By Glenn H. Kipps

Choices! Choices! Do you leave Fido home on this sunny weekend to be tended to once or twice a day by a kind neighbor? Or do you learn all that you can about camping with your dog and take him along to explore nature with you?  Camping with your dog can be an enjoyable experience, but it takes planning to be sure an oversight does not interrupt or cancel your outing.  Before leaving home with your dog, there are considerations – besides water and food – that can be taken care of ahead of time to avoid sticky situations after you arrive at the campground.  Since you are taking your dog, there are additional items you must add to your camping gear list as well..

1. Most importantly, be sure you and your dog are in good physical shape to endure lengthy hikes or whatever other outdoor activities you are planning.

2. Make sure the campground you choose allows dogs, and whether or not they must be leashed.

3. Make sure your dog has all shots required by law, and prepare documents to take along to verify this, if necessary.

4. If you know you will be away from a natural water source, or are aware that such a source is not safe for drinking, plan on taking plenty of containers of water - and, for heaven’s sake, don’t forget the water dish!

5. Take along flea and tick powder (one of the extra dog items you need to add to your camping gear list), insect repellant, and a small first-aid kit if your dog’s exploring causes cut or scratches, etc. (Your vet can advise you further in this area.)

6. Your dog’s familiar toys – especially rawhide – will help keep him near you. Take favorites – but replaceable ones – in case they get lost in the terrain.

7. Take pet waste bags and scoopers  (two other extras to be added to your list) to avoid confrontations with other campers.

8. If you know the terrain is going to be rough or sharp, to avoid damaging your dog’s paw pads, consider special boots (Another extra to add) that can protect your dog’s feet from injury, or in winter keep them from getting too cold.

9. Learn to distinguish between safe and unsafe plant life, some of which are poisonous to your dog or, at the least, can cause irritation or injury, and avoid them. Take a list with pictures with you.

10. Be sure to include bright and reflective clothing for your dog as well as yourself that is distinguishable from the natural surroundings.

11. Make sure you have proper identification on your dog in case he gets lost – preferably a tag with a cell phone number so that you can be reached immediately.

After you arrive, there are other considerations for your dog, such as:

1. Always have your dog in sight, or on a leash (which some campgrounds require). Widlife such as snakes, skunks, bears, etc., can be a problem for a roaming pet.

2. You will be sharing the trail with hikers who may become anxious or scared if they see a dog on the loose without its owner nearby. Do not assume that they “love” your pet.

3. Finally, do not assume that your dog is “Superdog”. Watch for signs of fatigue. Take adequate rest breaks. Dogs, especially, tire easily, since they have no sweat glands and can overheat very quickly.

In short, camping with your dog can be a very rewarding experience if you take the right precautions and add the appropriate items to your camping gear list. You and your dog will have a good time and your camping neighbors will be very appreciative.

Technorati Tags: campground, camping gear list, first aid kit, insect repellant

By Glenn H. Kipps

Camping with the kids! You knew the time would come! Jimmy has outgrown the backyard campsite.

“This isn’t real camping.” he says.

Janey always echos her brother.  “Yeah! This isn’t like real camping!” she says, as she glances at her brother for approval.

Camping with the kids.   You’ve heard all of the stories… the nightmare… and especially that thousand-decibel cry, “I wanna go home!” at two in the morning right after a coyote somewhere out there howls at the moon.

It’s a right of passage, they used to say for the father to take his son camping. Now… guess what?! Mom and the girls stick out their chins and say, “We’re going, too!”

You hope for the best, but all of those stories from your friends with children… they’ve “been there”. Fifty Million people can’t be wrong. Best friends Randy and Jane insist they’ve been emotionally “scarred for life”.

So here you are… with a loaded SUV ready to make your own nightmare. This is where the prayers come in.

The campsite is beautiful, but kids don’t notice such things, or do they?

Hey, Dad,” Jimmy says, “This place is really beautiful!”

