The Camping Club

Ultimate™ Xtreme® Marine Coolers

Want to save time and money? Want to reduce the need to replenish your cooler with ice? Then look no further. Coleman has added a new Marine Cooler to their Ultimate™ Xtreme® line.

The new Marine Coolers are a great option for campers these high performance coolers keep food and drinks cold for days on end, even in hot weather, due to the thick insulated lids with tight-fit closure.

The Marine Cooler offers the longest ice retention on the market. There are three versions of this cooler, allowing you to select the best fit for you. The 50-qt wheeled cooler, 58-qt chest, and the 82-qt chest. The white exteriors contain extra UV protection, premium coated hardware, and convenient cutting boards.

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Making Long Time Friends

When we are camping we like to fish. A great way to meet the new camp site neighbors is to offer them some fish. This is a great way of introducing yourself and we sometimes end up making long time friends.

Submitted By: Al Figone

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Spider Dog

Your hotdog will open up like a spider!

Prep Time: 5 min
Servings: 1

Ingredients:
1 package of bun length hot dogs
1 stick

Directions:

1. Take a bun length hot dog and cut X's into each end, leaving about 2-3 inches in the middle of the hot dog for the stick.
2. Place the hot dog on a stick and cook over campfire, or place on a grill.

The ends open up and look like a spider!

Submitted By: Heather King

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Perfect Treehouse

For kids, building a tree house can become an obsession. A private place to call their own, a high perch from which to watch the world, who can blame them?

Obviously, building a tree house is no small task--it must be done right for safety sake, and so you don't create an eyesore in your backyard. Hint: If you don't have much building experience, find a friend or family member who is handy, and willing to lend a weekend of his or her time. And then you must have a good stout tree with branches that spread in a V-shape, and is located away from power lines, the street, and other potential dangers. Before you start on a design, go to a building supply store to find out how much all of the materials will cost. Listed below are the materials needed and the estimated cost that we came up with (prices vary according to location and store).

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We got Married!

Our favorite site is Hurkey Creek Campground. We loved it so much, we got married there this April. Our kids were the best man, ring bearer and flower girl. It was a small gathering, but even the rangers congratulated us. We camped and fished all week and left before the influx of people on the weekend. We had a great time cooking and enjoying the outdoors.
Submitted By: DiAnne Thrush

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CW Gear Deluxe BBQ Tool Set

Outdoor grilling just got easier! Are you looking for that perfect utensil for barbequing outdoors? Well look no further we have the perfect item for you. Try Camping World's Deluxe Barbeque Tool Set.

The Deluxe Barbeque Tool Set includes 18 utensils and is bound to satisfy all your cooking needs. You'll never go looking again. The set includes a stainless steel knife, fork, tongs and spatula, 8 corn cob holders, 4 skewers, basting brush and grill brush/scraper. This convenient 18-piece set comes with a durable hard-shell case making it easy for storage and transportation. All for the low price of $22.49.

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Leave no Trace

It is very important that each of us do our bit to make sure we leave nothing behind to detract from the experience of those who follow.

With so many folks using and enjoying the outdoors, it is very important that each of us do our bit to make sure we leave nothing behind to detract from the experience of those who follow. To that end, I practice the "Leave No Trace" credo. After I have packed my camp, but before I leave the site, I take a few minutes to reflect on the experience, think about what I might have done differently, what I may have forgotten or had that I didn't need, etc. During my reflections, I also take a last look around to make sure the site is preferably better than I found it.

Submitted By: Bruce Van Deuson

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Hash Brown Casserole

This great meal can be cooked over a campfire or in the oven.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Servings: up to 8

Ingredients:
2 pounds of hash browns (frozen hash browns thawed)
1/16 ounce sour cream 
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/4 - 1/2 cup green onions (chopped)
1 stick butter
2 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1 can French fried (grated) onions   

Directions:

1. Put uncooked hash brown potatoes in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Melt butter and add onions, sour cream, soup, 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
3. Mix together well. 
4. Pour into oiled Dutch oven; put fried onions in a ring around the top and fill the center with cheese.
5. Hang dutch oven on a medium high hook over low fire (about 12 inches above the highest flame) and bake for 45 minutes, or until hash browns are completely warm and cheese melts.
6. If you are trailer camping and have an oven: place mixture in a 9x13 inch baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

Submitted By: Donald

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Stick Art

To make a winsome window decoration, take up a collection of natural beauties -- leaves, grass, flower petals, and ferns work well -- and help your child arrange them on the sticky side of a piece of clear Con-Tact paper. (You may want to tape down the Con-Tact paper to keep it from moving.) When he's done, place a second piece sticky-side down on top of the objects and press to seal it. Trim the edges (we cut ours into a circle), punch a hole in the top, and hang it in a window with a short length of ribbon. Be sure to check out our other nature-craft ideas for your toddler.

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Tin Foil Hats

During a camping trip to Woods Canyon Lake last year with my parents and my brother's family, we got this crazy idea to create tinfoil helmets like the ones we saw in the movie "Signs". Needless to say we got a little carried away.  We spent the rest of the afternoon trying to act serious while other campers passed by and then laughing at the expression on their faces.
Submitted By: Colleen Roque

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CW Gear Solar Shower

Did you ever wish you could have a warm shower when camping outdoors? Then you're in for a treat with this innovative invention! Great for you and the whole family.

The CW Gear® Solar Shower is convenient and holds up to five gallons of water. The non- toxic PVC Solar Shower absorbs sunlight and warms your water. Along with the bag comes a flexible shower hose with a removable on/off spigot. It also includes a cord for hanging.

