for both rain and sunshine alike. There is nothing more frustrating than waking up in the middle of the night only to find the floor of your tent soaking wet. So regardless of the forecast, place a tarp or large piece of plastic under the tent to help keep you dry.
While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to also pack a couple of ponchos, raincoats or umbrellas as well. These items can help keep you dry so that you can enjoy activities even when the weather isn’t cooperating. These items don’t take up much room, so they’re worth adding to your list of things to pack.
Protect Your Skin
Blazing sun can give way to nasty sunburns if you’re not careful. The sun can be deceiving, so make sure to bring suntan lotion with a high enough SPF level to keep you’re your skin protected. Having a hat with a visor to wear while you’re out walking, swimming or boating is easy to transport and can offer additional protection during those unexpected heat waves.
Protect Yourself from Insects
Regardless of where you camp, a few different kinds of insects will likely cross your path. Bring at least one can of insect repellent with you on your trip. You will likely enjoy the outdoors a little more if you aren’t spending all of your time swatting away pesky flies. That being said, at the end of the day it is always a good idea to check yourself for lingering insects that may have clung to your clothing.
Think Layers
Because warm days can quickly turn to chilly nights, you will want to pack for all occasions. Go ahead and throw your bathing suit in your sack, but also pack long sleeve shirts, pants and a sweatshirt. If you are camping in a warm climate you may not be as concerned about the chilly nights, but it is still important to think ahead, consider weather patterns, and pack accordingly. It is always better to have the option to peel layers off than to wish you had brought warmer clothing.
Food
One of the great things about camping is being able to experiment with cooking. Whatever you decide to cook on your trip, also consider essential tools to make the process easier. Tinfoil works wonders when cooking vegetables, for example, and don’t forget to bring a spatula or grilling fork if you’re cooking meat. As much as you may want to only pack paper plates and plastic utensils, you won’t be happy when your plastic fork melts while flipping steaks over the campfire. This doesn’t mean you need to pack your whole kitchen (after all the goal is to pack light), but you will want a few multipurpose essentials to make your cooking a little easier. Finally, if you are packing meats, condiments or dairy products, make sure you also have a plan to keep these items cold so they don’t spoil.
Planning for a camping trip may seem like a lot of work, but planning ahead and ridding your packing list of unnecessary items can help simplify the process. When all is said and done, the most important things to consider are your basic fundamental needs: food and water, shelter, clothing and safety. Everything else is optional and can only add to the enjoyment of your camping experience.
Camping is an opportunity to reconnect with nature, enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, and experience a different way of life. Enjoy the essence of camping by leaving a few luxuries behind and getting away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday routine. By keeping it simple and planning ahead, camping can be a fun and stress-free way to enjoy the great outdoors while spending quality time with friends and family.
Your needs may be different if you’re camping in a rustic cabin versus tent camping at a campground, or hiking into the woods and pitching a tent there. Since it is a good idea to have some camping experience under your belt before you go off into the woods, your best bet is to start by reserving a campsite at a campground. Even when camping at a campground though, there are important things to consider when packing for your trip.
Utilities
Before you even start making your list of items to pack, find out if the campground has utilities available. If they do not provide electricity, for example, either leave items requiring electricity behind, or bring alternative battery operated items with you instead. If the campground offers running water and bathhouses, don’t weight yourself down with gallons of water you won’t need. Finally, find out if a grill or fire pit is provided so you can plan your meals accordingly. Gathering this information ahead of time can save you a lot of frustration in the long run.
Weather – Plan for Rain
As much as we would like to believe the accuracy of the weather forecast, it is always a good idea to plan for a variety of weather patterns. This means plan for both rain and sunshine alike. There is nothing more frustrating than waking up in the middle of the night only to find the floor of your tent soaking wet. So regardless of the forecast, place a tarp or large piece of plastic under the tent to help keep you dry.
While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to also pack a couple of ponchos, raincoats or umbrellas as well. These items can help keep you dry so that you can enjoy activities even when the weather isn’t cooperating. These items don’t take up much room, so they’re worth adding to your list of things to pack.
Protect Your Skin
Blazing sun can give way to nasty sunburns if you’re not careful. The sun can be deceiving, so make sure to bring suntan lotion with a high enough SPF level to keep you’re your skin protected. Having a hat with a visor to wear while you’re out walking, swimming or boating is easy to transport and can offer additional protection during those unexpected heat waves.
Protect Yourself from Insects
Regardless of where you camp, a few different kinds of insects will likely cross your path. Bring at least one can of insect repellent with you on your trip. You will likely enjoy the outdoors a little more if you aren’t spending all of your time swatting away pesky flies. That being said, at the end of the day it is always a good idea to check yourself for lingering insects that may have clung to your clothing.
Think Layers
Because warm days can quickly turn to chilly nights, you will want to pack for all occasions. Go ahead and throw your bathing suit in your sack, but also pack long sleeve shirts, pants and a sweatshirt. If you are camping in a warm climate you may not be as concerned about the chilly nights, but it is still important to think ahead, consider weather patterns, and pack accordingly. It is always better to have the option to peel layers off than to wish you had brought warmer clothing.
Food
One of the great things about camping is being able to experiment with cooking. Whatever you decide to cook on your trip, also consider essential tools to make the process easier. Tinfoil works wonders when cooking vegetables, for example, and don’t forget to bring a spatula or grilling fork if you’re cooking meat. As much as you may want to only pack paper plates and plastic utensils, you won’t be happy when your plastic fork melts while flipping steaks over the campfire. This doesn’t mean you need to pack your whole kitchen (after all the goal is to pack light), but you will want a few multipurpose essentials to make your cooking a little easier. Finally, if you are packing meats, condiments or dairy products, make sure you also have a plan to keep these items cold so they don’t spoil.
Planning for a camping trip may seem like a lot of work, but planning ahead and ridding your packing list of unnecessary items can help simplify the process. When all is said and done, the most important things to consider are your basic fundamental needs: food and water, shelter, clothing and safety. Everything else is optional and can only add to the enjoyment of your camping experience.
Camping is an opportunity to reconnect with nature, enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, and experience a different way of life. Enjoy the essence of camping by leaving a few luxuries behind and getting away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday routine. By keeping it simple and planning ahead, camping can be a fun and stress-free way to enjoy the great outdoors while spending quality time with friends and family.
Going on Vacation By Getting Back to Nature
Airfares and hotel accommodations are getting more expensive every year and forcing more and more families to look into a vacation they can take without having to spending a ton of money or go into debt with their credit card. So how does one accomplish an affordable vacation that’s still adventurous and fun? The answer lies in packing up and going camping. Camping does not have to cost a lot of money and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
First, there’s no need to buy transportation tickets or plan your schedule around travel times. You don’t need a camper or RV to go camping, either. The family vehicle will do nicely as transportation, as most camp grounds are paved or have very well maintained roads. Some campgrounds even offer camping cabins for a slightly higher fee, if you don’t want to go the tent route. Find out about your camp site in advance; some have electricity available at campsites, which comes in handy for lanterns, radios, and even small appliances. Many campsites have water available also, which makes it easy to clean up after meals, brush your teeth before going to bed, and wash your face in the morning.
There are usually only a few things that can get a little pricey if you have to buy them. The tent, a camp stove, and a lantern are all pretty standard items for camping, and they come in all types and all price ranges. But before you buy any equipment, particularly if you’re new to camping, you should check around with family and friends and you may be able to borrow most, if not all, of the equipment you’ll need. If not, your local Rent-All center may have tents and stoves, and perhaps other camping gear.
Some military surplus centers have a ton of different types of camping gear. If you have more than one surplus center in your area it would pay to shop, as their pricing is anything but uniform. Last, but not least, you can check out the sporting goods stores in your area. Even chain department stores like K-mart and Wal-Mart have camping supplies, and usually in different price points. It depends on your needs, but if you have to buy new equipment, a new small 3- or 4-person tent can be had for under $100, and a camp stove for about $40. A good lantern can cost anywhere from $10 for a battery-operated one to $35 for one that takes white gas or propane. If you have a choice, get a stove and lantern that use the same fuel, as it will be cheaper and easier to pack.
As far as the rest of the gear goes, just use your common sense. Sleeping bags will not be needed when it’s warm. Bring an old blanket or comforter and some sheets from home. Everybody already has at least one cooler, so you can use that to take food with you. The rest of the equipment is whatever you think you might need—flashlights, pocket knives, a compass, a first aid kit, the correct clothing for the area you will be camping in, etc. If you’re taking children camping, be sure to bring along any games the kids might like to have. Getting them out of the house and into the outdoors may be your opportunity to get them away from the iPod, cell phone, or video game machine. There are plenty of adults today who grew up with old-fashioned board games and puzzles and that’s it—and they turned out okay! Besides, there will be hiking, maybe fishing, and lots of things to see and do while camping, whether you’re at a modern campground with facilities and planned activities, or out in the wilderness away from civilization.
As far as food goes, bring what you want. It will be much cheaper to prepare it yourself than to go out and eat, and there’s a certain charm and adventure to cooking your own food outdoors over a fire. You can easily take perishable food camping; just freeze your meats and store them in the cooler on the bottom by the ice, and if your cooler is a good one the meat will stay cold for a couple of days while it keeps everything else in the cooler fresh. As for the meal plan, the simpler the better. Eggs, bacon, or sausage are fantastic when cooked outdoors on an open grill. Hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, or chops for grilled meats, and potatoes cook nicely in the coals from a campfire. As far as other vegetables go, canned vegetables can be heated up in a pot placed on a grate over a fire, or freeze-dried vegetables may work well if you have a good clean source of water.
Think about your utensils and select the ones that can be used in many different ways. Don’t double up on them, as they can be heavy. If you stay at a campground that has sites with electricity, consider taking along an electric frying pan, which is the most versatile of all small appliances for camping. You can prepare most meals in an electric frying pan—from sausage and eggs to sautéed vegetables, grilled cheese sandwiches, soups and stews, and even toasted bagels. After dinner, just heat clean water in the pan and it doubles as a place to wash the dishes. As for basic cooking utensils, be sure to take at least one good knife, eating utensils, one or two serving spoons, and a spatula. Just use you imagination, and if you forget something you can always pick it up in town, or at the camp store if there is one.
As you can see, there is a way to take a relatively inexpensive vacation and get some good family bonding time in also. If you’re not sure whether you or your family will like camping out, plan a few days somewhere with an inexpensive motel close by, but don’t tell the family. Then, if it doesn’t go very well or the kids just get tired of it, you have an out and will be the hero all over again. Some of the best, most memorable times a family can have will be discovered on camping vacations.
First, there’s no need to buy transportation tickets or plan your schedule around travel times. You don’t need a camper or RV to go camping, either. The family vehicle will do nicely as transportation, as most camp grounds are paved or have very well maintained roads. Some campgrounds even offer camping cabins for a slightly higher fee, if you don’t want to go the tent route. Find out about your camp site in advance; some have electricity available at campsites, which comes in handy for lanterns, radios, and even small appliances. Many campsites have water available also, which makes it easy to clean up after meals, brush your teeth before going to bed, and wash your face in the morning.
There are usually only a few things that can get a little pricey if you have to buy them. The tent, a camp stove, and a lantern are all pretty standard items for camping, and they come in all types and all price ranges. But before you buy any equipment, particularly if you’re new to camping, you should check around with family and friends and you may be able to borrow most, if not all, of the equipment you’ll need. If not, your local Rent-All center may have tents and stoves, and perhaps other camping gear.
Some military surplus centers have a ton of different types of camping gear. If you have more than one surplus center in your area it would pay to shop, as their pricing is anything but uniform. Last, but not least, you can check out the sporting goods stores in your area. Even chain department stores like K-mart and Wal-Mart have camping supplies, and usually in different price points. It depends on your needs, but if you have to buy new equipment, a new small 3- or 4-person tent can be had for under $100, and a camp stove for about $40. A good lantern can cost anywhere from $10 for a battery-operated one to $35 for one that takes white gas or propane. If you have a choice, get a stove and lantern that use the same fuel, as it will be cheaper and easier to pack.
As far as the rest of the gear goes, just use your common sense. Sleeping bags will not be needed when it’s warm. Bring an old blanket or comforter and some sheets from home. Everybody already has at least one cooler, so you can use that to take food with you. The rest of the equipment is whatever you think you might need—flashlights, pocket knives, a compass, a first aid kit, the correct clothing for the area you will be camping in, etc. If you’re taking children camping, be sure to bring along any games the kids might like to have. Getting them out of the house and into the outdoors may be your opportunity to get them away from the iPod, cell phone, or video game machine. There are plenty of adults today who grew up with old-fashioned board games and puzzles and that’s it—and they turned out okay! Besides, there will be hiking, maybe fishing, and lots of things to see and do while camping, whether you’re at a modern campground with facilities and planned activities, or out in the wilderness away from civilization.
As far as food goes, bring what you want. It will be much cheaper to prepare it yourself than to go out and eat, and there’s a certain charm and adventure to cooking your own food outdoors over a fire. You can easily take perishable food camping; just freeze your meats and store them in the cooler on the bottom by the ice, and if your cooler is a good one the meat will stay cold for a couple of days while it keeps everything else in the cooler fresh. As for the meal plan, the simpler the better. Eggs, bacon, or sausage are fantastic when cooked outdoors on an open grill. Hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, or chops for grilled meats, and potatoes cook nicely in the coals from a campfire. As far as other vegetables go, canned vegetables can be heated up in a pot placed on a grate over a fire, or freeze-dried vegetables may work well if you have a good clean source of water.
Think about your utensils and select the ones that can be used in many different ways. Don’t double up on them, as they can be heavy. If you stay at a campground that has sites with electricity, consider taking along an electric frying pan, which is the most versatile of all small appliances for camping. You can prepare most meals in an electric frying pan—from sausage and eggs to sautéed vegetables, grilled cheese sandwiches, soups and stews, and even toasted bagels. After dinner, just heat clean water in the pan and it doubles as a place to wash the dishes. As for basic cooking utensils, be sure to take at least one good knife, eating utensils, one or two serving spoons, and a spatula. Just use you imagination, and if you forget something you can always pick it up in town, or at the camp store if there is one.
As you can see, there is a way to take a relatively inexpensive vacation and get some good family bonding time in also. If you’re not sure whether you or your family will like camping out, plan a few days somewhere with an inexpensive motel close by, but don’t tell the family. Then, if it doesn’t go very well or the kids just get tired of it, you have an out and will be the hero all over again. Some of the best, most memorable times a family can have will be discovered on camping vacations.