“Yeah, it’s really bee-yoo-ti-ful!” echoes Janey with a giggle.

Guess you were wrong.

But kids don’t pitch in. They just run around. As you prepare to drive to the camp store to get some important supplies you forgot at home in your haste to get on the road, you glance at the pile of tents, coolers, equipment, etc.,and sigh thinking of the work ahead.

Coming back from the camp store with the necessary items that were forgotten at home, you are sure you have come to the wrong campsite. The tents are up. The food is stored properly. The folding table and chairs are in place, and a cold drink awaits.

“The kids did it,” his wife says jubilantly, “with a little help from me.”

Wrong again!

It’s getting late. To get an early start in the morning everyone agrees to retire early. You are expecting that two a.m. cry, “I wanna go home.” You can’t sleep. Your watch says two. The next thing you know, your watch says seven. No one woke up.

Wrong again!

Everyone’s ready to hike the trail. This will be it, you think. They’ll be complaining about aching feet, hunger, you name it. We’re halfway. You’re tired. They’ll be whining in a minute.

“Whatamatter, Dad? Here, let me take your backpack.” Jimmy is sympathetic.

“Yeah, you’re tired,” says Janey as she tilts her head at you and pats your head.

Can’t believe it! Wrong again!

The day was wonderful… and the next day… and the next. We sang all the way home.

Camping with the kids! …One of the great experiences in life. It’s a lot of fun, too! You always knew it. (Also, it’s great to have someone along to carry your backpack, lol.)

Technorati Tags: camping gear, camping gear list, Camping With the Kids, campsite, chairs, Cheap Campsites, tents

by Glenn H. Kipps

Camping can be fun if you take the right precautions and have all you need on your camping gear list. Here is an example of how a Camping Trip can go totally wrong (extreme worst case scenerio) and a few tips on how you can prevent these things from happening to you.

Your food tent is torn to shreds. A family of racoons is snarling at you. Your kids are trembling in the car with your wife. You are standing behind the car banging a stick. However, it is too late. They got to your meat and everything else that is not secured in a can or jar.

So, you figure, for tonight, you still have your canned goods. What was that? You forgot the can opener. After walking a quarter a mile to various campsites, you realize no one has a can opener. They opted for steaks and shish-ka-bobs – nothing in cans. The camp store is all the way at the entrance to the campground (about 1.5 miles away in some instances). You have already walked a good ways. By the time you get back to the campsite, you have lost all motivation to drive to the camp store to get a new can opener. So, you end up borrowing some bread from a neighbor (the racoons already got into your bread) and have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner. Your stomach is growling with hunger.

After you and your family eat the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you have a couple of beers. A little while later, you go into the woods to relieve yourself (at this point, the bathroom is just too far to walk). On the way back to the campsite, you step on an in-ground bees’ nest, and your legs are twice their size and hurt like you know what. There is no stream or even a puddle to jump into to relieve the pain.

Your back is burnt to a crisp. Your feet are bruised from the rough terrain. Your arms are covered with mosquito bites and bee stings from when you stepped on the bees’ nest. Your ripped up t-shirt is binding a gash in your leg caused by your tripping over a sharp stick.

Your dog has disappeared over the horizon chasing a squirrel. You took off his collar to make him comfortable and don’t know how you’ll find him. You stepped in his droppings and ruined your moccasins.

The campfire spread to dry leaves around it and melted one end of your cooler, exploding the cans of beer inside. You have hot beer all over you as a result. At least the canned fruit and the grape soda are fine. They are in the other cooler away from the fire.

The kids are crying and your wife is sulking, because they are hungry. Remember, the only thing you all had to eat was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. You drop down in dispair on a tree stump.

What went wrong?!

First of all, you should have stored your food a little ways away from any of your tents. That way, if an animal takes an interest in your food, it won’t destroy your campsite. Also, do not take any food into your tent. If you want a midnight snack, eat it outside. As for the can opener, you seem to be a good candidate for those folding ones that fit on your key chain, providing you don’t lose your keys.

