We purchased a 12" cast iron dutch oven. The cooking possibilites have so far been endless. Main courses, side dishes and the greatest desserts. When everyone else is eating hot dogs, we are enjoying lasagna, chicken parmesan, pork roasts....and the yummy desserts....and clean up is just a wipe out of the pan. It cant be beat!
Submitted By: D. Capron
While hiking, my kids and I pick up fallen pine cones. We bring them home and dry them in the oven if needed. Then we use old or leftover candles to coat the pine cones. We do this by simply melting the wax in a small pot on the stove and dipping the pine cones in the wax. We then set them on wax paper to dry. These pine cones smell great and are a great way to start a camp fire.
Submitted By: Sarah Zellmer
I put the fixings for each indiviual meal into a plastic grocery bag and pack them in the cooler according to when I will use them. If I am going for the weekend I pack Sundays meals first (on bottom), then Saturday, then Friday(on top). Pack something easy for the first night. My favorite first night meal is prepared potato salad, chips, and grilled chicken. When packing the cooler simply open a bag of chicken breasts, dump in the marinade of your choice, seal the bag, and pack in the cooler. When it's time for dinner all you have to do is cook the chicken on the grill, set out plates, forks, and enjoy!
Submitted By: Amy Costa
Camping is one of the most affordable travel options for consumers, and short camping trips can be a great way to relax with the family. As the popularity of camping is increasing, many people are considering visiting a local park, but are unsure of packing and driving to a park for just a short getaway. The reality is that many parks are located within just an hour or two driving distance of your community. These beautiful local Parks and campgrounds will help you unwind after a long week at the office, and further provide a unique opportunity to truly connect with your family. Tips to getting a great site: Reserve your site for a weekday, such as Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. If you can plan to take a few days off, you will have a much better chance of finding that perfect site when you book a weekday camping trip. Plan and reserve in advance. Many people plan their vacation time far in advance. When you plan and reserve your camping trips in advance, you will have a much better selection of campsites, and will not have to worry about not finding a campsite in the busy season. Finding a local park The Internet provides the easiest way to search and book a campsite, as you can simply enter your location and review all of the parks in your area. A great resource for finding and booking a reservation is ReserveAmerica (www.ReserveAmerica.com). ReserveAmerica, the #1 access point for outdoor recreation, has over 100,000 campsites and cabins to choose from. One great feature on the web site is the "My Reservations" tool, where you can review your current and past reservations, as well as search, plan and book more exciting outdoor trips. Packing is not a problem Planning is the key to getting your vehicle loaded and ready, so you can spend your time relaxing and enjoying the beautiful park surroundings. Most camping equipment is compact and very durable, giving you more space in your trunk or roof rack. Using a checklist is important to ensure you don't forget any items you will need at your campsite. ReserveAmerica provides a (Camping Checklist) that you can print and take on your trip. Review the list of items before you hit the open road, and you will have an exciting weekend in the great outdoors! Let's Go Camping!
When building a campfire, ensure you only use the park provided fire pit. Most major parks have designated areas that have been carefully selected for campfire's and are strictly enforced for safety reasons. If you are backcountry camping or the park you are staying at does not have a designated campfire pit, choose a location that does not have any overhanging branches. You will then need to dig a shallow hole in the dirt, surround the pit with medium sized rocks and clear the surrounding area of dry leaves. Always keep your tent, food shelter and overhanging tarps at least 10 feet or three metres away from the campfire location to avoid sparks from causing damage.
Many parks sell wood and kindling on - site, and prefer that you do not gather sticks from your surrounding campsite. These branches and logs are a vital part of the park's ecosystem, so always check with the park office regarding their policies. It is always a great idea to keep a bucket of water near the fire to control the fire if strong winds approach and to completely extinguish the fire before sleeping or leaving the campsite. Do not use sand or dirt, as that will not extinguish the fire, but will actually leave the coals burning for many hours.
