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There’s nothing like a camping trip to renew the spirit and get back to nature. Camping is somewhat of a sport that is enjoyed by young and old alike, and it can be one of the best vacations ever as long as you are prepared. Because there are a myriad of supplies and gear available, it’s best to do a bit of research before rushing out and spending all kinds of money on equipment you might not need. Therefore, it’s always best to search the Internet for “camping supplies and gear.” 

To search properly, the best way to begin is to write down a list of things you think you might need. For example, if you need just about everything it takes to camp, then it is probably best to search for a company that offers everything from tents to mosquito nets. By searchig for “camping gear”, you’ll probably find companies that carry a full line of supplies including tents, sleeping bags, grills, cooking supplies and more. A popular shopping website dedicated to campers is Cabelas, that offers an extensive line of camping equipment. You’re sure to find what you’re looking for at varying price points, depending on the quality you desire. In other words, if you plan on camping on a regular basis, then it’s probably wise to go for higher quality equipment that will last longer. If you only plan on occasional camping, then going with less expensive items may serve the purpose. 

On the other hand, if you are quite familiar with camping and have done your yearly inventory and found there are items that need to be replaced, you might try searching for sporting goods stores like Bob’s. A store like Bob’s carries a limited line of camping equipment. So if your tent has seen better days and needs to be replaced, you’ll find that most sport’s suppliers have a pretty extensive line of well known tents. Likewise, if your sleeping bags need to be replaced, or if you need a new grill for cooking, stores that carry sporting goods will generally offer an adequate selecion of these items as well. 

Suppose you have all your basic camping equipment and need to purchase fishing equipment. In this case, the best places to search would be smaller shops that carry fishing equipment. Many can be found online and the selections of fishing rods, tackle, lures, etc. that they carry are usually plentiful and reasonably priced, depending on the type of fishing you intend to do and the amout of fishing equipment you need. 

For food supplies, unless you’re going to extremely remote areas where you will need dry foods offered at camping supply stores, the best places to search for food are local grocery stores. If you search Army and Navy shops, you’ll find an interesting selection of dry food rations, as well as camping tools, army/navy tents and other supplies. If you happen to live in Boston, Army Barracks Inc. has a great store on Massachusetts Avenue. Is you have plans for a family or solo camping vacation, searching online for everything you need to make your camping trip successful and memorable is definitely the way to go.

Generally, you will use a tent as a shelter unless you plan on sleeping under the stars. An inexpensive tent is fine if you plan on going camping once or twice. If camping is something you want to do on a regular basis, invest in a more expensive shelter. The money will be well spent. Tents come in different sizes and shapes. Find one that meets your needs. Do you have a large family or is the tent for only one or two people? You will also need sleeping bags and a sleeping pad. Sleeping bags differ in price and by what climate/season for which they can be used. Any knowledgeable person at your local sporting goods store will be able to assist you with what you need for your first camping trip. 

What are you going to do for food? Are you going to eat out at a local eatery or cook your own meals? Some camping locations have a general store where you can purchase just about anything you will need to cook your meals. The prices will be considerably higher than shopping at discount stores back at home, because you are paying for convenience. Bring plenty of water or make sure that there is a clean water source available for drinking and cooking. Do you want a hot shower every day or will you be roughing it? Information such as whether the camping site has bathrooms, running water, and hot showers is available from a park ranger or online. Decide what you must have and then look at camping sites that offer those amenities.

Be sure to contact your local forestry service to see if you need to pay any special fees. If you are going camping, you might need to pay camping fees. Do you want to catch something to eat for dinner? You will need a fishing license, not to mention a fishing pole and supplies, including bait. Are you thinking of roasting s’mores? You need to ask whether a fire is allowed and if you need a fire permit. Make sure the fire is out after you are done with it. Douse coals with water until the coals are cold to the touch. NEVER leave a campfire unattended. 

Here are some other important things you need to consider. Does anyone have special needs? If anyone has any specific health problems, be sure to include medications (e.g. an inhaler if someone is asthmatic). If anyone is highly allergic, you need to include an EpiPen and instructions on how to administer it. Pack a first aid kit for emergencies with the following items: mosquito repellant, tick remover kit, band aids, antiseptic wipes, moleskin for blisters, sunscreen, ice pack and an ace bandage. Plan for emergencies. Bring an extra change of clothes, jackets, a shovel for digging, a mirror for signaling, flares, waterproof matches and plenty of water to drink. You can survive longer without food, but you cannot survive very long without water.