As for the bees and mosquitos, you should invest in insect repellant.   It really works. Also, a first-aid kit should be a given for campers.  Both fo these items are important items that should be on your camping gear list.  Do you know if any member of your family is allergic to bee stings? People die from bee stings. An antidote exists for that, too, and can be made part of the kit. Also, a good kit has an ace bandage for such things as the gash in your leg (Weren’t you watching where you were going? Hope it wasn’t a favorite t-shirt.).

Oh, no! You didn’t bring something most people wouldn’t leave home without? Sun block! You had better hope your good old buddy next door doesn’t slap you on the back and say “Welcome home!”

Did you really think the collar was uncomfortable for your dog? Under no circumstances should you take the ID off of your dog. He can’t say his name and phone number. Ever hear of a leash? Also, wild animals often see them as prey.

Your moccasins are probably history. Don’t you know that good campers bring waste bags and scoopers? You’re lucky your neighbors did not meet the same fate. You might have been history! Wearing moccasins, to a camp out is not bright anyway. You will probably be soaking your feet for a week. Hiking boots exist, you know.

As for the fire, what did you think would happen with dry leaves all around the flames? The word “dry” is a clue. Did you think there were tiny little firemen hiding in the leaves waiting to put out the inevitable fire? Get rid of any dry leaves before you start your fire. Also, have the [tag-ice]beer cooler[/tag-ice] in reach but not so close that the fire can get so much heat to it that all the ice melts and the beer explodes.

Camping can be fun and extremely rewarding as long as you use common sense and have a well-equipped camping gear list.  Remember to check over all your gear before you go and make sure your first aid kit is equipped for every possible scenario.  If you do these things, you will have fun with very little consequence.

Technorati Tags: campground, first aid kit, insect repellant, tent

by Glenn H. Kipps

What is a camping trip without a campfire? It would be a rather boring camping experience, don’t you think? Building a campfire can be a very rewarding experience, but there are some safety precautions and other factors one should know about before leaving. Here are a few tips on campfire safety that should be adhered to in order to ensure you have a great camping experience.

1. Before going on your camping trip, make sure you choose the right campground. Before you make a reservation (neccessary on a busy weekend like Memorial Day), find out the campground’s rules on campfires. Believe it or not, some campgrounds do not allow campfires at all. They have their reasons. However, I can not imagine what they could be. I usually avoid these places like the plague. If you do not do your research and show up at one of these places, you are just plain out of luck… “Oops!! Look at the signs around the campground. No campfires!! Sorry, honey. I should have done my research.”

There are also areas where you can have campfires, but you can not pick your wood from the woods. There are many places in these areas where you can buy bundles of wood for $3.00 a bundle on up. You have to spend a little bit of money if you want your fire to go all night (or until bed time anyway). However, if you get to one of these areas and you want to build a campfire, that is what you are going to have to do. In California, this type of camping is unavoidable. I did a lot of camping there and did not find a place anywhere where you could pick your own wood.

Then, you have the places that, pretty much, have no real restriction. The only thing they ask is you adhere to general fire safety. These are my favorite places to go.

2. Most of the latter type campgrounds have designated fire pits. USE THEM!!! They are there for your safety. They are usually in the area of the campsite where there are the least low-hanging branches and furthest away from your tent site.   If there is not a fire pit, you can easily build one by gathering enough big rocks to put in a circle. This wall of rocks must be big enough to keep the wood inside the ring. Also, clear away any twigs, dried leaves, paper, etc within several feet from the fire pit.

3. When building your fire, start out with small twigs, a little paper and anything else that can be used as a fire starter.

Side note: Some folks put dried leaves on the pile to help start the fire. I do not use them, because they make a fire smokey.

