Camping Suggestions

Archive for February, 2010

The forests, water, oil, and other natural reserves need to be maintained for future generations. Otherwise the time is not faraway, when these would be in short supply. This may seem like rhetoric to many, but it is nothing but the absolute truth. We need to be careful in our actions and know how our actions can have a direct impact on our immediate environment. The eco camps Kenya are a part of that overall initiative of preserving what we cannot create on our own.

The eco camps are often found in Kenya safari travel. The idea is to ensure that the camping areas are left just as one found them and is not polluted with the vestiges of modern society and civilization. Many of the Eco Camps Kenya are set up by certain tour operators. These people are aware of their responsibilities towards maintaining the eco systems and the natural habitats of the places in which these camps are arranged. A Kenya safari guide can acquaint the vacationers with the advantages of this form of camping.

The specific merits of the eco camps Kenya are mentioned below:

* Protection of the flaura and the fauna: The organizers ensure that the people on a Wildlife Safari are not carried away by their enthusiasm and that the wildlife is not adversely affected in any way.

* Empowering of the local people: Many a times, a part of the fees collected from the tourists are passed on to the locals. The locals are introduced to the best practices, necessary for maintaining the eco systems of the area.

* Conservation of water: The people on the eco camps are motivated to conserve water. The waste water management policies also make these initiatives that much more effective.

More often than not, the eco camps Kenya come with spacious camping grounds. The campers are provided with cottages and dormitories and can select their kind of accommodations based on their preferences as well as budget. There are many people on a safari holiday who prefer staying in these camps while they are exploring the falls, wetlands, swamps, and terrains in the areas adjoining their camp sites.

Also, the people on a Safari Holiday, who prefer camping in the game reserves and national parks in Kenya, as well as other countries in the subcontinent, are not few. And most of them are not interested in harming the environment in any way. Quite naturally, the eco camps Kenya are very popular amongst different cross-sections of people going for these adventure holiday options. The eco camps are as much relevant in Mara safaris as well.

To have a better idea about eco camps and safari holiday options, one can visit  us

With the skyrocketing prices of gas and food, many families simply cannot afford to hop on a plane and head to an exotic locale for their yearly family vacation anymore. However, don’t let the economic downturn ruin your plans to have a family vacation this year. One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to have a family vacation on a budget is to go camping.

There are a variety of campgrounds across the US so you don’t have to go very far to enjoy a unique camping adventure. Because you won’t have to travel a long way, you will save on gas and thus help to preserve our environment. For an eco-friendly vacation that is equally friendly on your pocket book, go camping for your next family vacation. Whether you want to head to a campground in an RV, stay in a cabin, or pitch a tent, there are numerous activities you and your family can enjoy in the wild.

Activities Families Can Enjoy on a Camping Trip

When you go camping there are activities appropriate for family members of all ages. Some common activities associated with camping include: golfing, hunting, fishing, canoeing, swimming, kayaking, biking, river rafting, hiking, caving, and bathing in hot springs. Many campgrounds also have activities especially for children. Whether you want to relax and read a book by the waterside or enjoy adventurous activities and get some exercise, you’ll find plenty of activities to keep you entertained on a camping trip. Also, don’t forget the classic camping activities such as telling stories around the campfire and making s’mores.

Accommodation Options

If you’d like to enjoy the conveniences you have back at home on your camping trip, consider renting a cabin or traveling in an RV. Approximately seven million Americans now own RVs, making them a popular vacation option. Camping out in an RV or staying in a cabin is certainly a more comfortable option but if you are on a tight budget, consider pitching a tent. All you need to go tent camping are tents, sleeping bags, and other basic supplies.

If you have never been tent camping and you have young children, consider trying it out for a night in your own backyard first to get everyone used to it.

