One week in January, the Sierra Club focused on winter camping. The three tips were to make your layers eco-friendly, build a snow shelter, and recycle your fuel canisters. All three are wonderful tips that we can all incorporate into our camping routine – whether its winter camping or not.

Our favorite tip was the recycling of fuel canisters. This one is so easy – we should all be carrying the fuel canisters out of the campsite anyway! In the summer, cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches or small pizzas are easy camp food to make and eat. In the winter, however, we need heartier food to stay warm, which requires more fuel. This makes the winter the ideal time to start recycling all those empty canisters.

Unsure of how to recycle fuel canisters? First, make sure they are totally empty. Buy a puncture tool and drain off the residual fuel. Then crush it like a can. A large rock can be a great aide for this. Crush the cans as you camp and store them together in a bag in your backpack. When you get back home, simply take them to the recycling center or put them with the rest of your aluminum pick-up recycling – they recycle just like a Coke can.

What’s your greatest tip or trick for being more eco-friendly while camping?

While their work is incredibly important, it is frequently a behind-the-scenes effort that draws little attention. With the exception of monument visitors or camping enthusiasts, few people really see or realize the fruits of the NPS’s labor.

Due to the six months of Occupy protests, the NPS has been brought into a greater spotlight. Many of the Occupy protests have and are taking place on federal land – federal land that is managed by the NPS. It is because of this that Washington D.C. protestors, NPS, and camping garnered a bit more media attention lately.

The Occupy DC movement has been taking place in McPherson Square. The NPS refused to evict the camping protestors from the federal land. Why? Eviction would be a violation of the First Amendment.

“The core of [Occupy DC’s] First Amendment activity is that they occupy the site,” explained NPS director Jonathan Jarvis. If you need a brief history lesson, the actual text of the First Amendment reads:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Jarvis is saying that occupying – or camping – is central to the movement and to the “right of the people peaceably to assemble.”

Due to a congressional hearing at the end of January, protestors have, however, now been evicted.

This leaves us with a thoughtful question. Is your right to camp a First Amendment right? Let us know what you think.

The Queen of England agreed yesterday to allow Windsor Great Park to serve as a campsite during the 2012 Olympics. William built the Conqueror Windsor Castle in the 11th century. The green space that makes up the Windsor Great Park was meant to supply the King’s court with deer, boar, fish, and woods.

Stretching south from Windsor Castle, through the Great Park and to a statue of King George III, is the Long Walk. The campsite is located here, beside the Long Walk.

The thrill of camping in the Queen’s backyard is not the only appeal of this campsite. On site catering is also offered, as well as see theatrical performances The Pantaloons, an open-air theatre group.

The campsite is within 2 miles of Eton Dorney Lake, the site of all rowing and flat water canoeing and kayaking Olympic competitions.

For any camping lover who enjoys traveling to new camping destination, this is a great opportunity. Take a summer camping trip, pitch your tent here in the English countryside, and enjoy the outdoor activities of the area – you don’t even need to attend the Olympics.

If you just thought to yourself, “obviously,” then you already knew that it was Valentine’s Day. However, if you are feeling a bit panicky and have a special someone in your life, then it’s time to lean on our shoulder. Lost in the Woods is here to help you plan a romantic Valentine’s evening for your favorite camping partner.

Choose your destination
Is there a camping destination you have both been dying to try? Stop dragging your hiking boots through the mud and make the plans. Book the plane tickets; reserve a camping site – whatever it takes to make that camping trip happen in the near future. Since you two have talked about going to the camping destination together, it will be meaningful to your Valentine that you thought about those conversations (you were listening!) and made plans to go together.

Get the gift
Your Valentine’s gift should be some new piece of camping gear. While something like a camping tent is not your normal romantic gift, tonight it will be part of a large romantic plan – and that will be very much appreciated!

Set the mood
Unless you live in the tropical areas, the weather outside is just not optimal for a romantic camping trip tonight. This works in your favor, since you can plan the trip for later. However, you can still have a camp out in your house, even if you don’t sleep in the tent! Set your camping gear up inside – if you have a fireplace, then that is a great location to set up “camp.” Put a bow on the present, so your sweetie can recognize it as the present immediately even if it’s opened and in use. Put a card with it and, inside, write about how you “cannot wait to use the new piece of equipment on your big trip to” wherever you have planned to go!

Make gourmet camp food
To continue the theme, make camp food for your Valentine’s dinner. If you’re good with the Dutch oven, then you know how to fix nice food, anyway, so this should not be a struggle! Cook some nice filets and open a bottle of wine while you snuggle in front of the fire in your camping chairs.

Travois were primarily used by the Plains Native Americans to drag loads over snow. Although infrequently used anymore, the Boy Scouts are still taught how to build one, typically so they can carry hurt Scouts. In knowing how to construct a travois, Shelley’s kids have a great skill!