Then, you start putting your kindling down. These sticks are a little bigger than the twigs (about 1/2″ to 1″ in diameter). After that, throw on your bigger logs. There are several way to do this. I like to build a tepee style fire the best. I feel this is the strongest fire structure. There you go… A little architectural lesson from the Indians.

4. Make sure your fire is a comfortable size. Building your fire too big could be catastrophic to the people in your group as well as your camping neighbors.   It will not be a great thing for the wildlife and the forest either. “Oh, no! The tree overhead just caught fire. What should I do?” Make sure that you have the correct equipment (ie. bucket full of water, shovel or a fire extinguisher) in case the fire does leave the boundaries of the fire pit.

5. Have fun. Bring out the weenies and the marshmallows. Play cards. Tell stories. However, you must also be safe. Respect your fire. There should be no horseplay around the fire.

I hope these tips on campfire safety have helped you plan a safe camping trip.

Technorati Tags: campfire

By Glenn H. Kipps

There are many products out there that will aid in cooking when on a camp out.   There are outdoor fireplaces that can be converted to grills, ovens and a variety of stoves and grills.   My brand of choice is Coleman. This is not because I sell their products online, but because I believe in them. These products are built to last. For instance, I have a Coleman 2-burner stove I purchased in 1988. It still works the same way it did when I first bought it. I have not even had to rebuild it yet. I also have 2 Coleman lanterns that my brother and sister had when they were teenagers in the 1960’s that still work very well. A lantern is not a cooking item, but I thought I would throw that in just to make a point. If it is made by Coleman, it is built to last. Coleman makes all of the above mentioned product types including a variety of 1, 2 and 3-burner stoves.   My favorite is an innovative little thing known as the Coleman 2-burner propane grill stove.   With this little gem, you can do conventional cooking on one side and grill on the other at the same time. However, Coleman is a little more pricey than a lot of other brands, but the price is well worth it. Cheaper brands may work just as well in the short run, but they don’t last as long. This is just to let readers know that there are cheaper alternatives. However, some people can not even afford the cheaper brands. Relax… all is not lost. In this article, I am going to provide you with tips on how to build a cooking fire.

You can apply the same principles and safety practices of building a Camp Fire to building a cooking fire. The main difference is the end result. When building a camp fire, you want to build a nice flame that you can look at, gather around and enjoy. When building a cooking fire, you want to turn your wood into hot coals. There should be no flame whatsoever. After all, you do not want to burn your food or blacken your pots or other cooking vessels you may decide to use.

First, you must pick a cooking site that is at least 8 feet away from any bushes, combustibles, tents or anything else that can catch fire. You must also clear away any dry leaves and twigs and make sure there are no overhanging branches. Build a U-shaped fire pit using large rocks. The back of the pit should be facing any wind currents when it is windy. Put a larger rock with a flat surface at the back of the pit to act as a chimney to channel the smoke away from the site.

Once your pit is built, you can start building your fire. Start by laying down wads of paper and small twigs on the floor of the pit. Then, you can stack the kindling (dried branches of 1″ in diameter at the most) in even criss-crossed layers. Keep a bucket of water nearby and light the wads of paper to start your fire. Add some bigger pieces of fire wood (preferably hardwood, if available). Make sure these pieces of wood are as close to the same size as possible and lay them evenly over the burning kindling. As soon as all the wood is burned into white coals, use a stick to distribute the coals. The coals should be stacked higher at the back of the pit graded downwards to the front of the pit. This creates the ability to cook at high, medium and low temperatures.

Now, you can set the grill over the rocks and begin cooking.   The further back you put your cooking vessel, the higher the temperature, because the coals in the back of the pit are closer to the grill. If you are cooking directly on the grill, have a spray bottle handy in case the dripping from the food cause a little flame. Remember, the perfect cooking fire should have no flame. As your fire dies, bank the coals to get the most heat from them.

