Camps

Tips For Teenagers and Finding a Summer Camp

2006-06-24T23:20:00.000-07:00

Summer camp is a week's vacation ~ for teenagers and their parents! This can be a de-stressing time for both parties, even if you feel you didn't need it.

Fun activities, connecting with new peers and enjoying some structured independance are all benefits of summer camping for teens. Getting away from the daily grind of parenting an adolescent offers parents a little breathing room. There is only one problem that can occur that will take away your piece of mind, and therefore, only add stress while your teen is away.

You need to be comfortable with the camp your teenager is attending. If you still have unanswered questions after you have dropped off your teenager, they will plague you the whole week. You will lose any of the benefits that summer camp offers.

So follow these tips on getting your teenager in the right camp for your family and you will see that sometimes absence does make the heart grow fonder.

Use the internet to search out a camp.
Start here with my link library page of camp searches.

Ask the Right Questions

How long has the camp been running?

Is the camp accredited by the American Camping Association?

How long has the current staff been running this camp?

What are their qualifications?

How old are the counselors?

How old are the lifeguards? How are they choosen?

What will the typical day be like for my teen? Will they be doing diverse activities? Will they have down time?

When will they eat? What food choices do they have?

How is discipline handled?

How are emergencies handled?

What medical personnel are at camp? What are their qualifications?

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I have found lot of nice layout for teenagers using myspace.
Sources about.com
From Denise Witmer

Camping On A Budget

2006-05-19T22:44:00.000-07:00

Cheap Family Vacations

Does the cost of travel have you wondering if you can afford to take your family on a vacation this year? Then you might want to take your family on a camping trip. Campgrounds at state parks, national parks, national or state forests, and other public recreation areas make great destinations.

What can you expect at the campground?
It costs around $12-$25 to spend a night at these campgrounds, which is much less than the cost of a motel room these days. The parks are typically run by park rangers, who also provide security at the campgrounds. Each campsite will likely have a fire-pit, charcoal grill, and a picnic table. There will be an area to set up your tent, and a place to pull your car off the road. These parks usually have buildings that enclose bathrooms and showers. You'll also find drinking water available, places to do your dishes, and trash containers.Yes, there is some work to camping, but what a great way to involve thefamily in daily chores.

What recreation is available?
Most public parks have hiking trails, and many parks have lakes for fishing, boating, and swimming. Imagine the sight of your kids seeing a deer cross the path or a raccoon snooping through the campsite at night. There may also be a playground with swings, basketball courts, and other amenities. Also remember to bring along bikes, balls and gloves, board games, Frisbees, or any other favorite game or toy. There will be plenty of opportunities for the family to play together. Many state parks and other public parks offer nature programs for the kids, and some even show outside movies on weekends. Since most of these parks are located in remote areas away from city lights, they make great places to watch sunsets and to gaze at the stars at night.

What if I have no camping gear?
If this is your first time camping, you can gear up with the basics for under $600.

For a family of 4 I recommend a tent that sleeps 6. You'll appreciate the extra room that a 6-person tent provides. For some ideas, here are some
Family Tents for under $200.
Next you'll need sleeping bags. Since you're probably not camping in cold weather, consider a 3-season bag. These are still rated for 30 to 40 degree weather, and if they get too warm at night just unzip the zipper. Mom and dad might like the coziness of sleeping bags that zip together. Check out these
Sleeping Bags under $50.
For added comfort and insulation from the cold ground, you might consider putting a pad under your sleeping bag. You can find
Sleeping Pads from $10-$30.
Your campsite will likely have a charcoal grill, which is great for some cooking, but dishes that require a pot or skillet won't get all black if you have a propane camp stove. You can find a 2-burner propane stove for around $35-$80. The propane cylinders are $2-$3 dollars and will probably last a week. Check out these
Camp Stoves for ideas.
To keep drinks cold and food from perishing, you'll need a cooler. Pick a cooler large enough to accommodate your needs. Here are some ideas for
Coolers from $30-$100.

What if I do have camping gear?
Then you're ready for a really cheap vacation. All it will cost is campground fees, food, and gas.

