The Perfect Overnight Camping Trip

Growing up, my brother and I spent most of our free time riding bikes around the neighborhood or making forts in the woods. It seemed like we’d leave in the morning and not come back until dinner; always gathering flowers from our neighbors’ flower bed for mom. Today, kids seem to spend most of their time in front of the T.V. or playing games intently on their Gameboy. Camping with kids can be a blast and preparation is key.

Overnight Camping:

Overnight trips are exciting and new to young children. Purchase a tent, set it up in the backyard and have a sleepover. Spend the day at the lake or park; pack a picnic and see how your children react. More importantly, keep your children motivated and show enthusiasm when planning the trip—children should always be involved in the planning process.

Camping Coping:

Things do not always run smoothly while camping; take this into consideration. Going to the bathroom or preparing dinner is more difficult. Show a positive attitude and allow your children to help out and be a part of this new environment. Create locations for items such as flashlights and utensils; emphasize the importance of putting items back in the correct place.

Camping Comfort:

Allow children to grab a stuffed animal or another comfort from home. Create a list and let your child pack their backpack; make sure each child has a unique pack so they can return personal items to their pack. Check the backpack before you leave; you don’t want to arrive with ten stuffed animals and no change of clothing!

Camping Wildlife:

Get to know the campsite before your arrival—understand what types of wildlife live in the area and what safety precautions need to be taken. Talk with your child about the area and create new rules. For example, “everyone should walk to the restroom with a partner” or “no food shall be left out” and so forth.

Camp Life:

Encourage children to participate in different activities whether it’s a hike in the woods or canoeing on the lake. Ask what they like most and listen to where there interests lie. Partake in these activities yourself—pack a guide book on flowers or birds; talk about the constellations or unique bugs and wildlife.

Camp Necessities:

If possible, tie a small flashlight and whistle to a child’s belt loop or put these items in their backpack or waste pack—these items should always be accessible.

Camping Independence:

Urge your child to walk during hikes; you don’t want to end up carrying your child on extended hikes. Provide your child with his own canteen or backpack; children love to feel independent. Speaking of independence, camping is a perfect time to delegate chores—searching for firewood, grabbing a bucket of water or cleaning utensils.

The most important factor is to have fun with your child; try to see the world from their perspective. They may be captivated by a butterfly or colorful flower—share their curiosity and stay positive. Include lessons on your trip about the importance of respecting wildlife and the natural environment; some lessons last a lifetime.

What's Cooking? Camping Food and Meals

Eating during a camping trip can be a challenge if you’re not prepared—it’s probably best not to feed the family frozen hot dogs and energy bars for the whole adventure. Betty Crocker you’re not but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be organized when preparing for your camp trip. There are a few easy tips for meal planning that may come in handy; otherwise, you and Oscar Meyer are on your own.

Camping Chow:

During your trip, you may be more hungry than usual. Quelling these feelings of hunger is important; usually during a camping trip you burn more calories while hiking. Hiking during with pangs of hunger is an unpleasant feeling and it may intrude on that beautiful view at the top of the mountain. It’s best to bring an extra day of food along.

T.C.N.W.P.C: It doesn’t spell anything but remember these initials when packing your food: taste, calories (you need quite a few), nutrition, weight, preparation, and cost.

Camping: Don’t Get Fresh:

Unless you’re planning on camping for just a day, buying fresh food doesn’t work well without a refrigerator. This may seem like common sense but it’s surprising how many campers carry perishables on long trips. However, you can try packing a few types of fruits and vegetables: apples, oranges and carrots are great examples.

Canned Foods:

Canned foods are heavy and may be difficult to carry on a hike. Try the new single serving cans of tuna or salmon; they are great on the go and you don’t need a can opener—some also come with mayo and crackers.

Camping Cuisine: Dried Food:

Dried foods are perfect for camping. Soup cups, pasta, instant rice and drink mixes are all light and take very little space.

Freeze-dried and Dehydrated:

Many of these foods are created for backpacking and camping. It’s beneficial to bring a small spice kit; spices like garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne can really add a kick to a camp meal.

