Camping Journals

Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent camping experience. What sticks out in your mind? Now think about the first time you ever went camping. Undoubtedly, you remember few things about the geography, people you went with, particular camping routes and spectacular views. The experiences you’ve forgotten are lost to time. If you keep a camping journal, this won’t be the case.

There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Frank’s Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your camping experiences better be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass.

A good camping journal combines a number of characteristics. First, it should be compact so you don’t have to take up unnecessary space for other things. Second, it should have a case to protect it from rain, spills and so on. Third, the journal should contain blank areas to write your notes. Fourth, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind you to keep notes on specific things. Cues should include:

1. Who you went camping with,

2. Where you camped and if you enjoyed it,

3. Who you met and contact information for them,

4. The geographic and weather conditions, and

5. Any unique things that occurred while camping.

At the end of the camping trip, you should be able to get the following from your journal:

1. Contact information for other campers and people you met,

2. Enough detail to provide you or a friend with a guide if you camp in the location a second time.

3. Memories to reflect upon years later, and

4. Something to pass on to your friends, children and grandchildren.

To get the most out of your camping journal, you should write in it during while you’re camping. Every trip is special, even if you just go out for a weekend.

Camping is a great way to commune with nature. Make sure to preserve the experience.

Technorati Tags: Anne Frank, camping, Diary, Experiences, Geography, Instances, Journals, Nazis, People, Rat Race, Spectacular Views

A good portable water purifier is essential. The type of water purifier that uses Ultraviolet Treatment in the final stage of the process are highly recommended.

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When shopping around for a portable UV water filtration system, keep these things in mind. You want a system that uses pre-filtration to screen out large debris. Sediment filtration is also important to remove any unseen sand or dirt. Carbon filtration is also recommended, every molecule of water is forced through the microscopic pores of carbon, effectively straining out particle matter. These three stages of the water filtration lead to the final purification process, the Ultraviolet Treatment. After the carbon filter has cleansed the water, it is exposed to intense dosages of UV light. This exposure effectively destroys viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa. A 12Volt DC Power Supply is needed. This type of system can be expensive but well worth the cost.

A Portable Reverse Osmosis System is another good choice and less expensive than the UV system. The Reverse Osmosis type of system works in stages in much the same way as the UV system. A sediment filtration, a carbon filtration and in the last stage, water travels through 50 GDP TFC Reverse Osmosis Membrane, which removes lead, sodium, cyanide, ammonium, mercury, bromide, cadmium, trivalent chromium, magnesium, fluoride, nitrates, nitrites and many other water contaminants. This system is very easy to use, just hookup to a sink faucet.

It is important not to overlook how important filtering the water is. Many people have gotten sick while camping and thought that food was to blame when actually it was the water they were cooking with and drinking.

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However don’t scrap your child’s backpack and run out to buy a sling bag, or briefcase type book bag. Evidence exists that says these are even more harmful than the backpack. So what is a parent to do? Backpacks if made correctly, worn properly not over packed and packed correctly, are fine. A back friendly bag will have wide padded shoulder straps, a padded back, and a waist belt.

This takes care of most of the problems. The straps, on this type of bag, avoid the pinching of the shoulders by narrow unpadded straps on other backpacks. The waist belt and padded bag help to reduce the bouncing of the bag on the back. This reduces repetitive impact injury. Some backpacks even have a chest belt, and side straps to stabilize the load.

This type of backpack is obvious the better choice, because it uses the back and abdominal muscles, the two strongest muscle systems in the body, properly. A heavy backpack, incorrectly worn, can pull the child back, so the child leans forward to compensate for the pull. This can compress and possibly damage the vertebrae, causing back and neck pain.

This leaning forward also tends to cause the child to roll her shoulders inward. This with the forward lean can also compress the lungs and cause problems for asthmatic kids. The best backpacks are made of sturdy material, have padded wide shoulder straps, padded backs, waist and chest belts. These extra belts help to put some of the weight bearing on the legs and hips. You have the right backpack, now you have to make sure your child knows how to use it properly.

