Nothing beats a good book and some quality time together.

Whats better than reading your favorite story characters go camping while you’re camping too? Nothing I can think of…. If you are camping with young kids bring along some of these great camping stories for kids to get them enthused about trying the new things that come with camping. Just like their favorite book characters did!

These books will bring a bit of familiarity to the whole camping experience and your kids will be able to relate better to the things around them. It’s fun when you know that “Curious George” goes camping too! But you don’t just have to read these camping stories while camping, you can read them any day to either bring back your child’s camping memories or just go on a camping adventure with your favorite character where ever you are.

A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee

– Chris Van Dusen
For Ages 4 and up. – Mr. Magee and his trusty dog, Dee, are enjoying a peaceful camping trip when all of a sudden they find themselves plunging down a mountain and teetering on the edge of a huge waterfall! How will they find their way out of this slippery situation?

“I don’t know who likes this book best, my 2 1/2 year old, my 5 year old, or me”

Chris Van Dusen, the creator of Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee, has filled this new adventure with charming illustrations and a playful, rhyming text. A fun read-aloud for children (and adults!) on campouts or snuggling at home!

Find out more

Curious George Goes Camping

-Margret & H.A. Rey’s
For Ages 4 and up – George and the man with the yellow hat are going camping! George tries to be helpful, but after he upsets a neighboring camper, he is chased into the woods and gets lost. Before long, an encounter with a cute forest creature throws George into a chain of outrageous events that allows him to find a way to be helpful after all. This book is a fun adventure and is packed full of great colour illustrations. Curious George is a classic character that you can’t help but love! I know I love this mischievous monkey!

Find out more

Just Camping Out

– Mercer Mayer
For Ages 1 and up – A brother and sister spend the night in a tent in the backyard–well, some of the night. One of the many books in the Critter series, great for younger children.

“I just love the Mercer Mayer books, the kids and grandkids love this camping out book”

This book is full of colourful pictures, is a nice easy read and one that all kids can relate to.

Find out more

S is for S’mores: A Camping Alphabet

– Helen Foster James
For Ages 4 and up. – From what to pack, where to go, and what to do when you get there, S is for Smores: A Camping Alphabet takes readers on an A-Z trail exploring this outdoor pastime. “This amazing book can be read in two ways: as a poetry alphabet book with gorgeous accompanying illustrations and/or by reading the information side bars that extend the experience with scientific and historical facts”. “James uses each letter to highlight a different aspect of the camping experience, including animal tracks, fire safety, navigation and snow shelters. The enthusiastic approach and diverse information will excite children about camping and help them feel comfortable whether they find themselves sleeping in the backyard or the backcountry.” Note: This book is more of an instruction book on camping instead of a child’s camping alphabet book.

Find out more

Amelia Bedilia Goes Camping

– Peggy Parish
For Ages 4 and up – Amelia Bedelia has never been camping in the great outdoors before. She’s trying her best to do exactly as she’s told, but pitching a tent is not the same as throwing it into the bushes, and catching a fish with your bare hands isn’t easy. As usual, the mixed-up housekeeper makes this camping trip one hugely entertaining adventure.

“This book keeps the children’s attention and give them a laugh”

This is a great book for young children. There is no bad language just good, clean reading. It’s funny and amusing and will keep your children laughing.

Find out more

The Berenstain Bears Go To Camp

– Stan & Jan Berenstain
For Ages 2 and up – It is the summer holidays and Brother and Sister bear find that they can’t find anything to do. Mama suggests sending them each day to a local Day Camp where there are lots of different activities for cubs. Brother and Sister get to try new things and find that the summer can be a lot of fun.

“Sharing this book with your kids can definitely help to ease some of the pre-camp jitters”

“The Berenstain Bears Go To Camp” is a worthwhile addition to your Berenstain Bears library and highly recommended for kids who may be going off to camp or spending time away from home for the first time.

Find out more

So whether you’re getting them ready to go camping or just getting them ready for bed, your kids are sure to love these great camping classics!

Can you recommend any other Camping Stories for Kids?

If it’s an old time classic you liked or books your kids now are loving. Let us know of any other camping stories for kids in the comment box below and share the joy with other campers.