Building the fire:
Great campfires incorporate three parts:
The most popular building style is the Teepee Campfire. Simply place your tinder (crumpled newspaper or fire starter candle) in the center of the campfire pit, surround with kindling and logs in a teepee shape. The other popular building style is the Crisscross Campfire. Place your tinder in the center of the campfire pit, and in a crisscross format, build a layer of kindling. Finish with a few small logs on top, and simply add more logs as needed. The crisscross style campfire is easy to maintain for longer periods, whereas the Teepee style is better for cooking as it provides a central and fast burning heat source.
* Always comply with your campground rules regarding campfire safety.
If you are an experienced camper, you may remember back on your first camping trip when the raccoons got into your food. Raccoons and many other animals will be visiting your campsite while you are sleeping or off on a hike, so you need to safeguard your campsite. This can be a very unpleasant situation if you are not prepared, as you are left without food and will have a big mess to clean up. In addition, raccoons will sometimes fight over food they find, making it hard for you and other visitors to sleep. Many people leave their cooler or food box out at night and learn to regret it later that night or upon returning from a hike or swim. Raccoons are very smart animals and have learned all the tricks of the trade from the many previous campers who visited the park. Before you go to sleep or leave your campsite make sure you do the following: Clear your picnic table of all food items (Snacks, condiments and spices) Clean all dishes in your dishwashing tub, ensure no food traces are left Bring your garbage bag to the park's enclosed bin; do not leave around the campsite. (The scent alone will bring many visitors) Place your cooler and food container in your vehicle. Tricks like placing heavy items on top of the cooler or food box will not work Never keep food in your tent. Most tents are made of very thin materials and are no match for a raccoons teeth and claws. You should always read the park provided materials or speak with the park management regarding such issues, as some parks will have unique guidelines regarding garbage and local wildlife.
It is going to be that season again! We have put together a few tips so that you can avoid bugs when camping.
Stay away from wet, grassy areas
Avoid using fragrant or scented personal products
Wear light colored long sleeve shirts and pants
Wear a hat and a bandana on your head and neck
Keep cool - bugs are attracted to sweat
Traditional bug repellent - most contain DEET as the active ingredient against bugs. Use this sparingly. This chemical may be harmful and should not be used on children
Sunscreen/insect repellant - this may have a lower concentration of DEET
Citronella candles and oil - helps keep mosquitoes out of the area
Head Nets - keeps bugs away from your head and face
Garlic - it will secrete through your pores
Zinc or Vitamin B - also secretes through your pores
Citrus - deters the bugs
Coconut soap and coconut oil - repels mosquitoes
Ever pack your tent away in the basement or attic after a camping trip even when still wet or damp? Well, you will most likely find a rather unpleasant odor the next time you take it out for a camping adventure. Below are some tips to help prevent this from happening.
Always set - up your tent to dry when you return home.
If it was raining or damp while you were camping, always set - up your tent in your backyard or other area to completely dry out. It may be raining or damp when you are packing your vehicle to return home, and you must let your gear dry out to remain in good condition for future trips.
Use appropriate storage units to store your gear - protect your gear!
When stowing your camping gear away ensure that you use storage units that will help protect them from damage. Using plastic bags over camp chairs and tables will help prevent damage and there are also some helpful products that you can purchase such as Space Bags. Space Bags can store bedding, cushions, clothing, gear, and emergency supplies in vacuum - sealed bag. For more information or to purchase, go to www.SpaceBags.com
Use a simple solution to clean and remove mold
If you do have mold or mildew on your tent or gear, use a simple solution to handle the problem. Start by brushing off any collected mold or mildew when outdoors to not have it within your house. Then, just clean thoroughly with this simple homemade solution.
Cleaning solution:
1 cup of lemon juice
1 cup of salt
1 gallon of warm water
When you have cleaned out your tent or other gear with this solution, ensure that you leave it out to dry completely. When dry, your gear should be clean and free of unpleasant odors. If not, repeat process or use a fungicide for extreme situations.
