Beginning Camping Tips
Safety and Situational Awareness

Safety and situational awareness are one two of the most important elements of any outdoor activity. I'm sure we've all heard the horror stories of what can happen if they aren't given enough consideration. Yet despite those warnings uneducated people still keep falling into the same situations. Even now, after the popular "Survival Guy's" and "Safety Expert" documentaries have appeared on countless travel and educational channels, we still go out unprepared. Now I don't at all claim to be any kind of expert in how to keep yourself safe... I've had my share of injuries... However I can share with you some clear common sense items:

Map out your camp site before you arrive, identify roads, landmarks and Ranger Stations and be aware of fire danger levels if you are in heavily forested areas. In winter time, if you are snowshoeing, be aware of avalanche areas.

Cooking and campfire: Keep your cooking and campfire away from your tent.

Children: Be certain to teach children to respect fire, sharp instruments, wildlife and to stay nearby.

Let friends and family know where you will be camping and when you expect to return.

Never sleep with portable heaters running over night in your tent. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be lethal, or at the very least, seriously uncomfortable. Plus, plastic melts!

Wildlife: Respect their habitat - you are in their home -- and always keep your food out of reach, especially in bear country.

Water: Never drink directly from rivers or mountain streams, trust me this can have baaaad consequences. Use a well-rated water purifier/pump.

Sleeping Bags: This is where I hear the "That's a plug", well give me a little credit, at least there's good info here ;-) Make sure your sleeping bag is rated for a sufficient temperature. i.e. don't go out winter camping with a %2B50 degree rated sleeping bag.

Poison Ivy Relief: If exposed wash the exposed area immediately with soap and cool water. Bring ointments that can help relieve any discomfort. Some people think vodka helps, but Mythbusters shot that down like five episodes ago.

Snake Bite Kits: If you are camping in an area, or during a time of year, in which you could encounter poisonous snakes, be certain to have a snake bite kit, and then don't leave it in your tent when you go out for a hike...doh!

Bee and Wasp Sting Kits: Not everyone is allergic to bee or wasp stings but some people are highly allergic. Be aware if anyone in your group is. Also, don't quote me on this, but I heard somewhere that jumping into a lake helps you escape, however, you could very well be facing a whole new set of issues if you do that so....

Bear Repellant: If you will be in bear country, bring bear repellant. Know what to do ahead of time upon encounter with a bear. I know for a fact, without a shadow of a doubt, kicking the bear if the repellant doesn't work.

Ticks: Be aware if you are in an area where Lyme disease is possible and know the proper way to remove ticks - with tweezers as near to your body as possible and never squeeze the tick as you remove it. See American Lyme Disease Foundation.

Bugs and Insects in general:

Avoid wet and grassy areas.

Avoid scented products, such as perfume or cologne.

Wear colored and long sleeved pants and shirts when possible. The light colored cloth allows you to see any little critters.

In areas with heavy populations of mosquitoes or flies, a head net can be a welcome relief while hiking. It also can be a great fashion idea when you stumble across a random mountain town.

Entertainment

Now if you aren't running for the nearest Hyatt, let's move on to the fun stuff. In the outdoors, there should never be a time where there isn't something to do, whether it be hiking, swimming, climbing a tree, or well...climbing a tree higher! However, if you do find yourself without anything to do, and relaxing and reading a book isn't appealing, here are a couple other ideas.

Story-telling: Since the dawn of human kind, campfires and night and story-telling have gone hand-in-hand. With children, let them talk about what they want - the stories will follow. What did they see in nature during the day that most excited or pleased them? If there aren't any children, you can still always make something up and pretend it really happened...lol, but be warned, I think that leaves open the possibility of you being dubbed a liar!

Musical Instruments and songs: Like good story-telling, songs and campfires have always gone hand-in-hand. If you or your children play instruments, bring them if you can. Bring along some songs, as well. Even if you don't know how to play, again, you can always pick one up and make something up; at the very least you'll get some laughs.

Cards: For many, cards are a must to any campsite.

Look up!: For many, the stars overhead are pure wonderment. You might want to bring a star map. I like to give random stars a name, then try to find them the next night. So far, I'm 0-100.

Cooking

For those who love to cook, cooking over a campfire is a great challenge, harking back to where the art of cooking began. The web offers many free recipes for campfire cooking. One thing to keep in mind: Don't go grabbing random plants and throwing them in your stew... now you'd think that would be just flat out logic, but apparently, based on some statistic I recently read... it's not.

Calculate the number of meals you will prepare, measure out the ingredients you'll need and pack them, neatly labeled, in Ziplock bags. These are the times where, as a writer, you wish Ziplock paid for product placement.

For quick "on the go meals," prepare chili, stews and soups before your trip, freeze them, keep them in a cooler to reheat.

Bring heavy duty aluminum foil and your favorite plastic wrap. This could also be categorized under the entertainment section ; )

Bring liquid biodegradable dishwashing soap.