Author: Kaitlyn
(The CampTrip Team)

Kick back, relax and share some stories around the campfire

What is one of your favorite camping activities? Mine has got to be sitting around the campfire, and I’m sure I’m not alone on that. There is nothing better than cozening up around a blaring campfire with the ones you love while roasting hot dogs, marshmallows and sharing great stories. This campfire time is a great opportunity to talk and share with your kids. But if you want to add to the excitement why not bring in some campfire stories for kids!

The Kids Campfire Book: Official Book of Campfire Fun

– Jane Drake & Ann Love

For Ages 9 and up – Whether readers are novice or experienced campers, the information presented in this in-depth exploration of camping will make their next excursions into the woods enjoyable, successful, and safe. A wide variety of pertinent topics is included: how to select the right wood for the specific type of fire that is being built; recipes for food to cook over an open fire; games to play; songs, complete with the music and lyrics, to sing; ghost stories for spine-tingling telling; helpful hints for interacting–or not–with wildlife and insects; guides to viewing the night sky; and the appropriate gear for sleeping under the stars.

“I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has children. This book has given me so many ideas that I know my son will not be bored”.

Black-and-white illustrations are scattered throughout the lively, readable text. Similar in format to books in the Brown Paper Schoolbook series, this extensive guidebook will entice young readers to pack up their camping equipment, gather up their friends, and head for the nearest campground–even if it is only the backyard.

Find out more

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

– Alvin Schwartz
For Ages 9 and up – This book is just perfect! These 29 stories run from the funny to the downright frightening. As an added bonus, one of these 29 is actually a song (The Hearse Song), and one is an activity (The Dead Man’s Brains).

“The Greatest Childrens Horror Series of all Time!”

This is a great book, with a lot of really great stories. If you want some scary stories for younger listeners, then I highly recommend that you get this book!

Find out more

Campfire Ghost Stories

– Jo-Anne Christensen
This entertaining collection of great campfire ghost stories, whether read alone or aloud, is sure to raise the hair on the back of your neck. This book includes some scary urban legends but mostly new and original spooky stories. These stories would be perfect for a sleep over party or while sitting around a campfire.

“This is one of the best collections of scary stories I have ever owned”

Beware, some of these stories may be too scary for very young children but are sure to entertain the children who are looking for a suspenseful story.

Find out more

They’re Coming For You: Scary Stories that Scream to be Read

– O. Penn-Coughin

For Ages 9 and up. – This is a chilling collection of 27 scary stories sure to give you chicken skin and leave you screaming for more. Or just screaming. This macabre mix of howls, humor, horror, and haunting illustrations is a must have for anyone who loves to be scared.

“The Most Popular Book in the Library”

“Take the warning seriously… This book is NOT for wimps! “I have seen the face of horror, and its name is O. Penn-Coughin.”

Find out more

Campfire Stories: Things That
go Bump in the Night

– William Foregy
For Ages 8 and up – Original and classic stories of adventure, ghosts, and all the things that you must worry about the next time you hear something go bump in the night. Each story has been chosen to be especially easy to tell from memory. This book is particularly good for a younger audience but you must be the judge of your own child’s discretion. This book also offers a great section on how to tell your own ghost stories. It gives tips on how to tell stories and at the end of each story, there is a review of the story in point form so you don’t have to read them to your audience. You can actually “tell” them the story.

Find out more

Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems

– Kristine O’Connell George
For Ages 4 and up. – George has penned 30 sublimely simple poems that capture the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations of a family’s camping trip, from pitching the tent to pulling up stakes and returning home.

“I like the poetry itself for its imagery and emotional value. They are short, sweet and to the point, but very meaningful”

All of the selections convey a child-focused sense of wonder as the campers explore the lakefront and surrounding terrain, enjoy the marvels of the natural world, relish meals round the campfire, and toast marshmallows.

Find out more

The Kids Book of the Night Sky

– Jane Drake & Ann Love
For Ages 9 and up – Using a lively combination of clearly written text, myths and legends, jokes, and activities, the authors present an excellent introduction to the many wonders of the night sky throughout the seasons. The sun, the moon and its phases, and eclipses are clearly explained and brief information about the planets’ surfaces, paths, temperatures, and levels of brightness rounds out the text. Step-by-step directions for making a planisphere, sighting tube, star clock, constellation candles and flashcards, and moon cookies are clearly written and illustrated.

