Camping Suggestions

Posts Tagged ‘Choose’

Camping used to be about bulky sleeping bags. Other times, when you are really lucky, you do not have any sleeping bags to sleep on at all because you ended up carrying heaps of other things and sleeping bags are just not a priority (thinking that you can just find a nice person to share with). For many people, camping before means being at a state wherein you are uncomfortable. But now, gone are those days! Camping nowadays means feeling just like home with the best sleeping bag with you.

As camping sleeping bags vary in shapes and sizes, it is a must that you know what sleeping bag in the market suits you best. Here are my strongest suggestions on how you can choose the best sleeping bag that can make you feel just like home:

a. There is a common type of camping sleeping bag called the Mummy Bag. If you are situated in a place or country with colder temperature and you are after the warmth of your sleeping bag, you better go and look for this type of sleeping bag. A Mummy Bag is made to confine warm air on your head as it provides a hood ensuring that heat will not escape even from your head. It takes off human body shape that is why it surely maintains heat better than those other shapes of sleeping bags. As the name suggest, it really feels like you have your Mum around wrapping you with her warm embrace all through the cold shivering night.

b. If you are living or camping in a place with warm weather, you must go for Rectangular type of camping sleeping bags. Although this is not specifically designed to trap heat as good as a Mummy Bag, this bag is roomier and absorbs more body heat to warm. Other things must be considered for this sleeping bag to perform at its best such as its fabric, construction, and fill.

c. Now that you have just enough appreciation of the two most common types of sleeping bags available in the market and you find yourself in a dilemma as to which one is better, check this out: You do not need to choose at all! If you want the warmth of a Mummy Sleeping Bag at the same time the softness and coziness of a Rectangular Sleeping Bag, producers can modify their versions of sleeping bags giving you the best sleeping bag ever!

I understand that you have to be aware of other accessories that you can suggest to the producers of camping sleeping bags that is why, for your convenience, I have listed down these things that you may want to add to your personally-modified and very unique sleeping bag. Here are your options:

1. Zippers – The main purpose of zippers is to permit ventilation. You can actually have a Two-way Zippers if you wish to so that you can unzip the other one to let ventilation of cooler air through the sleeping bag from your foot or head without having to unzip it especially on summer nights.

2. Hoods – A special part of Mummy Bags, hoods are your most effective option if you want to trap heat from your head keeping you warm from head to toe all through the night.

3. Multi sectioned Hoods – Compared to just hoods, multi sectioned is made from multiple panels. This fits your head better with less chance to compact insulation.

4. Chest Baffles – The use of this accessory, from the name itself, is to provide a barrier at the top of your chest to help you keep warm as it traps warm air from breaking out at the same time preventing cold air from coming in.

5. Foot Boxes – This is designed to keep your feet and toes warm. Also found in majority of Mummy bags, you can lay your foot naturally as it traps warmer air without reducing insulation.

6. Round and flat pull cords – Part of Hoods in Mummy Bags, these cords are ideal if you want to fine-tune your sleeping bag in the middle of the night.

7. Ground level seams – These are found on the side of your sleeping bag which are vulnerable to exposure specifically during windy conditions. The only way to minimize your risk of exposure is to have well insulated ground pads.

8. Ground Pads – Commonly known as sleeping pads, this accessory makes you feel warmer against the ground surface area as well as the ground level seams.

9. Staggered Seam – Also called as off set seams, this is another type of accessory that confines heat and blocks air from breaking in your sleeping bag.

10. Zip together compatibility – This is an amazing accessory if you want to sleep and be zipped together with another person. Most rectangular camping sleeping bags zip together but for Mummy Bags, you need to have this accessory to be compatible enough to zip with other sleeping bags.

11. Insulating and/or wind stop baffle behind the zipper – Simply known as Zipper Draft Tube, this option helps keep warm air inside your bag and cool air outside through the zipper of your bag.

12. Wallet and flashlight pockets – If you want your wallet and flashlights to be secured and close to you even when you are sleeping, you may want to look for these accessories.

With all these information already available to you, I hope that in your quest in looking for the perfect camping sleeping bag, you will find both enjoyment and excitement as you are just one step away from your wonderful time at the camp with your best sleeping bag with you! Definitely no need to worry because whatever the activities at the camp the following morning, you will surely make it because you are assured of your good night sleep that will keep you going all day, all night.