Food on a Camping Trip

When you go camping, one of the areas you save the most money in is food. You typically won’t spend any more money than you would if you stayed at home. If you have an RV you can prepare all of your food in its kitchenette but if you are traveling by car, you may need to take a camping stove and other supplies with you, depending on what facilities are available at your campground. It’s a good idea to take all of the food you think you’ll need so you don’t have to spend your vacation at the super market. Plus there may not be much available near your campground.

In conclusion, it’s possible to have a fun-filled family vacation without breaking the bank. There’s no need to travel halfway across the world to give your family a vacation to remember when you can take a local camping trip and have a blast. Go to a campground close to natural attractions so you can enjoy all that nature has to offer while saving money on food, activities, and accommodations.

It has often been said that family camping trips are some of the greatest times ever for a family to experience.  Growing up in Minnesota, some of my best memories were the simple family camping trips sleeping in a tent at local and state parks.  As our family progressed to more modern methods such as a trailer or the RV, it became more of chore.  We carried so much junk that it took forever to pack, set up camp, and clean up.

I try to make our family camping trips as simple as possible.  We pack everything into our small Subaru station wagon.  I have a Thule cargo carrier for the roof.  Everything is totally organized.  

I start my planning by developing a simple list of must have items:

Tent

Sleeping bags

Air mattresses

Camp stove

Camp lantern

Basic cook kit

Pressure cooker

Basic eating utensils

Plates, bowls, cups

Toilet paper

Lighter

5 gallon water jug

Flashlights

Wash basin

Hatchet/hammer

Rope

Manual coffee grinder

Coffee drip cones and or French presses

The more stuff that you take, the more of a hassle the trip becomes.

Storage

Every item that we carry is stored in rectangular Sterilite plastic storage boxes.  We pack 4 of them into the back of our station wagon.  It makes it so easy to set up camp.  We just pull the storage boxes out and grab what we need when we need them.  At night, we place them securely in the back of our station wagon.  All of our sleeping gear goes in the cargo box on the roof.

Cooking Kit

Our cooking kit is our pressure cooker.  We store our bowls, utensils, cups, and anything that is loose inside the pressure cooker.  Pressure cookers are awesome for car camping because things like beans and rice can be cooked extremely fast.  My wife adds a gourmet Kitchen wok for all stir fry delicacies.

Easy Family Camping Food

You don’t need special camping food.  We tend to eat about the same way that we eat at home.  We buy lots of fresh fruits and veggies at local markets.  We bring a various assortment of whole grain pastas, dried beans, brown rice, and our famous super porridge breakfast grains.  My wife calls this our pantry.  We have sea salt, whole pepper corns, soy sauce, hot sauce, and lots of our favorite things that we may not be able to buy on the road.

Large Cooler For Perishables

We found this great Coleman cooler that keeps food cold for up to 4 days (honest!).  We buy fresh chicken, fish, beef, fruits, and vegetables on the road and store them in the cooler with a block of ice or dried ice.

When you have the right equipment, your family camping trips will be so much more enjoyable!

However, even if you have the greatest equipment available, your trip will not be fun if you don’t plan on doing things that your family enjoys.  The trip is not a race!  Take your time and slow down.

We have 2 young boys.  We bring bug catchers for them to play with.  My wife packs lots of small toys and books for them.  They watch DVD’s when we are traveling for extended periods of time.  We do all the junior ranger program for our boys.  They love them!  I take them for moon walks at night.  Even if there is not a full moon, the boys want the adventure of walking at night with flashlights.

We like to stay at each campground for at least 2 days.  It makes the experience fantastic when you are not setting up camp every day.  We bring some light weight lounge chairs for my wife and me.  Just kicking back, drinking coffee, and reading books is good enough entertainment for us.

James Danielson has been family camping for over 40 years.  You can visit him at Family Camping Gear, Family Camping Trips, and Camping Cooking Equipment.

Getting out in the great outdoors, exploring the wilderness and terrain and relaxing in nature are what make a great camping trip. The government has taken steps to ensure that beautiful areas remain so through conservation and care. It is our jobs to take the same care when we are out camping, hiking and exploring this summer. We can all do this by being conscious of our impact as we camp and how we can reduce that impact to create a more green and sustainable camping trip.