“Great for explaining the night sky on a level kids can enjoy. I would highly recommend it”

There is a wide variance in the difficulty of the projects; some definitely require adult guidance or supervision while others can be done independently by eight- or nine-year-olds. Younger children will enjoy hearing the stories and being guided in their gazing. The short legends and myths from a variety of cultures are well told; each story’s origins are identified.

Find out more

So next time you go camping, go prepared with some exciting and/or spooky stories to keep everyone around the campfire hanging on your every word.

Do you Know any Good Campfire Stories for Kids?

Have you been told a scary campfire story? Do you know a good story you tell your kids or a story book you read to them? Let us know about any other campfire stories for kids below and share the fun with the community. We would love to hear from you.

Author: Kaitlyn
(The CampTrip Team)

Get outdoors and spend some quality time with your kids

Planning on going camping with kids? Do you want to brush up or learn how to make your camping trip with kids go as smoothly as possible? If so, here is a great list of camping guide books for parents I’ve found to help you make your and your kids camping experience a success!

Babes in the Woods: Hiking, Camping & Boating With Babies and Young Children

– Jennifer Aist
Babes in the Woods introduces outdoorsy moms and dads to the joy and vigor of taking babies and toddlers into the woods at a very early age. Well-organized chapters offer functional solutions for appropriate gear, clothing, and food, nature games to play, and tips on potty breaks and sleeping outdoors–but most importantly, Aist explores all the reasons why introducing even the youngest of children to wilderness experiences is healthy, rewarding, and fun.

“Valuable Advice and Resource for Active Parents”

Whether planning a short day hike, a car camping trip, a base camp adventure, or a backpacking excursion, Aist covers every season and climate, while confirming that babies are well-suited for the mountains, the water, and the adventures that lie beyond.

Find out more

Tent and Car Camper’s Handbook: Advice for Families & First Timers

– Buck Tilton & Kristen Hostetter
This book gives the lowdown on family car camping and tent camping—no experience necessary! Easy-to-use guide for families and first-time campers: how to do it, what to buy, best places to go, and what to do when you get there.Visual, user-friendly design provides quick-access information. Tips on keeping kids happy, healthy, and motivated during the trip plus how to engage them in the natural world.

“Delightful recommendation for those who have discovered competing books usually assume a foundation of camping knowledge”

Whether you’re headed for the desert, the seashore, or the mountains, he’ll help you minimize the fuss and maximize the fun—no prior camping experience needed! You’ll learn about picking the best spot, setting up camp, cooking on a camp stove or campfire, enjoying family activities in and around camp, providing first aid, and more.

Find out more

Camping With Kids: Complete Guide to Car Tent and RV Camping

– Goldie Silverman
Novice and experienced campers alike will find the tips in Camping with Kids invaluable. Whether car, tent, or RV-camping, you will find everything you need to know from preparing your family for a camping trip, to setting up camp, to what to do if things should go awry. It also tells you how to step beyond car camping into backpacking, canoe touring, and other extended adventures.

Find out more

Camping & Backpacking With Children

– Steven Boga
This guide to making outdoor experiences enjoyable for parents and children covers proper equipment, hiking, living in camp, coping with the weather, staying healthy, and surviving in the wild. Written with humor and loaded with information, this little book is excellent – not just for backpacking with children, but also for camping in general.

Find out more

Now you, the parent, can be confident when you go camping. With these books by your side you will be ready for any situation (except for the one your kids throw at you that you couldn’t possibly have planned for). Whatever misadventures come your way, always remember that it is an adventure and that’s what makes camping fun! All you can do is your best and you’ll have to leave the rest to chance. Have fun camping with your kids – you’ll be glad you did.

Do you Know of Any Other Camping Guide Books for Parents?

We would love if you shared your camping guide books for parents suggestions in the comment box below. Thanks!