Freeze foods, such as meats and cans of juice, before putting them in your cooler. They will keep longer and serve to cool other foods. Crafty! In the woods, you need to be crafty; otherwise you're just...well, normal!

Cover pots and pans when cooking. Food cooks faster and you use less fuel. Pack everything in a cooler in watertight plastic bags. Wait! I might be repeating myself, well, it's good advice anyhow.

Store food high and out of reach to discourage animals, including bears. Consider hanging it high from a tree branch, this is where the climbing a tree practice we talked about earlier comes in handy... 2 for 1 entertainment and no bears! (You'll need to remember to bring rope.)

While you're eating, place a pan of water over your fire, to help clean up when you've finished eating, or for a warm liquid to wash the taste out of your mouth

Fuel source: Will you be using charcoal or propane to cook? Be sure you bring plenty of what you will need. Surprisingly enough the whole "rubbing two sticks together" is harder than it looks.

Clean up quickly after eating so food doesn't harden. Yes, unfortunately hardening food is a big problem these days. Once I forgot to clean up after making some chicken soup and man oh man, I broke a tooth later that day.

If you'll be cooking over a wood fire, wipe dish soap on the outside of your pots and pans to make soot removal a breeze.

Search the web for great campsite cooking recipes and come prepared to dazzle your family! Or if you're eating alone that night, you can conveniently forget you got the recipe online and say to yourself "I've always been an incredible cook".... definitely comforting.

Campsite and Campsite Etiquette

Picking your campsite is kind of like shopping for a house, minus the realtors, escrow and whatnot:

Find a shaded spot that is large enough for your needs.

Pitch your tent away from low ground, where rain water can gather.

Be certain your campsite will have good drainage, in case it rains.

Be certain restroom and bathing facilities are within easy walking distance.

Be certain drinking water is nearby.

Pack it in- Pack it Out: Leave your campsite as clean (or cleaner) than you found it. We all hate it when we get to a campsite and there's a freeze dried haggis wrapper sitting there.

Keep an orderly campsite: Keep your campsite orderly and safe. Don't leave dangerous or sharp tools exposed. Keep food stored safely out of reach of animals, so you do not draw them in. If you looked hard enough, I bet you could find a maid service online that could help with the orderliness, with the technologies these days who knows!

Make sure your campfire is cold: When you leave be absolutely certain that your campfire is cold. No jokes, this is important!

Treat neighboring campers as you would want to be treated. Don't be loud and bothersome in close camping quarters.

Don't pee near camp, it can attract wild animals and is just flat out a bad idea. *A rule for the guys.

By: D. Sturgeon

Cachuma Lake Campground - A Great Camping Experience
If you are looking for a great place to go camping, whether it is tent camping or you have and RV, you should check out Cachuma Lake Campground in Santa Barbara County. Located off Hwy 154, it is a beautiful lake that offers many activities year round. Widely known for fishing, this campground/recreation area also offers wildlife tours, hiking, boat rentals, a swimming pool, miniature golf, and so much more. There is no swimming or skiing allowed on the lake however, so keep this in mind when you go. The lake hosts fishing tournaments through-out the year, and is home to the UCSB Rowing Team.

So, now you know what the park has to offer, let me tell you a little more about it. The campground is a County run park, camping is first come first served. They do not take reservations. They have a large number of full hook-up sites for Rvers as well as partial hook-up sites. They have an even larger number of tent sites. In most cases, when you arrive they will give you a map of the campground, tell you which sites are available and you can drive around, choose the one you want and go back and pay for it. Most of the campground is dirt, they do allow campfires year-round, and they have a wonderful little store in case you forgot or run out of something. There is also a wildlife museum in the park and they occasionally host special events for kids. Prefer hiking? Try out one of the many trails available around the lake. They range from short walks to longer hikes. Maps are available at the park.

Want to see wildlife? This is the place to do it. Because the park is located in the mountains you will most definitely see raccoons and probably a skunk. Keep your trash picked up at night and the raccoons won't be a problem. Skunks? Don't do anything to scare them and they will leave, they are just passing through anyway. You will also see squirrels, birds, and other small wildlife. Go down by the boat launch ramp and you can feed the ducks, carp will come and eat with the ducks too if you're lucky! You can wear yourself out riding your bike around the park on the roads leading to the various campsites. They also have Yurts for staying in if you don't want to stay in a tent.

Cachuma Lake is located only half an hour from the Santa Ynez Valley. Day trips into Solvang, Los Olivos, and Santa Ynez are a must. There are a variety of fun shops, wine tasting, and excellent restaurants in the Valley. If you would rather go to Santa Barbara, you can head the other direction from the lake and it is about forty-five minutes or so depending on traffic. The most important thing to remember about camping there is to have a great time! Roast some marshmallows, make new friends, and catch a big fish! Enjoy Cachuma Lake and you will want to return.