After cooking, use the same pit to build your evening camp fire. Make sure the fire is completely out when you retire for the night. I hope these nifty tips on how to build a cooking fire have helped you for your next camping trip.

Technorati Tags: Camp fire, Cooking fire, tips on how to build a cooking fire

By Glenn H. Kipps

The subject of this article is quite a bit different from the other posts where I talk mainly about camping in the woods.   Today, we are going to talk about camping on the beach.  I am going to give one of my famous scenerios where everything goes wrong. Then, I am going to give you a few tips on how to avoid these problems.

You are on your long awaited beach vacation.   You don’t want a hotel or condominium.   You want to camp on the beach. You feel that this will give you a feeling of being in the great outdoors without having to deal with the wildlife you find in the woods. You choose your spot and throw all the blankets and sleeping bags down on the sand. Then, you start to build you and your group a cooking fire that is later going to be a huge bon fire after dinner. All of the food and beer coolers are set up. Everything seems great. Uh Oh!!! The next thing you know, a policeman comes over to your area. He informs you that camping is not allowed on this particular beach and that fires are prohibited on all beaches. The closest camping beach is 5 miles South. You have been drinking all day. The only one sober enough to drive is your 16 year old younger brother who just got his license. You don’t have a stove, so you are resigned to eating at the closest McDonald’s or some other fast food. So you pack up everything and take off with little brother behind the wheel. The restaurant is just a block away. After you get your food at the drive up window, you continue to the beaches that allow camping per directions of the officer. Oh, I forgot about those tickets and hefty fines he gave you earlier as well. You are too drunk to respect the new driver. You and your friends are too rowdy. About halfway to your destination, little brother has an accident. While waiting for the police, you apologize to your little brother. The good news is that the cop has decided not to give your kid brother a ticket because of the noble effort to get you and your drunk friends to a safe place to camp. Besides, there was no real damage done to that telephone pole and the car is still drivable. Therefore, not all is lost. So, you guys settle down at your new campsite, stay up a little while longer listening to the ocean. However, the badness has not ended yet. The next morning, all of you wake up in excrutiating pain because of extreme sunburn. Wow!! Some beach vacation this turned out to be.

Well, let me tell you what you should have done to make this trip a pleasurable one. First of all you must think ahead. Not all beaches are camper friendly. It would have been a good idea to call ahead to see which beaches allow camping. Fires are no longer permitted on most beaches. This is sad, because I remember when I used to spend my whole weekends at Mission Beach in San Diego during the day and spend the night at Mission Bay, where there were always at least 8 bonfires. This was when I was completing my A school training to be a corpsman at Balboa Hospital (The Naval School of Health Sciences) in 1988. During the weekends, no one would see me at the barracks. At any rate, back to the subject. There are some beaches that still allow bon fires, but you need a permit. Again, you must think ahead. Next time, bring a stove. If you would have followed these simple suggestions, you would not have gotten into this fix with everyone getting fines.

You should not drink until you know you are in your location to stay. Do not rely on your kid brother who just got his license to get you out of a fix. It’s not fair to him. If you follow this little, but very important suggestion, your car may come back home in one piece. As for the sunburns, you are not 6 years old. Common sense says you should have bought some kind of pop up beach tent or beach shade and a good supply of sunscreen.   They go for $19 and up. If you would have gotten some kind of shelter, you would have had a 95% or better chance of not getting burned. Better luck next time camping on the beach.

Technorati Tags: beach tent or beach shade, camping, Cheap Campsites, sleeping bags, stove

By Glenn H. Kipps

Whether you are going on a Camping Trip or the power goes out in your house, a camping lantern is a pretty nifty tool to have on your camping gear list. The reason is that a camping lantern can light up a huge area such as a room in your house or an outdoor kitchen. A  flashlight burns out much quicker and illuminates a much smaller area. In this article, I will go over the different types of lanterns and their uses. This information should help you in choosing the right camping lantern for your needs.