There was a time when the game of basketball was learnt only with the help of the college coaches. The concept of personal trainers, summer camps and AAU teams was not quite prevalent. With the passage of time, however, fortunately the things have changed for good. Today, there are hundreds and thousands of basketball camps, and it is exceedingly difficult to find out the best one for your daughter or friend. Here are a few tips that will help you to unearth the best AAU girls basketball camp.

- Ask for recommendations- Ask your friends, colleagues and relatives to recommend some good basketball camps. Frankly discuss the salient features of the organization. Ask them to narrate their experiences honestly. Persuade them to tell you what they liked the best about the team and what they disliked.

- Search the internet- The internet is also a good place to hunt for the best AAU girls basketball camp. Here you can read the reviews and testimonials to evaluate the goodness of the camp. It is advisable to browse through the website vigilantly. You can gather several important pieces of information from there.

- Talk to the head of the organization- Once, you have shortlisted a few superlative girls basketball camps, talk to either the head or manager of the organization. Try to retrieve as much information about the camp as possible. Before you send your daughter to one such AAU girls basketball camp, you should know everything about the qualifications of the coach, training methodology, exercise routine, food, shelter and the like.

- Find out about the training schedule- Girls basketball camps can be broadly divided into two categories viz. preseason camp and offseason camp. In both the cases, the training schedule is quite rigorous. However, with respect to the former, the participants practice only for a few hours each day, and they also get a number of off days.

Offseason camps, on the other hand, have morning as well as evening training sessions. Furthermore, the training schedule runs between Monday and Friday. It is very important to have complete knowledge about the training session because at times you would have to travel with your daughter to the camp and with requisite information it would be easier for you plan out beforehand.

- Ascertain the fee structure- Last, but not the least, you should know whether you can actually afford to send your daughter to the best AAU girls basketball camp or not. Apart from the program fees, you would be expected to bear a number of expenses like the travel costs and tournament fees. Don’t hesitate to discuss the different payment plans. After all, they have been specifically designed for parents like you.

There are many qualities which make a boot camp/boarding school environment the ideal solution for you and your child. But take note, all boot camps are not the same. They might all be good in terms of results but they are still different. Your task, and it’s a very important one, is to find the boot camp which offers a program ideal for the needs of your son or daughter.

What type of child is your teen? Are they lazy and need pushing to achieve things? Do they have a certain condition such as ADHD, depression or dyslexia? Are they lacking in confidence and tend to spend time alone? There can be many characteristics about a troubled teen’s behavior. And if you study the brochure and web site of a dozen boot camps, you’ll see happy teens in a great environment. But you must match the camp with your child’s needs. Smiling faces are great but your teen needs specific care.

Let’s see how a bad choice of boot camp could prove disastrous for a certain type of teen. Let’s say a camp has optional activities at certain times and offers a relaxed and easy going atmosphere. If your teen is lazy and needs a push to get going, then sending him or her to the laid back boot camp will not cure his or her weaknesses. Get the selection right. How?

Does your teen need some positive activities in their life? Do they need to boost their self-confidence? Do they need one-on-one teaching and therapy sessions? Well if so then find the boot camp that provides these services. Some kids need a timetable that works like clockwork that gives the teen a form of security. Contact the camp you think might suit your teen. Have a list of questions such as the following.

- What type of teen problems do you specifically address?
- What are the qualifications and boot camp experiences of the staff members?
- What sort of follow-up program do you carry out?
- What type of therapy sessions do you offer?
- What services do you offer the parents of the teens?

Your job is to put the camps under the microscope. If you can locate parents of teens who have already been to a certain camp, you may get a brilliant assessment of the facility. The parents have nothing to gain by not telling the truth. If their teen did really well and has continued on with a positive attitude and good school grades after the camp, that could be a great pointer in helping you choose the right camp for your child.

You want a camp which will allow the teens to look inwards, to see themselves and how their actions affect others. If a teen can understand that their future depends on how they behave today, then you have taken a really positive step in helping your teen. Find the camp with the right philosophy, the right therapeutic program and the right outdoor activities and your teen could be in for a real and lasting change of attitude.

The best camping stoves available in the market today are the MSR Reactor, Snow Peak LiteMax, Jetboil Helios, MSR XGK EX and the Brunton Wind River Range. When choosing the perfect camping stove for you, you must consider the camping stove’s durability, portability, efficiency, setup time, fuel source, number of people to feed and the cost.

If you’re planning to go on a camping trip, you must be equipped with proper camping gears such as tents, sleeping bags, clothing, and even a camping stove. Camping stoves are very important especially to those who want to eat their food cooked even without using the campfire for cooking.