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. If you’re hiking, a good breakfast can give you the energy so you don’t need an extensive lunch. Instant hot cereal, dehydrated eggs, pancake mix, powdered drink mixes, instant coffee and dried fruit are all great breakfast items to pack for camping. Breakfast bars are also great for a breakfast on the go. Instead of cooking all over again or unpacking, lunch can be eaten on a hike. By munching on smaller snacks throughout the day, you can conserve and create energy for the body. Snacks such as Fig Newton’s, beef jerky, nuts, trail mix and bagels make for great snacks throughout a long hike. While camping, dinner can be a great treat after a long day hiking or expending energy on other activities. Depending on your culinary dedication; your dinner may be an elaborate banquet or a freeze dried meal. As mentioned above, spices are light and can add that extra zing to a plain meal. Ramen noodles, instant stuffing, instant potatoes, instant soups, instant rice and instant bean mixes are great for boosting your body when hunger hits late in the day. Packaged meals are also simple and straight forward—just add water and you’re good to go

Heating up the Night with a Campfire

As heating and light sources, campfires hold functionality preserved over thousands of years. Not to mention, who doesn’t appreciate a gooey S’mores while listening to haunted camping tales over a blazing camp fire? Built by every culture throughout the world, camp fires encompass a certain mystic and history. I like to think of the old west—Billy the Kid and his rustic outlaws sitting around the campfire, heating beans and exchanging stories before their next morning ride. Maybe I’ve watched Tombstone a few too many times. Today, due to wildfires and the misuse of land, campfires are usually restricted to elevations below four-thousand feet. And remember, a campfire could save your life if lost in the outdoors.

Campfire 101: Tips:

ü Campfire Regulations:

Research the terrain you plan to visit. Agencies such as the National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and state parks can give you the information you need about campfire restrictions in your area. These agencies are strict, especially during dry periods—make sure you know the rules and regulations.

ü Ring Around the Campfire:

While visiting campgrounds or recreational areas, create your fire only in fire rings, grills, stoves or outdoor fireplaces.

ü Camping: Respect Your Surroundings:

Many backcountry areas have campfire restrictions. When fires are permitted, try to only utilize existing campfire rings. Otherwise, if you create a fire, clean it out when you’re finished.

ü Camp Mound Fires:

Build a mound fire by using a sanitation trowel—build a circular, flat platform with non-fertile, sandy, light-colored dirt around 8” high. This platform makes a great base for your fire. Using a rock for the base of your fire works best; you want to refrain from sterilizing any “plant-supporting” soil. It’s best, if possible, to carry a pan (like a barbeque pan) as a portable base.

ü Flammable Material: Make sure to clear any flammable material

the base of your fire should be nonflammable materials such as gravel, rock, sand or mineral soil.

ü The Real Dead Wood:

Only use dead wood lying on the ground; never break trees or plant limbs.

ü C’mon Baby Light My Camp Fire:

Start by building an inverted teepee of dried sticks and use a match to ignite. It’s vital to carry a fire starter and waterproof matches. Slowly add larger pieces to the fire as it begins to heat up; do not add anything “larger than an adult’s wrist” as these pieces do not usually burn through and are left behind as charred scraps. Make sure embers are moved towards the center. Trash should not be burned unless the fire will fully consume the leftovers.

ü Drying Camp Clothing:

It’s best to tie a line between two trees way above the fire; drape the articles of clothing over the line carefully. Again, make sure the line is high enough because the clothing will weigh down the line even more.

ü The Camp Pack Out:

Shape up or ship out. Don’t start the fire unless you’re willing to pack it up. Scoop up leftover charcoal and crush the chunks away from your site. Spread the remains evenly throughout an open area. Take down the leftover fire structure because campfires can have lasting effects on the outdoor environment.

Have fun, roast some marshmallows or just keep warm. Campfires will always be a part of the camping tradition; if done responsibly, the tradition will remain for years to come.

Shopping for a Camping Flashlight

You’ll understand the power of light the first time you go camping in a remote area; the moon is great but it doesn’t exactly do the trick in the middle of the night when looking for that perfect spot to, uh, use the natural “facilities” around you. Plus, without light, that soft leaf you used as your Charmin might just be a healthy specimen of poison ivy. Therefore, look no further because there are countless products out there to light the way.

Camping Flashlights:

A flashlight is the most widely used lighting apparatus in the wilderness. Convenient, light and easy to use, you can direct the light where you want; a great way to uncover that noise in the night or the poison ivy next to your campsite.