First teach her how to pack it properly, heavier items like textbooks should be placed closet to the back, don’t over-pack, and don’t pack anything you do not need for school, Now see that he lifts it properly, and that he uses both shoulder straps, the waist belt and any additional belts.. Before purchasing a backpack check on line for results of product testing and ratings, by reliable consumer protection groups, of any backpack you are considering.

Be aware that price is not always an indication of quality, nor does lower prices necessarily mean a poor product. You must do your homework. Also look on line for wholesale dealers in backpacks .We found a top brand backpack that has all the proper padding all the belts and a mini frame to help support the load for just a thirty dollars more than the average mid-range back pack.

More important than the price is that you get the right type of backpack, and that your child uses it because the best most expensive ergonomically sound backpack in the world, is worthless if she doesn’t follow the backpack safety rules.

Technorati Tags: Backpack Safety, backpacks, Briefcase, Heavy Loads, Numbness, Parents, Physical Therapists, Safety Rules, Schoolbooks, Schoolchildren, Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Straps, Shoulders, Sling Bag, Waist Belt

There are many organizations that use camping as a center of their group activates. But of those many, one of the most well known is the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts see camping as an outstanding event for boys to have healthy fun, get plenty of exercise, be together in a wholesome way and learn about nature as they go. If you have ever been involved with the Boy Scouts, you know that civic responsibility and education is the heart of the organization. Boys who stay in scouting in their teen years learn survival skills, how to manage a camp out, how to live well out of doors and how to treat nature with respect.

One of the principle concepts for camping in our nation’s great wildernesses that the Boy Scouts teach is called “Leave No Trace.” The name of the concept is pretty self explanatory. The idea is that when you go to camp in a spot, whether it’s a prepared camp site in a park or in the wild, when you leave there should be little or no trace that you were there.

Leave No Trace would make an excellent theme for any kind of camping. Whether it’s a high adventure hike to go hunting or fishing or a family camp out, learning to leave nature the way we found it is a way of preserving this wonderful natural resource not only so it will be pristine and beautiful when you return next year to camp but that it will be just as untouched years and decades into the future so our children and grandchildren have a pure nature setting to enjoy.

Leave No Trace also fits with an environmental awareness and a respect for nature. People who camp as part of their enjoyment of life already have a love of nature and a respect for the natural order we find when we spend some days and nights in the wild. So we want to do all we can to minimize how much we disrupt that natural environment. Leave No Trace means just that. If at all possible there will be little or no trace that you were ever there when you leave a camping spot after you are done with your camp out.

Now, as with all things, we should view our priority on leaving nature as we found it with some common sense. The heart of the ethic is that we will not leave behind any unnatural elements that are part of our human lifestyles. Obviously our trash or synthetic items that may be part of our camping gear count as part of what we want to not leave in nature. But there may be some small impact that you will leave behind that will not have an adverse effect on the natural environment.

If you organize rocks into a fire ring, that is not going to have a terrible effect on the environment. There really is no need to put the rocks back exactly where you found them. Your tent may press down some plant life and leave a small impression on the land. Your camp fire will leave behind a small collection of soot. But these are all natural results of your camping and things that nature can quickly correct and assimilate. As long as there is no long term effect on the landscape, you are in compliance with the principles of Leave No Trace.

The Leave No Trace ethics that really make a difference come from being a responsible camper in general. Some ways to be respectful of your camping home and leave it as you found it are…

- Take all trash with you.

- Do not burn any unnatural items in the camp fire.

- Don’t tie things to trees.

- Take any rope, tent stakes or other small remnants of your stay.

- Thoroughly put out your fire.

- Use dead wood for fires. Do not cut down live trees.

- Do no harm to plants, animals or insects as much as possible while visiting their home in the wild.

Many forest fires are the result of a camp fire that was not put out completely and a spark from that abandoned fire ignites into a huge blaze. So use plenty of water, stir the soot and then drown it again. If there is any smoke still coming out of that fire pit, use your camping shovel to turn the remands and continue to put dirt and water on the fire until it is completely out.