Camping
One of the most popular activities amongst outdoor recreational activities has always been camping. This is one such activity that helps one to connect with nature and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is one such activity that would also require loads of preparation from you in advance as well. For those who are having their first brush with camping will need to prepare for a lot of things beforehand. The last thing you would want is to be stranded at a camping site with something amiss! Read on for some camping tips that would help you go about the packing process in a systematic way.
Camping Tips:
Clothing is something that might seem tricky to pack, you can never be sure about the weather; it might be too hot during the day and freezing at night! The last thing you would want is the biting cold bothering your toes. Do ensure that you pack some extra socks, light cotton clothes and heavy sweaters/jackets along with a regular pair of shoes (Leave the branded ones at home) and even some sturdy hiking boots. After all, you will definitely be moving about the camping site to explore it as well. And if you come across a gorgeous lake, don’t forget to pack your swimwear! You wouldn’t want to regret a dip into the azure waters (Unless its prohibited or polluted). The clothes should be practical and should dry fast. Shorts are always associated with camping but may look good only in the fashion magazines. Whilst you hike in the woods, you wouldn’t want to come in close contact with mosquitoes and poison ivy! It is therefore better, to stick to lightweight long pants that would cover your skin to some extent.
Your food is also a prime issue when it comes to camping. Packed food can be a major attraction for animals. Some experts suggest that food should be hung above the ground level; special bags are available for the same. The last thing you would want to do is share your dinner with the grizzly bear next door! Whenever you are planning any excursion, pack some sandwiches, beverages, crackers and chocolates for those hunger pangs or in between snacks. Frying pans, stove, pots, foils, ziplock bags, and buckets to wash the dirty dishes are some of the basics you would need for any camping trip.
Camping out would also require you to take care of the camping site as well. After all, this is not a dumping ground and it belongs to the animals as it does to us. Ensure you do not play around with fire and consult the park ranger about starting the fire at the right spot. Keep the camping site clean at all times and do carry some soap, brooms and bags to clean up the site once you have finished your task out there.
Avoid feeding any wild animals; observe them from a distance. After all, you do not want to have an encounter with an animal that’s having a bad temper. Animals are better to be left by themselves, do not try to change their diet with packed and processed foods! Besides, once they get used to being in close contact with humans, it may not always happen that that every human would treat the animal in an affectionate manner.
Ensure you have packed your medicine kits and other knickknacks that may prove to be useful for you. Whistles, pocketknives, flashlights, rope, binoculars, spare batteries for your cameras, compass etc will definitely prove to be a blessing once you are out there in the wild!
Camping Tips:
Clothing is something that might seem tricky to pack, you can never be sure about the weather; it might be too hot during the day and freezing at night! The last thing you would want is the biting cold bothering your toes. Do ensure that you pack some extra socks, light cotton clothes and heavy sweaters/jackets along with a regular pair of shoes (Leave the branded ones at home) and even some sturdy hiking boots. After all, you will definitely be moving about the camping site to explore it as well. And if you come across a gorgeous lake, don’t forget to pack your swimwear! You wouldn’t want to regret a dip into the azure waters (Unless its prohibited or polluted). The clothes should be practical and should dry fast. Shorts are always associated with camping but may look good only in the fashion magazines. Whilst you hike in the woods, you wouldn’t want to come in close contact with mosquitoes and poison ivy! It is therefore better, to stick to lightweight long pants that would cover your skin to some extent.
Your food is also a prime issue when it comes to camping. Packed food can be a major attraction for animals. Some experts suggest that food should be hung above the ground level; special bags are available for the same. The last thing you would want to do is share your dinner with the grizzly bear next door! Whenever you are planning any excursion, pack some sandwiches, beverages, crackers and chocolates for those hunger pangs or in between snacks. Frying pans, stove, pots, foils, ziplock bags, and buckets to wash the dirty dishes are some of the basics you would need for any camping trip.
Camping out would also require you to take care of the camping site as well. After all, this is not a dumping ground and it belongs to the animals as it does to us. Ensure you do not play around with fire and consult the park ranger about starting the fire at the right spot. Keep the camping site clean at all times and do carry some soap, brooms and bags to clean up the site once you have finished your task out there.
Avoid feeding any wild animals; observe them from a distance. After all, you do not want to have an encounter with an animal that’s having a bad temper. Animals are better to be left by themselves, do not try to change their diet with packed and processed foods! Besides, once they get used to being in close contact with humans, it may not always happen that that every human would treat the animal in an affectionate manner.
Ensure you have packed your medicine kits and other knickknacks that may prove to be useful for you. Whistles, pocketknives, flashlights, rope, binoculars, spare batteries for your cameras, compass etc will definitely prove to be a blessing once you are out there in the wild!
Meet the Rest of the World by Camping
By Earl Hunsinger
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." So wrote Henry David Thoreau to describe his experience living on the shore of Walden Pond, just south of Concord Massachusetts. Even then, in the 1840s, the idea of living as simply as possible was considered a little unusual. Thoreau himself regarded the two years he spent in the Concord woods as an experiment. How much more complicated have our lives become over the last 160 years? How much more have we separated ourselves from Nature?
Most of us today live in an artificial world. We spend our lives indoors, behind man made walls. No matter how aesthetically pleasing these may be, they are artificial, limiting our experience. To a city dweller, seeing a live cow or chicken may be as novel an experience as seeing a polar bear or wildebeest. Even his experience with trees and plants may be confined to walking down a well maintained tree lined street or strolling through a carefully planned city park.
While country dwellers may have more exposure to flora and fauna, unless they happen to be a farmer, their daily life is probably a small town reflection of the big city. We view nature through the window of our home or office, or out the window of our car on the way to work or the store. Even children have become more insulated from the natural world. In years past, children, at least those in rural areas, knew every rock and tree within a mile of their house. They were amateur scientists, studying everything from how long it took ants to find a piece of candy left in the dirt to which berries were good to eat and which were poisonous. Now, thanks to cable TV, the internet, and video games, they too live their lives indoors.
There are over 6 billion people on the earth. Yet, as reported in Science Daily some scientists estimate that there may be as many as 100 million different species of other living creatures, including insects, fish, birds, and animals. It’s ironic then that a man can consider himself worldly wise while knowing very little about the other creatures inhabiting the world, some of which may be as close as his backyard or the empty lot across the street.
It’s no wonder that species are going extinct at an alarming rate today. It’s not just that people don’t care; they don’t have enough experience to care. When you live your life indoors, what’s happening in the woods or water that you see flying by the side of the highway on your way to work simply doesn’t seem to have any relevance.
Of course, few today have the courage or circumstances to imitate Thoreau and leave it all behind for a life in the woods. Fewer still have the desire to do so. Still, we might benefit from spending a few days there. I don’t just mean benefit in an environmentally conscious way. That wouldn’t hurt. After all, like it or not, without other living things, human life would be impossible. Many though have found that spending a few hours hiking in the woods, or spending a few days camping in the woods, benefits them on a more personal level.
The American Hiking Society has information on the health benefits of hiking. These include both physical and mental benefits. While the health benefits of camping may be harder to quantify, they are similar to the express purpose of any vacation. If you want to unwind, relax, and clear your mind of the hundred sources of stress that assault you in the hectic life you have created for yourself, go camping.
Camping, at least tent camping in the woods, is life at its simplest. Your only worries are eating, sleeping, staying warm and dry, etc. With a little preparation and training, doing these things is relatively simple. Many campers have found that stripping life down to such essentials makes such simple everyday things more enjoyable. Living in the natural world rather than apart from it, even for a short time, seems to heighten the senses. The crystal clear water of a mountain stream seems to sparkle more in the sunshine. Its cold water seems more refreshing. Food seems to taste better when cooked over a campfire and eaten under a canopy of leaves. You find yourself waking with the sun, yet feeling refreshed and ready to face a new day.
Camping also allows you to meet the rest of the world, or perhaps to become reacquainted with some old friends from your childhood. You might see an eagle, feeding its young by snatching fish from a lake. Or a crayfish, going about its business in a rocky streambed. You might see a mother deer and its fawn foraging for food, or a beaver busily building a dam. The night air might be disturbed by the hoot of an owl, or the sound of a raccoon coming into your camp looking for food. As you meet these fellow citizens of our planet and observe how they live their lives, your heart rate will probably slow and you will probably find yourself becoming more and more relaxed.
So then, why not do as Thoreau did? Go to the woods. By walking through the woods on a hike, or camping in the woods, perhaps you too can learn what life in the woods has to teach.
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." So wrote Henry David Thoreau to describe his experience living on the shore of Walden Pond, just south of Concord Massachusetts. Even then, in the 1840s, the idea of living as simply as possible was considered a little unusual. Thoreau himself regarded the two years he spent in the Concord woods as an experiment. How much more complicated have our lives become over the last 160 years? How much more have we separated ourselves from Nature?
Most of us today live in an artificial world. We spend our lives indoors, behind man made walls. No matter how aesthetically pleasing these may be, they are artificial, limiting our experience. To a city dweller, seeing a live cow or chicken may be as novel an experience as seeing a polar bear or wildebeest. Even his experience with trees and plants may be confined to walking down a well maintained tree lined street or strolling through a carefully planned city park.
While country dwellers may have more exposure to flora and fauna, unless they happen to be a farmer, their daily life is probably a small town reflection of the big city. We view nature through the window of our home or office, or out the window of our car on the way to work or the store. Even children have become more insulated from the natural world. In years past, children, at least those in rural areas, knew every rock and tree within a mile of their house. They were amateur scientists, studying everything from how long it took ants to find a piece of candy left in the dirt to which berries were good to eat and which were poisonous. Now, thanks to cable TV, the internet, and video games, they too live their lives indoors.
There are over 6 billion people on the earth. Yet, as reported in Science Daily some scientists estimate that there may be as many as 100 million different species of other living creatures, including insects, fish, birds, and animals. It’s ironic then that a man can consider himself worldly wise while knowing very little about the other creatures inhabiting the world, some of which may be as close as his backyard or the empty lot across the street.
It’s no wonder that species are going extinct at an alarming rate today. It’s not just that people don’t care; they don’t have enough experience to care. When you live your life indoors, what’s happening in the woods or water that you see flying by the side of the highway on your way to work simply doesn’t seem to have any relevance.
Of course, few today have the courage or circumstances to imitate Thoreau and leave it all behind for a life in the woods. Fewer still have the desire to do so. Still, we might benefit from spending a few days there. I don’t just mean benefit in an environmentally conscious way. That wouldn’t hurt. After all, like it or not, without other living things, human life would be impossible. Many though have found that spending a few hours hiking in the woods, or spending a few days camping in the woods, benefits them on a more personal level.
The American Hiking Society has information on the health benefits of hiking. These include both physical and mental benefits. While the health benefits of camping may be harder to quantify, they are similar to the express purpose of any vacation. If you want to unwind, relax, and clear your mind of the hundred sources of stress that assault you in the hectic life you have created for yourself, go camping.
Camping, at least tent camping in the woods, is life at its simplest. Your only worries are eating, sleeping, staying warm and dry, etc. With a little preparation and training, doing these things is relatively simple. Many campers have found that stripping life down to such essentials makes such simple everyday things more enjoyable. Living in the natural world rather than apart from it, even for a short time, seems to heighten the senses. The crystal clear water of a mountain stream seems to sparkle more in the sunshine. Its cold water seems more refreshing. Food seems to taste better when cooked over a campfire and eaten under a canopy of leaves. You find yourself waking with the sun, yet feeling refreshed and ready to face a new day.
Camping also allows you to meet the rest of the world, or perhaps to become reacquainted with some old friends from your childhood. You might see an eagle, feeding its young by snatching fish from a lake. Or a crayfish, going about its business in a rocky streambed. You might see a mother deer and its fawn foraging for food, or a beaver busily building a dam. The night air might be disturbed by the hoot of an owl, or the sound of a raccoon coming into your camp looking for food. As you meet these fellow citizens of our planet and observe how they live their lives, your heart rate will probably slow and you will probably find yourself becoming more and more relaxed.
So then, why not do as Thoreau did? Go to the woods. By walking through the woods on a hike, or camping in the woods, perhaps you too can learn what life in the woods has to teach.
Hiking and Camping Tips
Summer is the time when most of us would love to be outdoors. Hiking and camping are the two fun activities best suited for summer. While camping, you are close with nature where you are woken up by the chirping of the birds and the screeching owls, and crickets wish you good night. Hiking and camping are one of the best ways to appreciate nature. You can go hiking in the mountains and camp out there or in the woods by the riverside. However, there are certain precautions that require to be taken before hiking or camping.
Hiking and Camping Tips
Once you have decided on the location and the day you wish to start off on your hike, it is time to decide what to carry, how much to carry and what not to carry. Here are a few useful hiking and camping tips.
The first and foremost priority must be given to your footwear, if you are going on a hike. Right and comfortable boots are essential to make your hiking trip a success. Depending on the location you could choose lightweight, medium or heavy weight boots. Along with the boots, pack a couple of pairs of hiking socks to avoid blisters.
Choose a good backpack depending on the number of days you plan to hike and camp. The backpack should contain the necessary articles such as under garments (take synthetic ones if you are planning to hike and camp during winter, else go for cotton underwear), a rainwear (during rainy season), body lotions, an extra pair of hiking socks. Carry your toiletries and other essential articles. However, leave space for some foodstuffs and water.
If camping is also included in your hiking trip, pack a good quality tent. When you choose a tent consider the size and not the color or the style. Choose a tent that has a rain fly. Also carry a tent diaper. This is laid on the floor underneath the tent to keep the tent dry, in case it rains.
The general equipment that is to be carried for hiking and camping are water bottles, emergency kit including the first aid kit, torch lights and extra batteries, fire lighter, water purification tablets and a couple of all-purpose zip lock bags.
If you are planning to cook using campfire, do not forget to include a knife, spoons, plate, kettle and a frying pan and couple of unbreakable mugs. Carry bottle openers, duct tape and light ropes. Compass and a signal mirror are a must.
Whether you are going hiking or camping, you need to have an idea about the foodstuffs that have to be taken along. Plan out each meal. Carry cereals and milk powder for breakfast. Avoid meat as they are bound to get spoiled. Take tinned foods that will last long and is light on stomach. When shopping for food, check out the date of expiry. Carrying extra supply of food is a good idea because you tend to feel hungry while hiking long distance. The fresh air and the cool breeze could increase your appetite.