Use Your Head: Camping Headlamps:

Like flashlights, most headlamps are battery powered and allow you the freedom to multitask by keeping your hands free. Not exactly the ultimate fashion statements, unless your modeling for camping.com, headlamps allow you to cook dinner, put up a tent or loosen that tricky tent zipper. Don’t worry, they don’t weigh a ton like those heavy duty miner hard-hats—including batteries, headlamps may weight just a few ounces. Lighting such as LED and Xenon halogen are longer lasting light sources that offer even more illumination at the end of the tunnel!

Camping Candle Lanterns: Candle in the Wind:

Affordable and long lasting, candle lanterns are great for night reading and that romantic camp dinner. Using no battery power, candle lanterns permit conservation of batteries and provide a long period of light. Voile, who says camping can’t be romantic?

Camp Lanterns and Area Lights:

Lanterns always remind me of an angry mob of villagers chasing a frightened outsider down a cobblestone alley. Camping lanterns are a little friendlier these days. Heavier and bulkier than other alternatives, camping lanterns and area lights are great for a bigger groups and cover more ground space. Gas lanterns are harder to assemble whereas battery powered lanterns are quite a bit more efficient.

The Power of Camping:

Consider the power source when choosing a lighting source. How long a light lasts, degree of difficulty to set up and brightness are all factors to take heed of. Weight will also play a factor; especially noticeable when hiking up that steep incline. Batteries are inexpensive, easy to replenish and affordable overall. Alkaline batteries last a relatively long time, dim out slowly and are inexpensive—but are not recommended for colder weather. On the other hand, Lithium batteries last longer, are light and work at colder temperatures. However, they do not dim slowly—when they’re finished, they’re finished. You may also want to consider lightweight solar alternatives. Although not as bright as other options, candles are light and may add a little warmth to cold conditions—be careful or you’ll have Smokey the Bear after you. Liquid fuel and compressed gas are fine if you don’t mind carrying the extra bulk of fuel with you.

Light is obviously essential to a successful camping trip. Take into consideration the types of models out there and the fuel they use. Depending on how much you choose, it may be doable to use more than one type of lighting. Hopefully, there’s always light at the end of your tent.

Choosing a Camping Stove

I’m not exactly Gordon Ramsey, in more ways than one, but I do love to eat well. Camping is no exception to my rule and an efficient stove is essential. Let’s face it; berries, trail mix and some hardened energy bars will only get you so far. I’m ready for that pasta dinner or at least the easy freeze dried version. With so many backpacking stoves on the market, it’s important to understand the different features offered—unless you’re comfortable rolling your patio grill up that 3,000 ft. incline.

Camping Stoves: What’s Your Type:

There are different stoves out there for different needs; figure out what type of trip you’re planning and the types of meals you’re interested in preparing. Keep in mind how many people you’re cooking for—are you cooking for Girl Scout Troop 45 or just you and your mate? The size of your stove will most likely depend on how many people you will be preparing your delectable delights for. Decide the temperature condition you’ll most likely be cooking in—do we see a blizzard in your near future or some home cookin’ in a tropical refuge? Temperature will affect the type of fuel you burn. Last but not least, decide on the degree of difficulty in preparing your meals.

Sizing it Up:

Confucius say: The lighter the stove, the easier the hike. Stoves come in a variety of sizes; some even fit in your pocket and others barely fit in the trunk of your car. Choose wisely—the lighter, the better, unless your trips are short, meals big and your cooking for a large group. Saving space means perusing stoves that disconnect from the fuel supply, fold or collapse or fit inside cookware. If you’re looking at products that fit into cookware, make sure the stove is in a separate bag—you don’t want fuel spilling on your pots and pans.

Burn Baby Burn: Camping Stove Fuel:

ü Butane, Propane or Isobutane Blend Canisters:

These fuels are clean burning, burn hot quickly, are adjustable and can’t spill. More expensive than other fuels, the canisters have to be lugged around and performance isn’t great in freezing temperatures. Look for a combination like butane/propane to work in colder temperatures. Overall, work well if you don’t mind the extra poundage.

ü White Gas:

Inexpensive and easily found, this fuel is clean and easy to ignite. Be aware of the “easy to light” factor; this fuel ignites quickly so watch spillage. Great for any type of hiking or camping—even in cold weather.

ü Denatured Alcohol:

With low volatility and few parts, this renewable fuel burns almost silently. Stove tends to burn dirty and is easily clogged.

ü Multi-Fuel Camping Stoves:

Although a little more expensive, these stoves are great in a multiple terrains. Multi-fuel camping stoves offer campers more flexibility.