Taking care not to leave any trash is part of daily life in camp and part of breaking camp. It is so easy to leave a tiny scrap of paper or a coke can that got away from camp and is hiding behind a log. The Boy Scouts have a ritual at the end of camp where the entire troop forms a line and walks the camp site inch by inch looking for trash and picking up as you go. This is a fine discipline for all campers to learn.

Also, there is no room for being particular about trash you pick up. If you find remnants of a previous camper that have no place in a natural setting, pick it up and put in your trash sacks. By driving your trash out, you are doing nature the best favor you can do and allowing it to continue to thrive until your next camp out visit. And knowing you are leaving the natural beauty for your own future enjoyment and for the enjoyment of many who will come here after you makes Leave No Trace a way of life that is worth the effort entirely.

Technorati Tags: Boy Scouts, camping, Civic Responsibility, Doors, Education, Exercise, Heart, Leave No Trace, Principle Concepts, Survival Skills, Teen Years

Because you won’t have as much space on a motorcycle as with a car, you have to pack lightly and include only the essentials. This is easier then it sounds but will take some planning. Make sure you choose items to take with you that are small and have multiple uses. A good multi tool knife is great and will allow you to do repairs and maintenance, cooking and preparing.

Take a small bag for personal items and choose travel size bottles of everything needed. These are readily available at discount and grocery stores and will help save storage room. Use saddle bags for storing food, clothing and personal gear. You’ll have to economize so be prepared to wear the same clothing several times. Take re-closable plastic storage bags or plastic trash bags for disposing of items and for storing dirty clothes.

You should have ample room in saddlebags and the glove compartment for small items. For sleeping and camping equipment, use the luggage rack or passenger seat and secure these items with bungee cords. Make sure to bring compact equipment that can tightly fold or roll up. You should easily be able to store a collapsible tent and sleeping bag. You can even add a sleeping mat for added comfort.

If you intend to cook while camping out pack only what you’ll need. Look for camping recipes that only require one pot. There are many available and this will help conserve space. You can get eating utensils to store in a saddle bag. These do not take up much space.

For safety, make sure your motorcycle is serviced and in good working condition before embarking on a trip. Chart your route so you know where gas stations and restaurants are on your route. These can be valuable in restocking food supplies and in emergency situations. Keep a map and compass handy so you don’t get lost on the road or while camping.

You may not be able to camp in the lap of luxury when you bring your motorcycle but it will be a fun experience. Your motorcycle has ample room to store the necessities and if you can accept sleeping outdoors and only packing essentials, this can be a highly rewarding experience. Having a motorcycle available also gives you a lot more flexibility in traveling in and out of campsites. It is easy to pack all your gear and leave or go on a short sight seeing trip.

Technorati Tags: Camping Trip, Countryside, Freedom, Motorcycle Camping, Multi Tool, Surroundings, Tool Knife, Traveling

Let's suppose you have big plans for a long weekend in the woods. You take half a day off of work on Friday and intend to stay until Monday evening. This time, though, it's a family trip. You are anxious to experience a few refreshing days of family time away from the city or suburbia, but your spouse has marginal interest and your children are easily bored. What do you do?

In order to realize the benefits of both competing needs (i.e. time away in the woods and happy family experience), you make some adjustments to accommodate the preferences of everyone.

You, for example, may be the energetic adventurer who would be more than content with a sleeping bag, clean water, and a hunting bow. Your wife, on the other hand, might enjoy walking in through the woods for a few hours, but at the end of the day prefer a warm bath in a hotel room. And for the kids, baseball and video games are their sources of fun. Trouble is brewing unless you plan ahead.

Though it will take some effort, you can meet at least a portion of the interests of each person.

So one of the keys to creating a win-win scenario concerns both how you approach the trip and what you bring.

Some recommendations follow.

STANDARD STUFF

•Locate an established camp ground that is secure and safe.