Here are the best camping stoves available in the market according to experts and users reviews at consumersearch.com.

MSR Reactor

This is the best canister camping stove ideal for solo or groups of two campers because of its efficiency and portability. It is efficient because it can cook food and boil water fast even on windy weather conditions with its radiant burner and heat exchanger. The MSR Reactor comes with a pot and burner. Its fuel canister though is sold separately. Estimated price for the MSR Reactor is $ 140.

Snow Peak liteMax

It is the best camping stoves for campers who want a simple, lightweight and budget-friendly camping stove. Without a pot or its isobutane-propane fuel canister, it has a weight of less than two ounces.  It can also be folded for easier storing and its pot supports are also very sturdy even for large pots. Estimated price for this stove is around $ 60.

Jetboil Helios

This is the ideal camping stove for campers in groups of two or more. This isobutane-propane camping stove includes a 2-liter pot that is good for cooking meals good for a number of people. Though it weighs 28 ounces, its stove and burner can be stored into the pot for easier portability. It has an added plastic windscreen with it making it more efficient when cooking. Estimated value for this stove is $ 150.

MSR XGK EX

This is a multi-fuel camping stove that experts recommend for campers to use while camping during low-temperature seasons or in high altitude areas. This stove practically burns many fuels like diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, unleaded gasoline and white gas. Reviewers also say that it is stable and very reliable. The estimated price for this stove is $ 140.

Brunton Wind River Range

It is the best campground stove for cooking meals for large groups of campers on car-camping trips. This 23 pounds stove is expensive, but it is worth it because it is sturdy and more durable than any campground stoves. Its heat or flames are also adjustable. The stove comes with burners, windscreen, storage compartments, cutting board and stainless-steel grate. It cost around $ 315.

When it comes to choosing the perfect camping stove, it is best that you must also consider these factors:

Durability

It is best to buy a camping stove that is worth your money and which you can use for dozens of camping trips to come.

Portability

You must consider the camping stove’s weight and size. Find a camping stove that is easier for you to carry around.

Efficiency

Look for a camping stove that performs well. It is better to test the item on the store before purchasing it.

Setup Time

Choose a stove that is easy, quick and doesn’t need much time in assembling.

Fuel Source

Always put into consideration what type of fuel a camping stove need. There are fuels that are not easy to find and are quite expensive.

Number of people to feed

You must also consider the number of people that may benefit from the stove. If you are planning on a camping trip with groups of people, then opt for a stove that can cook a number of meals. But if you’re going solo or with a partner, it’s better that you choose a much simpler type of stove.

Cost

You may also want to consider the price of the camping stove. Be sure that the stove is worth every cent that you paid.

An important aspect of enjoying your camping experience is choosing the right tent.

Camping is one of the most fun outdoor activities, but buying the wrong tent can dampen the whole experience.

There are some questions that you should ask yourself in order to ensure that you choose the perfect tent for both you and your family.

First of all, a basic but important question to answer is how many people will be using the tent? This will help you to determine the right style and size you need.

You don’t want to buy a tent that can hold just five people when you need one big enough for six or seven.

What kind of conditions should the tent be built to handle? Will you be camping in primarily warm weather? Or will you camp year round?

You should purchase a tent that can handle the conditions you’re likely to encounter. There are tents made for warm weather and there are 3 or 4 season tents.

How often will your tent be used? If you’re planning to camp frequently, you want to buy a durable tent. If you’re camping with children, you definitely want a durable tent!

How much interior space do you want or need? If you want to be comfortable, you need to take sleeping space and storage into account. For example, if you want standing room, consider buying a dome tent.

Are you a hiker or backpacker? You should look for a lightweight tent that you can easily transport.

**Shapes And Styles**

Family Camping Tents

Family tents are roomy and generally hold four to nine or ten people. They usually have large windows and entry doors.

Dome Style Tents

The rounded shape of a dome tent adds strength, good wind resistance and good interior space.

A-Frame Style Tents

A-frame tents have a simple, lightweight design. They’re usually freestanding and easy to set up. There’s good room at the floor but less up top.

Umbrella Style Tents

Umbrella style tents have spacious head and floor space, can hold many people, and have good ventilation.

Different Season Tents

There are two, three and four season tents. Two season tents are fair weather tents that are usually very inexpensive.

Three season tents are the most popular and are able to handle rain.

Four season tents have heavier construction to fight off wind stress and snow loads. They’re made of higher grade fabrics and contain more poles for added strength. Four season tents can however be hot and heavy if used in moderate weather.