If you are camping in the mountains, do not forget to pack a lightweight blanket and sweaters for the night. When you go trekking during daytime, wear a large brimmed hat to protect you from the sun. Never forget to apply sun protection creams on your face and limbs. The mountain air and sun could cause blisters. If you feel necessary, carry your sunglasses.
Hiking and camping is fun provided you are well equipped. Keep in mind the above tips before you go on a hiking and camping trip.
Hiking and Camping Tips
Once you have decided on the location and the day you wish to start off on your hike, it is time to decide what to carry, how much to carry and what not to carry. Here are a few useful hiking and camping tips.
The first and foremost priority must be given to your footwear, if you are going on a hike. Right and comfortable boots are essential to make your hiking trip a success. Depending on the location you could choose lightweight, medium or heavy weight boots. Along with the boots, pack a couple of pairs of hiking socks to avoid blisters.
Choose a good backpack depending on the number of days you plan to hike and camp. The backpack should contain the necessary articles such as under garments (take synthetic ones if you are planning to hike and camp during winter, else go for cotton underwear), a rainwear (during rainy season), body lotions, an extra pair of hiking socks. Carry your toiletries and other essential articles. However, leave space for some foodstuffs and water.
If camping is also included in your hiking trip, pack a good quality tent. When you choose a tent consider the size and not the color or the style. Choose a tent that has a rain fly. Also carry a tent diaper. This is laid on the floor underneath the tent to keep the tent dry, in case it rains.
The general equipment that is to be carried for hiking and camping are water bottles, emergency kit including the first aid kit, torch lights and extra batteries, fire lighter, water purification tablets and a couple of all-purpose zip lock bags.
If you are planning to cook using campfire, do not forget to include a knife, spoons, plate, kettle and a frying pan and couple of unbreakable mugs. Carry bottle openers, duct tape and light ropes. Compass and a signal mirror are a must.
Whether you are going hiking or camping, you need to have an idea about the foodstuffs that have to be taken along. Plan out each meal. Carry cereals and milk powder for breakfast. Avoid meat as they are bound to get spoiled. Take tinned foods that will last long and is light on stomach. When shopping for food, check out the date of expiry. Carrying extra supply of food is a good idea because you tend to feel hungry while hiking long distance. The fresh air and the cool breeze could increase your appetite.
If you are camping in the mountains, do not forget to pack a lightweight blanket and sweaters for the night. When you go trekking during daytime, wear a large brimmed hat to protect you from the sun. Never forget to apply sun protection creams on your face and limbs. The mountain air and sun could cause blisters. If you feel necessary, carry your sunglasses.
Hiking and camping is fun provided you are well equipped. Keep in mind the above tips before you go on a hiking and camping trip.
Benefits of Camping
Camping is one of the best recreational activities, and a favorite among families, youth and couples all over the world. The benefits of camping are multifarious, with each person gaining something different from the experience. Studies have shown that humans subconsciously desire to connect with the natural world, by being around plants, wilderness, and the seas. Termed 'biophilia' by medical professionals, it has brought to light a fact we always knew, that the outdoors have a positive effect on a persons quality of life.
Advantages of Camping
Family Time: Camping is one of the best ways to connect and bond with your family. If a hectic work schedule is leaving you with little time for your family members, a weekend camping trip is the perfect answer. With no television, computers and cell phones to serve as distractions, activities such as setting up camp, fishing and cooking will have everyone working and spending quality time together. Add to this fun activities such as camping games and bonfires, and everyone will have a blast.
Cost Effective: Going camping is possibly your cheapest/most cost effective holiday option. Money spent on airline tickets and hotel rooms can be scratched out and replaced by significantly smaller amounts spent on driving to your camp site and on cheap reusable camping equipment. For those on budget vacations, homemade camping gear will ensure that the cost of your camping trip will stay to the bare minimum.
Immediate Option: A camping trip can fit into the amount of time you have to spare and does not require much prior planning. A camping trip can be for one night, a weekend, a week or more. For short trips, an evening to collect all the supplies you need will suffice. For a spontaneous trip, you can drive to the nearest camping ground and spend the night there. All you will need is food (which could be in the form of sandwiches), water and a sleeping bag.
Variety: Camping opens up the option of several other activities. Many campgrounds come equipped with pools, lakes, and trails, which allows you to go fishing, swimming, canoeing, or biking. Armed with a little bit of research before you leave, you could also try some stargazing or birdwatching. Things to do while camping include a leisurely trip at a campground using tents, motor homes or cabins in the back country with no facilities.
Love for Nature: One of the biggest advantages of taking your kids camping is that it will inculcate in them a love for nature. You can be assured of raising responsible caring individuals, who will leave the planet in better shape than they received it in. They will also pick up basic survival skills and create lasting memories. If you are a nature lover, you can revel in the magnificent outdoors and enjoy some solitude and quiet. One of the best things about camping is that it is a simplified way of life, and is a nutshell experience of the lives of our ancestors.
Health: The invigorating fresh air and exercise that a camping trip affords you is great for your health. Apart from the hikes and rowing, even everyday tasks like collecting wood provide a great workout. A weekly or monthly camping trip will not only refresh your mind, but also do your body loads of good.
The next time you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and enjoy a tranquil weekend in the midst of nature, go camping. Armed with a few hiking and camping tips, exploring nature's wondrous beauty is easy enough. Among the benefits of camping is that it removes you from the structured, amenity dependent life in the city and allows you to get in touch with your untamed side. For families with younger children, the importance of camping activities should not be ignored. While older children and adults can connect with nature, younger children tend to get bored and would need fun camping activities to enjoy longer camps. For those who think that a few days away from indoor plumbing and air conditioning is torture, a star filled night sky away from city lights and the magnificence of creation, is exactly what they need to change their mind.
Advantages of Camping
Family Time: Camping is one of the best ways to connect and bond with your family. If a hectic work schedule is leaving you with little time for your family members, a weekend camping trip is the perfect answer. With no television, computers and cell phones to serve as distractions, activities such as setting up camp, fishing and cooking will have everyone working and spending quality time together. Add to this fun activities such as camping games and bonfires, and everyone will have a blast.
Cost Effective: Going camping is possibly your cheapest/most cost effective holiday option. Money spent on airline tickets and hotel rooms can be scratched out and replaced by significantly smaller amounts spent on driving to your camp site and on cheap reusable camping equipment. For those on budget vacations, homemade camping gear will ensure that the cost of your camping trip will stay to the bare minimum.
Immediate Option: A camping trip can fit into the amount of time you have to spare and does not require much prior planning. A camping trip can be for one night, a weekend, a week or more. For short trips, an evening to collect all the supplies you need will suffice. For a spontaneous trip, you can drive to the nearest camping ground and spend the night there. All you will need is food (which could be in the form of sandwiches), water and a sleeping bag.
Variety: Camping opens up the option of several other activities. Many campgrounds come equipped with pools, lakes, and trails, which allows you to go fishing, swimming, canoeing, or biking. Armed with a little bit of research before you leave, you could also try some stargazing or birdwatching. Things to do while camping include a leisurely trip at a campground using tents, motor homes or cabins in the back country with no facilities.
Love for Nature: One of the biggest advantages of taking your kids camping is that it will inculcate in them a love for nature. You can be assured of raising responsible caring individuals, who will leave the planet in better shape than they received it in. They will also pick up basic survival skills and create lasting memories. If you are a nature lover, you can revel in the magnificent outdoors and enjoy some solitude and quiet. One of the best things about camping is that it is a simplified way of life, and is a nutshell experience of the lives of our ancestors.
Health: The invigorating fresh air and exercise that a camping trip affords you is great for your health. Apart from the hikes and rowing, even everyday tasks like collecting wood provide a great workout. A weekly or monthly camping trip will not only refresh your mind, but also do your body loads of good.
The next time you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and enjoy a tranquil weekend in the midst of nature, go camping. Armed with a few hiking and camping tips, exploring nature's wondrous beauty is easy enough. Among the benefits of camping is that it removes you from the structured, amenity dependent life in the city and allows you to get in touch with your untamed side. For families with younger children, the importance of camping activities should not be ignored. While older children and adults can connect with nature, younger children tend to get bored and would need fun camping activities to enjoy longer camps. For those who think that a few days away from indoor plumbing and air conditioning is torture, a star filled night sky away from city lights and the magnificence of creation, is exactly what they need to change their mind.
Appalachian Trail Camping
The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is formally known as the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Located in eastern United States, it is a marked hiking trail that spans the area between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine, running across 14 states. This seemingly endless trail is approximately 2,175 miles (3,500 km) long and stretches through wilderness, towns, roads and across rivers. While most people attempt to hike sections of the trail, a brave and ambitious few attempt the entire trail (termed thru hiking) in one season. Appalachian trail camping allows one to connect with nature in all her splendor and revel in the great outdoors.
Planning
If you want to have a truly enjoyable hiking experience and get the most out of your appalachian trail camping/hiking trip, you need to plan it well. Before setting out, you need know all the regulations and permits pertaining to the trail and find out the latest updates about weather and safety considerations. You will need to find out how to get to the trail; which shuttle you can avail of or alternately where to park. You will need to buy Appalachian trail maps and if the trip is a long one, gather information about shelters and camping. Two items that are indispensable to appalachian trail hikers, are the 'appalachian trail guide', containing accounts by thru hikers and the 'Official AT Databook' which has constantly updated information about trail mileages, water sources, road crossings, shelter locations, etc. Both are published by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC).
Appalachian Trail Camping Shelters
If you are backpacking appalachian trail, you need to plan where and how you will spend the nights. If you want more flexibility in your schedule and are happy to carry the extra weight, you could pitch a tent. While the ideal place to camp is near a shelter, you could also utilize one of the designated campsites that have flat, cleared places and at times, tent platforms. In some parts of the trail such as the southern Appalachians or the national forests of the Virginias, one is allowed to choose their own place to camp but they have to be very careful about clearing up as well as affecting the area as little as possible. One can do this by picking a site that does not appear to have been used, pitching their tent on dead leaves or grass, at a distance of at least seventy paces from water. Be careful not to tramp upon plants and seedlings. The ideal is to minimize human impact on the environment. Hikers are discouraged from building campfires for the negative ecological impact they have and are requested to use a a backpacking stove instead. If a campfire is a must, build one in an established fire ring and adhere to the fire restrictions of the trail.
Your other camping option lies in more than 250 backcountry shelters that exist along the trail. Most shelters are three walls, a wooden floor and a metal/shingled roof. They are usually located in proximity to a creek or spring and several have a privy close by. The shelters slowly fill up with hikers as they arrive. For this reason, it is advisable to carry a tent as backup in case the shelter is full at the time you reach it. The shelters are built to provide for the individual hiker. Thus, if you are in a large group that would occupy the entire shelter, you are advised to camp out instead. Shelters provide good protection in bad weather and a good opportunity for interaction. You should be aware that shelters located in heavy-use areas may need a permit, registration and/or fees. Also, be prepared to encounter grime and rats in some of the shelters, which are the outcome of messy hikers who don't clean up.
When you hike appalachian trail, it is critical to ensure that you follow the 'leave no traces' practice. Try not to trample vegetation or use up wood for fires. Do not litter, cut down trees or vandalize the structures. Appalachian trail camping carries with it a responsibility towards the environment and towards others hiking the appalachian trail.
Planning
If you want to have a truly enjoyable hiking experience and get the most out of your appalachian trail camping/hiking trip, you need to plan it well. Before setting out, you need know all the regulations and permits pertaining to the trail and find out the latest updates about weather and safety considerations. You will need to find out how to get to the trail; which shuttle you can avail of or alternately where to park. You will need to buy Appalachian trail maps and if the trip is a long one, gather information about shelters and camping. Two items that are indispensable to appalachian trail hikers, are the 'appalachian trail guide', containing accounts by thru hikers and the 'Official AT Databook' which has constantly updated information about trail mileages, water sources, road crossings, shelter locations, etc. Both are published by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC).
Appalachian Trail Camping Shelters
If you are backpacking appalachian trail, you need to plan where and how you will spend the nights. If you want more flexibility in your schedule and are happy to carry the extra weight, you could pitch a tent. While the ideal place to camp is near a shelter, you could also utilize one of the designated campsites that have flat, cleared places and at times, tent platforms. In some parts of the trail such as the southern Appalachians or the national forests of the Virginias, one is allowed to choose their own place to camp but they have to be very careful about clearing up as well as affecting the area as little as possible. One can do this by picking a site that does not appear to have been used, pitching their tent on dead leaves or grass, at a distance of at least seventy paces from water. Be careful not to tramp upon plants and seedlings. The ideal is to minimize human impact on the environment. Hikers are discouraged from building campfires for the negative ecological impact they have and are requested to use a a backpacking stove instead. If a campfire is a must, build one in an established fire ring and adhere to the fire restrictions of the trail.
Your other camping option lies in more than 250 backcountry shelters that exist along the trail. Most shelters are three walls, a wooden floor and a metal/shingled roof. They are usually located in proximity to a creek or spring and several have a privy close by. The shelters slowly fill up with hikers as they arrive. For this reason, it is advisable to carry a tent as backup in case the shelter is full at the time you reach it. The shelters are built to provide for the individual hiker. Thus, if you are in a large group that would occupy the entire shelter, you are advised to camp out instead. Shelters provide good protection in bad weather and a good opportunity for interaction. You should be aware that shelters located in heavy-use areas may need a permit, registration and/or fees. Also, be prepared to encounter grime and rats in some of the shelters, which are the outcome of messy hikers who don't clean up.
When you hike appalachian trail, it is critical to ensure that you follow the 'leave no traces' practice. Try not to trample vegetation or use up wood for fires. Do not litter, cut down trees or vandalize the structures. Appalachian trail camping carries with it a responsibility towards the environment and towards others hiking the appalachian trail.
Camping Reflections - Tall Tents Provide Camping Comfort
There are as many definitions of camping as there are people enjoying it. There isn’t such a thing as "bad camping" as long as the camper is taking a few simple precautions and refrains from making his or her outing a real headache for others. What I am going to mention here, are a few hints that I personally have benefited from in my quest for a relaxing experience in the woods.
