3 Essential Tips for Successful Camping with Kids

3 Essential Tips for Successful Camping with Kids
by: Debora Geary

Camping with happy kids is wonderful – camping with miserable kids could convince you to pick a new family hobby. There’s lots of ways to ensure a happy camping experience, but here are my picks for the three most important.

1. Keep the sleeping bag dry. Let’s face it, sleeping comfortably is pretty important to all of us, but a wet sleeping bag can make a kid totally miserable. This is especially true if your child’s sleeping bag is one of the big box store $20 variety. You know, the ones that weigh 15 pounds (dry!) and are made of cotton. Get one of those wet, and your camping trip is over, it will take until next year to dry. Even a good kids sleeping bag can get wet, however, and it’s not easy to convince a kid to climb into a soggy bag to sleep.

The key to keeping a sleeping bag dry is to keep its surroundings dry. If you’re going to be in wet conditions (rainy season, or paddling on a lake), prepare your gear. Put kids sleeping bags, and any other gear you treasure into dry bags, garbage bags, or some other water barrier. Put a tent cloth under your tent (properly!) so you keep water out of the tent. Teach your kids good tent etiquette so they don’t crawl all over the tent in their wet boots, or dump a mug of hot chocolate over their sleeping bag.

2. Avoid constipation. Think I’m kidding? I used to take city kids on month long canoe trips, and several of them showed insane talent for “poop in the woods” avoidance. Some made it as long as a week before they gave in and took Mr. Trowel off to dig a hole. Kids like routine and predictability, some kids a lot more than others. When that routine is turned upside down, even by fun activities like camping, it can cause system backup. That can lead to stomach troubles, cramps, and really stinky farts (amongst the 2-12 year old set, this is serious business, and might be for you too, if you’re sharing a tent).

Fortunately, there’s a really easy fix for camping constipation. Eat beans. I used to serve chili the first night out on trail. Vegetarian chili with 5 kinds of beans. Sometimes it took a day or two, but no kid could hold out a week against my 5 bean chili. Other forms of fiber help too – oatmeal for breakfast, dried fruit in your gorp. Also have your kids drink lots of water, especially if fiber isn’t a really common part of their diet.

3. Don’t take over. We spend most of our lives “organizing” our kids, making sure they get up, dressed, off to school, to weekly activities and play dates. It’s an easy trap to try to organize their camping experience too. This is especially easy to do when it looks like their first choices of activities involve sleeping in the tent all day or throwing rocks at one another across the firepit.

However, one of the most fundamental lessons camping can teach is that you are responsible for your own experience. Mother Nature is a great provider of natural consequences. Don’t put up your tent right, you’ll get wet. Don’t collect firewood, you won’t eat hot food. Do collect firewood, and discover the mesmerizing dance of a night campfire. Get up the energy to paddle to the middle of the lake in the middle of the night, and see stars like they were meant to be seen. Step back, and let your kids learn from their own experiences. You might just pick up a little something too.

About The Author

Debora Geary is owner of an online store carrying a wide selection of quality outdoor kids sleeping bags.
kid-sleeping-bag.com
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Eureka Tetragon - Great Buy!!

Eureka! Tetragon 1210 Dome Tent

The Tetragon 1210 family-sized model features 2 rooms with removable divider.

• 2 pole rectangular dome tent
• Durable shockcorded fiberglass frame and ring and pin attachments
• 2 twin-track side opening doors have protective overhead brim and zipper covers
• Brimmed windows allows ventilation during inclement weather
• Hanging gear loft and 2 interior storage pockets keep essential items handy
• 4 vents enhance air circulation for added comfort

Specifications
Seasons	3
Sleeps	8-Jan
Doors	2
Windows	6
Weight	17 lbs. 11 oz.
Area	120 Sq. Ft.
Center Height	6' 4"

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Eureka Tents - Built the right way

Each Eureka! camping tent presents a unique combination of StormShield® features, styling, fabrics, and accessories

Ideal camping tents for single person use. Ideal for casual backpacking or recreational camping. Ideal for frequent backpacking or wilderness camping. Ideal for extreme condition mountaineering or expedition use. Ideal for professional guide, outfitter, tour group, or scout use. Ideal for casual family camping or base camp use. Ideal for frequent or extended family camping. Ideal for recreational or home use.

Eureka tents stand tall, even in challenging environments that cause other camping tents to fail. The difference lies within Eureka!’s StormShield construction: a culmination of features designed for the ultimate in DRY, TOUGH, and FAST product performance under extreme conditions. Look for these features, and more, incorporated into most Eureka! tents.

Double-wall construction minimizes condensation build-up inside tent by allowing air to circulate between mesh tent roof and waterproof fly.

