Camping and Hiking
With Jean Fellmeth
Hike and Camp Guide. com
Winter Camping
Summer camping is a popular American pastime filled with fun activities like canoeing, archery, and making s’mores.Camping in the winter can be more of a challenge, but hard core campers love to pitch a tent in a few inches of snow. Follow these steps and you’ll soon be making snow angels under the stars!
Prepare for extreme cold, even if the season is mild. Pack a double-layer sleeping bag and a pad to place underneath. Purchase winter sleeping bags at a sporting goods or outdoors store, or online at camping gear websites. The pad will protect your body from ground frost and moisture. Pack layers of clothing, such as wool sweaters, cotton turtlenecks, polypropylene long underwear and socks, a windbreaker and a wool hat.
Bring along an ample supply of fire starting supplies. The ground in winter will be hard, cold and wet. Pack several different resources for starting a campfire, such as large kitchen matches, lighter fluid, dry wood (if you are driving) and flammable goods.
Invest in a windscreen. A windscreen will assist winter campers in two ways. First, hang the windscreen in front of a cook fire to reduce wind and maintain the flame. Second, hang the windscreen in front of the tent to block anticipated night winds.
Eat right. Add extra protein to your diet for a warmer body. Pack cheese, granola bars, trail mix, nuts and small amounts of chocolate. Avoid chips, candy bars and other foods with empty calories.
Check your safety plans and first aid kits. Bring a well marked map. Stock your flashlights with alkaline batteries. Keep Band Aids, gauze and disinfectants tightly sealed and dry. Always travel with a buddy or group.
Drink plenty of water.
Summer camping is a popular American pastime filled with fun activities like canoeing, archery, and making s’mores.Camping in the winter can be more of a challenge, but hard core campers love to pitch a tent in a few inches of snow. Follow these steps and you’ll soon be making snow angels under the stars!
Prepare for extreme cold, even if the season is mild. Pack a double-layer sleeping bag and a pad to place underneath. Purchase winter sleeping bags at a sporting goods or outdoors store, or online at camping gear websites. The pad will protect your body from ground frost and moisture. Pack layers of clothing, such as wool sweaters, cotton turtlenecks, polypropylene long underwear and socks, a windbreaker and a wool hat.
Bring along an ample supply of fire starting supplies. The ground in winter will be hard, cold and wet. Pack several different resources for starting a campfire, such as large kitchen matches, lighter fluid, dry wood (if you are driving) and flammable goods.
Invest in a windscreen. A windscreen will assist winter campers in two ways. First, hang the windscreen in front of a cook fire to reduce wind and maintain the flame. Second, hang the windscreen in front of the tent to block anticipated night winds.
Eat right. Add extra protein to your diet for a warmer body. Pack cheese, granola bars, trail mix, nuts and small amounts of chocolate. Avoid chips, candy bars and other foods with empty calories.
Check your safety plans and first aid kits. Bring a well marked map. Stock your flashlights with alkaline batteries. Keep Band Aids, gauze and disinfectants tightly sealed and dry. Always travel with a buddy or group.
Drink plenty of water.
A hiking and camping experience is something you will always remember. I remember going camping with my son who was a Boy Scout at the time. It was during warm weather so we didn't have to worry about bringing extra warm clothes. We made a list of the supplies we needed to bring. Writing a list is very important because you can very easily forget something. As we packed for our trip we checked off each item. We kept this list so we would know what had to be replaced.
We divided our list into separate columns. For instance, it might read clothes, food, cooking, sleeping, etc. Under sleeping the supplies would be a tent, ground tarp, hammer (for pounding in stakes), sleeping bags and mats. In the food column would be camp stoves, lanterns, fuel, cooking equipment, and of course the food. We had to have a menu so we would know what food to bring. You want something that is very light to carry (if your backpacking your supplies to your campsite), so you will want to re-package your food into plastic bags. Also, food that will not spoil. When you have everything on your list checked off, your ready to go. Pack it all into your backpack so all you have to do is grab your bag, tent, and sleeping bag when you get to where your going.
I always carried a walking stick. This really helps when your on a trail that has a lot of rocks or tree roots in the path. It hepls you steady yourself while you cross the uneven torrain. It can also be used in the campsite if you need to put your food in a tree to keep bears away.
Make setting up camp a fun experience. Where to make your fire ring and building it, finding a spot that is level and smooth for your tent. Deciding where you will put your food so animals won't get it. After your all set up you can go for a hike and really enjoy nature. The peace and quiet, listen to the sounds of animals, and the clean freash air. Don't forget to take your camera so you can take pictures as you hike. At night you can sit around a campfire and make s'mores and tell stories.
There is so much to be enjoyed when your outdoors. It makes no difference if your sleeping in a tent or RV or cabin, there is so much to enjoy.
We divided our list into separate columns. For instance, it might read clothes, food, cooking, sleeping, etc. Under sleeping the supplies would be a tent, ground tarp, hammer (for pounding in stakes), sleeping bags and mats. In the food column would be camp stoves, lanterns, fuel, cooking equipment, and of course the food. We had to have a menu so we would know what food to bring. You want something that is very light to carry (if your backpacking your supplies to your campsite), so you will want to re-package your food into plastic bags. Also, food that will not spoil. When you have everything on your list checked off, your ready to go. Pack it all into your backpack so all you have to do is grab your bag, tent, and sleeping bag when you get to where your going.
I always carried a walking stick. This really helps when your on a trail that has a lot of rocks or tree roots in the path. It hepls you steady yourself while you cross the uneven torrain. It can also be used in the campsite if you need to put your food in a tree to keep bears away.