26 of you sent in pictures for this contest, and we want to think each of you for the great thing you’re doing: taking kids camping! Whether in Scouts or just as a family activity, camping is a wonderful way to teach children life skills and help them develop a love of the outdoors. Thank you for sharing your pictures with the Camping Gear Outlet and Lost in the Woods community!

We have created a Facebook photo album entitled “Scouting Skills Pictures” so you can easily view all of the fabulous pictures we received over the last two weeks. Go check it out!

When you take your kids camping, what is your biggest worry? That they will get scared at night? That they won’t be able to sleep on the ground?

Or does it have something to do with feeding them? Since many kids are picky eaters, this makes sense. It can be hard enough to feed them when you have all the amenities of a fully stocked kitchen, much less are at a campsite.

What you need is a go-to recipe that is hearty and flavorful, but is easy to pack. Most importantly, you want something that the kids can help with and will appeal to most everyone – this last bit is especially important if you have a full Scout troop on a trip.

I took this recipe from Giada De Laurentiis and adapted it for Dutch oven cooking. It will still taste like a rustic, gourmet Italian meal that all the Scouts can enjoy, but it’s unbelievably easy and also simply doubled!

Packing your food well is key to making sure it’s safe to eat and has not exploded in a pack. With this recipe, pack the chicken in a cooler. If you want to chop the garlic and onion in advance, store them together in a plastic bag and also put them in the cooler. The flour, salt, and pepper can go in one gallon-sized Ziploc bag. I like to pack my oil, herbs, and spices in travel-sized medicine bottles for camping. For this recipe, the oregano, rosemary, and thyme can be in one medicine bottle, while the basil can go in another. The rest of your ingredients are canned or bottled, so they’ll pack safely.

Regarding the wine in the recipe: the alcohol will, of course, burn off in the cooking so it’s no problem to serve to the children. Look for small cooking bottles of wine at your store; the plastic bottles come in 4-packs and each bottle contains one cup, which is perfect for this. If you’d rather leave the wine out, just substitute equal amounts chicken broth.

Chicken Cacciatore
Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis

3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
¼ cup flour
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
3 tbs olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
¾ cup dry white wine
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes with juice
¾ cup canned chicken broth
1 ½ tsp dried oregano
1 ½ tsp dried rosemary
1 ½ tsp dried thyme
2 tbs dried basil

Add oil to your 12” Dutch oven and preheat it to 350°. While that is heating up, prepare the chicken for browning. Place chicken in the Zip-lock bag of flour, salt and pepper. Seal the bag tightly and shake so that the chicken gets fully coated.

Using tongs, lay the chicken flat on the bottom of the Dutch oven. If it does not all fit, brown in batches. Cook for 5 minutes on each side, and then transfer the chicken to a plate.

Add the onion and garlic and sauté for until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the wine – or ¾ cup of the chicken broth if you are substituting – and simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juice, the chicken broth, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. Return the chicken to the Dutch oven and turn to fully coat in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer and continue to cook until the chicken is done, about 30 minutes.

Remove the chicken with tongs and put on individual plates. If you want a thicker sauce, let it boil for a few minutes longer. Then, spoon the sauce on top of chicken, sprinkle with a pinch of basil, and enjoy!

With younger Scouts heading into the woods for the first time, it is a good idea to assimilate to the darkness. By developing nighttime ears, eyes, and noses, Scouts will more easily be able to use real outdoors skills. Here are a few traditional Scouting night games to get the young Scouts adjusted.

Creeping Scouts
To help Scouts develop their nighttime eyes so they can distinguish shadows and colors, try playing the Creeping Scouts game. All Scouts start this game with three “lives.” Choose a Scout as the “seeker” and have the Scoutmaster stand with him to be the umpire of the game. The seeker should stand in a large field or another space that has a good amount of open space; the other Scouts run away in any direction they like.

After a set amount of time, the Scoutmaster should blow his whistle; this is the signal for all the “hiders” to slowly begin to creep closer to the “seeker.” When the seeker thinks he sees someone, he points to the spot and the Scoutmaster goes and checks. If someone is there, they must come in and sit next to the seeker or forfeit a life and go back in the field to begin creeping closer again. If no one is there, the seeker loses a life. When the seeker loses all of his lives, a new seeker is chosen; when a hider loses his life, he comes and sits next to the seeker.

Tick, Tock
If a Scout can distinguish even the faintest of sounds in the woods, it could mean the difference in life or death. To start developing night ears, play the Tick, Tock game, which encourages scouts to listen for quiet sounds – like the ticking of a clock.

Begin with the Scoutmaster inside a tent and all the Scouts in a circle outside. The Scoutmaster should make different noises that a Scout might hear in the woods, like crunch leaves or tap a fork on a tin bowl. Start with a few practice rounds. Then, the Scoutmaster can make a series of noises. The Scout who can identify the source of each noise, in order, gets to be the new noisemaker.

Master Scout’s Nose
Correct identification of plants is important in both the day and nighttime if a Scout is in a survival situation and needs food! However, a lost Scout may be able to discover information about where he is at night. Master Scout’s Nose challenges Scouts to correctly identify natural objects simply by their scent.