By: Christy Tuller
Christy Tuller is an expert on several topics and enjoys camping. For more tips, ideas, and photos check out my blog Camping In The Western States at http://mrstscampwest.blogspot.com

Campgrounds - Ohio Offers Its Best To The World!
Buckeye state may not offer the mountains like other states but has still got lots of places and beautiful sceneries for vacationers. In Ohio while camping you can have the chance to enjoy the Midwestern hospitality offered by Ohio campgrounds. In fact the Ohio campsites may be seen as ones which made your family camping trip the most enjoyable.

Though Ohio is considered geographically a small state,but it has quite a few of campsites it can boost about. This state of Ohio is fractioned into five camping regions which are distinct: that is southwest, northeast, and northwest southeast. Each of these regions has a distinct style and flavor to offer for campers.

In case you desire to camp at the central region of the state; for example, you will have a number of fascinating options. First of all is the Rippling stream campsite which is in Baltimore, Ohio. Apart from the state offering a full picnic area, rippling stream has a game room movie night, hayrides, bingo, and horseshoes. There's also a swimming pool for you to take a dip when you tire from hiking.

If you want to research Ohio campgrounds in the northwest region of the state, try surf motel and RV campsite in Marblehead. This is called Ottawa counting camping ground, which looks out over beautiful Lake Erie and also bordering the popular Kelly's Island and the beautiful Put-In-Bay. This ohio campground also offers quite a few of amenities such as picnic tables, out door pool, and other stuff like fishing and boating.

If you're moving around southwestern Ohio, make sure you stop at Forest Heaven which is located in Chillicothe. This ohio campground is considered as a primitive campsite, which is particularly land of tranquility. Forest Heaven is one of the Ohio campgrounds that brings people to simple living style .It also has luxuries to offer, such as electricity, hot showers ,flush toilets and laundry.Spend your time here by doing activities like fishing for one day, walking for next, and swimming ,boating ,riding etc while in Ohio campgrounds.

Ohio is a place for family vacations, as this whole state is family oriented. There are too many Ohio campgrounds you can choose from. Camping is the best form of activity for a family to get together, irrespective of the region of Ohio you are vacationing in, there are also lots of family oriented summer activities where the whole family can have fun.

Simple pleasures together create more stronger bonds within the family .Simple pleasures can be such as dining together on the picnic table, sleeping below stars will become the most cherished memories for you as well as for your children. Ohio may not be as glamorous as Las Vegas and may also not provide amusement parks of Florida but Ohio campgrounds have lots of place for the family fun. Once you spend time at an Ohio campgrounds, for sure you and your family would want to return for more fun and frolic.

By: Abhishek Agarwal
Abhishek is a Camping freak! Visit his website http://www.Camping-Guru.com and download his FREE Camping Report "Camping With The Family: How To Have A Safe, Fun, And Inexpensive Vacation" and learn some amazing Camping tips and tricks for FREE. Learn how to have the perfect vacation on a shoe-string budget. But hurry, only limited Free copies available! Camping-Guru.com

Camping - Ten Great Reasons to Start
You may have already decided to start camping and have your very own reasons for doing so. However, below you'll find many more great reasons to go camping.

1. Camping is inexpensive compared to most types of vacation

Whether you are a lone camper, a couple or a large family, camping is a very inexpensive way to take a vacation. Not only is the per night cost of your stay significantly less than a night in a hotel, once you have purchased a tent and other equipment, all of the major costs have been covered in the initial outlay.

And now that you own your tent and the equipment that goes with it, you can use it again and again, not only every year but as many times as you can get away during a season. Vacation in a hotel or apartment and you are faced with high accommodation costs each and every trip!

Camping vacations are tremendous value for money at any time, and in times of recession when we all have to tighten our belts, they may be the only viable option for a vacation at that time.

Put simply, a camping vacation can save you and your family a fortune in vacation costs.

2. Camping gives you independence and freedom from the herd mentality

A typical package vacation or guided tour often means being herded from start to finish, beginning with the need to arrive at the airport at a specific time (often at an unsociable hour) and continuing during your time at the resort ....a merry-go-round of schedules, activities and the rules and regulations of the hotel and the holiday rep.

Camping gives your much greater choice and freedom to do what you want, when you want...and if your don't like the campsite, move on to another one nearby.

3. Get closer to nature

So many of us live in towns and cities and live our lives at a pace where we rarely get the chance to experience what is going outside our technological world. It is so easy for us to lose touch with the natural wonders that surround us.

Camping lets you get closer to nature and wildlife, to see, smell and hear things that we do not normally experience in our everyday lives.

4. Get closer to each other

Getting away from it all in a tent can bring couples and families closer together. The opportunity to spend quality time together in a relaxing environment, without the distractions of a computer or television, can give you the opportunity to slow down and do things together that you would not have time or the inclination to do back home.

5. Step back in time and experience doing things the simple way

Assuming that you are not planning a camping vacation with a microwave oven, TV, computer, fridge and the other "must haves" of modern living, camping will enable you to experience getting back to basics and the enjoyment of doing things in a more simple and maybe skillful way.