Many of us share the dream of drifting to sleep in our tent, snug and warm inside our sleeping bag, listening to those gentle waves of a lake or the light rippling, soothing sound of a brook or a creek. It doesn’t take much to make these dreams a reality with these few hints that I have found to be helpful and I am going to start from the outside and work myself inward:
First, you don’t have to have the absolute latest in camping equipment. While it is important that you have good gear, it doesn’t have to be flashy and come with a logo that you have seen go by on TV commercials. If you, like me, live on the wet west coast, you know how quickly you can get very cold, wet and miserable in a sudden torrential downpour if you’re not prepared. Therefore, a good sturdy tall tent with enough room to stand up in and to store equipment like clothing, books, maps and cameras, etc, away from the rain is important. It’s tempting to choose a small tent based on the size or weight but believe me, it is fantastic to have the necessary room to move around without having to touch the walls or the ceiling. It’s so much easier to change out of your wet clothes while standing up and, with the great camping tent designs you can get these days, even big tents can be quick and easy to assemble.
Besides a tall tent, you need at least 2 tarps, one to go on the ground as a ground sheet for the tent and the other to cover your tent from rain. A ground sheet acts both as an insulating layer between your tent and the damp ground and a layer that prevents the tent bottom getting ripped to shreds by sharp rocks. The secret is to prevent the ground sheet from sticking out outside the tent, otherwise the rainwater will collect on it and flow inwards and make your tent floor wet. Also, for the same reason, try not to pitch your tent in an indentation in the ground, try to find a convex part of the ground that slopes away from the tent’s edges. That will save you much grieve from soaked socks and sleeping bags during downpours.
The 2nd tarp is for covering your tent’s roof from rain and sometimes a baking hot sun. Carry an assortment of nylon ropes, long and short and also 4-6 medium sized bungee cords. (No, not for bungee jumping!) When pitching your tent, try to find a spot nestled in the trees. Place the tarp over your tent and hook the bungee cords in the reinforced holes in each corner of the tarp. Then tie a loop at the end of 4 ropes, each rope long to reach a sturdy tree with sufficient rope to wrap around the tree or around a branch. Hook the loop onto the bungee cord and stretch the rope until you reach the nearest tree then tie it taut. The purpose of using the bungee cords is to protect the grommets on the tarp from ripping. With the ropes taut, if the wind picks up and causes the tarp to billow, the bungee cords will stretch enough to take the strain off of the grommets. It’s also important to have one or two of the ropes tied high enough to create a slope for the tarp, to make the rainwater drip off and not collect into a large bathtub, which could crush the tent or collapse the tarp. It doesn’t have to look cute or "Disneyesque", as long as your tent and camping equipment stay dry.
Many of us share the dream of drifting to sleep in our tent, snug and warm inside our sleeping bag, listening to those gentle waves of a lake or the light rippling, soothing sound of a brook or a creek. It doesn’t take much to make these dreams a reality with these few hints that I have found to be helpful and I am going to start from the outside and work myself inward:
First, you don’t have to have the absolute latest in camping equipment. While it is important that you have good gear, it doesn’t have to be flashy and come with a logo that you have seen go by on TV commercials. If you, like me, live on the wet west coast, you know how quickly you can get very cold, wet and miserable in a sudden torrential downpour if you’re not prepared. Therefore, a good sturdy tall tent with enough room to stand up in and to store equipment like clothing, books, maps and cameras, etc, away from the rain is important. It’s tempting to choose a small tent based on the size or weight but believe me, it is fantastic to have the necessary room to move around without having to touch the walls or the ceiling. It’s so much easier to change out of your wet clothes while standing up and, with the great camping tent designs you can get these days, even big tents can be quick and easy to assemble.
Besides a tall tent, you need at least 2 tarps, one to go on the ground as a ground sheet for the tent and the other to cover your tent from rain. A ground sheet acts both as an insulating layer between your tent and the damp ground and a layer that prevents the tent bottom getting ripped to shreds by sharp rocks. The secret is to prevent the ground sheet from sticking out outside the tent, otherwise the rainwater will collect on it and flow inwards and make your tent floor wet. Also, for the same reason, try not to pitch your tent in an indentation in the ground, try to find a convex part of the ground that slopes away from the tent’s edges. That will save you much grieve from soaked socks and sleeping bags during downpours.
The 2nd tarp is for covering your tent’s roof from rain and sometimes a baking hot sun. Carry an assortment of nylon ropes, long and short and also 4-6 medium sized bungee cords. (No, not for bungee jumping!) When pitching your tent, try to find a spot nestled in the trees. Place the tarp over your tent and hook the bungee cords in the reinforced holes in each corner of the tarp. Then tie a loop at the end of 4 ropes, each rope long to reach a sturdy tree with sufficient rope to wrap around the tree or around a branch. Hook the loop onto the bungee cord and stretch the rope until you reach the nearest tree then tie it taut. The purpose of using the bungee cords is to protect the grommets on the tarp from ripping. With the ropes taut, if the wind picks up and causes the tarp to billow, the bungee cords will stretch enough to take the strain off of the grommets. It’s also important to have one or two of the ropes tied high enough to create a slope for the tarp, to make the rainwater drip off and not collect into a large bathtub, which could crush the tent or collapse the tarp. It doesn’t have to look cute or "Disneyesque", as long as your tent and camping equipment stay dry.
Camp Games and Activities
When parents send their children to a summer camp, they expect the organizers of the camp to keep the kids occupied over the duration of the camp. A camp may be held from 1 week to 8 weeks and some of the first-time camp organizers are at a loss of ideas for camp games and activities. How do you keep a bunch of energetic kids occupied at a kids summer camp? Well you do so with some of these summer camp games for kids! Summer camp activities are some of the most important things on the organizers' camping checklist So in this article, I will tell you about some of the best camp games and activities, which are easy to organize and enjoyable for the kids also.
Activities for Summer Camp
Blob Tag
A simple variation to the normal game of tag. A group of kids have to be organized where one person has to be 'it'. 'It' will go around trying to tag people. The ones he tags link up with him forming a longer blob of 'it' trying to catch the remaining players. This is one of the simplest and elementary camp game and activities. For this game all you need is more than 8 players and some playing space, both of which are available at a summer camp!
Dutch Auction
Dutch auction is one of the most interesting things to do while camping and encourages creativity. Here, the kids are given a set limit of time to gather any goods as they can in a pillow-case. The auctioneer calls out random items and kids with a unique variety win. Suppose, the auctioneer asks for a purple sock, the one having it wins. The auctioneer could also call up a talent. So the best singer, the person telling the best jokes, the kid who can do the best tricks with a football, stand to win.
Elves, Wizards and Giants
In this game, there are three teams known as Elves, Wizards and Giants. The rules of the game is that the team which is known as elves is supposed to chase the wizards, the wizards are supposed to zap the giants and the giants are supposed to stamp on the elves. So each of the teams is playing against each other. The team which completes the chasing/zapping/stomping first wins.
Freeze Tag
Freeze tag is another interesting variation to the normal game of tag. One person is chosen to be 'it'. 'It' tries to tag as many people as he can and the ones who get tagged are said to be frozen. The people who are not tagged are supposed to go under the feet of the 'frozen' players to unfreeze them and then they can continue play. The game goes on till all the players are frozen.
Nerf Ball Relay
This game is one of the interesting team-based camp games and activities. Here teams of three are formed. In this game, a nerf ball is dipped in water. Three players are supposed to carry this ball at a time with their foreheads to the other side of the field, go around a cone and back. The team finishing first wins.
Towel Relay
This is one of the youth camp activities. Here kids have to be teamed up into groups of 5. The object of the game is that 4 of the players have to carry the fifth one. The catch is, they have to carry him on a wet towel. Here again, the players have to go from the start to the other side of the field, around a cone and back to the start. The team finishing first is the winning team.
TV Tag
By now I'm sure you have realized that the game of tag can have umpteen variations. This is another game which kids will surely enjoy. In this game, 'it' goes around trying to tag people. People who get tagged are frozen. To unfreeze them, a player who is not frozen has to touch them and say the name of a TV show. The key here is not to repeat the name of a TV show. There can be further variations in this summer camp game where you can say the names of movies or animals, etc.
So here were some fun camp games and activities for kids. Camping is loads of fun not only for those going for the camp, but also those who organize the camp. The important thing is that both should enjoy the summer together. You may also like to know about summer camp themes for kids.
Activities for Summer Camp
Blob Tag
A simple variation to the normal game of tag. A group of kids have to be organized where one person has to be 'it'. 'It' will go around trying to tag people. The ones he tags link up with him forming a longer blob of 'it' trying to catch the remaining players. This is one of the simplest and elementary camp game and activities. For this game all you need is more than 8 players and some playing space, both of which are available at a summer camp!
Dutch Auction
Dutch auction is one of the most interesting things to do while camping and encourages creativity. Here, the kids are given a set limit of time to gather any goods as they can in a pillow-case. The auctioneer calls out random items and kids with a unique variety win. Suppose, the auctioneer asks for a purple sock, the one having it wins. The auctioneer could also call up a talent. So the best singer, the person telling the best jokes, the kid who can do the best tricks with a football, stand to win.
Elves, Wizards and Giants
In this game, there are three teams known as Elves, Wizards and Giants. The rules of the game is that the team which is known as elves is supposed to chase the wizards, the wizards are supposed to zap the giants and the giants are supposed to stamp on the elves. So each of the teams is playing against each other. The team which completes the chasing/zapping/stomping first wins.
Freeze Tag
Freeze tag is another interesting variation to the normal game of tag. One person is chosen to be 'it'. 'It' tries to tag as many people as he can and the ones who get tagged are said to be frozen. The people who are not tagged are supposed to go under the feet of the 'frozen' players to unfreeze them and then they can continue play. The game goes on till all the players are frozen.
Nerf Ball Relay
This game is one of the interesting team-based camp games and activities. Here teams of three are formed. In this game, a nerf ball is dipped in water. Three players are supposed to carry this ball at a time with their foreheads to the other side of the field, go around a cone and back. The team finishing first wins.
Towel Relay
This is one of the youth camp activities. Here kids have to be teamed up into groups of 5. The object of the game is that 4 of the players have to carry the fifth one. The catch is, they have to carry him on a wet towel. Here again, the players have to go from the start to the other side of the field, around a cone and back to the start. The team finishing first is the winning team.
TV Tag
By now I'm sure you have realized that the game of tag can have umpteen variations. This is another game which kids will surely enjoy. In this game, 'it' goes around trying to tag people. People who get tagged are frozen. To unfreeze them, a player who is not frozen has to touch them and say the name of a TV show. The key here is not to repeat the name of a TV show. There can be further variations in this summer camp game where you can say the names of movies or animals, etc.
So here were some fun camp games and activities for kids. Camping is loads of fun not only for those going for the camp, but also those who organize the camp. The important thing is that both should enjoy the summer together. You may also like to know about summer camp themes for kids.
Camping Checklist - Essentials for Camping
Jason, 20, was all excited about his forthcoming hiking and nature camp. He was all messed up and was confused as to what to include in the camping checklist and what to exclude. One of his friends stepped in then and sorted out his problem in a jiffy. He simply asked him to jot down the most essential things in general and asked him to categorize them later.
Generally, camping is fun, but things can go horribly wrong if you miss out on essentials for camping or perhaps you are skeptical about what is essential and what is not. Therefore it is imperative to enlist camping checklist essentials. The following text will tell you what all you need for a smooth camping endeavor.
Camping Checklist
Shelter and Allied Things: If you are going on a nature camp or jungle trail, shelter is the most important thing. For protection against rain, cold weather and such, you need shelter, for example a tent. Moreover, you cannot just lie down on the ground, so there are other things you need which are as follows:
* Tent
* Tarp
* Sleeping bag
* Sleeping pad
* Headrest
These are an important part of the camping gear, be it any kind of camp.
Safety Comes First: Yes, first aid kit this is an extremely crucial aspect of a camping expedition and is one of the basics of camping checklist essentials. Injuries, medical emergencies, etc. do not come with a warning. So to deal with any mishap, it is necessary to have a first aid kit or first aid box. This is specifically required when it comes to camping with kids. Checklist will make sure that you are well equipped with emergency safety measures in case the kids undergo an injury. That, which is of course very plausible. In addition to the emergency factor, if there are elderly or middle aged people or any person of the group who has to take some daily medicines, one would also need to carry them. The things include:
* Personal medication
* Bandages
* Aspirin
* Tylenol
* Medical tape
* Sterile gauze
* Elastic wrap
* Antibiotic Wipes
* Antiseptic cream
* Burn ointment
* Sunburn lotion
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Scissors
* Tweezers
* Eye wash
* Sanitary napkins
* Snake bite kit
Gourmet Gauging: Now, there are people who eat to live and there are those who live to eat. You could be the former or the latter. But the fact is that one needs to eat to survive. Even if it is not either a do or die or a exaggeratively adventurous situation, cooking outside could be real fun. Hence, one needs a camping food checklist. The smell emanating could be a real tickler for your taste buds and gastronomic senses. Further, while camping you would obviously not expect any thing fancy, right? Therefore what you need essentially is:
* Water
* Food
* Camp stove
* Cooler
* Mess kit
* Charcoal
* Can opener
In addition to this, you can also carry things like hot dog sticks, folding table and chairs, pie irons and few more things. If it is a trailer camping checklist, you might as well carry these things to have complete 'similar to home' kind of an experience! Allied to this is the chuck box, where in you have pots, pans, plates, plastic glasses, napkins, trash bags and so on. You could also include cork screws, aluminum foils and stuff like that.
Read more on camping food in camping food recipes.
Clean Scene: By clean scene I am making an allusion to things which you would need for cleaning the kitchen things or generally for personal hygiene like soaps, detergents, brush and so on. You would not want to get up on the first day of the camp saying 'Gosh I do not have my brush'. How bad that would be. Hence, here is what you CAN carry for personal hygiene:
* Tooth paste
* Tooth brush
* Comb or Brush
* Wash rag
* Towel
* Toilet paper
* Nail cutter or clipper
* Razor
Other cleaning items include:
* Broom
* Dust pan
* Lawn rake
* Dish pan
* Whisk broom
* Detergent
* Dish rags
* Pot scrubber
Spur of the Moment or 11th Hour Things: These are the things which you do not write in the essentials for camping. But seasoned campaigners surely remember to take them. If not that, it would strike you to carry things like camera, binoculars and things like that, once you start packing and think about the venue and what you would do there. So, these are those kind of impromptu things which you realize you have missed out only when you are almost done with the packing according to your camping checklist.