Are you ready to unplug? Check out America’s top 10 camping locals.

The most wonderful thing about camping is that it allows the opportunity for families and friends to ‘unplug’ and garner a little quality time together. The ability to enter into a new element that is a complete divergence from the norm strengthens bonds and builds memories. Perhaps most importantly, camping is a reminder of what the world really is, and what lies beneath the concrete and wired everyday veneer of society. 

For the best camping experience the perfect local is essential. Be it an equestrian, hunting, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing or simple lounge trip, there are campsites suited for anyone. The list below features the top 10 picks you may want to consider for your next camping excursion.

1. Yosemite National Park in Mariposa, California is basically the jewel of all campgrounds. Natural attractions include waterfalls, canoeing, hiking, open-air tours, rock climbing, Hetch-Hetchy and the giant sequoias. While any season in Yosemite is wonderful, if you wish to avoid crowds, September through October are ideal. Another tip is to take advantage of Porcupine Flats and Yosemite Flats. During off seasons or for impromptu trips, they are great options, because they are ‘first come, first pitched’ campgrounds.
2. Glacier National Park Campground, located in Northwest Montana, is home to several endangered species. The glaciers are breathtaking. Other treats are the mountains, horseback riding, boating and fishing. The park is heavily focused on education and there are programs available to help seed a desire for healthy environmental stewardship.
3. Ocean Pond in Olustee, Florida is 1,760 acres of natural lake. It offers all the flair of nature with ‘creature comforts’ built in. Hot showers, fresh drinking water and flush toilets are just the start. There are also local stores nearby for supplies and electrical outlets in many of the camping sites.
4. Elk Neck State Park is a span of lush marshlands and bluffs in Maryland. Woodlands, beaches and everything in between make Elk Neck a banquet of diversity.
5. Hocking Hills State Park provides a secluded and serene experience. Towering cliffs and waterfalls promise to take ones breath away. There are also a variety of caves to explore and gorges to hike.
6. DeSoto Falls is nestled in the north Georgia mountains. The area is wild, however touches such as tent pads, toilets and water allow a bit of civilized comfort. Hiking, waterfalls and fishing can easily consume your trip. Creeks that flow from campsite to campsite bubble over with charm as well.
7. Okatibbee Lake in Meridian, Mississippi is a hearty 11,000 acres. It has several swimming areas and boat ramps. There is also the option of hunting during certain seasons.
8. Kaw Lake is shared by Oklahoma and Kansas. Outside of the 17,000 acres of lake, there are an additional 24,000 acres available for hunting. A healthy variety of game such as deer, rabbit, turkey, prairie chicken, huge lake fish and more, allow for fun and engaging nature watching.
9. Lost Creek Encampment in Wyoming is a smaller local but still wonderful. It is a great place to view deer, moose and elk. It also has a substantial pine forest.
10. Cedar Lake Equestrian, located in Heavener, Oklahoma has specialized campgrounds. Campsites are tailored to accommodate vacationing equestrians and their horses. Hiking, boating, fishing and other traditional attractions are available as well.

With the well-rounded list above, you should easily be able to find a bit of camping enjoyment. These options are just the tip of the iceberg. America is full of unique and beautiful camping locations waiting to be explored.

For many children, their years in elementary school are an opportunity for growth and exploration. This is true both inside and outside the classroom. Teachers provide structured opportunities for learning in school. Parents provide both structured and flexible learning outside of school. The teaching of parents is supplemented by various social groups. Some of those social groups include little league sports, while others are hobby groups. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America fall into that second group. These organizations provide an opportunity for children to learn from adult leaders as well as other scouts in their group.

Joining the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America is an experience in independence for children. They start to learn how to be self sufficient at a young age. These groups teach them what responsibility is. Part of that responsibility is goal setting. As the students move up in the ranks within these organizations, they find that planning and goal setting is a critical skill in life. The students are rewarded with badges, recognizing their accomplishments alone the way. After completing a specified group of tasks and receiving those badges, the students are rewarded with a new rank in the organization. This teaches them the basics of performing in the workplace and promotion at an early age.