There are a few different types of lanterns. It is best to identify your camping needs before you decide on which lantern you want to purchase. There are remote control lanterns that operate on infrared technology. These are great in that you do not have to physically touch your lantern to turn it on. There are also rechargeable camping lanterns.  These are highly recommended, because you can buy several rechargeable batteries that can be used in other camping gear on your camping gear list requiring battery power. Both are the best types to use in the house during a power outage because they are the safest. They do not require fuel or flame to light up a room. Then, there are the traditional lanterns that require fuel to operate. It is best to find out what kind of fuels are going to be at your disposal when choosing one of these. Make sure the lantern you choose can take those kinds of fuels.

Your camping lantern should be built to last a long time. It should be able to withstand the forces of nature easily. As in an earlier post, I recommend Coleman. They have been around a long time and their products are built to last. I have two Coleman Lanterns that my brother and sister had during the 60’s. They still work great. Read the manual for your lantern to find out how long it will burn before you have to change the battery or refuel. Do not be caught half a mile from your campsite with no power. Do not leave your lantern on all night or you may not have power for the rest of your trip, unless you have a good supply of batteries and/or fuel.

In short, choosing the right camping lantern for your camping gear list depends on your camping needs. Only you can make the right choice for you. Identify your needs, read the specs of the lanterns you are eyeing to see if they are right for the trip you are going on and choose wisely. Coleman has every type of lantern I have mentioned as well as several different models of each type.

Technorati Tags: camping gear, camping gear list, camping lantern, flashlight

By Glenn H. Kipps

There are a few types of camping each with their own set of needs. For instance, if you want peace and quiet, you do not want to camp next to an area of leisure (such as a golf course), a drag strip, or a highway. I have had the latter two experiences, which I’ll explain later in this post. On the other hand, if you are there to golf and want to be in close proximity to the golf course, you may be willing to put up with the loud industrial mowers they use to mow the green every morning. Likewise, if you come to an NHRA event and want to be within walking distance to the drag strip, you may be willing to be awakened by those darned top fuel cars.   It is all a matter of preference.  No matter which situation, there are cheap campsites to be found.  In this article, I will be giving you ideas to help you in finding your ideal campsite.

The first thing you must do is identify your camping needs.  Then, you go about looking for a campsite that will suit these needs. You should learn about the surrounding areas of the campgrounds you are considering using for a certain duration of time. The best way to do this is to call the local tourist office or chamber of commerce in the area you are considering. You could call the campgrounds directly. However, their information is a little more biased because they want you to come to their campground. Once you have chosen your campground, it is highly recommended that you make a reservation. This will assure that you have a campsite when you get there. This one thing could greatly increase your chances of having an enjoyable camping experience.

Once you have chosen your campground and arrive there, it is time to choose your campsite. Most campgrounds will allow you to drive around and pick your site. Some campsites have flat areas already cleared for your tent. Pay close attention when exploring the campground for these sites. The earlier you arrive, the better choice you have in campsites. They also will let you change your mind, if you find you do not get along with your camping neighbor. They will allow you to move your equipment to another site, but only if there is one available.

I like to camp for many different reasons. Sometimes, I just like the sounds of nature to keep me company. On other occasions, I like to get rowdy with friends. This is the type of camping I do at least once a year. We have a friend that reserves a few campsites close together using her credit card. A bunch of us pay the $10.00 a day fee at the front office, which gets paid back to her minus the $20 a day for her and her boy friend. We then just get rowdy all weekend long. These campsites are at the very back of the campground, so we do not disturb other campers. The only other people who use these sites are rowdy people like us. It is just one big party.

Back in the last decade, my friends and I used to go to the Virginia Motor Sports Park to watch the NHRA event once a year. There was a  campground right next door. You could hear the races from there. However, that is why we were there. We tried to get there as early as possible, so we could select the best campsite available. We did not want to be right next to the drag strip. We also did not want to go to the other end of the campground where we would be too far away. We usually picked a spot in the middle of the campground. At night, it was just like any other camping experience.  This campground had cheap campsites as well.  Even during the event, they were not that expensive.