* Binoculars
* Bug spray
* Camera
* Candles
* Playing cards
* Cell phone
* Clothe's pins
* Duct tape
* Compass
* Fishing gear
* Flashlight
* GPS
* Pen and paper
* Matches
* Rope
* Sun block
* Tools
GPS, compass and similar things are necessary for a car camping checklist. You would normally find this in any camping checklist template.
These are generally the things you would need for a hassle free camping tour. Other than this, it could be anything you think of as important for you, like may be your I-pod can be a part of your camping checklist essentials. A printable camping checklist available on the Internet would be a better option if you do not want to write down the essentials for camping. A camping checklist in pdf format is one of the most common on the Internet.
There you go! After such a long list of things needed for camping, I am sure you are itching to go out there and have fun! So go ahead! Have a blast!
Generally, camping is fun, but things can go horribly wrong if you miss out on essentials for camping or perhaps you are skeptical about what is essential and what is not. Therefore it is imperative to enlist camping checklist essentials. The following text will tell you what all you need for a smooth camping endeavor.
Camping Checklist
Shelter and Allied Things: If you are going on a nature camp or jungle trail, shelter is the most important thing. For protection against rain, cold weather and such, you need shelter, for example a tent. Moreover, you cannot just lie down on the ground, so there are other things you need which are as follows:
* Tent
* Tarp
* Sleeping bag
* Sleeping pad
* Headrest
These are an important part of the camping gear, be it any kind of camp.
Safety Comes First: Yes, first aid kit this is an extremely crucial aspect of a camping expedition and is one of the basics of camping checklist essentials. Injuries, medical emergencies, etc. do not come with a warning. So to deal with any mishap, it is necessary to have a first aid kit or first aid box. This is specifically required when it comes to camping with kids. Checklist will make sure that you are well equipped with emergency safety measures in case the kids undergo an injury. That, which is of course very plausible. In addition to the emergency factor, if there are elderly or middle aged people or any person of the group who has to take some daily medicines, one would also need to carry them. The things include:
* Personal medication
* Bandages
* Aspirin
* Tylenol
* Medical tape
* Sterile gauze
* Elastic wrap
* Antibiotic Wipes
* Antiseptic cream
* Burn ointment
* Sunburn lotion
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Scissors
* Tweezers
* Eye wash
* Sanitary napkins
* Snake bite kit
Gourmet Gauging: Now, there are people who eat to live and there are those who live to eat. You could be the former or the latter. But the fact is that one needs to eat to survive. Even if it is not either a do or die or a exaggeratively adventurous situation, cooking outside could be real fun. Hence, one needs a camping food checklist. The smell emanating could be a real tickler for your taste buds and gastronomic senses. Further, while camping you would obviously not expect any thing fancy, right? Therefore what you need essentially is:
* Water
* Food
* Camp stove
* Cooler
* Mess kit
* Charcoal
* Can opener
In addition to this, you can also carry things like hot dog sticks, folding table and chairs, pie irons and few more things. If it is a trailer camping checklist, you might as well carry these things to have complete 'similar to home' kind of an experience! Allied to this is the chuck box, where in you have pots, pans, plates, plastic glasses, napkins, trash bags and so on. You could also include cork screws, aluminum foils and stuff like that.
Read more on camping food in camping food recipes.
Clean Scene: By clean scene I am making an allusion to things which you would need for cleaning the kitchen things or generally for personal hygiene like soaps, detergents, brush and so on. You would not want to get up on the first day of the camp saying 'Gosh I do not have my brush'. How bad that would be. Hence, here is what you CAN carry for personal hygiene:
* Tooth paste
* Tooth brush
* Comb or Brush
* Wash rag
* Towel
* Toilet paper
* Nail cutter or clipper
* Razor
Other cleaning items include:
* Broom
* Dust pan
* Lawn rake
* Dish pan
* Whisk broom
* Detergent
* Dish rags
* Pot scrubber
Spur of the Moment or 11th Hour Things: These are the things which you do not write in the essentials for camping. But seasoned campaigners surely remember to take them. If not that, it would strike you to carry things like camera, binoculars and things like that, once you start packing and think about the venue and what you would do there. So, these are those kind of impromptu things which you realize you have missed out only when you are almost done with the packing according to your camping checklist.
* Binoculars
* Bug spray
* Camera
* Candles
* Playing cards
* Cell phone
* Clothe's pins
* Duct tape
* Compass
* Fishing gear
* Flashlight
* GPS
* Pen and paper
* Matches
* Rope
* Sun block
* Tools
GPS, compass and similar things are necessary for a car camping checklist. You would normally find this in any camping checklist template.
These are generally the things you would need for a hassle free camping tour. Other than this, it could be anything you think of as important for you, like may be your I-pod can be a part of your camping checklist essentials. A printable camping checklist available on the Internet would be a better option if you do not want to write down the essentials for camping. A camping checklist in pdf format is one of the most common on the Internet.
There you go! After such a long list of things needed for camping, I am sure you are itching to go out there and have fun! So go ahead! Have a blast!
Camp Songs for Kids
One of the first images that come to mind when one pictures a kids summer camp, is that of a group of children gathered around a bonfire on a starlit night; singing, clapping, dancing and having a great time. Camp songs for kids are a dime a dozen. From the ever-popular 'Boy Scout song' 'Boom Chicka Boom' to the legendary Kenny Rogers country number 'The Gambler', there is a huge pool of camp songs to choose from. The best thing about camp songs and campfire music is that it doesn't really matter what you sing, as long as it is in sync with the mood of the evening and has everybody joining in and having a good time. Therefore, not only do you find popular songs and country music numbers regularly being sung at camp music nights, but at times you also witness the live making of some hilarious original compositions and even some funny remixes! On that note, here are some enjoyable camp songs for children as well as grown ups.
Interesting List of Camp Songs for Kids
Here is a list of enjoyable camp songs for kids:
* Clementine
* O, Susannah
* Peanut, Butter and Jelly
* Bingo
* She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain
* If You're Happy
* Everywhere We Go
* Billy Boy
* Ging Gang Gooly
* Princess Pat
* Bananas, Coconuts and Grapes
* Old MacDonald
* He's Got the Whole World
* John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt
* Kumbaya
* Cotton Eyed Joe
* I've Been Working on the Railroad
* Down by the Bay
* This Little Light of Mine
* This Land is Your Land
* Old Dan Tucker
* 99 Bottles of Beer
* Chumbara
* Alice the Camel
* Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Guitar Campfire Songs for Kids and Grown Ups
For those who like playing the guitar, I'm sure you would be interested in a few acoustic guitar campfire songs. On that note, here are some of them:
* Redemption Song ~ Bob Marley
* Hotel California ~ The Eagles
* Take Me Home, Country Roads ~ John Denver
* Let it be ~ The Beatles
* Cats in the Cradle ~ Cat Stevens
* Leaving on a Jetplane ~ John Denver
* Ring of Fire ~ Johnny Cash
* American Pie ~ Don McLean
* Mrs. Robinson ~ Simon & Garfunkel
* Heart of Gold ~ Neil Young
* Michael, Row the Boat Ashore ~ Bob Gibson
Other Popular Campfire Songs
Here are a few more songs which are quite popular at camps and campfires:
* Blowin' in the Wind ~ Bob Dylan
* Hallelujah ~ Leonard Cohen
* In the Ghetto ~ Elvis Presley
* Africa ~ Toto
* Banana Boat Song ~ Harry Belafonte
* Maggie May ~ Rod Stewart
* Take it Easy ~ The Eagles
* Working Class Hero ~ John Lennon
* California Dreamin' ~ The Mamas and the Papas
These were some camp songs for kids which are equally enjoyed by elders as well. For your benefit, here are a few more things to do at a bonfire that you can make use of, the next time you are at a campfire. Enjoy the camp and have a great time!
Interesting List of Camp Songs for Kids
Here is a list of enjoyable camp songs for kids:
* Clementine
* O, Susannah
* Peanut, Butter and Jelly
* Bingo
* She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain
* If You're Happy
* Everywhere We Go
* Billy Boy
* Ging Gang Gooly
* Princess Pat
* Bananas, Coconuts and Grapes
* Old MacDonald
* He's Got the Whole World
* John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt
* Kumbaya
* Cotton Eyed Joe
* I've Been Working on the Railroad
* Down by the Bay
* This Little Light of Mine
* This Land is Your Land
* Old Dan Tucker
* 99 Bottles of Beer
* Chumbara
* Alice the Camel
* Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Guitar Campfire Songs for Kids and Grown Ups
For those who like playing the guitar, I'm sure you would be interested in a few acoustic guitar campfire songs. On that note, here are some of them:
* Redemption Song ~ Bob Marley
* Hotel California ~ The Eagles
* Take Me Home, Country Roads ~ John Denver
* Let it be ~ The Beatles
* Cats in the Cradle ~ Cat Stevens
* Leaving on a Jetplane ~ John Denver
* Ring of Fire ~ Johnny Cash
* American Pie ~ Don McLean
* Mrs. Robinson ~ Simon & Garfunkel
* Heart of Gold ~ Neil Young
* Michael, Row the Boat Ashore ~ Bob Gibson
Other Popular Campfire Songs
Here are a few more songs which are quite popular at camps and campfires:
* Blowin' in the Wind ~ Bob Dylan
* Hallelujah ~ Leonard Cohen
* In the Ghetto ~ Elvis Presley
* Africa ~ Toto
* Banana Boat Song ~ Harry Belafonte
* Maggie May ~ Rod Stewart
* Take it Easy ~ The Eagles
* Working Class Hero ~ John Lennon
* California Dreamin' ~ The Mamas and the Papas
These were some camp songs for kids which are equally enjoyed by elders as well. For your benefit, here are a few more things to do at a bonfire that you can make use of, the next time you are at a campfire. Enjoy the camp and have a great time!
Camping Trip Ideas
A family camping trip is the best way to spend some quality time with your children and family, in a short budget. Fishing, trekking, hitch hiking, sleeping in tents and staying up all night beside the bonfire, is what camping is all about. When you are planning a camping trip with your family, there is a list of things you have to take care of, as there are no shopping malls at campsites! What could be a better season to go camping than the summers, with dry air and green trees, fruits and flowers all around and a river flowing close by. Family camping trips can be anywhere, the woods, foot hills, lake sides and sometimes even at beaches. Apart from choosing the place where you could go camping, there are other things you have to manage while organizing a trip. Thus take a look at the best camping trip ideas mentioned just for you in the coming up paragraphs.
Family Camping Trips
Organizing camping trips are fun, but you have to take care of very minor details about what to pack, how to pack and how much to pack. The best thing to deal with the last minute pressure of packing is to make camping trip checklists, about what is needed and what can be arranged at the campsite. No matter how organized and systematic you are regarding these, there are always a few things that are missed out during packing. Thus, to make this family fun time a bit more easy and enjoyable for you, take a look at the further camping trip ideas, which might help you with this confusion.
Choosing Campsites
* Before you start to prepare for a camping trip, you have to find a location or a camping site.
* There are many woods, lake sides, beaches and river beds, which have neighborhood watches with lifeguards and safety patrols in cases of emergencies.
* Also, keep in mind that the campsites have to be large enough to occupy family camping tents for all the campers. Thus, if you have a large family, try to make arrangements accordingly.
* The camping site should also have enough place for activities and a bonfire, so choose one that is big enough to accommodate all of this.
Tips for Family Campers
* Once you have chosen a camping site for your family, the next thing to do is arrange the conveyance for traveling. Also, take a look at the camping supply list.
* If you are a big family, a mini van would be perfect and if you have only a few family members, you can simply take your own car. Biking to the campsite is also fun many a times, but you can't take kids biking into the woods.
* Make sure you have a checklist of all the necessary and needed things before and after packing. Clothes, tents, water, pre-made meals and camping food, money, torches and first aid are the things which should top your list.
* If you are carrying gas or other inflammable things to light a bonfire or for cooking purposes, make sure they are kept in open areas to avoid accidents.
* You will need camping gear for the stay at the campsite, so shop for the best before you leave and if you have them, don't forget to take them along.
* You can also organize various games and activities for campers while you are there, as these make the trip fun and memorable. You can come up with many original camping trip ideas by arranging treasure hunts and competitions to make the trip more interesting.
* If you are an adventure sports lover and want to enjoy these with your family, make sure you take all the necessary requirements for them, like rafts, boats and fishing rods.
* When you are planning to pack up, make sure, you have disposed off all the waste properly. Do not leave the campsite unclean and messy, as that can invite trouble.
* Take all your belongings with you and refer to the list if you feel you have forgotten anything important. More on benefits of camping.
With these wonderful camping trip ideas, you are sure to make the best out of your weekends. In our busy lives, we already miss out a lot of our child's growing up years and taking a weekend off, to go camping with family is not always a bad choice.
Family Camping Trips
Organizing camping trips are fun, but you have to take care of very minor details about what to pack, how to pack and how much to pack. The best thing to deal with the last minute pressure of packing is to make camping trip checklists, about what is needed and what can be arranged at the campsite. No matter how organized and systematic you are regarding these, there are always a few things that are missed out during packing. Thus, to make this family fun time a bit more easy and enjoyable for you, take a look at the further camping trip ideas, which might help you with this confusion.
Choosing Campsites
* Before you start to prepare for a camping trip, you have to find a location or a camping site.
* There are many woods, lake sides, beaches and river beds, which have neighborhood watches with lifeguards and safety patrols in cases of emergencies.
* Also, keep in mind that the campsites have to be large enough to occupy family camping tents for all the campers. Thus, if you have a large family, try to make arrangements accordingly.
* The camping site should also have enough place for activities and a bonfire, so choose one that is big enough to accommodate all of this.
Tips for Family Campers
* Once you have chosen a camping site for your family, the next thing to do is arrange the conveyance for traveling. Also, take a look at the camping supply list.
* If you are a big family, a mini van would be perfect and if you have only a few family members, you can simply take your own car. Biking to the campsite is also fun many a times, but you can't take kids biking into the woods.
* Make sure you have a checklist of all the necessary and needed things before and after packing. Clothes, tents, water, pre-made meals and camping food, money, torches and first aid are the things which should top your list.
* If you are carrying gas or other inflammable things to light a bonfire or for cooking purposes, make sure they are kept in open areas to avoid accidents.
* You will need camping gear for the stay at the campsite, so shop for the best before you leave and if you have them, don't forget to take them along.
