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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.) 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.
Here are a few things you should know if you are new to camping. These tips, while broad in nature, will give you some idea on what you should bring to make your trip a great experience. Make sure you have a complete camping gear list. If you do not have one, you can usually find one online. The rest is just plain common sense. First, expect to have a good time, but be prepared for the worst. For instance, it may not rain at all on your Camping Trip, but you should be prepared in case it does. Do not put your tent directly at the bottom of a hill. It is certain that it will flood in a torrential downpour. Make sure you have a sturdy tarp to keep you and your group dry. It should also be able to withstand the strong winds that often accompany a rain storm. Other things to be prepared for are cold weather, pesty insects, sickness, etc. If you are hiking or canoeing, you should pack MRE’s (meals ready to eat) and other types of food that do not require cooking. In other words, you should pack light (the lighter the better). Save the cooking for when you get back to the campsite. Some campgrounds do not allow fires. Therefore, you should pack a camp stove just in case. If you like comfort, be sure to invest in a quality air mattress with a quick pump. You should also bring mosquito netting so you do not get eaten alive while you are trying to sleep. Of course a comfy sleeping bag and a tent that doesn’t bleed (rain water seeping through the walls of the tent) are also big essentials that should be on your camping gear list. Do not put a lot of leaves in your campfire. Leaves tend to make a fire smoke (getting more smoke than flame). You do not want to smoke out your neighbors. If there are quiet hours in the area you are camping, please observe them. It all boils down to respect for your camping neighbors. On packing day, make sure you take all of your garbage with you (or if a facility is provided, use it) and leave the campsite the way you found it. When packing your gear, make sure it is dry. Wet camping gear can develop a musty smell and rot over time. Make sure you leave your camping gear list with your camping gear. In conclusion, if you are new to camping, these broad tips should provide a nice foundation from which you can build. The rest is up to you. |
