TheCampingGuy.com Blog | Camping Tips

As we enter into a new camping season in North America I’m sure a lot campers and would-be campers and starting to think about the new camping season.  So, I wanted to offer The Camping Guy readers a little Q&A capability to answer any questions that you have as you embark on your next camping trip.

Questions like: what do I pack for a family of four? How do I get my kids involved in my love for camping?  Or, maybe some questions on camping gear, and of course my favorite…food!  The best part of camping is that the food tastes better!!

So go ahead…ask The Camping Guy a question by hitting the Comments button at the bottom of this article.  That way you can all share your questions and answers with each other.  Go ahead don’t be shy, I know you’ve got a question…….

You’ve seen them…they’re lined up outside in long lines waiting for the new iPhone, or Xbox or even concert tickers.  They show up days in advance so they can be first in line.  The last time I saw that I said to myself, “what nuts!” they’re in lawn chairs and sleeping bags.  If you gonna do this, do it right, with comfort!  So, for all you fans that want to be first in line, here’s some Camping Guy tips on how to make it enjoyable.

Shelter
You need something that you can immediately fold up and stow away so that if you’re asked to leave the line or if it suddenly begins to move, you’re not left in the cold dragging your belongings.  A small pop-up tent is the easy answer. They’re easy to fold and unfold and they’re very light. So if the line moves, your shelter can, too

Comfort
A pop-up tent is convenient and light but the sidewalk is very hard!  So get a camping pad or camping mattress, as they’re called, to keep your body comfortable, away from the cold ground and cramp free.  Also, take a sleeping bag, pillow, and comfortable chair so you can sleep a little….sit a little, and not get totally bored.

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Celebrating your Easter weekend is special when you incorporate it into a great camping trip. Springtime is the best time to enjoy Mother Nature; the air is still cool, there’s usually a crisp breeze and since the rains… everything is clean and clear. There are still, however, plenty of campsite ideas, tips and suggestion I have for your Easter camping trip.

Amenities
Camping in springtime brings a few challenges that can be easily conquered with the right attitude and approach. Bugs, for example, are very plentiful in some areas during springtime. So arm your family with plenty of body bug repellents that won’t make them sick, like Herbaria products. Herbaria has both a spray on repellent and a repellent soap that smell great and are completely natural.

Other things you need to also consider for Easter camping is sun block for those bright, windy days and light lotion for dryness.

Activities
Easter camping, of course, should be fun! So try out these things for the kids and teens!

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Camping under the stars, near a campfire or in a tent is always great fun but a memorable picnic, will enhance your campout as well. To get your picnic ideas flowing, I’ve come up with the three simple elements that are essential to your picnic and how you can make each of them their possible best.

Location
Before prepping your meal back at campsite, scout out a couple of local areas ideal for sitting on the ground and be sure that the area is attractive. Be aware of too much shade as the ground there will often be too moist. When possible, try to find a location on top of a hill or near the edge of a safe cliff for a beautiful view. Eating near a stream, when available, is also a pleasant experience. Calm and peaceful.

The Essentials
A great picnic must start off with a great, waterproof picnic blanket. This will ensure that even if you choose to sit where it’s moist, you, your guests and your food will stay dry. Find some excellent waterproof and stadium blankets at www.goblanket.com.

Next on the list, is a perfect picnic basket. I know what you’re thinking–a wicker

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The hustle and bustle of each busy day you experience can catch up with you and leave you feeling drained. This is a great reason to take time to enjoy Mother Nature and reconnect with the beautiful things that make our planet so worthwhile. At the same time, I understand how difficult it is to get away from your responsibilities to go camping and have outdoor fun. In the spirit of helping you enjoy camping and the great outdoors, here’s how I have a simple, loosely scheduled, one-day camping trip at a popular public campground and marina near my home, much like one near you.

• 5 days in advance: Reserve a one-nighter with nearby campgrounds and purchase inexpensive pop-up tent, if you don’t already have one. More on tents.

• 1 day in advance: pack tent, sleeping bag, pillow, Swiss Army knife, water, small stove, frying pan, mess kit, book, flash light and digital camera. Keep it simple and under control. Easy clean up is a must.

• Morning of: Pack can of beans or spaghetti, fruit, cookies, water, pre-made pancake mix, butter and small amount of syrup (for one) in a small, portable ice cooler with frozen cooler pack inside. Consider also tossing in granola bars, trail mix, nuts or whatever other convenient foods you like.

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You know you’ve got breakfast and dinners all planned as the big meals of the day. You fire up the stove in the morning with eggs, bacon and pancakes. And in the evening, do something special on the grill or Dutch Oven. But what about lunch? You don’t want to mess with the stove and want something light and easy. After all everyone’s off having fun and just want a quick bite to eat. A reader sent me a couple of quick and easy lunch recipes that I think are winners. Easy to make and no mess to clean up!