Children learn how to develop their own survival skills as well as members of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. They go on camping trips. During these camping trips they learn how to survive without some of the modern amenities which they may take for granted. The children learn skills such as wilderness survival and to respect what is provided in nature. The scouts learn about respect for their parents and otherf authority figures they may encounter in every day life. They also discover activities outside of the home that they may enjoy. These can include hobbies such as camping, crafting, hiking and others that expand their knowledge.

Children are not the only ones that learn through their membership in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Parents work side by side with their children in many of the activities. These can range from helping to build a miniature wooden race car to creating a garden. Parents are made aware of the skills that their children have. In these days with limited time to share together due to responsibilities at work and outside of the office, the scouts provide a dedicated time for the children and their parents to share. This is an experience that can not be over valued. Looking back as your children grow, some of the best times in your memory may be those years of scouting that you shared with your children while part of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America.

Another great activity for children is to take them on a hike and depending on the age tell or ask them to identify flowers, wildlife, the direction the river is running and any historic sites along the way. If you are in a state or federal park you should be able to get a map of the hiking trails and information on what you should see on the way. That is one reason I recommend that when you are camping with children state parks are excellent camping places.

Before you go on the hike make sure you have visited with a park ranger or host to ensure that not only will you be safe but what is the significance of the historic site and native vegetation and wildlife. Normally you can get a brochure from the office and if you need to pay for the brochure it is worth the cost. If the child is old enough let them read the brochure and identify the discoveries.

Some suggestions to make it a success:

•  Make sure your children are rested before you start
•  Have them sleep on using their air mattress for better rest
•   Keep the air mattress and camping sleeping bag in a well ventilated camping tent for better rest.

Although campers may have a messy campsite while they are there most campers leave their sites clean. Most campers know that if they had a chance to tell the campers ahead of them what they would like them to leave they would say nothing. As a result they do the same for the people behind them.

There are a few other rules that campers, hikers and others should also follow. There can be temptation to pick a few pretty flowers when on a long hike. This is a big no no. The problem isn’t just you but you need to consider what would happen if a lot of people did it.

Hikers, canoeists and really anyone that wants to access remote areas should remember that they need to pack out everything that they pack in. For example – food items frequently are wrapped in paper or other things to maintain their freshness. There can be a temptation to leave the wrappings there. However, the next person has their trip somewhat ruined by the garbage you left.

One other item I will mention is noise. There is a place for almost anything at most campsites. There are many trails where having fun and making a lot of noise while doing it is ok. However, if you are on a hike in remote areas disturb the local wildlife as little as possible. Have fun, enjoy your hike but permit others to enjoy their hike.

The nice part of most campsites is you can pitch your camping tent and leave it for the day. Your camping sleeping bags and air mattresses will be there when you return. That is one of the many great parts of camping.

A fire takes wood and in many areas of the country you no longer can transport fire wood because of the risk of transporting bugs. Since the fine is significant please check ahead of time what the rules are if you want to bring your own.

Most campsites have fire rings but make sure your fire is downwind from your camping tent. This prevents sparks from hitting your tent. This might mean moving your tent if the camp supplies a fixed fire ring. If you chose the site of your fire don’t have it in a low spot in to prevent rain water from making a mess of your fire.

Always take a look around your campfire site to ensure that there isn’t way easy way for the fire to spread from a spark or wood the shifts after it was in the fire. Long grass, tree branches, paper or anything that burns easily should be a reasonable distance from the fire. It is a lot easier to prevent a fire than put it out once it starts.

Always make sure that nothing that can be damaged by sparks is within range of the fire. Remember the wind can shift without notice. Some examples of things are sleeping bags and air mattresses.

Start with small pieces of softwood placed over rolled newspaper, leaves or anything that lights quickly.  Do not use in-flammables to start the fire. The smaller pieces of wood the better. The idea is that heat moves up so the fire will warm up the bigger pieces. After the fire gets started add bigger pieces and possibly hard wood. Softwood work better where a strong open fire is desired for example for making coffee. Hardwood makes a better for for baking potatoes or toasting marshmallows.

Always soak your fire with water before you leave your site or retiring for bed. A fire can appear to be out and flame up hours later. If that happens you are responsible for damages if the fire gets away.

Even though the thought of cooking over a fire can sound like fun I always suggest that you have a camp stove for those times when building a fire takes too long.

