As exciting as it may be, you cannot enjoy a camping trip if you are not geared up with the right kind of camping equipment. To arrive with all your basic necessities it is essential that you work out a list of things that you are going to need while you are out. In order to have all the appropriate things you need to plan well before your trip. You could start working on it a few weeks ahead of time or may be a month beforehand. Unless you have a proper planning, you are bound to forget something or the other and you surely would not want to discover that you have left behind something very important.

The first and foremost thing is to get yourself a tent. Look for one that best suits your needs while at the same time make sure it is suitable for the weather conditions of the place you are planning to visit. The next thing that goes on your list is a comfortable sleeping bag and these come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, material, fabric and colours. You could include a sleeping mat for added comfort for instance an inflated mat that will also give you better insulation.

Your list of foodstuff that you intend to carry depends on how many people are going to eat that food. It would be advisable to avoid taking perishable food because of the difficulty of storing it. As for the cooking and eating utensils you could carry a frying pan, two or three pots, a cooking spoon, spatula while plastic plates, spoons and cups would do beautifully for your meals. You can also carry an airtight container to store leftover food to be eaten at your next meal.

A camp stove can be very handy, if bad weather forbids you to light up a campfire. You will be surprised as to what and how much you can do with a camp stove. You can cook some good fresh meals if you are prepared to take the trouble.

Flashlights, matches and lighters can be of great use if you have to fend for something in the dark. You must also have a first-aid kit with you because it can come in handy when you are camping. The kit can include strips of band-aid, cotton balls, gauze, antiseptic ointment, sunscreen, a burn spray, an antibiotic, aspirin, insect repellent and some other medicines that you normally take.

As concerns the clothing, you must take lightweight clothes yet they should be sufficient for the kind of weather you are going to face. Do not take clothes that tend to remain damp or do not dry fast. You can add on a lightweight rain gear that could be useful if it happens to rain. Take the right kind of footwear, a pair of sneakers would be perfect but if you are planning a hike on rough terrain it would be suitable to have a pair of sturdy boots.

Apart from these you will need a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harsh sun. You can also do with other necessities such as a small hatchet, an all-purpose knife, a deck of cards, a book or two and any other thing that you would prefer as a pastime.

One thing you must remember is that whatever you take with you, must be lightweight specifically if you are going backpacking because you would not want to come back with a bad back. Gather the most essential stuff, think twice about the weight, pick up everything that you are going to need and you are ready to leave for your camping trip.

Find the best camping tents at http://www.tents.info

[tags]camping, tents[/tags]

You have to be very careful while choosing a tent because you certainly do not want to land up at your camping site and discover that it is not the right size or wake up in the middle of a stormy night and find your tent leaking. There are various other problems that you might face if you compromise on the quality and the durability of the tent that you buy. It is important that you consider the comfort and the strength of the tent before you buy it, instead of concentrating on buying one that is cheaper in cost because if you do, you are the one who will have to bear its consequences.

It is not an easy task to select a tent from a whole range of designs and sizes, so what you need to do is first list your requirements and then proceed to review the tents. Once you have worked out how big or small a tent you require, which is determined by the number of people who will ultimately use the tent, you can start looking for the appropriate tent. You also need to work out the weight of the tent if you plan to go on a backpacking trip but if you are using your car, then the weight is but secondary.

An ideal weight of a tent for individual use can weigh from 1 to 2.50kg and this kind of a tent can be sufficient for a couple. If you are looking for a family tent then you could look for a tent in the weight range of 1.75 to 5kg. This provides enough space for four people. When you know how big a tent you need, you automatically reduce your search to a fewer number, making it easy to select the right one. Also if you are backpacking, you certainly cannot carry a heavy load especially if you are venturing into a mountainous region or the wilderness. A lightweight tent would be ideal here.

While it may be appropriate to have a smaller tent in summer, it may not be a very good choice to have a small-sized tent in winter. This is because you need room for your extra equipment apart from which you need enough space for cooking. Another thing you need to consider is where you are going to use this tent. As all tents cannot withstand different weather conditions, you must pick one accordingly, for example you might need a netted inner tent that will keep away the mosquitoes or maybe a tent with slightly inclined walls that will detract strong winds, it all depends on where you are going.

Finally you must see that the tent gets erected without much fuss and delay. If you are on the move and need to camp almost everyday, you must ensure that the tent is durable enough, can be pitched quickly and remains dry from within. Try pitching it in your garden a few times to get a hold of how it works because practice will help you do it exactly the way it should be done when you are camping. Ensure that you have all the required equipment because you do not want to land up at your campsite with an incomplete tent.