I have also camped right off major highways. When I moved to Pennsylvania in 1998, I used to go home to Virginia once a year. My relatives live in Salem and Roanoke. I could have stayed at their houses, but I chose to camp, because I am very independent. There is a campground at Dixie Caverns in Salem, VA. The entrance is on HWY 11 and it backs to I-81. However, it is very close to my relatives. Remember, choosing a campsite depends on what your needs are. Besides, these roads do not get much traffic late at night (an occasional tractor trailer or two).

When choosing your campsite, it is important that you do not choose one with camping items on it. Just because the site may appear empty, it could be that they have an rv and decided to take it out for the day. In other words, do not step on other peoples toes. That also goes for the wildlife as well. Always respect the wildlife. Remember, they are the hosts and you are their guests.

Camp about 200′ to 300′ from water to avoid being flooded out in case of a torrential downpour. Being close to water during a thunder storm also increases your chances of being struck by lightning. Do not camp under big pine trees because they act as lightning rods. Be sure to keep your food and garbage away from your tent to avoid having your tent ransacked by animals. Do not eat food in your tent. You may get a rude awakening.

Do not camp at the bottom of a cliff. This could be catastrophic if a loose rock falls on your tent, especially if you are in it. Also avoid campsites with leaning trees. These trees may fall on your tent in the event of a wind storm. Make sure you avoid poison ivy.

Your campsite must have good drainage. You do not want your campsite to become a big puddle after a rain.

In short, for the best camping experience, you must find a campsite that fits all your camping needs. Identfy your needs. Inquire about campgrounds in the area in which you plan on camping. When you arrive to your chosen campground, drive around to explore the  campground to find your site.  Remember, camping is still the cheapest way to travel.  You can find cheap campsites everywhere.   Camp and have a good time. I hope this information helps you in your endeavors in finding your ideal campsite.

Technorati Tags: campsites, Cheap Campsites, tent

By Glenn H. Kipps

A very important component for your camping gear list is your tent. You have to remember, this is going to be your house for a certain duration of time. In this article, I am going to tell you what to look for when choosing the right tent for your camping trip.

The first thing you should consider is the quality of the tent. Is it sturdy? Does it bleed?   For those that are new to camping, what I mean by bleeding is, when the tent is wet from either rain or dew, does water drip inside when you touch the inner walls of your tent?

The next thing you should consider is the dimensions of the tent. If you are bringing the whole family, a three room cabin tent may be what you need. However, to maximize your privacy, you may want to get two or three smaller tents depending on the size of your family. This way, you and your significant other will have your own tent and the kids will have theirs. If you are a backpacker traveling alone, a two man lightweight tent is definitely the answer. All tents have the dimensions and the amount of people they sleep listed somewhere, whether it be on the box, in a manual or on a tag sewn onto the tent itself. In a nutshell, you should identify your camping needs and choose the right tent for your camping gear list.

Another thing to consider is your budget. Be sure you can afford the tent you choose. However, do not totally replace cheapness for quality. Remember, if you buy a more expensive tent, you save in the long run, because you will not have to replace it as often. A cheaper tent will cost you more in the long run, because it will not last as long as a more expensive tent.   If you are on a budget, I would suggest taking the middle of the road.

Select the tent color that best suits your needs. Light colors make the tent brighter on the inside and provide cooler temperatures. This is best for summer camping. Darker colors provide a dark, cave-like feeling inside the tent.  They also harness solar energy to help provide a warmer environment inside. This is best for winter camping.