One of the number one contributors to mold and mildew build up in your RV is due to long-term storage. As you would at home it's always good to air it out every now and again. After all nobody likes stuffy rooms! Follow these three steps to avoid mold and mildew build-up in your RV; Inspection Look for mold in moist places such as sinks, showers, toilets, vents, storage compartments etc. Be sure to inspect all around the edging. Fix Be sure to fix or repair all leaks, damaged caulking and molding and any other item you inspected that showed early signs of mold. Exterminate You can exterminate and treat mold with mold & mildew cleaners. You can purchase your preferred brand retail or make your own. Some home remedies that have proven successful are; tea tree oil diluted in water, borax and water etc.
First things first! Locate and access your battery. Please be sure you are checking the 12-volt DC battery and not something connected to the 120-volt AC power supply. Begin running checks on all batteries in your vehicle and keep a record of the results. Remove all batterry tops. A RV battery tends to outlast at least 2-3 car batteries. So make sure you check accordingly.
This requires only a little math and a realistic assessment of how much power you actually use. The formula for computing amp hours is the number of hours multiplied by the number of amps used per hour. For example, one light uses 1.5 amps x 6 hours = 9.0 amps per hour and your television uses 1.4 amps x 3 hours = 4.2 amps per hour.
It's common for RVers to encounter stagnant water system problems, which occurs when you haven't frequented your RV for some time. This will happen to every RVer at some point and is easily detectable and should be taken care of correctly. The need for sanitizing will become apparent due to the following characteristics: - Omit an odor - Stale taste To prevent and maintain freshness in your RV water supply be sure to use the appropriate sanitizing products sold by your preferred local or online RV retailer. How to choose the right product for you? There are many products readily available and it is up to you to select the one most fitting. Majority of water system sanitizers come in the form of a liquid and are easy to use. Just mix a pre-measured amount according to the directions into your water system and you have fresh water; in most cases no drainage is required. It can also come in the form of a quick-dissolving tab that is simply dropped into your water system. This method is very quick and no measuring is required just follow the directions. Other methods have been used over the years that have proved useful, such as using household bleach to sanitize your water system. If you select this method please be sure to use 1 fl. oz. per every 8 gallons of water and drain appropriately, once you can no longer smell the bleach the sanitizing process is complete.
We went camping and forgot the graham crackers for our smores. So we used iced oatmeal & oatmeal chocolate chip cookies instead and now it has become a tradition when we take the girls camping. They won't eat them any other way now and they are great.
Submitted By: Missy Sweeton-Guillory
Take plastic milk jugs, quart size works best, and rinse them out. Fill the jugs close to the top, leaving some space for them to thaw while camping. Freeze them, and when ready to leave, pack them in your cooler to keep food cold. They tend to keep longer than bagged ice. Mine lasted for 3 days still frozen solid.
Submitted By: Heather King
We save our "empty" full size tissue boxes. When we go on a trip we just drop all of our receipts and paperwork in the tissue box. At the end of the trip we have our papers organized. We also save the "empty" small square tissue boxes. We use them to store plastic grocery bags; or we use them as small waste baskets in the bathroom and then just throw them away when we leave for home.
Submitted By: Nadine Olthaus
Save those potato chip cans. When you are packing your camping gear use them to store your sharp knives, serving utensils, hot pads and barrettes, clips and hair bands in it. This keeps everything neat and tidy, so you always know where they are at all times.
Submitted By: Merry J. Penn
Twice-baked potatoes which are prepared prior to your trip, wrapped in foil, and then frozen, will keep your cooler cold; they act as ice packs. When you're ready to eat them, just toss them into the coals of your campfire.
Submitted By: Margie Winn
On a camping trip in the past I noticed that we were missing an ingredient needed for a meal and then we noticed that we didn't have another for another meal the next day. I used MS Excel when we returned to make a check list with check boxes that has some of our favorite camp meals.
All we need to do is select the meals that we want to eat in advance and add them to the list. We print the list and make sure we have all the ingredients needed. If not we can use the list to speed up shopping. Lists can be done for some of your gear, clothing or anything else that you might want to take along with you.
The best part of using excel, for example, is that you can save the lists for future camping trips and have to only make minor adjustments.