* You can also organize various games and activities for campers while you are there, as these make the trip fun and memorable. You can come up with many original camping trip ideas by arranging treasure hunts and competitions to make the trip more interesting.
* If you are an adventure sports lover and want to enjoy these with your family, make sure you take all the necessary requirements for them, like rafts, boats and fishing rods.
* When you are planning to pack up, make sure, you have disposed off all the waste properly. Do not leave the campsite unclean and messy, as that can invite trouble.
* Take all your belongings with you and refer to the list if you feel you have forgotten anything important. More on benefits of camping.
With these wonderful camping trip ideas, you are sure to make the best out of your weekends. In our busy lives, we already miss out a lot of our child's growing up years and taking a weekend off, to go camping with family is not always a bad choice.
Camping Trip Checklist
Imagine you have set up the tent, arranged all the things you brought from home and you are ready to make a cup of refreshing coffee. You suddenly realize that you do not have a match box with you! If you had made a camping trip checklist, you could have avoided this frustration.
Camping is an incredible recreational activity, wherein you enjoy the environment and nature. This activity is quite unusual, since you may have to stay in a surrounding where useful amenities are not available. There is nothing worse than realizing that you have forgotten an important equipment after traveling so many miles together. Thus, to make the camping trip more enjoyable you need to be equipped with all the required supplies. Given below is some useful information on making a camping equipment list that will solve this query.
Camping Trip Packing List and Planner
Whether it's about planning a party, a wedding or a camping trip, planning is essential to make any event successful. But, when it comes to planning a camping trip, you must make a checklist before you head towards your camping destination. Preparing a camping supply list is nothing but making a list of all the day-to-day as well as emergency goods and supplies. A camping checklist should be made a month before going for the trip. Because, there is no definite camping trip checklist and the items to be included in the list may differ according to various requirements. One important thing that should be kept in mind while preparing the camping checklist, is the number of people who are going for the camping. You should take enough number of supplies that will be sufficient for usage by all the camping members.
So, if you are going to camp for the first time and wondering what to take on a camping trip? Then, take a look at a list of essential and non-essential items given below. You can pick and choose the items on the list to make your camping experience a happy and memorable one.
Camping Trip Checklist - Cleaning Items
Whisk broom
Dust pan
Lawn rake
Dish pan
Detergent
Dish rags
Camping cookware
Pot scrubber
Camping Trip Checklist - First Aid
Aspirin
Antiseptic wipes
Antibiotic cream
Bandages
Medical tape
Sterile gauze
Elastic wrap
Burn ointment
Eye wash
Sunburn lotion
Hydrogen peroxide
Scissors
Tweezers
Snake bite kit
Personal medication
Insect repellent
Pain killer tablet
Camping Trip Checklist – Cooking
Aluminum foil
Bowls
Bottle opener
Camping food
Can opener
Coffee pot
Cups/mugs
Dish towel
Ice, Ice chest
Matches
Paper plates, Paper towels
Knife
Plastic forks, spoons, knives
Fuel
Trash bags
Measuring cup
Serving spoons
Pot holder
Pots, Pans
Spatula
Soap
Sponge
Storage containers
Stove
Tongs
Ziplock bags
Butane lighter
Folding table
Dutch oven
Table cloth
Chairs
Camping Trip Checklist – Bedding
Tent including pegs/stakes, guy ropes
Groundsheet
Flysheet
Mallet
Sleeping bags/blankets
Air bed
Roll mats/pads to lie on
Pillows
Camping Trip Checklist - Hygiene
Soap and shampoo
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Deodorant
Towels
Toilet paper
Sanitary towels
Wet wipes
Sanitary napkins
Camping Trip Checklist – Miscellaneous
Binoculars
Bird guide
Bug spray
Bungi cords
Camera
Candles
Playing cards
Cell phone
Clothes pins
Compass
Duct tape
Fishing gear
Flashlight
Frisbee
GPS tracking device
Kites
Knife
Lantern
Matches
Pen and paper
Rope
Shower bag
Sun block
Tools
Water filters
Whistle
The above given camping trip checklist might be incomplete and the aforementioned items are some of the necessary supplies required for a camping trip. I hope this important hiking and camping tip on packing will prove useful to you. So, now you have got an idea about what to take on a camping trip. Make a checklist according to your requirements and make sure that you are equipped with all the supplies. Happy Camping!
Camping is an incredible recreational activity, wherein you enjoy the environment and nature. This activity is quite unusual, since you may have to stay in a surrounding where useful amenities are not available. There is nothing worse than realizing that you have forgotten an important equipment after traveling so many miles together. Thus, to make the camping trip more enjoyable you need to be equipped with all the required supplies. Given below is some useful information on making a camping equipment list that will solve this query.
Camping Trip Packing List and Planner
Whether it's about planning a party, a wedding or a camping trip, planning is essential to make any event successful. But, when it comes to planning a camping trip, you must make a checklist before you head towards your camping destination. Preparing a camping supply list is nothing but making a list of all the day-to-day as well as emergency goods and supplies. A camping checklist should be made a month before going for the trip. Because, there is no definite camping trip checklist and the items to be included in the list may differ according to various requirements. One important thing that should be kept in mind while preparing the camping checklist, is the number of people who are going for the camping. You should take enough number of supplies that will be sufficient for usage by all the camping members.
So, if you are going to camp for the first time and wondering what to take on a camping trip? Then, take a look at a list of essential and non-essential items given below. You can pick and choose the items on the list to make your camping experience a happy and memorable one.
Camping Trip Checklist - Cleaning Items
Whisk broom
Dust pan
Lawn rake
Dish pan
Detergent
Dish rags
Camping cookware
Pot scrubber
Camping Trip Checklist - First Aid
Aspirin
Antiseptic wipes
Antibiotic cream
Bandages
Medical tape
Sterile gauze
Elastic wrap
Burn ointment
Eye wash
Sunburn lotion
Hydrogen peroxide
Scissors
Tweezers
Snake bite kit
Personal medication
Insect repellent
Pain killer tablet
Camping Trip Checklist – Cooking
Aluminum foil
Bowls
Bottle opener
Camping food
Can opener
Coffee pot
Cups/mugs
Dish towel
Ice, Ice chest
Matches
Paper plates, Paper towels
Knife
Plastic forks, spoons, knives
Fuel
Trash bags
Measuring cup
Serving spoons
Pot holder
Pots, Pans
Spatula
Soap
Sponge
Storage containers
Stove
Tongs
Ziplock bags
Butane lighter
Folding table
Dutch oven
Table cloth
Chairs
Camping Trip Checklist – Bedding
Tent including pegs/stakes, guy ropes
Groundsheet
Flysheet
Mallet
Sleeping bags/blankets
Air bed
Roll mats/pads to lie on
Pillows
Camping Trip Checklist - Hygiene
Soap and shampoo
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Deodorant
Towels
Toilet paper
Sanitary towels
Wet wipes
Sanitary napkins
Camping Trip Checklist – Miscellaneous
Binoculars
Bird guide
Bug spray
Bungi cords
Camera
Candles
Playing cards
Cell phone
Clothes pins
Compass
Duct tape
Fishing gear
Flashlight
Frisbee
GPS tracking device
Kites
Knife
Lantern
Matches
Pen and paper
Rope
Shower bag
Sun block
Tools
Water filters
Whistle
The above given camping trip checklist might be incomplete and the aforementioned items are some of the necessary supplies required for a camping trip. I hope this important hiking and camping tip on packing will prove useful to you. So, now you have got an idea about what to take on a camping trip. Make a checklist according to your requirements and make sure that you are equipped with all the supplies. Happy Camping!
What to Take Camping
Summer is the perfect time to take a camping trip into the woods, at the river side or even at the beach. Whether it is for a week, or simply over the weekend you need to pack a lot of things when it comes to camping trips. There are some obvious essentials which you need to carry but there are others which you might leave out of the camping checklist but are equally important to have in the trip. You also have to make sure that when you make a checklist for the things you take along, you have to bring them back as well. Before you start packing, it's always better to have a list of all the things you need to take on the trip and in the right amount. Mentioned below is a list of things of what to take camping with you for the time you will be staying there, so take a look at some important things to take camping.
Things to Take Camping
Your bag packs define what kind of camper are you. If you are a kind of camper, who thinks you need to take extra stuff with you in case you need it, you should take a bigger bag pack! But camping is about having fun with your friends and family in limited resources which all of you can enjoy. There are certain very essential things you have to consider for what to take camping, and along with them, you can add your luxuries. Take a look at some important things to take camping mentioned in the camping supply list given below!
You must be wondering what camping gear do I need? Well, you need a lot of basic equipments if you haven't gone camping before. But if you are not a beginner and have gone camping before, you probably have camping gear used earlier. Thus, to help those who are new to camping and its packing, we here have put together a "what to take camping checklist" for your convenience, so you don't need to memorize things and forget them at the last minute.
Basic Gear for Camping
* Backpack/day pack/fanny pack
* Batteries/bulbs
* Bathing soap
* Canteen
* Compass
* Flashlight
* Camp guides
* Identification proof
* Lantern
* Maps
* Money
* Pocket knife
* Radio
* Rope
* Sport gear
* Tarp
* Torches
* Tissues
* Toilet paper
* Toothbrush and toothpaste
* Towel
* Water jugs
* Whistle
Sleeping Essentials for Camping
* Blankets
* Mallet/hammer
* Mats/air mattress (air pump)
* Pillow
* Poles/stakes
* Rain fly/tent topper
* Sleeping bag
* Waterproof camping tents for camping
Kitchen Essentials for Camping
* Aluminum foil
* Bowls
* Cups/mugs
* Bottle opener/cork screw
* Can opener
* Coffee pot
* Dish towel
* Matches
* Paper plates
* Paper towels
* Plastic utensils (forks, spoons, knives)
* Propane Heaters
* Soap
* Sponge/scrubber
* Storage containers
* Large serving spoon
* Pot holder
* Tongs
* Stove
* Trash bags
* Zip-lock bags
* Camping Food items
Clothing Essentials for Camping
* Gloves/mittens
* Hat/visor
* Jeans
* Shoes (hiking boots, sneakers & sandals)
* Shorts
* Socks (both heavy duty & thin)
* Sweat pants & sweat shirt
* Sweater/jacket
* Swimsuit
* T-shirts
* Under clothes
Personal
* Chapstick/lip balm
* First-aid kit
* Insect repellent
* Sewing kit
* Sunglasses
* Sunscreen
* Washcloth/wet wipes
* Books
* Music players
* Board games
With these things to take camping, your confusing question on what camping equipment do I need, should be answered. Also read about camping equipment list. This elaborate checklist of what to take camping always helps as it not only minimizes the confusion, but also helps you keep a track about all you have carried to the camping site.
Things to Take Camping
Your bag packs define what kind of camper are you. If you are a kind of camper, who thinks you need to take extra stuff with you in case you need it, you should take a bigger bag pack! But camping is about having fun with your friends and family in limited resources which all of you can enjoy. There are certain very essential things you have to consider for what to take camping, and along with them, you can add your luxuries. Take a look at some important things to take camping mentioned in the camping supply list given below!
You must be wondering what camping gear do I need? Well, you need a lot of basic equipments if you haven't gone camping before. But if you are not a beginner and have gone camping before, you probably have camping gear used earlier. Thus, to help those who are new to camping and its packing, we here have put together a "what to take camping checklist" for your convenience, so you don't need to memorize things and forget them at the last minute.
Basic Gear for Camping
* Backpack/day pack/fanny pack
* Batteries/bulbs
* Bathing soap
* Canteen
* Compass
* Flashlight
* Camp guides
* Identification proof
* Lantern
* Maps
* Money
* Pocket knife
* Radio
* Rope
* Sport gear
* Tarp
* Torches
* Tissues
* Toilet paper
* Toothbrush and toothpaste
* Towel
* Water jugs
* Whistle
Sleeping Essentials for Camping
* Blankets
* Mallet/hammer
* Mats/air mattress (air pump)
* Pillow
* Poles/stakes
* Rain fly/tent topper
* Sleeping bag
* Waterproof camping tents for camping
Kitchen Essentials for Camping
* Aluminum foil
* Bowls
* Cups/mugs
* Bottle opener/cork screw
* Can opener
* Coffee pot
* Dish towel
* Matches
* Paper plates
* Paper towels
* Plastic utensils (forks, spoons, knives)
* Propane Heaters
* Soap
* Sponge/scrubber
* Storage containers
* Large serving spoon
* Pot holder
* Tongs
* Stove
* Trash bags
* Zip-lock bags
* Camping Food items
Clothing Essentials for Camping
* Gloves/mittens
* Hat/visor
* Jeans
* Shoes (hiking boots, sneakers & sandals)
* Shorts
* Socks (both heavy duty & thin)
* Sweat pants & sweat shirt
* Sweater/jacket
* Swimsuit
* T-shirts
* Under clothes
Personal
* Chapstick/lip balm
* First-aid kit
* Insect repellent
* Sewing kit
* Sunglasses
* Sunscreen
* Washcloth/wet wipes
* Books
* Music players
* Board games
With these things to take camping, your confusing question on what camping equipment do I need, should be answered. Also read about camping equipment list. This elaborate checklist of what to take camping always helps as it not only minimizes the confusion, but also helps you keep a track about all you have carried to the camping site.
For a Fun, Inexpensive Vacation, Camping Can Be the Way to Go
When it’s time to take the family on a summer vacation, but funds are a bit tight, there aren’t many options that fit the bill quite like a camping trip. While a trip to the woods or the lake isn’t free, the costs associated with camping are typically far less than a standard beach or mountain cabin retreat, and there are typically plenty of things to do to occupy children of all ages, as well as activities for families to engage in together.
For those who already have all the requisite equipment for a camping trip, the primary expenses will be gas money to get to the camping destination, money for food and beverages and the modest fee associated with most campgrounds. The result is tremendous savings over a typical vacation, which comes complete with the gas and food expenditures, but also with expensive hotel or condominium rental fees and the costs of the overpriced entertainment options at most tourist-driven summer vacation destinations.
Campground typically charge a nominal fee for a campsite, usually no more than $10 per evening, meaning that a family camping trip would result in $50 in accommodation costs for a 5-night trip. For those without the proper equipment to go camping, the costs will certainly be greater, though anyone with friends who like to camp may be able to borrow most of the gear they’ll need for an enjoyable trip.