•Spend a little investigation time on the Internet to locate a camp ground that offers some flexibility for family preferences and optional activity opportunities.

•The family tent should be bigger than a, um, pup tent. Decide in advance through family conversations if everyone would prefer to stay together in one large tent, one for the adults with another for the kids, or (especially given older kids of different genders) a separate tent for each person.

•Warm (warm!) and appropriately sized sleeping bags. And did I mention making sure they are warm...

•Some form of cushioning for under the sleeping bags. This could be an air mattress or perhaps a foam cushion.

•Flashlights and extra batteries that do not have an expiration date from the turn of the century.

•Matches, and lots of them, in a waterproof container. Even if the matches do not drop into a river, humidity can make them might more difficult to strike.

•Toilet paper. Though you should expect that camp site restrooms will keep ample supply of toilet paper, do not bet your embarrassing discomfort on it. And if you are at a camping area that does not happen to provide toilet facilities, you - the adventurous one - might find it thrilling to make do with leaves. But you will be the only one. On second thought, if the camp site does not have toilets, look for another.

•If you bring any canned foods, do not forget the can opener. Having done that once in the woods myself, it was not a fun-reinforcing experience. And I was hungry...

•A basic first aid kit.

•Extra clothing. Especially if there is a forecast of any rain.

EXTRA STUFF

Though certainly not comprehensive, here are a few additional items to consider bringing along in order to help make your time in the woods a positive experience for everyone. The more you bring on the trip, the more you may feel like you are simply dragging your home life into another environment. So you must weigh the balance.

•Bear in mind that you are headed for the woods, not a hotel. Bring soap, shampoo, towels, and other bathroom items that you might ordinarily expect to find supplied to you elsewhere.

•Similarly, if you are most comfortable sleeping on a pillow, bring one or more.

•For family members who need corrective lenses, bring an extra pair of glasses or contacts. If your primary items are lost, you do not want vision to be compromised in the woods.

•Camera, film (if using exposure film), camcorder, battery chargers, and binoculars. There are often beautiful memories you will want to capture from your visit with nature.

•Sun screen for warmer weather. Tree leaves will generally protect exposed skin in the woods, but rays do get through and you do not want to spend days 2 and 3 of your trip burned from the previous day's activities.

•Pain relievers, antacids (consider, after all, what you are likely to be eating...), and medication that family members typically need.

•One or more sets of Walkie-Talkies. If anyone wanders off and gets lost, a means of communication may be critical.

•Kitchen comforts, such as snacks, coffee, dishes, plates, cups, baggies for food storage.

•Games and playing cards. Maybe even a football to toss around in open areas.

•TV guide. Ok. Maybe not...

The main point to keep in mind is that when you are camped out in the woods, most normal conveniences of the home are unavailable, so some family members could feel trapped. You can help to ensure the trip creates a very positive set of memories by respectfully taking all participants into account. You won't regret it!

Technorati Tags: Camping Fun, Camping Trip, Challenges, Conveniences, family camping, Family Fun, Family Trip, Marginal Interest, Routine Life, Suburbia

Although it is nice to hear that camping is a fun way to spend some free time that you may have, you may be wondering if you should really go camping. In all honesty, you will find that it depends. While individuals from all walks of life enjoy camping, camping isn't always for everyone. If you would like to know whether you should go camping or at least think about it a little bit more, you will want to continue reading on.

One of the many signs that you should think about going camping is if you love spending time outdoors. Whether you just like sitting out on your porch, going swimming, or playing sports outdoors, there is a good chance that you like camping. Camping is based on the doors. You will likely find yourself sleeping outside, eating outside, and playing outside. For that reason, if you have a love for the outdoors, a camping trip is something that you may want to examine.

If you are looking for a change, you may want to think about going camping. If you are wondering if you should go camping, there is a good chance that you have never gone camping before. Unfortunately, when many people take a short trip or a full fledged vacation, many end up staying on the safe side. While it is more than possible to do this, you may want to think about trying something new, like camping.