Author: Kaitlyn
(The CampTrip Team)

This is a guest post by Sharon Williams, she is an active mother of three and enjoys camping with her family. When she is not spending time outdoors or camping she works on her two websites Hobbies on a Budget and Real Life Deals. Both sites promote saving money and help you to do more with your dollar.

It was time! We had waited long enough! After all, our baby was almost three months old and our big boy was almost three. So we packed up our 15 year old tent, our Coleman stove and headed to the Great Smoky Mountains, leaving the Grandparents praying we would not freeze. The only thing we didn’t do was check the weather forecast for the first week of April in Cades Cove National Park, Tennessee USA surrounded by the Smoky Mountains. Our first indication that we might be in for a cold time was the inch of snow as we approached the campground. Our second indicator was the fact that there were only two other tents in the entire campground.

We survived the cold and found out that camping with kids can actually be more fun than camping alone. Since then we have taken the kids camping several times and learned a few things about camping in the Smoky Mountains with children and babies. Camping with kids requires common sense…

4 Tips to Help you Camp With Your Kids:

1. Be Prepared for the Weather

Bring along extra clothes that you can layer on small children. Don’t bother bringing anything with sentimental value. It WILL get dirty and may possibly even ruined by the campfire smoke, dirt, sand and elements.

2. Come Prepared with Very Few Toys

All you need is a bag of plastic cowboys and Indians with a few animals included. The best part of camping is the fact that the kids surroundings should offer all the adventure and entertainment they will need!

3. Keep the Kids Busy With Activities

Kids love to collect things and prove how strong they are. These two characteristics make collecting firewood and carrying ‘the biggest stick’ to the woodpile a huge game. I’ll never forget my 6 year old bringing back the ‘tree’ hoisted high over head. His look of pride said it all. He was the “Man!”.

Bring a deck of kids cards and a few books so you’ll be ready when it rains. One of the most precious times of camping are cuddling with the kids under the sleeping bags, reading books while you listen to the drips of rain on the tent – until it starts to leak. Then be prepared by having a Ziploc bag stuffed in the tent pocket so you won’t lose your books.

4. Make Sure Each Child has a set of Flip Flops

Kids of all ages can take them off on their own before they crawl into the tent and you don’t have to spend a ton of time putting shoes back on when they realize it’s time to run out and build their own stockade with the extra wood they gathered for the fire. (You can pick up an extra pair of flip flops at the Dollar Store for under $3.00. That way if it falls in the fire and gets scorched, you won’t be out much money – personal experience).

Have Your Kids Enjoy all that Nature has to Offer

Those are just a few tips I have shared but remember, camping with kids requires common sense. If you can manage that, things should go a whole lot smoother for you. Just remember kids are simple creatures and if you put a bit of fun into your surroundings you shouldn’t have to pack their whole room of toys along with you. Make camping fun, interesting and a learning experience for them. After all it’s not everyday you get to sleep outside in a tent! We know we’ve done something right when we hear the kids (age 8, 6 and 3) begging to go camping again.

Who knows? Maybe this year we’ll actually upgrade our tent and get something a little bigger? Probably not, our 15 year old tent may be small but it’s still holding up after all these years! Plus the small tent keeps things cozy!

Enjoy the time camping with your kids!

Author: Sharon Williams

Edited By: CampTrip.com

CampTrip is happy to present to you a complete guide on how to choose a sleeping bag! How did the brilliantly simple product “the sleeping bag” ever get so complex? Now a days when you look to buy a sleeping bag you need to know what features you are looking for in a sleeping bag. Features? I thought it was a bag to sleep in? Well yes, but there is more to a sleeping bag then you may think.

If you really want to find the perfect sleeping bag you should consider where you will be sleeping outdoors, what the temperature will be like, what weight and size you need it to be and the durability and comfort etc. Overwhelmed? Fear not! With the useful sleeping bag information packed into these article you will be geared with the knowledge to go out into the world and confidently know what you are looking for in a sleeping bag. Here’s how to choose a sleeping bag…

What to Consider When Buying a Sleeping Bag:

• Sleeping Bag Shapes

  There are three types of sleeping bag shapes: rectangular, barrel and mummy styles depending on you and your outdoor sleeping needs.