Submitted By: Jacob Rashford
We put one of those woven grass mats in front of the tent entrance, when we go in most of the dirt stays out side plus we use the tarp on the tent floor on the inside and out.
Submitted By: Mary Gessner
Often we go camping with other families and to make the cooking easier we do a sign up sheet before hand for all the meals so everyone doesn't have to cook every day.
For example, we're going camping for a week with three other families so instead of having to cook twice a day for the whole week for just us, we split it up and only have to cook four times for everybody. We also do a cook your own steaks meal on arrival day to avoid cooking a big meal after setting up camp.
The last meal of the trip we usually have a leftover potluck. This system works great for us and frees up a lot of time for everybody!
Submitted By: Kevin Kovars
Use a one gallon jug and a nail. If you are really roughing it, fill a milk jug with water and tie it to a tree by the handle upright. Put a nail in the bottom of the jug. The jug should have a cap on it. When you want to wash your hands, loosen the cap, pull the nail and you have a stream of water. When your done, replace the nail and tighten the cap.
Submitted By: Pete Queen
I use stackable vegetable containers (with the front cutouts) for our clothes. Each person gets a container. They stack in the corner of the tent for easy retrieval of clothes. It comes with a top so you can use it as a night stand also.
Submitted By: Sharon Lusk
We always rake (in a circle) around the fire pit/camp fire area as the very last thing we do before departure. It leaves a nice manicured look. We have had several camp hosts complement us on how good the site looks.
Submitted By: Bill Carl
This one is easy. All you need is a pen and a piece of paper. When your trip is over and you are packed and ready to go, take a moment and pen a short note to the next camper. I have received a few of these and left a few myself. You can tell the new camper about a few things of interest you discovered while there and you can wish them a great time all in just a few short lines.
Submitted By: Rena Walls
To keep pesky woodland critters out of your campsite kitchen, store your gear, pots, utensils, packaged foods and anything else in large plastic storage boxes and secure them to a picnic table or other sturdy structure with a heavy duty bungee cord. Not only does this keep out the raccoons and their assorted colleagues, but it also keeps the contents of the boxes dry from the morning dew or rain and provides a handy way to transport goods from the car to camp and back.
Submitted By: Susan Moor
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
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
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
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
Put aluminum foil everywhere inside a carboard box that is 2 foot square along inside walls cut a hole at the bottom of box. Get charcoal nice and white then place about 6 of them in the middle of the hole this will get the inside the box around 350 degrees. I always use a meat thermometer so I can control the temperature. I cooked frozen pizzas this way i even baked cakes this way while camping primitive. It freaks people out when you can bake a cake or roast when the thermometer temperature stays around 350 degrees when it starts dropping temperature add couple coals to bring it back up.
Submitted By: Lloyd Zaucha
Use a large plastic hanger, the traditional triangular shape, cut through center at bottom, spring open and insert paper towel roll. Hang from tree limb or other readily available place near table and cooking area. Convenient, inexpensive and not apt to hit the ground. Want to leave it hang for the trips duration, simple take a plastic grocery bag and run the hanger top throuogh a small hole in the bottom of the bag and when you are done using it for the day, pull the bag down over the towel to keep it clean and dry.(may want to put a piece of tape around the hole to keep it small and leak proof.) Instead of one, buy two of the rectangular plastic table clothes for the park service picnic tables, lay them back to back and put four grommets down each side. Use short bungee cords from one side to the other and no more blowing table cloth and double the life by reversing it regularly.
Submitted By: Sandy Dodson
Forget poisonous sprays that bring on Asthma attacks and worse! Brew up a batch of this every few weeks and put it in a spray bottle. you can get it in your eyes and breathe it and spray it on the dog or little ones with reckless abandon!
-1 cup fresh/dried Feverfew
-1 cup fresh/dried Catnip
-1 cup fresh/dried Wormwood
Bring 8 cups water to full rolling boil & pour over herbs. Allow to steep for 30 minutes. Press, strain & repeat in same container. Enjoy.