6. Your pets can enjoy a vacation too

I must admit that I have not seen anyone take their cat or rabbit camping yet, but dogs will often be seen on a campsite with their owners. You can not only save on the expense of boarding kennels but also allow your pet to enjoy a vacation with the family too.

7. Take your accommodation with you to a festival

Taking your tent to a music festival gives you the best of both worlds; the enjoyment of camping and living in inexpensive accommodation nearby. And when the days entertainment is over, you are but a short walk away from the comfort of your bed.

8. Recreate memories

Many of us will have experienced camping as a child, maybe as a scout or girl guide, or simply with friends. Others like myself and my wife took camping holidays in the early years of our relationship when money was in relatively short supply.

In adulthood, after many years of expensive and often sophisticated vacations, a camping holiday can be a great way of reliving those simple and happy memories of the past.

9. Build and tailor your accommodation to your specific needs

Hotels and apartments are much the same and you get what you are given. With so many different types of tents and an even greater choice of equipment and accessories, you have the means to put together a tent that is tailor made to the needs and requirements of you and your family.

And every time you arrive at a campsite you get the opportunity to put it all together again (and of course take it all down again when you leave). And each time you go camping you can make it a little different. You might even own a selection of tents for your different camping needs. We own a 6 berth tent for longer camping vacations, a 3 berth tent for weekends away and a compact tent for touring holidays in a MX-5/Miata roadster.

10. You can make new friends

Sitting next to your tent, relaxing or enjoying a meal al fresco, it is easy to strike up a conversation and potential friendship with your neighbors. Likewise you might get to meet some interesting locals when you are out walking or visiting local sites.

You may also join a camping club and get to take part in rallies and other events where you can get to meet fellow campers on a regular basis.

Overall, camping is a great way to meet other people, in wonderful locations and at low cost. But be warned, you could get addicted to it!

By: Alan J James
The Author is a keen Camping Newbie who has a developing blog with the aim of providing other camping newbies with advice and inspiration to go camping. Please visit the Camping Newbie blog at http://campingnewbie.blogspot.com

Camping Essentials - Camping with Babies and Children
Bringing the whole family on a camping trip is one of the most creative, interesting, and natural things that you can do in your lifetime. You have come to the right page if you want to be as safe and as secure as you can be on any camping trip. First - safety and security begins with having the proper equipment and tools for your camping trip. There are certain rules of safety and security that you need to follow when you are camping out with babies and children. There are some tools and some equipment that will make your vacation easier and more fun.

CAMPING WITH BABY:

If you are bringing a baby along on a trip, prepare ahead of time and buy a baby tent. This is a small enclosure that will hold one baby - with one baby infant seat. The enclosure is not really a "tent" but it is more a screen enclosure that you will use inside the tent or outside the tent. This will make your baby insect-proof. Your baby will be free from mosquitoes and spiders and their bites. Bring a sleeping bag for baby (for inside the tent, when the baby is not inside the baby tent. This kind of sleeping equipment will make your baby feel more secure than a regular blanket. Remember that your baby is not at home and might feel some apprehension about its' new temporary quarters. Use the sleeping bag at home for a few nights before you go on your camping trip. This way, your baby will be used to it and will be familiar with it on the trip. Bring bandages, over-the-counter medicine, bottled water, a ball, some toys and whatever else is familiar to the baby.

LOCATION: When camping with babies or young children, try the "family" campsites first or the private campgrounds to see how the baby or children will react to the outdoors experience. Camping at a private campgrounds or family campgrounds offer many amenities that state parks might not offer. For example, at the private campgrounds, you might find a kiddie pool and a regular pool, an indoor store for necessities, internet connections, game rooms for children, golf carts, abundant water spigots and fountains, and many other items that make camping with children more fun. After choosing your campground, the next mission is to chose the best site for children and babies. You will want to choose a site that is near the bathrooms, near the public phones (bring a cellular phone too), and or near the store or the more trafficked areas of the campgrounds. When choosing a site near the bathrooms, choose the right one, not one too near it.

(A few years ago, one of the news items that did not make it into the newspapers, but did disturb the campgrounds, happened at Hecksher State Park in New York State. One night an RV family came into the campgrounds very late, after dark and proceeded to back into a water fountain. The driver of the RV did not look behind him as he parked and his RV landed right on top of a water fountain. The water fountain tilted and tipped, flooding the surrounding area with water. Thankfully, no human being was hit in this accident. But think of what a close call that was. . This campsite was the one very nearest the restroom and the area all around it was flooded. Good that no one had camped out there, so the only ones affected were the park rangers and the camper who ran the RV. So choose one close to the restrooms but not too close. You might want to choose a site that is near other family campers. Perhaps the children can play together in the daytime. Sometimes as an added safety precaution, campers put lights on the outside of their tents, and sometimes they use special camping blinking lights. If any campers near that water fountain had those lights on their tents that would have been an added protection for them that night when the RV ran over the water fountain.