Now that you are well organised as to which tent you should get for yourself and how it functions, you are all set to go on your exciting camping trip.

Find the best camping tents blog at www.tents.info

[tags]camping tents[/tags]

A 2 person tent that weighs more than 4 pounds is not considered as ultralight, at least not these days. The term lightweight is often clouded by manufacturers who claim that their tents really are lightweight when they’re not.

Many tents are not suitable for lightweight backpacking because they’re too heavy. Tent makers tend to focus less on the “lightweight” market because they perceive it as being too small. But all that is changing because of the increasing trend in ultralight backpacking.

The standard for “lightweight” vary whether it is double-walled, single-walled or floorless. Here I’m just going to cover three-season tents because in my opinion the extra weight that comes with four-season tents are almost always unnecessary. Lightweight two person tents can weigh as little as two pounds, some even less. When I say “weight”, I mean the whole weight of the tent including the poles and stakes. The “trail weight” you see on the labels usually don’t include at least the stakes.

Double-Wall Tents

The maximum weight for a lightweight, double-wall two person tent is currently 4 pounds for it to be considered as lightweight. If you want the lightest, there are tents in this category that weigh just a bit above two pounds (as light as some “lightweight” bivy sacks). The bulk of the weight saving, like in most tents, is from the fabric and design. Lightweight poles (and less number of poles) and stakes also helps. Most ultralight tents employ a one pole design.

“Lighter” almost always mean smaller and the lightest 2 person tents are small indeed. Even though a person taller than 6 feet can often fit inside, there won’t be much space inside and condensation, like in bivy sacks, is very likely. This problem is addressed by improved ventilation (that flows through the tent) like in some quality tents.

Quality and lightweight, of course, means a higher price.

Single-Wall Tents

The single-wall tent is one of the most recommended tent for lightweight backpacking. Now they’re even lighter and fits well in the ultra-light category. The maximum weight for a lightweight single-wall 2 person tent is 3 pounds. Currently the lightest in this category only weigh around 18 ounces. They’re lighter than most one person tents and even tarps. A tent like this would use a very thin fabric so special care might be a requirement.

Floorless Tents

This can be both double-walled and single walled tents. The absence of a floor reduces the weight of a tent significantly. The maximum weight for these tents to be considered lightweight is two pounds for a 2 person tent. As a substitute for the floor most ultralight hikers use a ground sheet which only weigh about 1 or 2 ounces and can be cut according to size. If you really want to backpack as light as possible, this is one of the best way to go.

Jonsky Sicuna is a writer for Hiking-Camping-World.com. He invites you to check out his video review on Nemo Nano 2 Person Tent and get them at Hiking Camping World.

[tags]2 person tent, two person tents, camping tents, camping, tents, lightweight, ultralight[/tags]

If you’ve additional time to spend with your family and you’ve little kids with you, camping is a extremely good option to make. Children and adult alike really love both adventurous activities and family gatherings. Camping could be the flawless family action you can plan for; it’s fun, cheap, and worth all the effort.

When it comes to the flawless camping, all you have to do is to prepare the things that you need. While preparing, you may want to keep your budget in mind so the family won’t feel any financial strain whatsoever. You may spend a little now and then except each penny spent will all be worth a smile and the echo of laughter. If you want the a lot out of your camping, there are a couple things you can prepare: Camping equipment and camping activities.

If have camping equipment stored somewhere around home, it’s a good sign that you could save more with the action. Since your budget is limited, buying recent stuff may not assist, instead it will only add no more than your burden in budgeting what your money can afford. There are a lot of options accessible if buying recent camping equipment is a strain. You could attempt to borrow from your friends or neighbors. If none of them has the required equipment, you could attempt to visit a few stores where you could rent a few camping materials rather than buying them.

If more severe comes to end, don’t lose hope. Gather the family and attempt to think of alternatives and be resourceful. The home is full of materials which you could replacement to the formal camping equipment. You just have to be creative. For instance, you could replacement big tarpaulins for tents. Camping isn’t a luxurious action after all. The main objective of the action is to experience recent things with the family gathered as one. Occasionally, the a lot important things around world can really come from things that are free.

Not like other usual activities, camping will explore the survival skills of anybody. You get to experience things varied from your usual chores. This is the right time to experience fun along with the habitat. The family could involve activities like swimming, fishing, boating, and creating camp fire. This is additionally the right moment where the family could bond together especially during the fun activities. Think ahead and pack the required things for your games or activities.