Submitted By: Chris Vogel
After many years of Tent camping, we have always put a tarp under the tent to help protect it. However, now we have learned not only to put an older tarp under it, but to keep a nice tarp for the inside of the tent. The one we have is close to the size of the tent. This serves as a protectant for the floor and most importantly is fast to clean when packing up. All of the dirt comes out with it. This means no sweeping (if any)When packing up. It also gives the feeling of wall to wall carpet while camping. Why didn't someone tell me this years ago?
Submitted By: Jeff Gillespie
Camping is one of the most affordable travel options for consumers, and short camping trips can be a great way to relax with the family. As the popularity of camping is increasing, many people are considering visiting a local park, but are unsure of packing and driving to a park for just a short getaway. The reality is that many parks are located within just an hour or two driving distance of your community. These beautiful local Parks and campgrounds will help you unwind after a long week at the office, and further provide a unique opportunity to truly connect with your family. Tips to getting a great site: Reserve your site for a weekday, such as Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. If you can plan to take a few days off, you will have a much better chance of finding that perfect site when you book a weekday camping trip. Plan and reserve in advance. Many people plan their vacation time far in advance. When you plan and reserve your camping trips in advance, you will have a much better selection of campsites, and will not have to worry about not finding a campsite in the busy season. Finding a local park The Internet provides the easiest way to search and book a campsite, as you can simply enter your location and review all of the parks in your area. A great resource for finding and booking a reservation is ReserveAmerica (www.ReserveAmerica.com). ReserveAmerica, the #1 access point for outdoor recreation, has over 100,000 campsites and cabins to choose from. One great feature on the web site is the "My Reservations" tool, where you can review your current and past reservations, as well as search, plan and book more exciting outdoor trips. Packing is not a problem Planning is the key to getting your vehicle loaded and ready, so you can spend your time relaxing and enjoying the beautiful park surroundings. Most camping equipment is compact and very durable, giving you more space in your trunk or roof rack. Using a checklist is important to ensure you don't forget any items you will need at your campsite. ReserveAmerica provides a (Camping Checklist) that you can print and take on your trip. Review the list of items before you hit the open road, and you will have an exciting weekend in the great outdoors! Let's Go Camping!
Ice can get expensive, especially on a fishing/camping trip. We learned a trick a long time ago from an old guy we met. We were on a long fishing/camping trip and had caught a lot of trout. It was very hot and we were going through ice like it was going out of style. This nice old guy saw us purchasing about 10 bags and asked why we were getting so many. We told him and he said "Oh, I guess only us old folks know the trick". He took a cup, filled it with ice and took out some salt. He poured the salt over the ice and before our eyes we saw all the cubes become one. We were impressed. \ \ He went with us to our fish coolers and had us take everything out. We then layered ice with fish and salted each layer. It created one big ice cube with fish inside. I don't think we had to buy ice for that cooler for the rest of the trip....simply amazing!
Submitted By: Jami Murrain
Plan a backyard campout before you go for the first time with your children. Teach your children how to set up a tent in the backyard Try some simple outdoor cooking like s'mores and hot dogs Stay overnight in your backyard to get them prepared for the campground Give lessons on how to use a lantern, cooler, and other equipment Prepare some late night snacks for the tent or campfire. Bond with your children in the great outdoors Get them familiar with the outdoors in order to eliminate any fears Teach them about safety and to respect nature Camp chores are fun for kids. They love collecting firewood, filling water containers and hammering in tent pegs Have contests for gathering the most kindling, best camp cooking, most organized tent, fastest clean - up etc Visit the park nature center and learn about local wildlife Take an evening walk and listen to the sounds and look up at the stars
I put the fixings for each indiviual meal into a plastic grocery bag and pack them in the cooler according to when I will use them. If I am going for the weekend I pack Sundays meals first (on bottom), then Saturday, then Friday(on top). Pack something easy for the first night. My favorite first night meal is prepared potato salad, chips, and grilled chicken. When packing the cooler simply open a bag of chicken breasts, dump in the marinade of your choice, seal the bag, and pack in the cooler. When it's time for dinner all you have to do is cook the chicken on the grill, set out plates, forks, and enjoy!