Make setting up camp a fun experience. Where to make your fire ring and building it, finding a spot that is level and smooth for your tent. Deciding where you will put your food so animals won't get it. After your all set up you can go for a hike and really enjoy nature. The peace and quiet, listen to the sounds of animals, and the clean freash air. Don't forget to take your camera so you can take pictures as you hike. At night you can sit around a campfire and make s'mores and tell stories.
There is so much to be enjoyed when your outdoors. It makes no difference if your sleeping in a tent or RV or cabin, there is so much to enjoy.
Wilderness Camping
Yes, wilderness camping means no bathroom close by and no supermarket down the street. The good news is that you’ll have your pick of sleeping arrangements. Just pick a spot in the woods and fend for yourself.
Yes, wilderness camping means no bathroom close by and no supermarket down the street. The good news is that you’ll have your pick of sleeping arrangements. Just pick a spot in the woods and fend for yourself.
Tent Camping
Tent camping is actually a common-and fun!-experience for both parents and children. Unlike wilderness camping, some campsites provide showers, restrooms and may have other amenities, including laundry rooms, game rooms, or even a swimming pool. Some campsites require reservations and charge a small fee.
Tent camping is actually a common-and fun!-experience for both parents and children. Unlike wilderness camping, some campsites provide showers, restrooms and may have other amenities, including laundry rooms, game rooms, or even a swimming pool. Some campsites require reservations and charge a small fee.
Recreational (R.V.) Camping
Serious campers take offense at the thought of R.V. camping as “real camping”. The benefit of R.V. camping is that you have the freedom to travel far and wide without worrying about accommodations. Most R.V.’s come equipped with a bathroom, living room, kitchen and bedroom. The downside is that you may not experience nature.
Serious campers take offense at the thought of R.V. camping as “real camping”. The benefit of R.V. camping is that you have the freedom to travel far and wide without worrying about accommodations. Most R.V.’s come equipped with a bathroom, living room, kitchen and bedroom. The downside is that you may not experience nature.
Create Memories
Bring a camera
Disposable type are excellent for outdoor activities
Give each child their own disposable camera
Keep a journal
Describe details about your trip and the activities you did
Document special moments
Include photos
Have each family member write about their experience
Bring a camera
Disposable type are excellent for outdoor activities
Give each child their own disposable camera
Keep a journal
Describe details about your trip and the activities you did
Document special moments
Include photos
Have each family member write about their experience
For some, the word camping conjures images of peaceful streams, roaring campfires, and delightfully cheerful birds. For others, camping is nothing more than mud, mosquito bites, and the fear of a bear attacking you. With the right amount of preparation and a bit of mosquito repellent you too can learn to enjoy camping as one of the best hobbies out there-and don’t worry about those pesky bears.
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| Gander Mountain Camp Kit |
| $29.99 |
| Send your kids on great adventures in the playroom or the backyard with the help of this Kids Camp Kit from Gander Mountain....[Read More] |
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Things You'll Need:
Tent
Sleeping mat
Sleeping bag
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Warm clothes
Rain gear
Battery-powered fan (optional)
Tent
Sleeping mat
Sleeping bag
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Warm clothes
Rain gear
Battery-powered fan (optional)
Choose a campground at a high altitude. Valleys can be scorching on summer days, while just a short drive up the mountain to get to where the air is cool and crisp. Check the weather forecast before you leave, and try to choose an area with a low chance of rain and thunderstorms.
Pack warm clothing and a sleeping bag. It's hard to imagine how cold it can be on a summer night in the mountains until you're stuck shivering in your tent. Be prepared for the elements: rain, wind, sunburn and bug bites can all dampen your fun. Pack rain gear, sunscreen, bug spray and other items to keep you comfortable.
Bring a battery-powered fan, especially if you will be camping in a warm or buggy area. You'll be amazed at the difference a little breeze can make.
Look for a shady campsite, particularly one that will be shaded in the hottest part of the day. Trees are your friends, protecting you from sun, rain and wind.
Keep tent screens zippered as much as possible. Leaving the screens open allows in bugs that will torment you when you go to bed.
Pack warm clothing and a sleeping bag. It's hard to imagine how cold it can be on a summer night in the mountains until you're stuck shivering in your tent. Be prepared for the elements: rain, wind, sunburn and bug bites can all dampen your fun. Pack rain gear, sunscreen, bug spray and other items to keep you comfortable.
Bring a battery-powered fan, especially if you will be camping in a warm or buggy area. You'll be amazed at the difference a little breeze can make.
Look for a shady campsite, particularly one that will be shaded in the hottest part of the day. Trees are your friends, protecting you from sun, rain and wind.
Keep tent screens zippered as much as possible. Leaving the screens open allows in bugs that will torment you when you go to bed.
Summer Camping
When the thermometer reads 90 degrees in the shade, many of us wilt at the mere idea of going outside--let alone sleeping outside. But summer is the perfect time to take a camping trip.
The kids are out of school, and many areas of the country too cold to visit in the winter are at their prime. To make the most of a summer camping trip--and to avoid heading home in a sweat-dripping, bug-bitten rage--you'll want to do some planning.
When the thermometer reads 90 degrees in the shade, many of us wilt at the mere idea of going outside--let alone sleeping outside. But summer is the perfect time to take a camping trip.
The kids are out of school, and many areas of the country too cold to visit in the winter are at their prime. To make the most of a summer camping trip--and to avoid heading home in a sweat-dripping, bug-bitten rage--you'll want to do some planning.
 |
| ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent System - Olive |
| $24.99 |
| Take back your summer with mosquito repellent that you don't have to put on! Providing 225 sq. ft. of protection, ThermaCELL...[Read More] |
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