RULES: Sounds simple? Most everyone knows the rules of the campgrounds if they have been camping in the past. But newcomers and children generally do not know the rules. One of the most important things that you can remind your children about are the vehicle and road rules. Remind them that the lanes in between the rows of tents are just like city roads. Cars and sometimes huge RVs travel those roads, so if the children are playing at the campgrounds, they must look both ways before crossing these innocent-looking lanes at campgrounds. So many times during the camping season, you will see children running and playing in or near the campsites roads. This is a very dangerous thing to do as there are many cars going back and forth even if you do not see them right away. Remind all children that roads are roads even when the roads are in campsites. Remember that RV that hit the water spigot and knocked it over ? That could have been a child. Luckily it was just a water spigot. You need to instruct the children on the road rules before you leave your vehicle and stress the importance of obeying all rules, including the road rules.

FOOD: Food rules are the next important. If you have decided to camp out in a state park, you need to stress the importance of food rules. Most times children do not understand why they cannot eat inside the tent (especially in bad weather). If you camp out anywhere in the wild or in state parks in any state, you must not have any food in your tent, not even cookies or cookie crumbs. Trust us on this one. Even at the most civilized camp sites, if you bring any food inside your tent you are asking for big trouble. There are state parks where there are no bears, but still the food rule should be number one on your list to remember. We camped out at Hecksher State Park in New York once or twice. We knew the food rule so we never brought any food into the tent and we did not leave any food on the picnic table either. That's almost a guarantee that you will have no animal visitors during the night. That's almost a guarantee but not a real promise. Even when you are diligent about camping rules and regulations, what your neighbors do will affect your stay at the camp. Sometimes your neighboring campers will forget food outside and that will be enough to bring raccoons and little animals and insects into your campsite. That happened to a friend of ours. While he was careful about camping and careful about his food, his neighbors left food out on the table - overnight. All through the night, the pesky raccoons kept pushing through the campsite going into everything they could find. They kept everyone up at night be their scavenger hunt for more food. Our friend found out the hard way that any food left out, even your neighbor's food, will attract small animals, raccoons and insects into his own campsite. He found out the hard way - by having the raccoons keep him up all night. You can learn the easy way, by just taking this advice. If your neighbors are inexperienced campers, tell them about the animals and raccoons that spill through the campgrounds at night. They will be glad you told them and you will have a good night's sleep. (Raccoons are creepy at night in the dark at night -especially since they are so bold). Good thing to remember is that some raccoons can carry or have rabies. So, store your food inside your car. Raccoons do open coolers up. Funny thing is that the one thing they could not do was open the zippered cooler.

RESTROOMS: Another important rule is that no one goes to the restroom alone after dark or at night. In the daytime also, accompany all children to the restroom. This is an important safety rule for our state parks in NY, and probably everywhere else also. If you think that this is "too safe" , think again. In some of our state parks, there are homeless people camping out; in others, there might even be newly-released inmates, and in others there might even be perverts. Yes, this might be shocking to you and it is something that most people do not think or want to think about. But the truth is -that is the truth. So, watch the children when they go off to the bathroom in the daytime and if they do not come out quickly, go and check on them. And, after dark or near dark, the rule must be that no one goes to the rest room alone. You can wait outside for the older children and you go inside the restroom with the younger ones.

DON'T FEED OR PET ANIMALS: You need to instruct children to not approach and to not pet wild animals, no matter how cute they look. Remind the children that some wild animals carry or have rabies. Some of the bold raccoons at Hecksher and some other parks will approach you and the children if you leave food out at night. So the best way to avoid this is to keep all food in plastic containers and keep them in your car. Keep the family pets at home (find pet sitters for them). Family pets attract wild animals and insects. Besides, if you are on vacation, you will want to leave them home and enjoy their company when you return. If you MUST bring family pets, the best place to go is to family campsites that advertise that they welcome pets. There are one or two state parks that accept animals. Do the research online and find out where these parks are.

WEATHER:

There is a difference between a storm and a rainy day. If you are prepared, relaxed and intent on enjoying your camping experience, even rain will not ruin your camping vacation. It is an interesting experience. That's really roughing it. That's camping! However, with babies and children, the wet camping experience is different and less fun. So here's how to handle weather. Bring a solar-powered radio and solar-powered flashlight. Having a radio on stormy or rainy days makes all the difference in a camping trip. Tune in to the weather station and you will find out if the storm is temporary or will last for days. You can plan - that is so much better than just having bad weather happen to you. If the rainy weather is just going to last for an hour or three, you can rough it out and outlast the rain. So , do not pack up and go home. Having that radio makes a big difference.

RAINY DAYS: These are great fun days and a great excuse to sit in the tent and get to know each other better. You can talk, chat, play games, share stories, and read. READ? Who ever heard of reading on a camping trip. Yes, you can read. Bring enough flashlights for the night. You can wait out the rain and you can play and read until the rain stops. If it is a light sprinkle, this is great for blowing bubbles in the rain (no thunder, no lightening). Stay away from the trees for safety. Kids love to splash in puddles and why not? It's vacation . It's time to do things you would not normally have them doing. You can cook out, so you can take a short trip to the local fast food place ( Many fast food places have play rooms), so your rainy camping day will turn out to be a fun success instead of just another day in the rain.