Most importantly, purchase what you can handle. Learn whether a particular model is sturdy, easy to set up and clean. To maximize performance, use a lid while cooking, a windscreen and alcohol for priming. Keep your stove clean and maintain it properly. Before you know it, you’ll give Ramsey a run for his money.

Camping Gear: Sleeping Bag Comfort Level

Roaming through the camping gear store the other day; I noticed a ton of special sleeping bags created to make your life in the wilderness that much easier—too bad it doesn’t make going to the camping store easier. With so many lengths, fillings and “ratings”, it’s no wonder people put off camping trips until next summer. Ultimately, it’s important to understand the meaning of the terms but also how you can affect the performance of your sleeping bag in a specific camping environment.

Comfort Rating:

It’s good to know what the “rating” means—you don’t want to be caught climbing Everest with a +40 bag. Basically, the rating identifies to what degree you can sleep comfortably in the bag—for example, in a “+20” bag you’ll be comfortable if the temperature does not drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Companies test sleeping bags to identify the bag rating but this is not fool proof—we’re all created differently and there are other factors that affect how warm you stay in your bag. Understanding the importance of bag ratings can make or break a camping trip—if all else fails, choose the warmer bag. Other factors may affect your ability to keep warm in your bag:

• It’s not advisable to sleep in your bag directly on the ground—always carry an insulated pad and in extreme cold conditions, use two pads.
• Metabolism and gender also play a role in warmth—women tend to choose bags with a lower temperature rating. Because of metabolism differences, women tend to be “cold sleepers” meaning that they need more insulation at night.
• Clothing should always be completely dry and long underwear and warm socks are excellent extra insulators during a cold night. Body heat also escapes through the head so it’s beneficial to wear a cap or something around the neck. Fleece is a great addition as well, for super cold nights.
• It’s always important to be well fed because digestion creates warmth. Hydration also plays a factor in body warmth; basically, keep yourself well hydrated and fed.

Again, a warmer bag is always advised if you’re not quite sure about the range of temperature you’ll be camping in. It’s easy, in warmer weather, to simply drape the bag over you or unzip it for more ventilation. Companies like REI usually group sleeping bags into the following categories:

Warm Weather Camping: +35 or higher

All Season Camping: +10 to +35

Cold Weather Camping: -10 to +10

Extreme Cold Weather Camping: -10 and lower

Camping Gear: Sleeping Bag Tips

At the age of five, my first sleeping bag was a Crayola Crayon bag; it was cotton, thin and great for sleepovers at my friends’ houses. However, not exactly a prime piece of bag when camping in the great outdoors—in fact, I’m not sure if it ever saw the elements of nature. There’s nothing better than sleeping out under the stars, taking in the fresh air and wrapping yourself up into a little cocoon. There’s nothing worse than camping out and waking up with icicles on your toes and nose; camping can be a great adventure if you’re prepared with the right bag. When considering a bag, keep the following at the top of your list:

Camping Gear: Sleeping Comfortably:

Consider temperature when camping; all good camping bags will tell you a “comfort rating.” I advise exceeding the rating you think will be adequate—I’d rather be too warm than too cold.

Camping Comfort: An Insulated Comparison:

If you’re looking for a lighter better insulated sleeping bag, go for down insulation over synthetic. Down filling allows the bag to last longer and also rolls up into a more efficiently handled piece of gear. Synthetic bags dry quicker and provide great insulation in wetter conditions—plus, these bags tend to cost less than down filled bags. Consider how far you’ll be lugging the bag when choosing the perfect cocoon.

A Good Camps Sleep: It’s All About a Great Figure:

“Mummy” bags allow less movement than rectangular shaped bags. However, they keep you nice and toasty in more serious camping conditions whereas a rectangular bag allows for more body heat to escape. When camping at higher elevations, a “mummy” bag is essential.

Between You and a Hard Place:

It’s great to sleep in the great outdoors but spare me the agony of waking up when the sun rises to find rocks and leaves ingrained likes fossils into my back. This brings me to our next essential piece of sleeping bag gear—the sleeping pad. Sleeping pads separate you from the cold hard ground and allow better insulation for your sleeping bag.