Camping equipment should consistently involve safety gears like flashlights, emergency light, bandages, and required medicines good for the whole family. Consistently assess the place where you would like to camp. Make sure that your family is safe to stay around place. Attempt to test the weather report since camping is much enjoyable with a fine weather. If a bad weather is expected for the day, it’s better to postpone the trip.

Make your next family camping trip absolutely perfect

[tags]camp, family, nature, hike, mountain[/tags]

Tents are available in various kinds of material that are suitable for different weather conditions. Fabrics can include cotton canvas, nylon, polyester and felt. Canvas can absorb water but it can also become very bulky once it takes in all the water. On the other hand polyester and nylon are lightweight and do not take in much water and so with the right kind of coating they can become completely waterproof. However as years pass by these fabrics tend to wear due to constant exposure to harsh UV rays. It is therefore necessary to see how much resistance each kind of tent fabric has against natural conditions such as the sunlight and rain.

Polyurethane is commonly used as a coating on nylon and polyester tents. The coatings are available with different resistance power and the strength of this resistance is generally measured in Hydrostatic Head. The more the Hydrostatic Head the greater will be the durability of the tent and the longer will its coating last. Resistance against rain is calculated in millimetres and the different levels indicate the force of water required to enter the fabric. A heavy down pour exerts more pressure as compared to a light shower.

If a fabric indicates a hydrostatic head of 1000mm, it can be classified as good enough for a light shower. A hydrostatic head of 1500mm in a tent fabric is appropriate for summer camps while 2000mm fabrics are durable for more weather types. Flysheets can be a good 5000mm and above while groundsheets can exceed this limit. A tent fabric with a hydrostatic head of 3000mm can be used for expeditions.

The other aspect that we must take into consideration while selecting a good quality tent is the sun protection factor. The sun protection factor or SPF shows how long you can expose yourself to the harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun. The greater the SPF number the more protection you have from the sun. Just as tent fabrics are checked for their water resistance, similarly they are marked for their UV protection, which is generally between SPF35 to SPF50. You can find tents with much higher SPF protection but that also means paying that bit extra.

However it is always more sensible to buy a tent that provides you the maximum SPF protection because you are outdoors for several days and need the best safety measures for your skin. Ultraviolet rays can be very harmful to your skin, so make sure that the tent you buy gives you a good amount of safety from the suns rays by blocking the rays from penetrating the tent fabric.

While your tent takes care of you, it is also required that you take equally good care of it. To ensure that it lasts longer after beating the extreme heat and heavy rainfall, you must take care that it is stored properly without too many bends and folds. The fabric can also show wear and tear if not cared for and these are clearly visible at the folds. So make sure you protect it as much as it protects you.

Find the best camping tents at www.tents.info

[tags]camping tents, tents for camping[/tags]

Wood camp stoves are a popular alternative to modern stoves like propane stoves and liquid fuel stoves. They’re very lightweight, cheap and you don’t need to buy the fuel because it burns on wood. This is also a limitation because you can’t use this type of stove where there is no wood around. However, when there’s plenty of wood around you can use this stove continuously for as long as you keep adding wood to it. It’s a very efficient trail stove.

A wood camp stove is simply a piece of metal that is cut and bent to form a chimney. It typically has small holes at the bottom and a large hole on top for the fire to vent when you put a pot on top. In some designs, the top holes are to one side only which causes the fire to burn unevenly. You also can’t control the fire like you could in a propane stove or liquid fuel stove because there’s no knob for you to control the fire.

Cooking with wood fire also means that you have to feed it with wood frequently. This also means that you might have to constantly attend to the fire to keep it going, making other chores difficult. Fires are also harder to start especially in the cold winds of winter. There will be a lot of smoke as you add wood which some may find annoying. Because they generate a lot of smoke and carbon dioxide cooking inside the tent in a fierce storm is out of the question. Although I’ve seen one that is so well designed that you don’t see any visible smoke when used to boil water and is made out of used tin cans. Another problem with wood stoves is that you can only use it where it is allowed to burn and collect wood.

In order to get a wood stove started you first need to have some tinder or you can whittle some wood with your pocket knife to make some fine material which is very flammable. You can also use other stuff as long as it is flammable.

Once you have a good amount of tinder ready, put the stove over the tinder and start to fill the stove with small pieces of wood. Twigs, branches or any wood that is less than a centimeter in diameter would work well. Try to lay your wood upright (or close to upright) so that the smoke a debris can move up the stove efficiently. Don’t use too much wood at the beginning because it might hinder air circulation inside the stove. The stove won’t burn well without the air.