High/Low doors vent from the top and/or bottom, providing options for moderating air flow. Warm air exits from the top, and cool air enters at the bottom. Cross ventilation through breathable interior fabric, large windows, and roof vents allows fresh air to enter and moist air to escape the tent. High perimeter seams of bathtub floors couple with factory taped floor seams and fly seams to keep water out. Self-supporting frames flex to absorb and dissipate stress from strong winds. Fabric reinforcements add an extra layer of protection to high wear/high stress areas. Anchors for harsh weather include storm guyout rings, loops, and webs. Nickel sliders on self-healing nylon coil zippers keep windows and doors working smoothly time after time. Shockcorded poles take the guesswork out of assembly, save time, and prevent lost parts. Ring & pin assemblies make set up easy and reduce stress and abrasion where the frame and tent floor connect. Post & grommet attachments speed set up and augment the tent’s structural integrity. Twin-track zipper system allows door windows to operate independently of doors for convenience and ease of entry and exit.

Camping Gear Storage

Camping Gear Storage
by: Donald Vanderlugt

You have bought the good quality camping gear for those great adventures with the family; now you need to look after your investment so you may use your gear over and over and have it ready and in good condition for the next outing.

Mostly commonsense, but things are not always that obvious and there is always just the right [ or the wrong place ] for your gear depending upon how much gear you have and where you live. Obviously tucked away underneath the house may not be the best way to care for those material items such as sleeping bags and tents, etc

Tents;

Tents should always be stored in a dry place away from insects and mice that may eat or live in your investment without your permission.

Before packing your tent away , make sure it is completely dry inside and out; this will prevent mould and mildew and that rotting smell that will spoil a good nights sleep. If you get caught in the rain and have to pack up your tent wet, just wipe,dry and air it out when you get home otherwise the fittings and stitching will get stressed and possibly rot. Make sure the tent pegs are always packed in their own bag with no sharp ends sticking out to tear any fabric and pack them inside the tent; otherwise they will get lost somewhere just when you need them. Check that all the fittings and fabric is in good condition as well. Don’t put your tent under a pile of heavy items in case some of the poles get broken. The tent that you have is to be your home away from home so it is important that it be maintained correctly and more so if the weather becomes bad.

Sleeping bags

These are usually fairly robust but don’t like dampness at all, they could use a good airing at times although just stored in a dry place away from insects and mice is all they need.

Stoves and Lighting

Ensure these are all clean and in good working order and carry a spare bulb/mantle for those bits that may get damaged or broken and of course check that the tanks are in stable condition [not rusted or damaged] and even make sure the tanks are full if the next use is not too distant. Protective cases will stop damage that may arise from being incorrectly packed or just an accident of some sort ,and these are fairly important in the case of gas lighting with their brittle glass components.

First Aid Kits;

Stockup the various items and possibly carry extra of those items you know you may need/use more than usual.

Backpacks;

These are robust and only require a nice dry spot

Cooking Gear

Gather all your cooking gear together and replace all those things that just disappear or become unuseable for some reason and give them a rough check that they are all clean and easily found.

Your cooking gear is great if it is self reliant and you don’t have to raid the kitchen and find the things you need every time you go camping;once again sturdy containers for storage are important.

Keeping all your gear organized and ready can save you lots of time when it comes to packing the car for your next trip away as you will have lots to remember and should be start of a great memorable camping adventure.

When packing the family car to get away, it is best to pack the heaviest things at the bottom and the things you may need readily available [ like jackets etc, in case the weather gets bad] to be put upon the top.

A little advanced preparation will save lots of headaches later

About The Author

Donald Vanderlugt is the webmaster of http://www.campingandgear.com and has spent many memorable times in the great outdoors; his site has a comprehensive selection of quality camping gear from tents,sleeping bags,first aid and kids stuff to stoves and gizmos; with free shipping U.S. and real discounts you cannot go wrong;drop in to the free classifieds and forum and leave us a recipe or camping hint.......thats http://www.campingandgear.com

customersupport@campingandgear.com

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The easy way to cook while camping

Campground cooking has come a long way from a hotdog on a stick held over an open fire. Today, many campers want to bring the kitchen to the campground. Pots, pans, plug in coolers, serving plates, charcoal grills, etc. Camping is becoming more of a "just being outdoors" get-away than an "adventure in the great outdoors".

In order to follow that trend, you may as well know what products are out there that make your camping kitchen even more like home. Portable propane/gas grills are becoming ever more popular amongst campers. No more coals to light, or fires to burn over. Now you can cook your meals quickly and easily with a propane grill. Now they are smaller, lighter and easier to use than ever. Many different sizes and styles are available.