STORMY WEATHER: With the storms or prediction of storms while you are camping, use the malls to your benefit. During the worst part of the storms, pack it all up (not the tent) ; bring the kids and put them in the car and drive to the nearest mall stores. You can spend hours there going to the movies, browsing the bookstores, having lunch or dinner, and you can party-out the storm.

First things first, get away from the trees and out of the rain. Hop into the car or RV. You don't have to drive right away. Sometimes a storm can last ten minutes other times ten days. Knowing is being informed. Listen to your radio. Once at Hecksher State Park , all of a sudden it began to pour, lighting and thunder. It rained so hard and thundered so loud it sounded as if Noah would have to rebuild the ark. Most of the campers thought it best to leave the campsite for a while since the thunder was getting louder and louder. . There are malls not too far from Hecksher State Park, a short drive away. So, many times when the weather gets stormy, some of the campers pack up and spend a few hours at the mall instead of spending the entire day or night in the tent listening to the rain. If this happens to you, you can go to the mall, spend hours at a bookstore, have lunch in a fast food restaurant or at a pizza place and then head back to the campgounds after the worst of the storm is over. Everyone will be happy, entertained and feel that even the stormiest camping outing can be a total success. The rain will eventually lighten up, and you can experience your first rainy day camping but you will come away with a fun experience, not a griping holiday. Attitude is everything! Creativity is everything while camping. So many other people were there that same day - camping out through the storm but they were not as happy as as the campers who chose to leave the campgrounds and head to "CAMP MALL" . That's the difference between planning a great camping trip and being surprised by something that you did not expect. Plan your trip, plan for a storm and then you will know just what to do when the storm hits if the storm does hit. So, be prepared, be wise and you will have a wonderful camping trip, no matter what the weather.

RESTROOMS AND SHOWERS: Always accompany children to the restrooms. Never permit anyone to go alone to the restroom after dark or near dark, that includes adults. One of the things that people do not think or or remember is that whatever is out in the world is at your campgrounds too. Somehow people think that camping is a 'different' world just because they feel safe and peaceful in the woods and outdoors in nature. And that false sense of security is what puts many children and adults in danger. Take the same safety precautions that you would take if you are in a large city. Everyone goes to the rest rooms in pairs or in groups. Even in the middle of the night. Tell your children if they need to go to the restroom in the middle of the night, they need to wake you up. You will all go together. When you first arrive at the campgrounds remind your children what the rules are and let them know that these rules are for their safety and protection. Children should never go into any stranger's tent. And you need to remind each child that every other camper in the place is a stranger to them. At campgrounds, strangers and neighboring campers are always very friendly and after a day or two it can seem or feel like you all know each other. You need to remind your children that all over campers are still strangers and they shouldn't go into neighbor's tents at all -without you. Following this rule can keep children alive and safe. Keep the same rules that you keep at home. When at home, you don't allow your children to go home with strangers or go into strangers' homes. So when camping out - those tents are people's homes -even if only for a night or two. The tents are temporary homes so do not let any of the children to into any strangers' tents.

HOT, HOT, HOT! No matter what, always pack sunscreen, sunblock and insect repellent. These are essentials. If you don't have these, don't bring the children or babies camping. Bring a screen hut. This is an open-enclosure. It is open on two sides, closed on two sides. These go for around forty dollars, but we picked one up for ten dollars at a dollar store. This is a great tool to put over the picnic table. It brings you less mosquitoes and insects over your plates and food. Plus, it is fun for the kids. They enjoy sitting under it. Part of the enclosure is screened and part is cloth, so it provides some shade on hot and sunny days.

By: Linda Lin
Those are just some of the basic essentials of camping out with babies and children. Some of our upcoming articles will focus on tents and choosing the right tent for you. There are many more ways to be safe and secure/ Hope that you read our other articles for that information. If you want the free newsletter about camping, send an email to to writeus@yahoo.com

The author of this article is an experienced camper who graduated from Outward Bound School. Besides spending seven wonderful days in the wilderness in North Carolina, she received a Wilderness Survival Certificate. Her wilderness experience in game lands, in state parks and in private campgrounds adds to her expertise in the outdoors and in camping. The author invites you to write for the free camping newsletter (sent only by email).

Camping Trips Create Great Family Memories
It is not always that a family or group of friends could get together and enjoy some activities so why not plan your camping trips ahead in order to get the most out of it. In activities wherein many people are involved, it is very important that everything is well planned and the equipment well prepared so that everyone would have fun and ensure the safety of every participant.

The key to succeeding in planning is to start with the venue or the place where the activity will be held. Check on the place, book and secure the location.