To play, the Scoutmaster should collect a number of objects from around the campsite, and store them in brown paper lunch bags. Include things like herbs, old ash, wildflowers, and moss. Scouts can smell in each bag and try to guess what is inside. The Scout who gets the most correct has the Master Scout’s Nose!

Parents know that kids inevitably change your life. For that new dad, it was time for his sports car to be retired. For the camper and hiker, your tent is going to see less use. Camping with a newborn just doesn’t seem like a good idea, does it? However, camping can be great for young kids because it gives you the chance to teach life skills and spend time together as a family. You just have to know when it’s time to start.

Ease the kids into the idea
Do not expect to your child to simply dive into an overnight trip and have it go well. Ease him into the experience. Start with a day trip to a park or pretty campground. Choose a place where he can explore and play and get accustomed to the wilderness. A short hike will also help. Car camping should be the next step, because your child will not have to carry anything or hike – plus, the car is nearby if you need a quick escape. When you graduate to other camping, go slowly.

Be realistic
The key to a successful trip is being realistic. Your young one cannot hike as far as you. The entire timing of your trip will also change, as your child’s natural curiosity will slow you down on the trail or while setting up the camp. If your child does not like to be outside for a long time, wait. Let the daytrips you take to ease him into camping act as a gauge for when he is ready to spend the night outside.

Be excited and exciting
If you went camping as a kid, were a Scout, or went to camp, you know how important a great counselor or trip leader is! An incredibly enthusiastic adult figure can keep kids excited to be outdoors even if they are scared or uncertain. Have games and activities planned for the whole family and include your child in the entire camping process so he is truly learning.

Go with a guide
If you are not totally comfortable bringing your kid camping but think he is ready, go with a guide. This could be a more experienced camper or an actual guide. A really great idea is to join the Scouts. Kids can join Brownies or Cub Scouts at 6 years old and, often, you can join on the camping trips.

Picnic Backpack
Rest assured your romantic Valentine’s Day will be continued at your next camping trip if you have a new picnic backpack to take along. One of you can carry the camping gear in a standard camping backpack, while the other can tote a sampling of cheese, some chilled wine, and something delightful for dinner. It will all be perfectly ready to be eaten once you’ve set up camp!

Double folding chair
Your next camping trip will get an added hint of amore when you have this double folding chair. With its two connected chairs, you can sit in comfort, close to your Valentine, and watch the sun set over your campsite. Bonus: the sturdy table that connects your two chairs will be perfect to hold that bottle of wine you brought along in your picnic backpack.  

Dutch Oven
Any camping trip can be romantic if you have the tools to cook a nice meal. A Dutch oven is the first step to cooking fancy meals over a campfire. Pack nice filets and all the ingredients for baked potatoes in your cooler. Using their new present, your Valentine can cook a romantic meal of steak and potatoes right at your campsite!

Picnic Blanket
A picnic blanket is an instant improvement to a campsite. With a waterproof backing, a picnic blanket can turn a muddy forest floor into a cozy place to curl up in front of a fire or enjoy a snack along the trail.

Two Person Tent
The gift of a two-person tent will make sure your Valentine knows you’re ready to cuddle up. A tent is also a great gift if the two of you have only considered camping, but never laced up your hiking shoes. This will give you a push to get going and spend a night or two in nature.

And remember: Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be just for the couples. If you have a hiking or climbing club, do a Valentine’s take on Secret Santa (Clandestine Cupid?). The rules are simple: get together with your friend in advance, set a price limit, and draw names from a hat. On Valentine’s Day, take a nice hike together and exchange your camping presents!

The boys made it through the frosty night with the aid of heavily-insulated sleeping bags, toasty handwarmers and other accoutrements of the cold, in addition to grit and determination.  But what about if you don’t have the boundless energy of a 10-year-old to keep you warm?  Here are a couple solid tips for keeping the cold at bay next time you’re camping out on a frosty winter night.

Wear Layers

The best technique for keeping warm in cold weather is to dress in numerous layers.  You’ll want to start with a dry layer (also called a wicking layer) and then cover that with a layer that provides insulation, such as a fleece camping jacket.  Lastly, toss on a shell that will prevent you from getting wet in nasty conditions.

It’s also important to have a pair of thermal, dry socks and a warm beanie or hat to sleep in.

Max out on Padding

If it’s frosty outside, you’ll likely want at least two forms of padding (such as an air mattress or waterproof blanket) between you and the ground.  Consider heeding this advice even if you’re simply sitting down for a second, by sticking a pack or other barrier between you and the ground.

Drink Lots of Fluids

Cold weather can be just as dehydrating as extreme heat, which is why it’s important to drink plenty of water.  You might also enjoy a little hot cocoa before bed to warm you up.

Grub Down

Did you know the process of eating actually warms you up?  Keep a snack at your side during the night and munch away if you get chilly.

Do you have any more tips on how to stay warm while camping in the cold?  If so, please let us know in the comment section below.