Camping with children or family camping can be both fun and educational at the same time. If you read my blogs and Ezine articles you will find that I am biased towards family togetherness and bonding. Family camping can be a real rewarding experience. This article is intended to teach self reliance in a fun way.

While raising my children I taught them to walk a straight line through the woods to avoid walking in circles and getting lost. When my oldest son was in the army he said that he found the target better than his comrades by using at least in part the techniques I taught him.

Although not a requirement a digital compass is a great addition for this project. The reason is you can have your child record the direction they took to find various landmarks. Then obtain a map and show them where the sites were and confirm their finds. This is a great fall camping project as you can walk in the woods with fewer insects. Do watch for poison ivy.

Go to your starting point and use your digital compass to determine the direction you are going to go. This is very important as even a small deviation can be critical on a long hike. Also be sure you know what direction you are supposed to go. Sounds basic but going NW instead of NE can result in a long hike.

Once you enter the woods line up in a row three trees and walk to the first one. Once you get to the first one pick out another tree. Be sure you also watch the direction you came from to make you are still going in the right direction. Check your compass frequently to confirm your direction.

Although hills and underbrush can make this harder, by following the procedure you can get to your destination when less trouble than simply trying to guess where you should go.

When your child is a little older some extra things can be introduced. Moss grows faster on the damp side of a tree. Normally for us in the northern climate this means the north side. However, swamps, lakes and even rivers can fool you. See if your child can identify when this could happen.

Why does a digital compass enhance this exercise?

• The compass gives accurate easy to read directions
• Children live in a digital world and used to digital results
•  A digital compass has a time and alarm
• Use alarm feature to make sure they know when they need to head back or be at target location
• A digital compass has temperature readings
• Have an older child estimate water requirements with accurate temperature readings

A word of caution -

• Be with your child on this exercise until you are confident they know what they are doing.
• Check with a park ranger to make sure the hiking area is safe.
• The project can be done on marked trails
• Don’t take your children into an area where finding would be difficult in case something goes wrong

Camping with children can be a rewarding experience or camping with children can be a real challenge. With proper planning family can be fun and create memories that last a life time.

• The last thing anyone wants is to have an injury while camping. Keep in mind that an injury can occur anywhere so a basic first aid kit is a good idea. There are a few common sense things to remember and you reduce the chance of an emergency trip to the ER or home.
• Don’t take food into your tent. Even small animals can smell it and chew a hole into your tent. You don’t want a cornered animal in your tent and actually be cornered yourself.
• Don’t allow horseplay around a fire. Severe burns can occur if you fall into the fire or fire ring.
• Many roads around the campground are dirt. Bikes react differently on them and a child could easily fall when the tires slide on the gravel.
• Axes and saws are sharp. Make sure they are put where you won’t stumble on them in the dark.
• Insect bites can be more than a nusense. They can carry disease so insect repellant is needed. Deer ticks can cause lymes disease so go to your doctor if a deer tick bite is possible. A deer tick bite leaves a red mark around the bite.
• Respect the power of water whether it is in the lake or a river. It doesn’t have to be deep to be dangerous. Always wear life jackets.
• Keep your camping tent a safe distance from a fire.
• Keep your camping sleeping bag away from low spots where the camping tent is pitched.

Having a safe environment makes camping enjoyable.

Family camping or camping with children makes for many memories that are free. Building a fire and playing games or telling stories is another great camping experience. Remember like fish stories, camping stories are even better when embellished upon. Just don’t embellish stories that could hurt someone if they acted upon them.

The early evening is the best time to let children cook hotdogs or roast marshmallows. The best option is to get expandable forks from your local discount store. They actually work better than trying to use a wooden branch. Keep in mind that while younger children can enjoy a fire they need to be supervised. Use camping stoves for cooking as children may not want to eat camp food.

Rules to have in place:

• Don’t allow running or horseplay around the fire
• Keep younger children away from the fire when adding wood
•  It is better to add bigger pieces of wood when roasting marshmallows or cooking hotdogs
• Don’t let the forks be used as spears
• If the child is too young to understand directions they are too young to roast marshmallows
•  Keep the fire and fire tools away from your camping tent or other things that can be damaged by sparks
•  Be sure the fire is out before retiring or otherwise leaving the campsite
• A fire burns some food quickly. Have a camp stove for picky eaters.

Family camping particularity camping with children with children can be a rewarding experience when done correctly.