Submitted By: Amy Costa
If you are an experienced camper, you may remember back on your first camping trip when the raccoons got into your food. Raccoons and many other animals will be visiting your campsite while you are sleeping or off on a hike, so you need to safeguard your campsite. This can be a very unpleasant situation if you are not prepared, as you are left without food and will have a big mess to clean up. In addition, raccoons will sometimes fight over food they find, making it hard for you and other visitors to sleep. Many people leave their cooler or food box out at night and learn to regret it later that night or upon returning from a hike or swim. Raccoons are very smart animals and have learned all the tricks of the trade from the many previous campers who visited the park. Before you go to sleep or leave your campsite make sure you do the following: Clear your picnic table of all food items (Snacks, condiments and spices) Clean all dishes in your dishwashing tub, ensure no food traces are left Bring your garbage bag to the park's enclosed bin; do not leave around the campsite. (The scent alone will bring many visitors) Place your cooler and food container in your vehicle. Tricks like placing heavy items on top of the cooler or food box will not work Never keep food in your tent. Most tents are made of very thin materials and are no match for a raccoons teeth and claws. You should always read the park provided materials or speak with the park management regarding such issues, as some parks will have unique guidelines regarding garbage and local wildlife.
While hiking, my kids and I pick up fallen pine cones. We bring them home and dry them in the oven if needed. Then we use old or leftover candles to coat the pine cones. We do this by simply melting the wax in a small pot on the stove and dipping the pine cones in the wax. We then set them on wax paper to dry. These pine cones smell great and are a great way to start a camp fire.
Submitted By: Sarah Zellmer
When building a campfire, ensure you only use the park provided fire pit. Most major parks have designated areas that have been carefully selected for campfire's and are strictly enforced for safety reasons. If you are backcountry camping or the park you are staying at does not have a designated campfire pit, choose a location that does not have any overhanging branches. You will then need to dig a shallow hole in the dirt, surround the pit with medium sized rocks and clear the surrounding area of dry leaves. Always keep your tent, food shelter and overhanging tarps at least 10 feet or three metres away from the campfire location to avoid sparks from causing damage.
Many parks sell wood and kindling on - site, and prefer that you do not gather sticks from your surrounding campsite. These branches and logs are a vital part of the park's ecosystem, so always check with the park office regarding their policies. It is always a great idea to keep a bucket of water near the fire to control the fire if strong winds approach and to completely extinguish the fire before sleeping or leaving the campsite. Do not use sand or dirt, as that will not extinguish the fire, but will actually leave the coals burning for many hours.
Building the fire:
Great campfires incorporate three parts:
The most popular building style is the Teepee Campfire. Simply place your tinder (crumpled newspaper or fire starter candle) in the center of the campfire pit, surround with kindling and logs in a teepee shape. The other popular building style is the Crisscross Campfire. Place your tinder in the center of the campfire pit, and in a crisscross format, build a layer of kindling. Finish with a few small logs on top, and simply add more logs as needed. The crisscross style campfire is easy to maintain for longer periods, whereas the Teepee style is better for cooking as it provides a central and fast burning heat source.
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Here's a tip I picked up from my tree-planter daughter: Pack all your camping gear in big, sturdy plastic totes. At the end of the season I clean and repack all my gear and stash it in the tote. On the lid I stick a ziplock bag with a detailed list of all the contents written clearly on a card inside. \ I can see what's inside at a glance--and I know it's clean and ready to go. It's good way to ensure I don't forget anything, and if I want to go camping on impulse I just grab the tote, pick up my tent and go.
Submitted By: Juliet Gill
We all love S’mores. I like to wrap them up for the kids individually in foil and then cook them on the campfire for just a bit until the chocolate and marshmallow melt. The kids still melt marshmallows, this just saves from having a sticky mess on the table in the dark or having your s’more break while trying to eat them.