Another sign that you may want to think about going camping is if you are on a budget. Camping is nice is because it is a relatively affordable activity. When it comes to camping, many campers choose to camp in parks or other public campground areas. Many of these camping establishments will charge you a small admission fee or a small camping fee, but you will find that the cost is significantly lower than the cost of an amusement park or airfare for a long trip. It is also important to mention that you can get a lot of your camping supplies, like your food, for very cheap prices as well.

Also, what is nice about going camping is that you will find that you have a number of different options. For instance, you will find that you can choose to camp in a traditional tent or an RV. If you don't own your own RV, you may be able to rent one. You will also have a choice when it comes to choosing a campground. No matter where you are looking to camp, you should be able to find a number of campground parks to choose from. If you carefully choose your campground park, you may even be able to handpick your own camping spot!

Of course, the decision as to whether or not you want to go camping is your decision to make, but you may at least want to look into it. There is a reason why camping is regarded as one of the most popular American pastimes.

Technorati Tags: Camping Trip, Honesty, Pastime, Summer Spring, Walks

There are specialty stores that carry food supplies specifically meant for camping. However, these items can be expensive. They usually consist of pre packaged food and meals that are freeze-dried. Often the food is bland and may not be as nutritious as a fresh meal.

With a little planning, however, it is possible to have nutritious, easy to prepare meals right from the grocery store. There are many foods that are light weight, easy to store and non perishable. Cereals, nuts, dried fruit and candy are great snacks and can be mixed for an energy boosting trail mix. All those ingredients are readily available in a grocery store and can be made up before leaving and stored in an airtight container. Adding some packets into your backpack will provide a healthy snack while on the trail.

Always bring plenty of water for hydration and cooking. Don’t forget you’ll also need water for cleaning dishes after cooking. You can also bring drink mixes and coffee or tea to mix with the water for a pick me up in the morning. Any foods that require simply adding water are great. Cup of soup packets where you just add some water and let it steep are great for a quick and easy warm meal or snack. They are great for cold weather to help keep warm.

Canned meats, meats that do not require refrigeration and canned vegetables are a good source of nutrition. Tuna fish and canned chicken can be used in numerous recipes. Making stews out of canned meats and canned vegetables will provide you a hearty meal that is easy to prepare and easy to clean. Salami does not need to be cooked and is great on crackers for a snack. Beef jerky is a traditional camping snack that will provide nutrition and boost energy while on the trail. Just remember though that if you take any canned goods to also bring a can opener.

For sweets, candy and dried fruits are excellent. But who can resist a traditional s’more? Marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers are lightweight and can be carried and stored with ease. Sitting down to a fire while roasting marshmallows and melting chocolate onto the graham cracker is a fun way to satisfy the sweet tooth.

Remember that when you are camping you will need to carry items with you on hikes and nature walks. Choose items that are lightweight and do not require a lot of cleaning. Bring a variety of meats, cheeses, breads, snacks and sweets. Camping is a temporary state and you should concentrate on ease of preparation and fun. Do not worry that you may not be getting the most balanced meal or gourmet food. There’s plenty of time for that at home. Enjoy the campfire, keep your energy level up and have fun.

Technorati Tags: Camping Food, Candy, Cereals, Duration, Food Suggestions, Food Supplies, Grocery Store, Nuts, Refrigerator, Specialty Stores

Making Hand Warmers

Stick your hands inside a pair of socks and mark where your fingertips and thumb-tip are, using a pen or marker. Then cut holes where the marks are. You now have hand warmers that leave your fingers free. Mine weigh about an ounce, but this depends on the socks that you use. You can use these under other gloves or mittens in colder weather, and when you remove your mittens to tie your shoes, you won't totally expose your hands.

Instant Insulated Vest

Buy 1/2 poly batting at any fabric store. I bought mine at Walmart. This is the stuff that is used to make pillows, stuffed animals and quilts. It comes as a big sheet, rolled up in a bag, usually for less than ten dollars.

