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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.
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. By Glenn H. Kipps A sleeping bag is one of the most important items you need for your camping gear list. After all, how enjoyable can your trip be if you are not sleeping comfortably? There are different types of sleeping bags built for different weather conditions. For instance, if you are camping in the dead of winter, a 50 degree bag is definitely not the answer. Ideally, you need a 0 degree mummy bag . However, some people are not comfortable sleeping in a mummy bag, so a rectangular bag with a cold weather rating will suffice. If you want to camp in the summer, a 50 degree or above rectangular sleeping bag is all you need. There are also kids sleeping bags, which are minis of adult sleeping bags. Most of the kids bags are rectangular in shape. So, you see, choosing the right sleeping bag depends your camping needs. You should have a camping gear list for every type of camping you do and each list should be in close proximity to the corresponding camping equipment. Here is an article by Vinay Choubey that explains the different types of sleeping bags and their uses. —————————————————————————————–
by Vinay Choubey There are three basic bag shapes: rectangular, tapered and mummy. *Rectangular shaped sleeping bags are probably the most popular and the most readily available style. They are roomy and comfortable. These styles are easier to pack and carry. They are quite snug and they work well in intense conditions. * The mummy bag is shaped like a cocoon and has only a single side seam. Mummy bags are more expensive because they’re more complex to make, but are worth it! A mummy shaped sleeping bag is wider at the top (near the shoulders) and smaller towards the feet. The main advantage of a mummy shaped is that it better fits the shape of the body and consequents has the advantages of better insulation, less weight and less bulk. Mummy sleeping bags are preferable where warmth is critical or where weight/bulk is very important. * Tapered bags follow the shape of the body, increase warmth and are lighter. It is wider in the shoulder area and narrows at the bottom. Sleeping bags also come in a range of materials depending on their use. A flannel-lined sleeping bag provides warmth but also provides softness next to the skin. Nylon sleeping bags “breathe” better and do not retain moisture, so they will dry more quickly than other styles. Poly-cotton blends are probably the most durable option and work best in extreme terrain. There are also differences in the way sleeping bags are sewn and filled. Down fill provides great natural warmth, but cotton, polyester, and new types of synthetic fills are also available. Many new synthetics use a “hollow fiber” method that keeps sleeping bags light and allows for good compression when packing, while still offering excellent warmth. Synthetics are affordable and easier to care for than down. The way sleeping bags are sewn is also important to consider. Some are made like quilts and the entire bag is stitched into small pockets of fill. This keeps the fill in place, instead of letting it all fall into one section of the bag. Other styles sew “tubes” into the design, using long narrow pockets instead of small squares. Tubular designs are also intended to keep fill in place. You can also find great sleeping bags for children. These designs are smaller, child sized versions of regular sleeping bags. Most are made in the rectangular style, and you can find a wide variety of designs and trademark characters. Some are made to coordinate with bedroom accessories and are perfect for use as extra sleep space when your child has a sleepover. Sleeping bags are not just for camping any more. They are used for all kinds of adventures, as well as sleepovers and slumber parties, or when beds are limited on vacation. If you need a sleeping bag, don’t just pick the first one you see. They are available in many different designs and constructions to suit nearly any use you can imagine. Find more about Sleeping Bags at http://www.ShoppingSoLow.com. —————————————————————————————- As far as manufacturers go, I am partial to Coleman. Coleman has a large variety of bags for every camping need. They, like everything else Coleman, are also built to last. You may spend a bit more money, but you save in the long run. If you buy a cheap bag you may have to replace in 5 years, it ends up costing you more in the long run, because a Coleman sleeping bag will last you for many years. However, there are other brands of sleeping bags that you can put on your camping gear list and will do just fine. It all depends on what brands of sleeping bags you like. I hope this post and the above article by Vinay Choubey has helped you in your quest for choosing the right sleeping bag. 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. By Glenn H. Kipps Planning your camping vacation can be a very tedious task. However, it is neccessary if you want to have a successful Camping Trip. A very well-though-out plan will insure that you forget nothing, whether it be important or unimportant. The best way to do this is to make lists. By the way, this should be started at least three days before you depart on your camping adventure. Start with a master list that lists all of your main categories. From there you make a list for each of your main categories. This is the way a good camping gear list is made. There is an article that explains this process in detail. It is so well written that I decided to feature it in this post. It is titled “The Importance of Organized Lists for [tag-ice]Camping Supplies[/tag-ice]“. The actual author is unknown, but it comes from this website: www.camping2u.com. Here it is: ————————————————————————————— The Importance of Organized Lists for Camping Supplies Organization is the name of the game when planning any family vacation. The adults involved have to be sure to include every necessary, and several unnecessary items, on the packing list. There are few things more inconvenient than having to find a convenience store in an unfamiliar area or worse yet, find out the missing item can’t be replaced in your location. Due to the rural setting of many campgrounds, it is extremely important to be sure you have all of your family?s essentials on a list.Having well thought out lists for camping supplies can make the difference between a great vacation and one where you wished the weather had been a little cooler. The first thing to do is create a master list for all of the important items needed for your trip. This is the list from which all of the other lists for camping supplies will be made. Be sure to include sections on food and cookware, tents and sleeping essentials, and personal items, deodorant and shampoo. Obviously the master list will be more detailed than that, but those are good places to start. Simply go through your familys routine in your mind and write down the needed supplies. From there modify the list for any extras that being away from home make necessary. Depending on the size of your appetite, one of the most important lists for camping supplies could be the food and cookware list. Decide what kinds of meals and snacks you are planning to have on the trip and create a grocery list. Cookware is directly related to your food choices. Be sure to have the appropriate pots and pans packed for the trip. As far as the tent and sleeping bags go, make a list of the items and then go through to be sure they are all in good working condition. This is one of those lists for camping supplies that are best used as a check off list while packing the car. Personal items are extremely vital for hygiene and comfort during a trip to nature. Check this one a lot. You don?t want anyone forgetting his or her special ointment or contact case and solutions. This is why personal items are one of the most important of the lists for camping supplies. Be sure to include wet wipes, alcohol sanitizer, and first aid items on this list. If it makes you more comfortable, visit one of the many camping websites for help with your list. Some actually provide pre organized checklists to make this process easier. http://www.camping2u.com is your ultimate resource site on camping out and a source to most everything you always wanted to know about camping and camping supplies – but never knew how to ask… Check it out – Grab The Free Course ! http://campersupplies.camping2u.com In association with http://www.articlefire.com ————————————————————————————– I hope you found this article as informative as I did. Lists are an integral part of planning your camping vacation. Yes, planning is a very tedious task. However, watching the plan for your camping trip slowly unfold on paper in the form of a camping gear list can also be very much fun. What have you got to lose? Absolutely nothing, but maybe a little bit of your time.