Sliced Turkey Wrappers

1 wheat tortilla for each camper
2 slices of pre-packed turkey per camper
2 slices pepper jack cheese per camper
1 head lettuce
1 squeeze bottle
1-2 cups mayo, depending on taste
1/2 cup mustard
pepper
onion powder

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Saint Valentine was persecuted for marrying young couples against the king’s orders, helping many escape being drafted into war. The rich history behind this beautiful holiday has not been lost and can be shared in celebration of spring and love when you pamper your partner with a Valentine’s camping trip. This Valentine’s Day plan an exciting retreat in the fresh outdoors.

In order to painlessly plan your Valentine’s Day camping trip, be sure to keep three essential elements in mind; location, activity and gift. With these you can create a simple but comfortable environment that will add the intrigue you need to enjoy Mother Nature and make your partner happy.

Location: Be sure to research an area for camping that isn’t too far away from home but still requires a scenic drive into the countryside. Start by searching your state+camping on Google and then check each location’s website for park hours, amenities, restrictions, vegetation information and cost.

Once you’ve chosen your park, plan to adorn your lover with pleasant surroundings. A lush, padded mattress pad topped with satin sheets, loads of fluffy blankets, all complemented with red rose petals, is incredibly welcoming. Snacks and wine are also a must.

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Camping in the cold weather provides a unique challenge….staying warm! Here’s a couple of ways to beat the cold and have a warm and fun campout.

The Traditional Campfire
This age old tradition, when done safely, is a great experience and creates mood and atmosphere for your campsite. Start your campfire right by raking and removing all dead wood and leaves in a ten-foot radius around your fire pit. If you don’t have a fire pit, then create one by removing the first 3 inches of dirt or so. Place a bed of coals or rocks in it and top with your clean, dry wood. Fire-starter bricks are safest and easiest to use in starting the fire but they catch fire easily, so keep them put away when not in use. Don’t forget to keep an extinguisher on-hand for emergencies and a shovel to help restore your campsite when you leave. More campfire safety tips.

Camping Generators
Technologically speaking, the most convenient way to stay warm or to use any appliance while camping is to use a generator like the Yamaha 1,000-Watt Portable Generator. Like other recreational generators, this one is lightweight (28 lbs.) and provides 12 hours of running time on a full tank. They also claim they have dampened the noise with noise absorbing materials. The Yamaha is relatively inexpensive as far as generators go and this model can run several appliances at the same time. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Camping Heaters
Propane Heaters are perfect camping heaters and an inexpensive, efficient way to keep your personal space warm in cold weather camping. They are often safe, convenient and easy to use like the Coleman BlackCat Portable Catalytic Heater. This small, portable camping heater comes equipped an 8″round heater to maximize your heated area, and runs up to 7 hours at 3,000 BTU on one 16.4 oz cylinder of propane. It’s rated for indoor use, since there is no flame!

With these great options at hand and a blanket or two, your next camping adventure is sure to be a warm and comfortable one. For more information about what you need for cold weather camping. Happy Camping.

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Low and behold, there are some very interesting jobs in this world and I’m glad to be sharing with you some that involve camping, campsites and campgrounds. Amazing, fun and perhaps a little peculiar, getting paid to camp is possible and a growing market in jobs.

Campsites all over the nation fill positions for groundskeepers but these days, the call of duty goes beyond that. Many of the employees that work for campgrounds, RV parks and parks are often expected to have a sense of customer service and pride for their work, rather than just the ability to remove trash and keep the grounds in order.

There are positions for tour guides, guided horse tour guides, concierge, and customer assistants. Each job has specific roles such as guiding new guests to their campsite and helping them hook up their RV to the sewer line, if needed. Others are available day and night to watch over the sites and provide any emergency assistance, when necessary.

Apparently, there are now also camp worker groups like at www.workamper.com where families, whether full-time or part-time, tour the country, working at different campsites for the experience. Rumor has it this great new career path has its rewards and instant memorable experiences.

County programs are also becoming more popular for working parents. Children are taken to local parks, hiking trails and county events by trained professionals with experience in handling children. Though the jobs are not considered plentiful, the right education and love for children and the outdoors makes it an altruistic job at the least.

If you think that a camping job is right for you, do some Internet research. Camping jobs also strike me as an excellent past time for retirees and families on summer vacation. So get out there, go camping and get paid for it!

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Living in the U.S. can often mean plenty of fatty foods during the holidays and fast food when we’re busy. The stress on our hearts and weight is astonishing! The great outdoors can be very helpful with health and weight loss. Just a quick jog or a long walk in your neighborhood once a day is so good for your body. And of course, those who camp often look forward to the healthy benefits of a hike, walk or the vigorous activity of simply setting up your campsite. However, in order to feel your best for your camping trip, and to ensure you’ll be comfortable with that hike, shaping up before you go is a good idea. So here’s some great ideas on how to shape up before you head out on your next camping trip.

Walk..walk..walk
Just a 10-15 minute walk daily can greatly improve calorie burning, weight loss and circulation, among many other things. But more than that, once you break that initial lazy, hold-back on yourself, you’ll find that you enjoy walking. Exercise of any caliber causes the body to be stimulated, which in turn releases endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are what cause happiness and satisfaction in our moods. So get out there and walk every day for just a bit. You will enjoy your camping trip even more!

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