Take note of the weather changes that might occur and be ready for circumstances that may arise. Once the place is set and ready for the trip, plan the activities that everybody may be able to enjoy. Consider the age range of the people involved in the camping and be sure to check on everyone's specific needs to see which may need additional help such as those who are asthmatic, with high blood pressure and others that might need special attention.

The children should also be properly supervised to ensure their safety. Do not just travel without an emergency kit handy. One of the basic things included in the kit should be alcohol, towels, medicines, water and band-aids. All camping trips should have at least one first aid kit.

The camping activities should then be planned carefully so that everyone will have fun. Be sure that both the children and adults will be able to participate in these activities.

Some examples of activities include fishing, cooking, or simple karaoke inside the tents. For more active participants, you can prepare extreme sports such as rock climbing, hiking, biking, and bungee jumping, cliff diving or swimming. Feel free to involve these participants in the planning process too. Ask for their suggestions as to what activities they would like to do during their camping trips and you'll be amazed at how their suggestions would make the planning a whole lot easier.

Be sure to prepare every needful equipment, gear and accessories so that the trip would be worth it. Remember that both proper planning and execution constitutes successful camping trips

By: Tom Houser
Tom is an experienced camper who has been camping all his life. He has taken many family trips and many canoe trips as well. Click here for information on choosing a good sleeping bag sleeping bag
By T. Houser

Hiking and Camping in Bear Country
The most important factor to keep in consideration is that bears and other wildlife are as their name implies-wild. While bear sightings are very rare in the mountains in Breckenridge, you should keep in mind that the goal is to coexist with these creatures, so you should do your part to keep these animals wild and safe. Under no circumstances should bears be captured, harassed, or fed. In fact, feeding a bear will likely make them become more aggressive toward the next group of humans it comes across. Before you go out playing in the Breckenridge mountains, take these precautionary tips into consideration:

• Make noise.

Although the mountains boast a calming and relaxing environment, an unassuming bear can feel startled if snuck upon. For maximum safety, make mountain activities a group effort. The more noise you make, the less likely a bear will approach. If a bear hears you, it's unlikely that it's going to come to the noise. It would rather keep to itself and leave you alone. When bears are surprised by mountain visitors sneaking up on them, they are more likely to feel threatened. Talk, sing, or hum as you explore the mountains. Local shops in Breckenridge sell bells that you can tie around your neck, automatically making noise for you as you hike trails.


• Stay calm.

In the rare event that you do come across a bear while hiking, try to keep a cool head. Slowly lay down your pack or anything else you are carrying and back away from the animal. In most cases, the bear will either move along on its own or take interest in your pack. If the bear does approach you, make yourself look big by extending your arms above your head, and make loud noises.

• Clean up.

Bears are hungry creatures and will likely follow the smell of food the longer it lingers. After you've finished cooking, burn all excess grease and food from grills and stoves. Be sure to wipe your table or eating area clean as well. Additionally, try to situate your camping area so that your tent and sleeping bag do not smell of food. Because the clothes that you've cooked in will retain the grill's smell, store those in bear-proof containers as well.

• Store it.

Keep your food and garbage in the trunk of your car or suspended from a tree. Get all food at least ten feet off the ground and four feet from the trunk of the tree to be safe. Remember, vehicles are not bear proof-the trunk is the safest storage place if your car is nearby.

• Get it out.

Don't burn or bury your trash-a bear will just dig it up and create a mess. Pack it in bear-proof containers and pack it out with you. Many camping areas are equipped with bear-proof garbage cans for your use.

Remember, bear encounters in Breckenridge are extremely rare. Bears are solitary creatures that like to stay to themselves. Hikers and campers can continue to coexist with mountain wildlife by remembering these basic tips of hiking and camping in the Colorado high country, so get out and have a good time in Breckenridge.

By: Christine J. Cook
Chris Cook lives part time in Breckenridge, Colorado and loves to share her expertise on the mountains with visitors. If you're planning a trip to the Rocky Mountains, visit this site for your Breckenridge lodging: http://www.summitvacations.net

Pop-Up Campers - Is a Pop-Up Right For You?
As everyone here is well aware of, camping is a great way to take in all that nature has to offer. Popup campers are a cost effective, simple way to enjoy comfort while out in the wilderness. A great alternative to tents, pop up campers can be rented or purchased for a price that won't hit too hard on the wallet. Brand new popups can be found from around $4,000 all the way up to $12,000. There is also a huge used market out there for such campers. Used popups can be found for very fair prices.

A big plus to popups, being a trailer, have the ability to be towed behind nearly any vehicle with a hitch. A small car can even handle the load with ease. Of course, a hitch will likely need to be purchased as well. Popups have a nice, low profile, which is good for two main reasons: Minimal vision obstruction and minimal wind resistance (which hurts fuel economy significantly, as seen with traditional pull behind campers).

Popups are surprisingly roomy when expanded, and one who hasn't taken the time to check out the inside of a set up unit would be pleasantly surprised. Families with children can fit comfortably with their own separate areas.Also it is thought that popups are difficult to set up, but this is most definitely not the case, not even in older used models. They simply crank up and secure to their position, and you pull out slide out areas , if applicable, and you'll be ready to go.