Camping green really is not difficult. It just takes a little preparation. Let these prep tips guide you:

Reconsider the RV

RVs use an incredible amount of energy and fuel to run. For your next camping trip, consider packing up the car with a tent and sleeping bags. Big tents are cheaper and a lot more earth-friendly. The only think to consider with a tent is to take care not to pitch it outside of designated camping areas; this could disrupt wildlife and vegetation.

Use Reusable Equipment

Avoid purchasing packages of paper or Styrofoam plates and cups and plastic utensils. Instead, invest in sturdy plates, cups, and utensils that can be washed and used again. Also, consider replacing paper napkins with fabric napkins that can be easily rinsed and reused.

Conserve Where you Can

Get the biggest bang for your buck with LED lighting, which is the most efficient type of lighting that exists today. The bulbs in LEDs use up to 90% less energy. LED lights are brighter for a longer amount of time (up to 600 hours) than traditional flashlights, which drain batteries quickly.

Use Safe Products

When washing yourself or dishes while camping, it is important that the water you are rinsing away is not harmful. Find soaps that are biodegradable so that they are less likely to contaminate streams or harm animals that may drink from them. Where possible, use soaps at least 100-feet away from rivers, lakes, or streams.

Once you are out there, take precautions to ensure you not doing more harm than good. Here are some green tips for while you are camping:

Leave No Trace

Take care to take out everything you bring into your camping site. Don’t leave trash or equipment when you leave. Plan to bring bags that you can easily carry back out at the end of your trip. Don’t leave food or food scraps either as this can be dangerous for animals. Bury any human and pet waste thoroughly, including toilet paper.

Additionally, take care to avoid causing a wilderness fire. Create a contained fire pit with stones to help keep flames contained. Make sure your fire is completely out before leaving by covering it in water and scattering the cool ashes at the end of your camping trip.

Green camping is not complicated. It’s not even more expensive. It is just a shift in thinking from ‘anything goes’ to ‘what is the most eco-friendly option.’ Use this tips as a spring board for developing other green habits for you and your family to follow while on your camping vacations this summer.

~Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2009

Don’t think you can your trip without doing some important planning One of the more important items in your checklist should be what kind of camping stove you choose. When purchasing your stove look out for what fuel supply it uses. The best fuel option is propane.

The reason why a propane camping stove is the best is because the safety and portability. Propane is compressed liquid inside a sturdy metal canister. Fuel is released onto the stove and burns very clean. Although not recommended you could also use the stove inside of the tent because it burns very clean.

Propane cooks hot very fast and is much cleaner than alternate fuel. One of the most important things in choosing your camping stove is the ability to keep it clean. Since propane fuel burns without a lot of residue, compared to other fuel sources like gasoline, charcoal, or wood. Water can be very limited while camping or hiking. Water should only be used to hydrate yourself rather than use it to clean a stove.

Another important featureof a propane camping stove is the portability. Space can be very limited for hikers and campers. You don’t want to lug around a heavy cooking stove on your back. Stoves can come in various different sizes. A single, dual, or even a triple burner can be available. Most of the camping stoves can also easily fold up and stay compacted until its being used.

Propane cost much less fuelsource compared to the other types in the market. A single can of propane could last many different camping trips. The camping market shows proof that consumers are choosing propane as their primary source of fuel for camping stoves.

Most important thing of an outing is to have fun. The last thing you want is a major issue that can disrupt your enjoyment. Hopefully this article can eliminate one issue when it comes to using what kind of camping stove.

Planning your next camping trip is essential.One of the more important items in your checklist should be what kind of camping stove you choose.When purchasing your stove look out for what fuel supply it uses.The best fuel option is propane.

Do you still need some more help in choosing your stove? I suggest you visit propane camping stoves Propane Camping Stoves ( http://www.propanecampingstoves.org ) review site. This site can help you choose the perfect stove for your next outing.