There are many tent manufacturers. Some are noted for making inexpensive tents, while other are noted for making more expensive tents. As you know, I am partial to Coleman. They are a little pricey, but they are built to last. I just bought my first  Coleman tent  last year. It is 7′ x 9′. It is a little roomy for one person. However, I like a lot of room to move around. Any way, the most impressive feature to me is that it doesn’t bleed. I have not even bought the waterproof spray Coleman offers. I know that I will eventually have to buy the spray and recoat it. However, it has been a year and I haven’t needed it yet. If you can’t afford Coleman, another good choice is Eureka. Their tents are of high quality for the price. This is what I consider taking the middle of the road. Another good manufacturer is Northwest Territory. I had one for many years. Durability is not a problem. However, they do bleed. You need to waterproof them immediately out of the package. After that, you need to do this on a regular basis.

In short, when choosing the right tent for your camping gear list, you need to identify your camping needs. Take your time when considering which manufacturer you are going to go with. Remember, this is going to be your home for a few days or maybe a week. The right tent will keep you comfortable, especially during unfavorable weather conditions. The wrong tent will have you packing your camp and heading for a motel. Now, that would be a real waste of money all the way around.

Technorati Tags: camping gear list, tent

By Glenn H. Kipps

Most people think that the camping gear list consists of essentails such as tents, sleeping bags, a good camping stove, coolers, pots and pans, eating utensils, food, toiletries and other personal hygeine items. This is true. These thing are all you need to have a great camping experience. However, one thing that is often overlooked is a screened gazebo. A screened gazebo is a great addition to the joy of camping. If you build it around your picnic table, it provides a flying insect-free environment for cooking and eating (provided you keep the entrance closed). You can also do things, such as play cards or other games in a flying insect-free environment. There are also other advantages to camping with a screened gazebo. There are several different types of screened shelters. In this article, I will explain what they are and how they add benefit to your camping experience.

The first one is your basic canopy. It is basically a frame with a shelter on top. This deserves little mention for the purposes of this article. A tarp tied to four trees can do the same thing. If tied right, the tarp is more sturdy than the canopy for obvious reasons. Now, you can get screened canopies. Even though these are not as sturdy as a fully screened gazebo, they are the least expensive, very light-weight and extremely easy to set up.

There are also your basic screenhouses. The frames are similar to those for the canopies. However, they are designed with screened walls with zippered entrances, which makes them a little stronger than canopies. In addition, they provide protection for your food from flying insects and other debris carried by the wind.

Then, you have the hexagon gazebo. The hexagon gazebo is even more sturdy than the screenhouse. It’s frame consists of a spoked hub pole system creating 6 sides. This is actually my choice for the addition of a screened gazebo to my camping gear list. I do not want something that is going to fall every time a stiff wind comes around.

Now, I will go into the ways a screened gazebo can make your camping trip that much more enjoyable. As mentioned earlier, it provides you with a relatively bug free environment for eating and cooking. In the evening, decorate your gazebo with soft, colorful lights for lighting. This provides a nice atmosphere for playing cards and other games. If you do not want to use your gazebo as an activity area, it is perfect for storing your food, coolers and any other camping equipment you are not currently using. This will help your campsite look neat and clean. Remember, this is your home for a duration of time. How you keep your campsite is a reflection of you. If you are going to use it for this purpose, you should set up your screened gazebo as far away from your tent as the campsite area will allow. This way, if a wild animal ransacks it, they will not spill over into your tent. This brings me to another point. Never eat in your tent. Of course, you are almost always going to have to deal with the occasional downpour. The mist from the rain inside the screened gazebo feels extremely good after a hot summer day. In addition to adding to your camping experience, a screened gazebo is also great for backyard parties.

Now that you see what a great addition a screened gazebo could be, you should consider adding one to your camping gear list. They are very inexpensive and easy to put up. As you all know, I am partial to Coleman. Coleman has a variety of screened gazebos and other types of screened shelters. I hope this information has shown you how enjoyable and practical camping with a screened gazebo can be.

Technorati Tags: camping gear list, camping stove, picnic table, sleeping bags, tent