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Solar Lights

Purchase a couple of solar lights that have rechargeable batteries. (The kind you would use around the house for pathways, driveways, etc). Place them by you RV steps or outside your tent. They will give off enough light for you see, but they aren’t too bright to disturb your neighbors or others camping nearby.

Submitted By: Warren Brelsford

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Tacos in a Bag

Our seven little grandsons enjoy having this when we go camping as a family!

Prep Time: 10 min
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
Lunch Bag size bag of Doritos or Fritos
Ground Beef
Powdered taco mix
¼ chopped onion
2 cups of shredded lettuce
8 oz of shredded cheese
1-2 chopped tomato
1 chopped green pepper
Sour Crème – if desired

Directions:
Lunch bag sized Doritos or Fritos- about 10 \ 1 lb.
Prepare taco mix according to instructions and mix ground beef
Put all the ingredients on a separate tray
Scoop the ingredients you would like into your bag
Combine ingredients with the Doritos
Eat with a spoon or fork

Submitted By: Nadine Houghton

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Friendship Bracelets

In the summer, kids aren't simply best friends, they're inseparable. To prove to each other that their bond will last even past the start of the school year, your child and her pal can fill up their arms with a batch of friendship bracelets.

To make each bracelet, gather six 24-inch strands of embroidery thread.

1. Hold the strands together with the ends matched up, then tie an overhand knot 1 inch from an end. Tape the knot to a tabletop or anchor it in a closed drawer. Holding the free end, twist the bunch repeatedly in the same direction until it is tightly wound.

2. Pinch the twisted band in the center and fold it in half so that the free end matches up with the knotted end. Release the center--the band will automatically twist back on itself.

3. Slip the ends through the loop (the pinch point) at the opposite end of the band, tie a knot to secure the bracelet, knot again and trim the ends.

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Camping at any Age

My parents used to camping a lot but due to their age, they can not go now on their own. They have mentioned several times to us their children they would like to go. I come from a family of six girls. In July my husband and I told my parents we would go with them. We took my moms wheel chair and walker, and my dad took his cane. We reserved sites back to back and they had the best three days of camping in a long time. They now want to go again. They are both 83 years old. I’m hoping we can do it again next year!
Submitted By: Sheryl Gillette

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LOWA Sandals

Women's Bali

The Bali Lady sport sandal in ultra-comfortable and its primary use is for rugged terrain. Featuring snap fasteners at the instep; and an adjustable fastener at the heel and toe, mesh padding and soft insole are some of the many benefits offered!

Men's Waikiki
Try this high performance sports sandal for maximum comfort! With a unique strap system keeping feet stationary for hot weather hiking and water sports. The men's Waikiki features a toe adjustment, instep and heel straps and contains a rubber sole with an EVA midsole.

 

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Soap to Wash Hands

Use an old pair of panty hose or knee highs and bar of soap-cut off the hose about 1 and half feet-put a bar of soap in the foot of hose and then tie it onto the outside faucet-let it hang down about 6 inches-always got clean bar of soap to wash hands with out worrying about dropping soap on ground. It works well with children.

Submitted By: Beverly Phillips

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Chicken & Rice

Everyone always loves this meal when we go camping in groups.

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Ingredients:
1 package of whole cut chicken
1 bottle of Italian dressing
Steamed Rice

Directions:

1. Pour Italian dressing in a bowl
2. Cut chicken and place in the bowl and let sit for at least 5-6 minutes (overnight is always better)
3. Place over the grill
4. Make sure both sides are cooked
5. Serve over steamed rice

Submitted By: Nena Fallon

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Waterplay: Underwater Scope

Most of the really cool stuff that lives underwater is too small, too slimy and too delicate to capture alive—or to capture at all. This easy-to-make underwater scope makes catching the little critters irrelevant. Poke it in the water and look through for a clear, enlarged view of life beneath the surface. In creeks and streams, that might mean the creepy nymphs and insects that attach themselves to rocks (neat!); in the pool, that might mean your dad's hairy toes (yuck!).

DIRECTIONS: You'll need a food storage tub with a snap-on lid (like the kind yogurt comes in) and some plastic wrap. Cut off the tub's bottom and cut the center out of the tub's lid so that only the rim remains. Stretch the plastic wrap over the tub's top and snap the rim over it to secure it in place. Insert the plastic wrapped end into the water and look through the top.

WHY IT WORKS: When you stick the scope into the water, the water pressure pushes the plastic wrap into a concave magnifying lens.

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My Son and I love to Camp!

We recently stayed at 1000 Trails Resort, Whaler's Rest. We had such a great time crabbing and going to the aquarium. The beach was beautiful also! My 15 year old son and I love camping. We like it all from roughing it with minimal luxuries to the resort style with a pool and clubhouse activities. It's all good - mainly because we always meet such wonderful people that love camping and the outdoors also!
Submitted By: Kara Adams

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CW Gear Blue Ridge Sleeping Bag

Sleep comfortably and stay warm with this specially designed sleeping bag for both indoor and outdoor use. If you prefer to sleep under the stars or inside your RV, this mid-weight sleeping bag is your answer to a comfortable night's sleep. This sleeping bag is ideal for +40 degrees F. The outer shell and inner liner are 190 thread count polyester, filled with 3 lbs. of polyester fiber for extra comfort and warmth. It includes a polyester carry bag for convenient and easy traveling.

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