Essentials for Camping
• Tent - make sure this is large enough to accommodate the entire family or, if children are old enough to sleep in their own, bring two tents to sleep the entire family. It is always a good idea to use a tent that has a rain fly included, in the event of a downpour that would otherwise render a camping trip quite boring. It’s also important to place a tarp on the ground prior to pitching the tent, but make sure that the tarp doesn’t stick out beyond the "footprint" of the tent itself, otherwise rain will gather on the tarp where it is exposed and roll under the tent, leading to some very uncomfortable conditions.
• Sleeping bags - for warm weather camping, sleeping bags can be very lightweight and, in fact, standard sheets and blankets will suffice. Still, children love sleeping bags, and summer-weight bags can be purchased inexpensively at any large retail store.
• Air mattresses - these vary from large behemoths that require an electric inflator to backpacking mattresses that "self inflate." For a summer family trip, the former is the better idea - no need to rough it for a family vacation. Children, on the other hand, typically will be comfortable just using a foam pad or a second sleeping bag underneath them to keep them comfortable.
• Lanterns and flashlights - Kerosene lanterns are a great way to keep the campsite lit up at night, but flashlights should also be on hand for each member of the camping party. Children, especially, like to have their own gear, including a flashlight.
• Camp stove - cooking hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire is a given on a camping trip, but a good camp stove, powered by kerosene or white fuel, will give parents the option to cook some good, healthy dinners. These are highly portable and easy to use.
• A cooler full of good food and drink - this goes without saying, but for the novice camper, what to bring may be a mystery. Think of the trip as an extended picnic – breakfast and lunch will typically be an assortment of fruits, cereals, yogurt, breakfast bars, sandwiches and hot dogs. Dinners can be more luxurious, as camp stoves can accommodate just about any meal you would want to make at home.
• Toys - whether for parents or kids, toys are a must. Frisbees, ball and gloves, water toys and others are a good bet for children, while mom and dad can bring a canoe, fishing gear, hiking boots and anything else that suits their fancy.
Whether close to home or across the country, camping can be a great opportunity for a family to spend time together for their summer vacation. Activities tend to be more family-centric, unlike with trips to tourist destinations, and the cost of a camping vacation is much less than a typical family trip. For those looking for an alternative to a costly, commercialized experience, camping can be the way to go.
For those who already have all the requisite equipment for a camping trip, the primary expenses will be gas money to get to the camping destination, money for food and beverages and the modest fee associated with most campgrounds. The result is tremendous savings over a typical vacation, which comes complete with the gas and food expenditures, but also with expensive hotel or condominium rental fees and the costs of the overpriced entertainment options at most tourist-driven summer vacation destinations.
Campground typically charge a nominal fee for a campsite, usually no more than $10 per evening, meaning that a family camping trip would result in $50 in accommodation costs for a 5-night trip. For those without the proper equipment to go camping, the costs will certainly be greater, though anyone with friends who like to camp may be able to borrow most of the gear they’ll need for an enjoyable trip.
Essentials for Camping
• Tent - make sure this is large enough to accommodate the entire family or, if children are old enough to sleep in their own, bring two tents to sleep the entire family. It is always a good idea to use a tent that has a rain fly included, in the event of a downpour that would otherwise render a camping trip quite boring. It’s also important to place a tarp on the ground prior to pitching the tent, but make sure that the tarp doesn’t stick out beyond the "footprint" of the tent itself, otherwise rain will gather on the tarp where it is exposed and roll under the tent, leading to some very uncomfortable conditions.
• Sleeping bags - for warm weather camping, sleeping bags can be very lightweight and, in fact, standard sheets and blankets will suffice. Still, children love sleeping bags, and summer-weight bags can be purchased inexpensively at any large retail store.
• Air mattresses - these vary from large behemoths that require an electric inflator to backpacking mattresses that "self inflate." For a summer family trip, the former is the better idea - no need to rough it for a family vacation. Children, on the other hand, typically will be comfortable just using a foam pad or a second sleeping bag underneath them to keep them comfortable.
• Lanterns and flashlights - Kerosene lanterns are a great way to keep the campsite lit up at night, but flashlights should also be on hand for each member of the camping party. Children, especially, like to have their own gear, including a flashlight.
• Camp stove - cooking hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire is a given on a camping trip, but a good camp stove, powered by kerosene or white fuel, will give parents the option to cook some good, healthy dinners. These are highly portable and easy to use.
• A cooler full of good food and drink - this goes without saying, but for the novice camper, what to bring may be a mystery. Think of the trip as an extended picnic – breakfast and lunch will typically be an assortment of fruits, cereals, yogurt, breakfast bars, sandwiches and hot dogs. Dinners can be more luxurious, as camp stoves can accommodate just about any meal you would want to make at home.
• Toys - whether for parents or kids, toys are a must. Frisbees, ball and gloves, water toys and others are a good bet for children, while mom and dad can bring a canoe, fishing gear, hiking boots and anything else that suits their fancy.
Whether close to home or across the country, camping can be a great opportunity for a family to spend time together for their summer vacation. Activities tend to be more family-centric, unlike with trips to tourist destinations, and the cost of a camping vacation is much less than a typical family trip. For those looking for an alternative to a costly, commercialized experience, camping can be the way to go.
Camping for Beginners
Camping is a recreational activity taken up outdoors, usually amidst mother nature. Campers go for camping trips to a forest, national park, in woods, near a river and stay there for one or more nights. There are private camping grounds too that are owned by people who encourage campers to come and enjoy the nature. People have taken up camping with great gusto. Camping trips can be fun when organized properly. If you want to take your first steps towards camping, this article will help you understand the basics for camping for beginners.
Camping for Beginners: Common Questions for Camping
There are many questions that you may want to ask. Following is a list of common questions that every beginner for camping will ask. I'll recommend not to take up camping, till you get all your questions answered and understand the requirements of camping.
Where do I camp?
There are two types of camping grounds, public and private. Public camping grounds offer a variety of places to choose from like national parks, national forests, Bureau of Land Management Areas and state parks. Each one of these, in turn, have many campsites within themselves. All of them, more or less, offer the same amenities like restrooms, hot water for showers, shopping areas, etc., which are very helpful for camping for beginners. You can get a list of the different camping grounds on line and its always better to book a place for camp beforehand. It is not very costly to camp at such places. They may charge anywhere between $10 to $25 per night. Private campsites may or may not offer the amenities and they may also charge more. Moreover, they allow only a certain number of campers on their grounds.
Another alternative is to pitch a tent and camp at a hillside or in wilderness. However, you should take care to find out if it is allowed in your selected place. In such cases, remember that there are no amenities like a laundry, toilets, shops, etc. nearby. You will need to carry all the basic necessities with you when you go camping. If your family is not comfortable being out in tents, you can always hire or buy a camping trailer and have a nice time camping in the wild.
What camping equipments do I carry?
The answer to this question will depend on where you camp. If you camp in wilderness, you will need to carry a tent, a cooler for your camping food and drinks, sleeping bags and pads, cooking supplies like charcoal and spatula, kettle, cups, plates, spoons and a pot or two. You can buy all the camping gear in sports stores or at Wal Mart. Don't buy expensive equipments as you are not yet experienced in taking care of them.
If you camp at public campgrounds, there is a good chance that you will get a grill or a barbecue and all the cooking ingredients in the shops. Apart from that, you will have to carry the other necessities like clothes, tents, sleeping bags, etc.
What clothes do I carry while camping?
Make sure that you wear full sleeves while camping. It is important to carry some sweaters with you so that you are protected in case it becomes cold in the night in the woods. It is better to take some extra change of clothes with you. Rain gear is also important.
How to set up a camp?
While setting up your camp, you will have to consider a lot of things. Pitching tents at an elevated spot is essential. Don't ever choose a slope as you might roll down it. It's best to choose a spot close to a water source like a spring to avoid wasting time in getting water. While looking for the above two conditions when setting up your tent, also look for a shade to shelter you throughout the day. See to it that you have adequate area to cook your food.
Camping for Beginners: Must Haves
Beginner or otherwise, you must carry the following articles with you while going on a camping trip. Make sure that your camping trip checklist has all of the following articles.
* Enamel plates and cups that can be heated to heat food and water.
* Food for breakfast, lunch and dinner to last as long as your trip. Also carry extra food like snack bars for safety sake.
* First aid kit with all the necessary medication and bandages.
* Tent for you to stay into.
* Sleeping bag to sleep and rest in. Go with a good squashy sleeping bag.
* Flashlight is a must. Carry it always.
* Camp stove to cook your food on and to heat up the water.
* Matchbox for lighting the stove as well as for the campfire.
* Water is to be carried plentifully, so that you do not face a shortage while camping.
* Sweater and some rain gear for extra protection.
* Machete to assist you to chop off the shrubs while going towards your campsite or for a walk.
* Swiss knife is always useful.
* Good hiking shoes should never be forgotten as you are going to be walking on uneven ground with lots of vegetation and small animals around you.
* Biodegradable soap should be preferred over the other soaps as it is more environmental friendly.
Camping for Beginners: Tips
* Don't buy a big and expensive tent for your first camp. Use a cheaper but a good quality one till you get a hang of using a tent.
* While lighting the campfire, take care of not lighting it close to the tent as the tent flap may catch fire if there is a strong breeze.
* While throwing the garbage, please ensure that you throw it in the dustbins and not around the campsite.
* While washing the utensils or yourself, use biodegradable soap as it is environmental friendly.
* Plan the meals before you go for a hike. You might be back late and may be very hungry. Also, carry enough to last you till the end of your trip.
* Get used to the camping gear when you buy it for the first time. An ideal thing to do will be to camp for a night in your backyard to get a feel of camping.
* Camp close at home for your first camping trip to enable you to reach home faster in case you do not like the experience. Also, closeness to your home will provide first time campers with some security.
* Lastly, store the gear for your next camp. Don't neglect to take proper care of it as the gear can be used for several camping trips before you can discard it.
There are several benefits of camping like staying closer, no television to intrude into the family time and a walk in the nature. The above were the important camping tips for beginners. If all of the above are taken care of, I am sure camping for beginners will be fun and memorable.
Camping for Beginners: Common Questions for Camping
There are many questions that you may want to ask. Following is a list of common questions that every beginner for camping will ask. I'll recommend not to take up camping, till you get all your questions answered and understand the requirements of camping.
Where do I camp?
There are two types of camping grounds, public and private. Public camping grounds offer a variety of places to choose from like national parks, national forests, Bureau of Land Management Areas and state parks. Each one of these, in turn, have many campsites within themselves. All of them, more or less, offer the same amenities like restrooms, hot water for showers, shopping areas, etc., which are very helpful for camping for beginners. You can get a list of the different camping grounds on line and its always better to book a place for camp beforehand. It is not very costly to camp at such places. They may charge anywhere between $10 to $25 per night. Private campsites may or may not offer the amenities and they may also charge more. Moreover, they allow only a certain number of campers on their grounds.
Another alternative is to pitch a tent and camp at a hillside or in wilderness. However, you should take care to find out if it is allowed in your selected place. In such cases, remember that there are no amenities like a laundry, toilets, shops, etc. nearby. You will need to carry all the basic necessities with you when you go camping. If your family is not comfortable being out in tents, you can always hire or buy a camping trailer and have a nice time camping in the wild.
What camping equipments do I carry?
The answer to this question will depend on where you camp. If you camp in wilderness, you will need to carry a tent, a cooler for your camping food and drinks, sleeping bags and pads, cooking supplies like charcoal and spatula, kettle, cups, plates, spoons and a pot or two. You can buy all the camping gear in sports stores or at Wal Mart. Don't buy expensive equipments as you are not yet experienced in taking care of them.
If you camp at public campgrounds, there is a good chance that you will get a grill or a barbecue and all the cooking ingredients in the shops. Apart from that, you will have to carry the other necessities like clothes, tents, sleeping bags, etc.
What clothes do I carry while camping?
Make sure that you wear full sleeves while camping. It is important to carry some sweaters with you so that you are protected in case it becomes cold in the night in the woods. It is better to take some extra change of clothes with you. Rain gear is also important.
How to set up a camp?
While setting up your camp, you will have to consider a lot of things. Pitching tents at an elevated spot is essential. Don't ever choose a slope as you might roll down it. It's best to choose a spot close to a water source like a spring to avoid wasting time in getting water. While looking for the above two conditions when setting up your tent, also look for a shade to shelter you throughout the day. See to it that you have adequate area to cook your food.
Camping for Beginners: Must Haves
Beginner or otherwise, you must carry the following articles with you while going on a camping trip. Make sure that your camping trip checklist has all of the following articles.
* Enamel plates and cups that can be heated to heat food and water.
* Food for breakfast, lunch and dinner to last as long as your trip. Also carry extra food like snack bars for safety sake.
* First aid kit with all the necessary medication and bandages.
* Tent for you to stay into.
* Sleeping bag to sleep and rest in. Go with a good squashy sleeping bag.
* Flashlight is a must. Carry it always.
* Camp stove to cook your food on and to heat up the water.
* Matchbox for lighting the stove as well as for the campfire.
* Water is to be carried plentifully, so that you do not face a shortage while camping.
* Sweater and some rain gear for extra protection.
* Machete to assist you to chop off the shrubs while going towards your campsite or for a walk.
* Swiss knife is always useful.
* Good hiking shoes should never be forgotten as you are going to be walking on uneven ground with lots of vegetation and small animals around you.
* Biodegradable soap should be preferred over the other soaps as it is more environmental friendly.
Camping for Beginners: Tips
* Don't buy a big and expensive tent for your first camp. Use a cheaper but a good quality one till you get a hang of using a tent.
* While lighting the campfire, take care of not lighting it close to the tent as the tent flap may catch fire if there is a strong breeze.
* While throwing the garbage, please ensure that you throw it in the dustbins and not around the campsite.
* While washing the utensils or yourself, use biodegradable soap as it is environmental friendly.
* Plan the meals before you go for a hike. You might be back late and may be very hungry. Also, carry enough to last you till the end of your trip.
* Get used to the camping gear when you buy it for the first time. An ideal thing to do will be to camp for a night in your backyard to get a feel of camping.
* Camp close at home for your first camping trip to enable you to reach home faster in case you do not like the experience. Also, closeness to your home will provide first time campers with some security.
* Lastly, store the gear for your next camp. Don't neglect to take proper care of it as the gear can be used for several camping trips before you can discard it.