The Camp Chef Explorer II Universal Double EX-60LW is designed for the true outdoorsman. A rugged stove with intrigue and attitude. Features two 30,000 BTU/hr commercial cast burners. Great for all types of outdoor cooking. The Camp Chef Explorer II Universal Double EX-60LW comes complete with legs and windscreen. Preferred by family campers, hunters and scout groups with its sleek design that allows for easy transport.

The explorer II features are:

• Powerful Cooking Ability
  - Universal Output System - Provides wide range of cooking options
  - 60,000 Total BTU/hr. - High power for fast, efficient cooking
• Performance - Enhancing Attributes
  - 2 Aluminum Cast Burners - Commercial quality for lasting durability
  - Drum-style Burner Housing - Offers even heat distribution
  - Appliance-style Temperature Controls - Enables easy adjustment of output
  - 448 sq. inch Cooking Surface - Cook for the entire family with ease
  - 29 in. Convenient Cooking Height - Counter-top level for added comfort
  - Cloverleaf Cooking Surface Pattern - For all types of indoor and outdoor cookware
• Special Product Characteristics
  - Detachable Legs - Easy to setup and take down
  - 3-Sided Windscreen - Splashguard protects flame from wind
  - LP Regulator & Hose - Connects to bulk propane tanks

The cooking dimensions of the Camp Chef Explorer II Universal Double EX-60LW:

14" x 32"

This is a great "entry level" at a resonable price of $117 online. It will very reliably do what you what it to...cook, and you don't have to spend $200+ to get one. Click here to purchase the Camp Chef Explorer II

A True Luxury Camping Tent

The Eureka Condo Luxury Camping Tent is an extremely spacious 3 room tent perfect for the family or a group of friends. Rated to sleep up to 12 people, this camping tent gives new meaning to the word tenting.


With only 6 poles needed to setup, this huge tent can be put up in about 10 minutes. The doors open wide leaving the screen for protection against invading bugs.

Features:

• 6 pole rectangular tent with umbrella hub
• Eureka! hub, shockcorded eaves, clips, self-supporting frame, and ring and pin assemblies make set up easy
• 3 patented High/Low venting doors have durable #10 zippers for trouble free operation
• Rain curtains with clear window panels zip into fly for total weather protection
• Zippered mesh ceiling panels maximize air flow
• 75D StormShield® polyester fly improves durability and resistance to UV, acid rain, and tearing
• Heavy duty 210D nylon oxford bathtub floor minimizes seams and exposure to ground level water
• 10 massive wall sized windows; 1 clear UV and cold resistant window in fly
• Divider panel clips in to create 3rd area for dressing

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Choosing The Right Tent And Enjoy Your Camping Trip

Choosing The Right Tent And Enjoy Your Camping Trip
by: Peter Mack

Whoever you are, whatever your walk of life, camping is a brilliant way to spend your weekends and vacations. After all, camping truly does let you get away from it all. When you are hiking deep in the forest, or fishing by a lake, there are no phones ringing off the hook, or deadlines to meet. On a camping expedition, you are totally free of the pressures and stresses of modern life.

Whether you are a newcomer to camping, or a seasoned ‘old hand’ having the right equipment is critical to enjoying your time in the great outdoors. Choosing the right tent is one of the most important decisions you can make when outfitting yourself for camping.

Before you shop for your new tent, there are a number of things to consider. Firstly, the type of tent you will need varies according to the number of people you are planning to house, and what activity you are involved in. Tents come in a range of sizes, from single person tents, to very large multi-person varieties. If you are planning to hike, you will need to carry your tent whilst you walk, so a small, light weight tent will be required. If you intend to pitch your campsite at a fixed location accessible by car, you could opt for a larger, heavier weight model.

Another consideration will be the season and weather conditions that you expect to encounter. Each tent is designed to maintain a high level of human comfort in a specific type of environment, so you need to be clear whether you will be camping in the winter or summer, mild or inclement weather.

Other factors to consider are the strength of both the structure and the material of your tent. For instance, you can opt for cotton, polyethylene, nylon, rip-stop nylon, double sewn seams, and heavy-duty zippers. Whatever the fabric, your tent must be fit to stand extreme weather, even if you are not expecting to encounter poor conditions. Be sure to buy one that is totally seam taped to avoid leaking in the rain.

Ideally you should select a tent that meets all these requirements, and is easy to erect and deconstruct as well. After all, you want to spend your time enjoying the wilderness, not spending hours pitching a tent!

Talking to staff at your local outdoor outfitting store is a good start to finding the perfect tent for you.

About The Author
Peter Mack writes for http://www.tents-advice.com , a website packed with articles and resources about choosing the right tent