• Temperature Ratings for Sleeping Bags

  Be aware of the climate and temperatures you will be sleeping in to ensure your sleeping bag’s temperature rating will be sufficient. Otherwise you may be in for a very cold or warm nights sleep -which will not help prepare you for a day packed full of adventure.

• Sleeping Bag Size, Durability and Comfort

  When buying a sleeping bag you need to be aware of these key features: sleeping bag weight, size, durability and comfort. Whether you are looking for a heavy duty sleeping bag or one that is lightweight, it is important you get it right. If you scrimp on your sleeping bag you will soon regret not getting one of quality that is suitable for you.

There is a lot to consider before choosing and purchasing a sleeping bag for your upcoming camping trip. Keep these factors in mind to help you make the best choice.

Author: Kirsten
(The CampTrip Team)

Setting Up Camp

The loaded mini-van pulled into the only remaining campsite. Four children leaped from the vehicle and began feverishly unloading gear and setting up the tent. The boys rushed to gather firewood, while the girls and their mother set up the camp stove and cooking utensils.

A nearby camper marveled to the youngsters’ father, “That, sir, is some display of teamwork.”

The father replied, “I have a system — no one goes to the bathroom until the camp is set up.”

Solving the Snoring Problem

The guys are all at a deer camp. No one wants to room with Bob, because he snores so badly. They decide it isn’t fair to make one of them stay with him the whole time, so they vote to take turns. The first guy sleeps with Bob and comes to breakfast the next morning with his hair a mess and his eyes all bloodshot.  They say, “Man, what happened to you?” He says, “Bob snored so loudly, I just sat up and watched him all night.”

The next night it is a different guy’s turn. In the morning, same thing – hair all standing up, eyes all bloodshot. They say, “Man, what happened to you? You look awful!” He says, ‘Man, that Bob shakes the roof with his snoring. I watched him all night.”

The third night is Fred’s turn. Fred is a tanned, older cowboy; a man’s man. The next morning he comes to breakfast bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.  “Good morning!” he says.  They can’t believe it.  They say, “Man, what happened?”  Fred says, “Well, we got ready for bed. I went and tucked Bob into bed, patted him on the butt, and kissed him good night. Bob sat up and watched me all night.”

Bear Alert!

In Alaska, tourists are warned to wear tiny bells on their clothing when hiking in bear country. The bells warn away MOST bears. Tourists are also cautioned to watch the ground on the trail, paying particular attention to bear droppings to be alert for the presence of Grizzly Bears. One can tell a Grizzly dropping because it has tiny bells in it.

I hope you enjoyed these humorous camping jokes. Stomach full of stitches but up for some more? Read Humorous Camping Jokes Part 2 for more laughs. Or, you can read more Funny Camping Jokes. If you know of any Humorous Camping Jokes please share them in the comment box below. Thanks!

Kaitlyn
(The CampTrip Team)

When Out in the Sticks, Don’t Sleep on Them

I love the best of both worlds and having a great night’s sleep is imperative for me to be a “happy camper”.  When my husband and I camped recently at Alice Lake B.C. Canada (just north of Squamish), I was looking forward to the whole experience, including having a terrific night’s sleep.

Having had crummy and interrupted sleeps previously when we camped in our tent, I came prepared. What a difference it made when I pumped up the air mattress bed – for two. The Coleman Full Size Quickbed was perfect for us; it is very comfortable, durable, folds up easily and it comes with an air pump so it’s easy to blow up. I can also recommend the Coleman Rechargeable QuickPump. This is a very reliable and quick way to get your mattress pumped up and ready to go.

A Good Night’s Sleep Makes All the Difference

By having a good uninterrupted sleep on our air mattress I awoke each day feeling fresh and energized rather than sore and tired. Because of my good night’s sleep I was eager to get involved in all the great activities Alice Lake Park had to offer. I enjoyed being outdoors all day, swimming, hiking cooking our meals and having fun.

The weather was hot and sunny and the lake’s temperature was warm and lovely for swimming. September was the perfect time for us to have a vacation – it wasn’t busy as all the school children were back in classes. So, if you are camping without kids and looking for a more off-season approach while the weather is still warm. I highly recommend September as you will also get to enjoy the leaves changing their colour, which is beautiful.