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. by Glenn H. Kipps One of the most overlooked, yet most important, items to have on your camping gear list when planning a camping trip is the outdoor first aid kit. Most people think that their regular first aid kit they have at home is good enough. On the contrary, there are many missing items in a home first aid kit that could mean the difference between life and death. Additionally, there are certain accessories that are not part of a prestocked outdoor first aid kit that one should consider adding to their arsenal. In this article, I intend to go over those essential items that make up the anatomy of an outdoor first aid kit. In addition to the usual band aids and ointments, there should also be splints for the occasional broken bone or sprain, ace bandages, adhesive tape, scissors, tweezers for extracting debris out of wounds such as splinters, sterile gloves, a snake bite kit (very important) and a first aid guide. The guide is an extremely important part of your camping gear list especially in life or death situations. If you do not know what you’re doing, you can kill someone. It is a good idea to go over the guide before going on a camping trip. This way, you can become familiar with it, so when it becomes time to use it, you can quick-reference it without taking the time to look at the table of contents. That extra minute wasted could be detrimental to the person needing your help. Also, if the guide provided in your first aid kit is not that good, buy a better one to replace it. There are items that are not part of a prestocked first aid kit that are also essential and should be added to your life saving arsenal. An extra cell phone should be with the first aid kit. If the injuries are serious enough, 911 can be reached and the patient can be med-evacced to a hospital. Sometimes, boiling water to purify it is not enough. Therefore, water purification tablets should also be in there. There should also be some kind of handheld GPS device for finding your way if you are lost. However, if you are good with a compass, that will suffice. Aspirin and other medications you may need, matches in a waterproof container and thermal blankets are other items that will have to be purchased separately and added to your kit. Last, but not least, it is important to take proper care of your outdoor first aid kit. It should be inspected regularly. Any items that are used are no longer sterile and should be discarded and replaced. Attending to a wound with unsterile instruments can be worse than not attending to the wound at all. Any medications that have reached or passed their expiration date should also be discarded and replaced. While they will not hurt you, expired medications have diminished or lost their potency and will not help you. It is important that you replace everything that you discard. In conclusion, the anatomy of an outdoor first aid kit (what you put inside it), is very important to survival in the wilderness. The first aid kit is the most important item on anyone’s camping gear list.
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.
By Glenn H. Kipps Many people use a camping guide to find campgrounds and national parks in the area they are going to visit. They also use a camping guide to get directions and find out other information about the campgrounds or parks in the area. However, by doing this, they are missing some very important aspects on camping that may even save their lives. A camping guide is an essential part of your camping gear list. Even though a camping guide is not gear, it does have vital information on other things you need. Therefore, it acts as sort of an appendix to your list. In this article, we are going to go over what makes a good camping guide. A good camping guide should not only give you choices of where to go camping and how to get there, but it should also give you tips on how to survive for a few days if you stray away from the campground and get lost. Waiting for someone to rescue you could take days (sometimes longer). This information could save your life, so it is important that you read the guide in its entirety before going on your trip so you know what to bring. First, you need to have a well equipped first aid kit. This is, without question, the most important item on your camping gear list. Be sure to check everything in your first aid kit and replenish anything that is either missing or getting low. A good guide will tell you what you need for and how to tend to certain injuries that you may get on your hike. This is temporary treatment until you get real medical attention. A good camping guide should have information on how to build an emergency shelter in case there is not a natural shelter around. A lean-to is the most common shelter used in survival. You can build one out of tree branches. There should also be information on the local small game including the tracks they make, how to catch them, how to store the meat so it doesn’t spoil and how to cook it. Information on local plant life is also important. A good camping guide will tell you which plants are good to eat and which are poisonous. Last, but not least, there should be a section on how to purify water to keep you hydrated until you are rescued. In conclusion, information on basic survival skills in addition to the where to go and how to get there is what makes a good camping guide. Be sure to have a good one with complete information on your camping gear list. |