Submitted By: Nancy Low
We have been camping with our son, now 15, since he was about 2. Most of our trips are with other family members who also have children. Since the weather is sometimes unpredictable and we prefer campgrounds that are a little more remote, (Our favorites are Sampson on Seneca Lake, NY and Long Point on Chaumont Bay, NY) I keep a small cupboard with rainy day activities. I watch for sales at a craft store for canvas tote bags, t shirts, fabric paints, craft kits, beads, etc. Kids and adults alike enjoy the finished products. We let the kids go crazy with the shirts, they end up wild; fluorescent paints are great at campgrounds at night. One year I bought small glass containers and we decorated with fabric paint, buttons, and wooden decorations, marked them as "camping coin" and the kids use them for money to play video games at the campground activity room. The craft cupboard in our camper is a hit with all kids passing by!
Submitted By: Karen Newton
We never camp, especially if there is a beach involved, without a huge container of "baby cornstarch powder". We sprinkle it on the mat outside and inside the tent to remove sand from the bottoms of our feet so it doesn't make it into the sleeping bags. We also keep some in the car in order to keep sand from taking over the floor. It also works to get sand out of your kid's scalp and your baby's diaper area.
Submitted By: Karen Hoffman
Prepare your camping meals in advance or use those leftovers for those weekend outings. Make your meals in advance, seal them - using a “Food Saver” vacuum sealer and freeze them. Your frozen meals will last up to four to six months. I will buy specialty cuts of meats when they are on sale, marinate them, seal them, freeze them and enjoy tender flavorful steaks, chops, teriyaki chicken and green onion, pepper and mushroom burgers camping. Soups are also great, but the favorite is my smoked pork butt and baked beans. I have smoked approx forty pounds of ribs and pork butt already this winter. Cutting my portions for camping, I then seal and freeze them. I bring a pot of water to a boil and drop the whole sealer bag into the water, let cook for about twenty to thirty minutes and the meat is tender, flavorful and moist. Freezing your meals also cuts down on ice needed in your coolers and the meals laying flat, stacks nicely, plus you don’t have much of a mess. The sealer also works great for protecting your first aid kits and clothing if you’re into canoeing or kayaking, like we are.
Submitted By: Craig Phinney
Keep a small set of wind chimes in the camper. When you set up camp, place the chimes outside near your bedroom window. Crack your window, if the wind gets up during the night, the chimes will wake you so you can take action BEFORE the awning gets damaged.
Submitted By: Henry Donald
Whenever we go camping, one of our evening meals is always steak, baked potatoes and a veggie. To make things go faster, I always precook the potatoes at home in the microwave. I then wrap them in heavy duty foil and put them in a ziplock bag for travel in the cooler. You simply reheat them on the grill or on the coals with the steak. This makes dinner go faster when you've lost track of time. I always make extra for fried potatoes for breakfast as well.
Submitted By: Joni Hally
Write down a menu of what you will be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner while camping. This way, you will take only the food you need. You will also remember everything needed to prepare. Lists are also good for clothes too. You will have everything you need without over packing and save you a lot of room!
Submitted By: Denise Gallucci
We like to keep a camping log on every camping trip. We start out with recording the time and mileage when we start our trip and when we arrive to the site. I usually include a description of the campsite and what we liked or disliked about it. I do pencil drawings of something of interest. This helps when we decide to go on our next camping trip!
Submitted By: Joyce Johnson
Melt down every bit and piece of old candles you have, even the really good smelling ones. Next take lint from the dryer and spread them on to an old cookie sheet. Pour the melted wax on the lint. When it dries out, cut or slice into square pieces to be used as fire starters for your next campfire. They burn for hours!
Submitted By: Sue Nelson
Most of us check our lights on our campers every time we hook-up, but most people do not check their brake controllers. I make it a habit to activate the brake controller, by using the emergency handle or button, just as soon as I put my tow vehicle in gear. When the tow vehicle starts rolling, I activate the controller to make certain the brakes are working properly. This way there are no surprises! Happy Camping!
Submitted By: Henry Donald