Use a match or lighter to light the tinder to get the fire started. In a few moments you will have a fire going ready for cooking. You might have to blow into the stove if you use wet wood. Once the stove gets going, it will continue to burn until you stop putting wood in.

Place your pot on top of the stove to start cooking. The fire will exhaust itself through the big top hole of the stove. Add more pieces of wood if the fire starts to die out. It usually takes about 10 minutes to get water to a rolling boil.

Jonsky Sicuna is a writer for Hiking-Camping-World.com. He invites you to check out his article on propane stoves and also check out these reliable camp stoves.

[tags]camp stove, wood camp stoves, propane stove, camping, stoves[/tags]

Finding the right summer camp that incorporates your needs as a parent and the desires of your child is important. Most summer camps can accommodate many specific interests, but you still need to consult with your child to understand what their expectations are.

You both should be on the same page regarding what you expect to gain from the experience. Before you both decide though, it is important that you determine if your child has any physical, intellectual or social limitations.

When considering any summer camp program, the first thing you will need to learn about is the specific focus of the camp. There are so many specialized camps for kids so finding one that matches your child’s interests is important and should be relatively easy.

As well, you will want to know if the structural environment is desirable, what type of social interaction will occur and how much independence the children will be allowed. And will they allow your child to go at his or her own pace?

There are many different types of camps available, such as co-ed, all girls’ and all boys’ camps, as well as camps for siblings. Each of these types of camps can be further sub-categorized as general, academic, travel, sport camps and special needs.

Summer camp programs provide boarding, daily and evening activity programs and food. They can last for short to long periods of time; from one week to three months.

The cost of a summer camp program is another thing to consider. Keep in mind that there may be costs in addition to the basic camp fees that can include traveling to the site, extra entertainment costs and any additional, personal camp supplies that may be needed. For a parent who works, a summer one can be a great alternative to babysitters or a nanny, considering that your child will not be attending school at this time.

As for location of the camp, it is up to you how far away you will feel comfortable letting your child go. There are advantages in choosing a camp located in your state; the reasons being costs, accessibility and simply distance. Out-of-state summer camps may offer certain specialized programs and benefits that you cannot find locally.

There are summer camps that are academic in nature and are dedicated to specific areas of learning, as well as special needs camps for those who need special considerations. Those types of camps are specially designed to accommodate kids who are disabled, need special food or have diet requirements, have learning disabilities and more. Just keep in mind that a great summer camp experience can be a long-term investment that will affect many other areas of your child’s life in a positive way.

Discover more about the summer camps from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback at our youth summer camp blog.

[tags]the summer camp, summer camps, summer camp program, camps for kids, sport camps, camp supplies[/tags]

A lot of people can’t get to sleep without having a shower at the end of the day and now there’s little reason why you should abandon showering at camp. Most campgrounds have shower facilities or at least bathrooms for you to clean yourself but even without these facilities available, it’s important that you keep clean after a long day of strenuous outdoor activities like hiking.

Cleaning up is important because sweat and body fluids make insulation less effective, can cause skin problems and even attract insects or animals. If cleaning up is not at all possible, at least change into clean clothing before going to bed.

People who can’t stand to be without showers for more than 12 hours should stick with campgrounds that have shower facilities. Another alternative is to carry a camping shower together with a shower tent for privacy and wind protection. Some people still prefer using a combination of camping shower and shower tent even on campgrounds with showers available because there is usually no privacy when showering in public camps.

The portable camping shower is a simple yet wonderful invention that allows you to take showers just about anywhere (except on sub-zero climates where showers is synonymous with suicide). It consists of a shower bag, filled with water, which can be hung on a tree and a nozzle that acts like a shower with some sort of flow control. In most models, the water is heated up by the sun but this may be a problem on days when there is no sun.

A good solution is to use a camp shower that is gas or battery powered but there’s a problem of cost and weight. Weight may not be a problem if you’re car camping but backpackers would want to look for another way to heat up the water. Not a problem is you can build a fire or can use a camp stove to heat up water. The water doesn’t need to be really hot anyway. A battery powered camping shower is highly recommended for families because it allows for multiple users without having to wait too long for the water to heat up.

The problem with camping showers is that they hold a limited amount of water so you have to make it quick. You might have a problem with soap in your eyes the first time you use it but as you get used to using portable camp showers you’ll learn to be efficient in showering. Most shower bags can hold 5 gallons of water but some hold as little as 2.5 gallons. You might also want to practice using the portable shower at home.