Never forget to put down the stabilizers on each end of the camper to ensure it can't tip when somebody is in it. Popups can be set up very easily, from the most ignorant beginner to the most experienced expert. Remember- popups have had years and years of time to perfect the design and the easiest, quickest setup method has been optimized. Setup time total ranges from 30 minutes to an hour, which is longer than an RV, but the difference in cost more than makes up for this pitfall. Also, most big tents can easily take this much time to get properly set up while providing far inferior protection to the elements.

A popup camper should be considered by anyone interested in a cost effective "home away from home" in the great outdoors. You'll have the security and comfort that your old popup tent never could. Popup campers are a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

By: Cam R Snyder
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RV Camping - Westchester County Is The Place To Be
Despite the close proximity of Westchester County to Yew York City, it does make for a very good and attractive RV camping site in the area. Westchester County does have a lot to offer nature lovers and people looking for all forms of camping.

RV camping at Westchester County can be a lot of fun and convenient too because the vast expanse of the RV camping park offers a lot of facilities to the RV campers who visit the park in thousands every year. Irrespective of the park you choose to camp in, you will have full excess to all the facilities any other park has to offer. Croton Park and Ward Pound Ridge are to of the popular parks at Westchester County, these parks have a vast range of hook-ups and the rates vary according to the time you need to use the facility.

Naturally, locating a good camping site for your RV is just the first accomplishment of your trip. For this there are maps and instructions available at the Park office and you can easily locate good camping spots with the aid of these facilities. Once you have decided on a spot, you can park your camper or RV and then explore the country side.

There are many activities to take part in, and you literally have a choice of what you want to choose to do. Perhaps you could start with the Seven Wonders of Westchester. These are the seven most popular sites in the Park. These include; Caramoor Center for the Arts, the Hudson River Museum, the Katonah Museum of Art, Kykuit, Lyndhurst, Neuberger Museum of Art, Philipsburg Manor, and the Performing Arts Center. Scores of people visit these sites daily. Then there is 'Playland', which the first ever planned amusement park of the Unites States.

Then there are the scores of American Revolutionary War sites. These sites are easily reachable from any of the camping sites of Westchester County. If you are there for Independence Day, this is the place to celebrate your freedom. Some of the best places to visit are Thomas Paine's Cottage and Patriots Park. After visiting these places you can get back to the camp and continue your celebrations with some burgers and a BBQ and perhaps watch or take part in the County's firework display.

Westchester Camping County has a few words of advice for their patrons who visit the site in thousands each year. The peak season for RV camping is the entire summer months, and also during the week ends, and you want to get yourself a good camping spot, ensure that you make reservations well in advance. Millions of people are vying for the very same spot you have your heart set on. So, reserve in advance to avoid hours of driving around the park to locate a suitable camping site for your RV.

By: Abhishek Agarwal
Abhishek is a Camping freak! Visit his website http://www.Camping-Guru.com and download his FREE Camping Report "Camping With The Family: How To Have A Safe, Fun, And Inexpensive Vacation" and learn some amazing Camping tips and tricks for FREE. Learn how to have the perfect vacation on a shoe-string budget. But hurry, only limited Free copies available.

Tips For Setting Up Your Tent
You may not think that setting up your tent is all that important, but I can tell you form first hand experience that I've had more then one camping trip ruined by not setting up my tent the right way.

Here are some tips for setting up your tent for a more enjoyable camping experience.

Location, Location, Location:

One of the first things you need to take a look at before you set up your tent is the location where you will be setting up. Just because a campground has a spot designated for your tent doesn't mean that it is the best place to set up.

I have woken up in the middle of the night more than once with water in my tent after setting up in the campgrounds designated spot.

If at all possible, set up in a spot where the ground slopes away from the back of the tent. This will allow water to run off away form your tent should it happen to rain.

Tarps Are Your Friend:

Be sure to place a tarp on the ground before setting up your tent. Having a tarp under your tent will prevent ground moisture from seeping up through the bottom of the tent and getting your sleeping bag and other camping gear wet.

Most tent come with a rain fly, but if there should be a period of heavy or prolonged rain, even the best of rain flies will not hold back the water. This is why I always put a tarp over my tent when I set up.

The best way to do this is to use a tarp that is about 4 or 5 feet larger than your tent so it extends beyond the foot print of your tent. This will protect your tent better and also allow you to place some chairs outside the tent.

If at all possible, use rope or twine and tie the tarp off to any trees that are around your tent and be sure that one of the back corners of the tarp is lower then the other three corners so if it rains, the water will run off away from your tent.

Use these tips for setting up your tent for a better camping experience.

Happy Camping :-)

By: Mark Neustedt
Mark Neustedt is the webmaster of ForeverCamping.com and uses his blog to provide campers with Camping Reviews and other helpful camping information.