There are several benefits of camping like staying closer, no television to intrude into the family time and a walk in the nature. The above were the important camping tips for beginners. If all of the above are taken care of, I am sure camping for beginners will be fun and memorable.
Art Mediums & Means Of Expression
"What counts most is finding new ways to get the world down in paint on my own terms." Said Michelangelo
Medium is not bar in art. We are already equipped with multiple art techniques and art mediums. When I talk about art; it is not limited to only watercolor painting or oil painting in terms of painting, only sketching or drawing with pencil in terms of sketch or making sculpture using stone or wood in terms of sculpture. It is more than that.
Artists use multiple methods, processes or means of expression to state their points. What would you imagine when it comes to painting? Multiple colors on canvas!! How is it to paint complete canvas with one shade without using any normal pigment or color?
There are such distinct art forms including Sand Painting, Clay or Ceramic Painting, Indian Mural art, Digital art, Fax Art, Crop Art or Coffee Painting.
Sand painting is made of sand, Clay or Ceramic Painting is made clay or ceramic, Indian Mural art is made of natural pigments and vegetable colors, crop art is made of seeds and coffee painting is made of pure coffee.
Leaving canvas a side, artists also think of creating art on wall, vehicles, rock or stone, wood, bamboo or water. Mural art of Europe, Auto Art & Truck Painting in India, Bamboo art of Asia, Rock Art of Africa & Asia, Caves Paintings of Asia, Paper Art and art on wooden art such incredible art styles.
In terms of sculpture; Ice sculpture, Sand sculpture, Sculpture made out of throw away products and Megalithic Art (refers to the use of large stones as an artistic medium) are also addition to sculpture mediums.
Street Art (any art developed in public spaces) becomes nice art visit by everyone who passes from street. It defies rule of owning art by individual.
Promoting art is now no more limited to four wall closed galleries. To attract more visitors; exhibitions are now being held on plasma screen making digital show of any art. Open public show in gardens is good for sculptures and such giant work.
Tribal art such as Art of African Tribal Mask is distinct art medium to express historical saga and cultural beliefs.
Installation art is art that uses sculptural materials and other media to modify the way we experience a particular space. Materials used in contemporary installation art range from everyday and natural materials to new media such as video, sound, performance, computers and the internet.
Kite Art (a kite is a flying tethered man-made object) is famous art in Asian countries. From smaller to bigger flying objects are made to fly in sky. There is no other way to make sky beautiful then flying varieties of kits in sky.
Irrespective of what medium artists use; they always try to pass their messages to the world and express their thoughts using these mediums. As Aristotle said – "The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."
Medium is not bar in art. We are already equipped with multiple art techniques and art mediums. When I talk about art; it is not limited to only watercolor painting or oil painting in terms of painting, only sketching or drawing with pencil in terms of sketch or making sculpture using stone or wood in terms of sculpture. It is more than that.
Artists use multiple methods, processes or means of expression to state their points. What would you imagine when it comes to painting? Multiple colors on canvas!! How is it to paint complete canvas with one shade without using any normal pigment or color?
There are such distinct art forms including Sand Painting, Clay or Ceramic Painting, Indian Mural art, Digital art, Fax Art, Crop Art or Coffee Painting.
Sand painting is made of sand, Clay or Ceramic Painting is made clay or ceramic, Indian Mural art is made of natural pigments and vegetable colors, crop art is made of seeds and coffee painting is made of pure coffee.
Leaving canvas a side, artists also think of creating art on wall, vehicles, rock or stone, wood, bamboo or water. Mural art of Europe, Auto Art & Truck Painting in India, Bamboo art of Asia, Rock Art of Africa & Asia, Caves Paintings of Asia, Paper Art and art on wooden art such incredible art styles.
In terms of sculpture; Ice sculpture, Sand sculpture, Sculpture made out of throw away products and Megalithic Art (refers to the use of large stones as an artistic medium) are also addition to sculpture mediums.
Street Art (any art developed in public spaces) becomes nice art visit by everyone who passes from street. It defies rule of owning art by individual.
Promoting art is now no more limited to four wall closed galleries. To attract more visitors; exhibitions are now being held on plasma screen making digital show of any art. Open public show in gardens is good for sculptures and such giant work.
Tribal art such as Art of African Tribal Mask is distinct art medium to express historical saga and cultural beliefs.
Installation art is art that uses sculptural materials and other media to modify the way we experience a particular space. Materials used in contemporary installation art range from everyday and natural materials to new media such as video, sound, performance, computers and the internet.
Kite Art (a kite is a flying tethered man-made object) is famous art in Asian countries. From smaller to bigger flying objects are made to fly in sky. There is no other way to make sky beautiful then flying varieties of kits in sky.
Irrespective of what medium artists use; they always try to pass their messages to the world and express their thoughts using these mediums. As Aristotle said – "The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."
Abstract Art and Oil Painting Reproductions
Abstract art is an artist’s impression of a subject or feeling rather than an exact likeness. If you want a flower that looks like a flower or a house that looks like a house, then abstract art is probably not for you. Abstract art is all about expression of feelings, moods, and perceptions through colors and/or different shapes. Some works of abstract art are very intricate and detailed while others are quite simple.
Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, and Neo-plasticism are three important categories of abstract art. Let’s look at the origins of this interesting art form so that we can better understand how it came to be.
Cubism was an avant-garde movement pioneered around 1907 by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Real subjects and objects were broken apart and "re-assembled" from many different angles, in an abstracted form. This dissection of a subject and putting it back together is Cubism’s notable characteristic.
The form of abstract art known as Neo-plasticism, was a Dutch movement that began in the late 1910’s. Neo-plasticism is based on the premise that art should not be the reproduction of real objects, but the expression of the absolutes of life. This form of abstract art followed the reasoning that an artist should create using only lines and colors rather than realistic subjects. This movement of abstract art simplified subjects to vertical and horizontal directions and used only primary colors, along with black and white. Two of the early founders of the Neo-plasticism movement were Theo van Doesburg and Piet Mondrian.
Abstract Expressionism was an American, post World War II art movement. Jackson Pollock is just one of the artists that helped bring this art form into being. With this art form the artist applied paint rapidly to a very large canvas, either using a brush or literally throwing paint at the canvas. What appeared to be an accident and totally random, was actually very planned. The expressive method of painting was often considered as important as the actual painting. This form of abstract art is characterized by a spirit of revolt and a core belief in freedom of expression.
Another form of abstract art is Conceptual Art. Basically, Conceptual Art is just that, a concept. An artist takes an idea and creates a piece of artwork based on their interpretation or concept, rather than following the traditional way a painting or sculpture is usually done. Conceptual artists establish their idea or concept as the focal point, rather than the object they are depicting.
Many other artists have contributed to the development of abstract art. Wassily Kandinsky, Joan Miro, and Paul Klee are just a few more of the 20,000 plus known abstract artists. With so many artists contributing to the development of abstract art, it is no wonder there are so many different forms and interpretations of abstract art in existence.
Today artists are still creating very unique works of abstract art. Abstract art does not appeal to all art lovers. Some art lovers need to have real objects portrayed in almost photographic detail to enjoy it. Others totally enjoy the emotional, spontaneous, and impulsive expression that is revealed in abstract art.
A great way to own affordable abstract art is with an oil painting reproduction. An oil painting reproduction is basically a recreation of a masterpiece by a new artist. As the name suggests, these pieces are hand painted by artists using oil-based paints on a canvas.
Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, and Neo-plasticism are three important categories of abstract art. Let’s look at the origins of this interesting art form so that we can better understand how it came to be.
Cubism was an avant-garde movement pioneered around 1907 by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Real subjects and objects were broken apart and "re-assembled" from many different angles, in an abstracted form. This dissection of a subject and putting it back together is Cubism’s notable characteristic.
The form of abstract art known as Neo-plasticism, was a Dutch movement that began in the late 1910’s. Neo-plasticism is based on the premise that art should not be the reproduction of real objects, but the expression of the absolutes of life. This form of abstract art followed the reasoning that an artist should create using only lines and colors rather than realistic subjects. This movement of abstract art simplified subjects to vertical and horizontal directions and used only primary colors, along with black and white. Two of the early founders of the Neo-plasticism movement were Theo van Doesburg and Piet Mondrian.
Abstract Expressionism was an American, post World War II art movement. Jackson Pollock is just one of the artists that helped bring this art form into being. With this art form the artist applied paint rapidly to a very large canvas, either using a brush or literally throwing paint at the canvas. What appeared to be an accident and totally random, was actually very planned. The expressive method of painting was often considered as important as the actual painting. This form of abstract art is characterized by a spirit of revolt and a core belief in freedom of expression.
Another form of abstract art is Conceptual Art. Basically, Conceptual Art is just that, a concept. An artist takes an idea and creates a piece of artwork based on their interpretation or concept, rather than following the traditional way a painting or sculpture is usually done. Conceptual artists establish their idea or concept as the focal point, rather than the object they are depicting.
Many other artists have contributed to the development of abstract art. Wassily Kandinsky, Joan Miro, and Paul Klee are just a few more of the 20,000 plus known abstract artists. With so many artists contributing to the development of abstract art, it is no wonder there are so many different forms and interpretations of abstract art in existence.
Today artists are still creating very unique works of abstract art. Abstract art does not appeal to all art lovers. Some art lovers need to have real objects portrayed in almost photographic detail to enjoy it. Others totally enjoy the emotional, spontaneous, and impulsive expression that is revealed in abstract art.
A great way to own affordable abstract art is with an oil painting reproduction. An oil painting reproduction is basically a recreation of a masterpiece by a new artist. As the name suggests, these pieces are hand painted by artists using oil-based paints on a canvas.
Oil Painting Tips
If you feel inspired by Picasso's cubist expressions, Van Gogh's bold use of color, or Dali's melting clocks, now is a good time as any to pick up a paintbrush, and realize emotions on canvas. Oils are a great medium to start with, as corrections and changes are easily made. Also you can take your time with it, taking it up only whenever inspiration strikes, so it is never forced or mechanical. After all, if a creative process is carried out under duress or in fatigue, a dry shriveled up piece of art lacking emotion is the result. The beauty of oils, among other aspects, lies in being able to see actual brush strokes. While seasoned artists will be familiar with these pointers, here are some oil painting tips for beginners.
Oil Painting Tips and Techniques
* Any list of tips for painting with oil will tell you that every time you begin a new painting, it is advisable to first paint it with acrylics. Once they dry (which they do fairly quickly), then you can fill it out with oil paints, especially for light and shadow, or glazing. Finally, let it dry out for about three to five months before varnishing. While most beginners focus on the surface quality of the brush work, plenty of other details, such as the surface you work on, the preliminary staining of the surface, and the underpainting dictate the quality of the finished product.
* Your first few attempts are likely to appear a mess to you. While it is natural to get exasperated, try to salvage the situation by scraping off as much paint as possible, using a palette knife. After this, dip a bit of cloth in turps and rub it over the canvas, which will help you get of more paint. You should be left with an even gray canvas, on which you can start afresh.
* Among the oil painting tips and tricks, an important pointer is to increase the proportion of oil, with every layer in an oil painting, as the underlying layers soak up oil from the layers over them. As the upper layers are the first to dry, not doing the right thing can cause them to crack. Also, when the paint on your palette dries, and forms lots of wrinkles, it means that too much oil has been added.
* Many artists use linseed oil for an underpainting, as it has the best drying capabilities (dries the most thoroughly). It is usually used in the base layers of oil paintings done wet-on-dry. However, the use of linseed oil is, as a medium in whites and blues (or other light colors) discouraged, as it will yellow, and will be noticed. Oil based painting tips always advice that when working with light shades, the slower drying poppy oil is more suitable, as it has the least tendency to yellow.
* Among the tips on oil painting, a frequently told one is that one must not dry paintings in the dark. This is usually known to cause a thin film of oil to rise to the surface, leaving it with a yellow tinge. If this has already happened to you, the situation can be remedied with exposure to sunlight.
* While painting with oils, if you struggle to decide between a bottle of mineral or white spirits, you can carry out a patch test. Dab a small quantity of the substance on a piece of paper and allow it to evaporate. If it evaporates without leaving any residue, smell, or stain, then it is suitable for use.
These free oil painting tips are just a few basic guidelines as you commence your artistic expressions. Be prepared to learn most of the others through trial and error, and also know that in a few months time, you will have your own list of tips.
Oil Painting Tips and Techniques
* Any list of tips for painting with oil will tell you that every time you begin a new painting, it is advisable to first paint it with acrylics. Once they dry (which they do fairly quickly), then you can fill it out with oil paints, especially for light and shadow, or glazing. Finally, let it dry out for about three to five months before varnishing. While most beginners focus on the surface quality of the brush work, plenty of other details, such as the surface you work on, the preliminary staining of the surface, and the underpainting dictate the quality of the finished product.
* Your first few attempts are likely to appear a mess to you. While it is natural to get exasperated, try to salvage the situation by scraping off as much paint as possible, using a palette knife. After this, dip a bit of cloth in turps and rub it over the canvas, which will help you get of more paint. You should be left with an even gray canvas, on which you can start afresh.
* Among the oil painting tips and tricks, an important pointer is to increase the proportion of oil, with every layer in an oil painting, as the underlying layers soak up oil from the layers over them. As the upper layers are the first to dry, not doing the right thing can cause them to crack. Also, when the paint on your palette dries, and forms lots of wrinkles, it means that too much oil has been added.
* Many artists use linseed oil for an underpainting, as it has the best drying capabilities (dries the most thoroughly). It is usually used in the base layers of oil paintings done wet-on-dry. However, the use of linseed oil is, as a medium in whites and blues (or other light colors) discouraged, as it will yellow, and will be noticed. Oil based painting tips always advice that when working with light shades, the slower drying poppy oil is more suitable, as it has the least tendency to yellow.
* Among the tips on oil painting, a frequently told one is that one must not dry paintings in the dark. This is usually known to cause a thin film of oil to rise to the surface, leaving it with a yellow tinge. If this has already happened to you, the situation can be remedied with exposure to sunlight.
* While painting with oils, if you struggle to decide between a bottle of mineral or white spirits, you can carry out a patch test. Dab a small quantity of the substance on a piece of paper and allow it to evaporate. If it evaporates without leaving any residue, smell, or stain, then it is suitable for use.
These free oil painting tips are just a few basic guidelines as you commence your artistic expressions. Be prepared to learn most of the others through trial and error, and also know that in a few months time, you will have your own list of tips.
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