A Few More Tips
Other items to take camping can be found at home or bought at the grocery store: pots and pans, cups and glasses, silverware, pillows, flashlights, extra batteries, and food. I'd also recommend a cheap tarp for around $10 to place under your tent. This will help protect your tent floor against tears and to prevent water from seeping into the tent in case of rain. I didn't recommend a lantern, because they get hot and attract bugs. Instead, buy a 9-volt battery lamp for around $10 and use it sparingly so that you can enjoy the night sky. Here's a little shopping tip: rather than shop online for your gear, save even more money by going to a local Wal-Mart or Target store. They have everything you need at the lowest prices.

The Bottom Line
Figure $600 for a one-time cost to buy new gear, $200 or less for campground fees for a week, and $200 for food, gas, and ice, and you've got a great vacation for a family of four. Once you've acquired your gear, each subsequent camping trip will be even cheaper. You'll add to your gear from time to time, and some items need replenishing. Conclusion: for economical and adventurous vacations, take your family camping.

By David Sweet
http://camping.about.com/

Campers Gear: Rain Gear

2006-05-19T22:35:00.000-07:00

If you spend enough time camping, sooner or later rain is going to dampen your campsite. Don't let it dampen your spirits too! Have you ever been caught in your tent during a rain and had to make a run for the truck to get something and you didn't have any rain gear handy? It may have been summer, and it may have been warm outside, but you still brought all those wet clothes and dampness back into the tent where it will eventually evaporate and later condense on the walls, run down to the floor, and gather in little puddles here and there. Not a comfortable situation. Some rain gear sure would have helped avoid this, huh?

So, what kind of rain gear are we talking? Not much, really. For the case of running to the truck in the rain, I find that one of those big golf umbrellas work great and you can leave it outside the tent when you return.

For running around the campsite doing chores, a cheap poncho works just fine. If you're into fishing, a little rain won't stop you; and you might prefer a rain suit, consisting of a jacket and pants, and possibly a rain hat, which is less constricting than a hooded jacket. If you're backpacking in rain country, you'll likely have an arsenal of rain gear which might include a rain jacket, rain pants, a rain hat, gaiters, and a backpack cover.

You don't need to spend a lot of money; but you can, if you're not careful. A Gore-Tex rain suit can run into hundreds of dollars. Two years ago I found a jacket marked half off at a local sporting goods store. Great deal for a Gore-Tex jacket at $75. I must admit, Gore-Tex does everything it says it does. But that's just one piece of my rain gear. I also carry one of those golf umbrellas in the back of the truck, and I have a cheap poncho tucked away in the camper as well as nylon rain pants with my fishing gear. I'm ready for just about anything.

The next time that dark clouds appear on the horizon, get out the rain gear. Don't let the rain dampen your camping spirits.

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By David Sweet
http://camping.about.com/

Setting Up A Campsite

2006-04-05T01:04:00.000-07:00

Setting Up A Campsite

Well this is a piece of advice to help you in Setting up the Campsite for you.

First find a Good Campgrounds for you.

Campgrounds must be your first concern.You could check here all the different Campgrounds in different states.It includes also maps for you to get in the location fast.
Everyone here dont want to waste time looking for the right Campgrounds.

Campgrounds should have everything you want.

Water source is needed to be checked first.This is the first to be consider
in choosing a campgrounds for you and your company.
Water is the major source that we need in cooking, drinking and cleaning some stuff and yourself.You can join an online community to ask some campers who have been on the campground you want to go.You could ask i.e. "Is the water here is appropriate for a group of # campers in this x campgrounds?"You also want to know if the campgrounds has the facility for cooking.Facility here means a place where the cooking will take place.You must cook on a flat area and not near your tent.So a crowded campgrounds in a certain place is not an advisable to go to.

Dont setup your tent in the slope.You dont want to put yourself
in rolling position while sleeping.But look for relatively high ground.
This is a piece of an advice of from an experienced camper to have a harmonious camping.I have a bad dream about this rolling position.When I wake up I find myself on the bottom of the Campgrounds where I've built my tent.

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By: Marvin Arceo

Tips On Free And Low Cost RV Camping

2006-03-16T00:06:00.001-08:00

Travel on the open road in an RV or motorhome can be very inexpensive to be sure, but there are some costs associated with it though. For those that travel on a budget, the challenge is to minimize those costs as much as possible. One way to really keep costs down is to carefully select the places that you choose to stay overnight.

There are several ways to find low-cost and even no cost places to stay in your RV travels, and here are some tips that you can use to help lower your overall camping expenses.