Sleeping bags utilize the air caught within the bag around your body; your body is exactly what heats this air and the bag up. When choosing the perfect bag, keep in mind factors such as: comfort rating, insulation, weight, size when rolled up, shape and your personal sleep affinity (for example, do you like sleeping in cold conditions?). You can enjoy everything camping has to offer during the day time but a good nights sleep is essential for your outlook on future camping adventures. Pick the right sleeping because you can only be “one with nature” if you’re awake to enjoy it

Camping Gear: Types of Camping Tents

A-Frame Camping Tent:

The simplest of all tents, the A-frame or “pup tent” is held by one or two poles supported by guy lines. This flimsy frame may allow for a wet experience if you run into horrendous weather. Space may also be a problem with the A-Frame style; however, the A-frame is easy to put up and light to carry.

Cabin Camping Tents:

Larger and heavier in size, these tents can fit a table, stove or other heavy duty necessities. They take two campers about an hour to put up and are larger than other tents. The Cabin Camping Tent also takes longer to dry—they’re not exactly ideal for everyday camping because of their size and weight. However, these tents are great for hunting trips or larger expeditions.

Dome Camping Tents:

Great for all types of weather because of an igloo-like shape, these tents don’t allow snow or water to gather on the outside. Dome Camping Tents are also free-standing and if not tied down may be too flimsy for windy weather. Larger dome tents allow for campers to comfortably stand.

Tunnel Camping Tents:

These tube-shaped tents are great for backpackers and narrower in size. Tunnel Camping Tents are light and great for longer camping adventures for one. Easy to put up, these tents aren’t necessarily created for all season camping. Check each brand carefully and remember to ask questions if you’re camping in rugged terrain.

Summer Tents:

Summer tents tend to have a lot of zippers for instant “windows” allowing outside air in for a ventilated environment. These tents are great for hot weather camping but may not provide the best protection for other seasonal weather.

Tents for Children:

Your child may not be a serious camper but you don’t want to end up investing money every other month in a play tent—research tents for children. Find out if the tent keeps out rain and what type of protective shelter it serves as. The package may say up front that the tent shouldn’t be used for more than “backyard camping.”

There are other features in a tent every camper should look for:

Dual doors allow campers quick, easy access. Vestibules allow campers space for gear out of harsh weather. Gear attics and pockets in a tent help to keep the tent clean; allowing clutter to be stored away from the sleeping area. Rainfly windows allow campers to view the outside—basically a built in window.

Camping, Tents, and the Elements

As a teen, I loved taking off with friends and exploring the hills; living in the Black Hills of South Dakota, I basically had the terrain in my backyard. Some believe camping is just throwing a tent into the car with a cooler and they’re off. As a teen that worked; I knew the terrain and therefore understood that driving home wouldn’t be too far of an excursion. Today, as a more serious camper, I advise others to take a few tips into consideration, before preparing to purchase good shelter. A tent should keep you dry, add comfort to the experience and provide adequate protection. Packing a decent shelter could make or break your trip; here are a few considerations before you buy this important piece to the camping puzzle:

Camping Tent: The Camping Season

Not all tents are created equal; decide what type of camping you will be partaking in. If you’re camping in the Himalayas, you’ll need something different than if you’re camping at a defined and structured camp site in Yellowstone. Decide what seasons you’ll be camping in—what tent you buy will depend on whether you’re camping in winter, summer or year-round.

Your Camping World: Room for Two?

Tents are rated on size, but what you see is what you get—meaning, your gear usually counts as another person. You may think you want to be as close as possible to your lover but try being cooped up in a two person tent in the rain—space is always a good thing. Therefore, if it’s good enough for four, it’s good enough for two and some gear. However, longer difficult terrain trips, it’s best to figure out the weight of the tent. More importantly, the larger the tent the more wind it catches; keep in consideration your terrain and the prevailing weather during your expedition.

Camping Gear: Invest in your Camping Future

There are a few good deals out there but you get what you pay for—backyard camping calls for cutting corners; anything else and you’re soggy toast. Remember, this is your home away from home. After getting caught in a leaky tent during a hail or rain storm, you’ll be wishing you had spent the few extra bucks.

The Camping Tent: Beg, Borrow, Steal

It’s not advisable to steal a tent before your big adventure but it may be worth it to beg your neighbor, sibling or friend to borrow their tent. Maybe it’s your first time camping and you want to check out the outdoor scene—borrowing a tent allows for no investment in the case you decide camping isn’t your cup of tea. Using another’s tent also allows you to check out different brands and sizes—if you’re really good, you’ll borrow a tent on more than one excursion and compare.