Staying clean at camp will help you having a better camping experience and in most cases there is little reason for you to abandon this basic hygiene. There are a variety of camping showers available that would suit your needs. Some are even suitable for backpacking. If budget and weight is not an issue go for gas or battery powered showers. They generally weigh around 10 pounds and cost more than $100. However, in the summer when there is plenty of sunlight, a cheap solar powered camping shower is more than sufficient.

Jonsky Sicuna is a writer for Hiking-Camping-World.com. He invites you to check out the different camping shower models and recommends the Advanced Elements Backpacker Summer Shower.

[tags]camping shower, camp shower, camping portable shower, portable showers for camping, outdoor shower[/tags]

Waking up in the morning at camp and realizing that you have a bad back is not a pleasant experience. For people who have never slept on anything other than their bed, they may have a hard time getting any sleep at all. You can harden your body by sleeping on the floor at home before the trip or you can use a camping mattress.

When buying camping mats, the first thing you need to find out is what size you want it to be and this obviously depends on your height. Carrying an over-sized mat means more weight to carry and carrying one that is too small won’t do much good. Choose the type of camping mattress that suits the kind of activity you’re doing, whether car camping, camping at music festivals and so on. Weight is not an issue for car camping so you can choose a pad that is as comfortable as you want.

Sometimes you need to balance between weight and comfort especially when you are backpacking. The weight however can be well worth it if it helps you sleep well at night. It’s important that you get good sleep if you are backpacking because you need the energy for the following morning.

To keep you warm at night, a camping mattress provides a layer of insulation against the cold ground. Assuming that a camping mat is used, sleeping bag manufacturers determines the temperature rating. You can use some types of pads as a frame for your backpack.

There are two types of camping mats:

Foam Mattresses
Foam pads are the lightest (and cheapest) option. They can be as light as four ounces and usually not more than twelve. They’re not known for comfort but has the best warmth-to-weight ratio. The best about it is it’s puncture-free. You still have to check the sleeping area for sharp objects but you can rest assured that you won’t lose the cushioning and insulation in the middle of sleep.

Air Mattress
This is for those who need something much more than thin foam pads. It is very comfortable compared to foam mats but may not be suitable for backpacking because of its weight. The biggest disadvantage of this type of pad is that there’s a risk of it being punctured so it’s important to keep a repair kit handy.

Using Ground Sheets

A ground sheet is commonly used to keep dirt and moisture away from your sleeping bag and pad. To reduce the risk of punctures, use a highly durable ground sheet and make sure the area is clear of sharp objects. If you want to be as light as possible, you can skip the ground sheet and use a poncho instead.

Jonsky Sicuna is a writer for Hiking-Camping-World.com. He invites you to check out another article on camping mats and one on kids sleeping bags.

[tags]camping mattress, camping mat, pad, sleeping, camping, foam, inflatable[/tags]

As the summer is slowly getting into full swing and the days are brighter and longer, this is the perfect time to go camping. Before you go to grab your car and backpack there are a few things you need to check that you have ready for your summer camping. Here in this article we look at a few top tips of what to prepare with before you disappear into the wilderness.

Check your tent first, probably your most important part of equipment and whether it’s a simple two man tent or a huge house-like design. Erect the tent and check it for any tears, holes or any other signs of wear. Not only is it good to check that your tent is ready to protect you from the elements, it serves as a reminder of how to put the thing up! It’s a good idea also to leave it out in a night of rain as this is the best way to check that the seams are still water tight. If your tent is no longer worth keeping then its time to buy a new one, Millets offer a good range of competitively priced tents and you if catch the after Christmas sale then you may really pick up a bargain.

Next its time to prepare your clothes and boots, like the tent these probably all need a good clean and need checks for wear and tear. It is worth waterproofing some of your items because the weather can always be unpredictable and it’s better to be safe than wet! If you are looking for all types of clothing and equipment ideal for camping then Land Rover merchandise are usually really good. Land Rover merchandise sell clothing suitable for outdoors, quality drinking flasks and must haves such as mosquito candles.

It’s a good idea to check your sleeping bags and your backpack. Check both for splits and any seams that may have come undone. If you are getting older then looking into getting an air mattress as these can be far better on your back. Cotswold Outdoor sell both inflatable mattresses and foam mats at reasonable prices so you can find the perfect bed for your trip.

Finally it is worth looking at what there is you can purchase for your outdoor travels, Land Rover merchandise and Millets both have a great range of clever gadgets and lightweight accessories to keep your camping trip both comfortable and portable.

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in travel.
Find out more about Land Rover Merchandise and how The Gear Shop can prepare you for the great outdoors.

[tags]Land Rover Merchandise, Land Rover Accessories, Land Rover products, land Rover apparel[/tags]