Open it up it and cut a piece out, roughly two by four feet. Cut a hole in this for your head, and wear it like a tunic, but under your jacket. Making clothes doesn't get any easier than this, and the vest will be among the lightest backpacking clothes you own. My own weighs just four ounces.

My vest, along with my homemade balaclava, kept me warm as I went over glaciers, to the top of 20,600-foot Chimborazo, in Ecuador. It also went to the top of Mount Shasta in California, and on other trips. Originally, I made it as a disposable vest, but it's held together for years now. Wear two for extra warmth (always under a wind-breaking layer) and you'll have more insulation than a sweater would give you, for half the weight.

Making A Ski Mask From Old Clothes

Use any old thermal underwear top or bottom, preferably made of polypropylene. Just cut off a leg or a sleeve, then pull it over your head. Mark where your eyes and mouth are with a pen or marker, cut the holes and cut off the extra length. You just made a balaclava.

I used a sleeve from a very stretchy polypropylene top for mine. It weighs less than an ounce, lighter than anything I can buy. You can sew the top shut, as I did, or just pin it shut with a safety pin. Making backpacking clothes doesn't get much simpler than this.

I collect ideas for backpacking clothes or equipment that can be made at home, but if it can't be explained in a paragraph, it's probably too complex and time consuming for me. I prefer backpacking to sewing. When it's as easy as the three items here, though, even I will start making clothes.

Technorati Tags: Animals, backpacking, Clothes, Fabric Store, Fingers, Fingertips, Gloves, Holes, Marker, Mittens, Ounce, Pillows, Sewing, Shoes, Socks, Tedious Hours, Thumb Tip, Vest, Walmart, Weather

Wilderness camps tend to come in two major varieties. The first option is a single location camp that has established cabins in the woods, often waterside. These camps can be truly spectacular and are favorites for many. The other option is for the more adventurous. These camps take youth on a journey into the Great Outdoors and have them pretty much roughing it along the way.

Let's take a closer look at the more adventuresome type of camp. What individual wilderness camps offer will typically vary, but the choices can be spectacular. Most true wilderness camps will ensure the following things:

* Outdoor time. This is the bread and butter of these camps. Youth that attend are ensured plenty of time in the great outdoors doing activities and learning at the same time. They also often sleep out under the stars or in tents.

* Hiking. This is standard fare for most wilderness camps. Many of these camps, in fact, have their participants travel on foot from one location to another for a new night out in the great outdoors.

* Water activities. This might not be possible depending all camp locations, but many make swimming, kayaking, canoeing and even white water rafting a part of the journey. Typically, basic safety skills are also taught as a part of this.

* Mountain climbing. Again, this will hinge on the destination chosen, but climbing, and climbing lessons, very often go along with these outdoor vacations.

* Sleeping out under the stars. While tents normally come along for the ride, or hike, these journey summer camps usually have participants really learning how to rough it.

* Survival skills. Due to the often extreme nature of these vacation camps, survival skills are generally taught in abundance. Youth often learn about such things a flora and fauna, fishing, hiking, outdoor cooking and more. First aid and other important safety considerations are also often taught.

While these camps are not for everyone, they do offer some benefits for participants. In addition to getting to see some incredible outdoor locations, youth typically learn:

* Teamwork. Getting things done on one of these adventures requires coordinated effort.

* Self-reliance. Participants in these camps tend to develop a fair amount of self-reliance and self-esteem as they accomplish task and milestones along the way they might not have thought themselves able to do.

* Skill development. Whether these camps are held in Europe or the wilderness of Alaska, youth are sure to develop skills they didn't have before. This is also fantastic for building self-esteem.

The more adventurous of wilderness camps might not be for everyone, but those who choose to go this route tend to have the time of their lives. These camps are hosted by a number of different organizations with destinations all over the world possible.

Technorati Tags: Choices, Great Outdoors, Journey, Outdoor Time, Summer Vacations, True Wilderness, Waterside, Wilderness Camp, Wilderness Camps, Youngsters