If you stay in a full-service RV park or campground you can expect to pay top dollar for everything that they offer, especially if it is conveniently located to a large city and a major highway. You can realize real savings though if you choose to stay instead at parks that have less hookups and facilities, or are located farther out in the country, off the beaten path. Sometimes the daily rates can be considerably lower at these types of campgrounds, so before you come into an area, use a campground directory like Trailer Life or Woodall's to help you find those RV park sites that have lowered rates, instead of the most popular campgrounds that have easy access.

For even lower nightly rates, consider staying in a state park or recreation area. Quite often you can get a spot here that will be very inexpensive although you probably won't find much in the way of hookups beyond just the basics, and that's OK if your primary goal is just to save money at this point.

If you really want to save the most money though, consider staying for free on federal BLM(Bureau of Land Management) land, or in a national park. If there is no charge at all, you can expect no hookups and amenities at all, but if your RV or motorhome is equipped with solar panels and has an efficient power system you may be able to stay for several days here at minimal cost to you.

Two things to keep in mind about staying in free federal campgrounds though is that the roads that you must travel to access them can be difficult for some RVs, so you will need to check beforehand to make sure that your motorhome can safely negotiate the trip, and also that national parks can often be very crowded, especially if it's a top rated park in the height of vacation season.

For low-cost and no-cost overnight stays you will need to spend more time and research as such accommodations are not easily and readily available. But if you plan your travels carefully and well in advance you can lower your RVing costs considerably.

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by Jim Johnson

Camping Lesson Number One: Preparation is Key

2006-03-09T20:05:00.000-08:00

Camping is your chance to get away from your daily duties and spend a little time relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. For most, it takes a little preparation to get there, but the rewards outweigh the work. The following tips from camping experts Kampgrounds of America will ensure that you'll be spending more time unwinding than hunting down forgotten items.

Before you hit the road remember to do a full check on your vehicle. Take a minute to walk around and look for leaks, flat tires, or anything that may cause a problem down the road. It's not a bad idea to check the oil or test your battery ahead of time. Doing a routine check now can save you from being stranded later.

Sit down and make a list of the things that you will need during your stay. If you are planning on cooking from your campsite make sure to bring either coals or a gas stove, cookware, plates, silverware, cups, napkins and extra garbage sacks to store trash. If you are taking perishable items with you, keep them in airtight containers that are out of reach from nature's critters. Something to hold water in may come in handy if you need to clean or wipe off dirty items. Make sure to bring a can opener, waterproof matches and duct tape for repairs. Stock up on plastic zipper-lock bags which can be used to repackage food from bulky containers, store dirty silverware, transport wet swimsuits or loose items. You can also use the bags to store pre-measured portions of laundry detergent, or to separate toiletries from clothing items in your luggage. If you are transporting fragile items, consider rolling them up in a sleeping bag.

Lay out everything that you are taking with you before you begin packing up your vehicle. It's much easier to see all that you're up against, rather than just throwing things in and running out of room later. For those that do not already own their own camping equipment, you might want to try renting before purchasing. That way you know what you need the next time you go and can make room for it.

Plastic shower curtains or a tarp can come in handy in case it rains or the ground is wet. Both can be used as ground covers under a tent and carpet remnants make great sleeping pads. You can also bring along extra sheets to line sleeping bags to help keep the bags clean. And for those sticky zippers, remember that silicone or wax can help get them unstuck.

If you are planning on staying at a campground, make reservations ahead of time. Kampgrounds of America,Inc. offers a Web site (www.koa.com) and toll-free numbers that allow you to make reservations in advance. These campgrounds are great for new campers, or for those who enjoy extra amenities such as hot showers. They supply bathroom facilities, so you may want to bring along a backpack or something to carry toiletries to and from the showers.

Arrive at your campground as early in the day as possible to allow enough daylight time for settling in, exploring and greeting your neighbors. Keep campfires small, and trade fireside tales. And remember to extinguish all fires before turning in. Finally after your stay is over, take a few minutes to double check that your area is free from garbage and that you have not left anything behind.

More great travel tips can be found in the KOA Directory Road Atlas and Kampground Guide, available at any KOA Kampground, or on-line at www.koa.com. Courtesy of ARA Content, www.aracontent.com