Alice Lake Park in B.C. an Ideal Camping Destination

We love Alice Lake and its close proximity to Vancouver; the campgrounds are well-maintained and it’s a breathtaking location. Alice Lake is surrounded by mountains, forests and grassy areas. There are four freshwater lakes that are excellent for swimming and fishing. There are also numerous trails which are great for walking or hiking.  A perfect getaway – close to home – for Vancouver campers.  Just remember, camping doesn’t have to include an uncomfortable sleep. Pack an air mattress so you can make the most of your camping experience!

Author: Lyn Stewart

Edited By: CampTrip.com

Funny Camping Jokes

• Take this simple test to see if you qualify for solo camping. Shine a flashlight into one ear. If the beam shines out the other ear, do not go into the woods alone.
• Get even with a bear who raided your food bag by kicking his favorite stump apart and eating all the ants.
• Lint from your navel makes a handy fire starter. Warning: Remove lint from navel before applying the match.
• You’ll never be lost if you remember that moss always grows on the north side of your compass.
• When camping, always wear a long-sleeved shirt. It gives you something to wipe your nose on.
• A potato baked in the coals for one hour makes an excellent side dish. A potato baked in the coals for three hours makes an excellent hockey puck.
• You can start a fire without matches by eating spicy Mexican food, then breathing on a pile of dry sticks.
• In emergency situations, you can survive in the wilderness by shooting small game with a slingshot made from the elastic waistband of your underwear.
• The guitar of the noisy teenager at the next campsite makes excellent kindling.
• A hot rock placed in your sleeping bag will keep your feet warm. A hot enchilada works almost as well, but the cheese sticks between your toes.
• Check the washing instructions before purchasing any apparel to be worn camping. Buy only those that read “Beat on a rock in stream.”
• Bear bells provide an element of safety for hikers in grizzly country. The tricky part is getting them on the bears.
• A great deal of hostility can be released by using newspaper photos of politicians for toilet paper.
• In an emergency, a drawstring from a parka hood can be used to strangle a snoring tent mate.
• It’s entirely possible to spend your whole vacation on a winding mountain road behind a large motor home.
• I don’t care for hiking. The longest hike I ever made was trying to find my car in a Wal-Mart parking lot.
• Why would anybody want to go camping in the woods? Everything out there will either eat you, bite you, or give you a rash.
• A state park is the only place where they have more rules than your parents.
• State parks—that’s where there are more things that you can’t do than you can do.
• A two-man pup tent does not include two men or a pup.
• Where do forest rangers go to “get away from it all?” – George Carlin

Q: What kind of car does a rich cow drive?
A: a Cattelac.

Q: What do you call a cow with no legs?
A: Ground Beef

I hope you enjoyed these funny camping jokes. If you are hungry for some more laughter read more of our Funny Camping Jokes. If you know of any other funny camping jokes please feel free to share them in the comment box below. Thanks!

Ingredients to Waterproof your Matches

• Paraffin Wax
• Candles
• Turpentine
• Nail Polish

Waterproofing – Find Your Perfect Match

The Paraffin Wax Method

• Heat a double boiler on your stove or over a campfire.
• Place the wax into the boiler and allow it to melt.
• Drop your matches in the melted wax and stir (make sure the wax has completely coated all the matches).
• Use pliers/tongs to remove the matches one-by-one from the wax (work quickly but safely to remove them before the wax hardens).
• Without letting them overlap, set the matches aside to cool and dry.

The Candle Method

• Light a candle and allow it to burn for awhile until it has a goodly amount of liquid wax pooled around the wick (about half an inch).
• Extinguish the candle.
• Roll the head and about a quarter inch of the match in the wax.
• Allow the wax to harden slightly before placing the match on a table or counter (keep the head suspended over the edge).
• Let the wax cool (but don’t let it completely harden) and then pinch the end of the wax coating to form a tight seal. (The wax should cover the head and some of the wood beneath. Pinch the wax in on the stick to ensure it is sealed).

(Warning: Only use the Candle Method if you have wood stemmed matches. Do not attempt with paper cardboard matches).

The Turpentine Method

• Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of turpentine into a small glass (do not use a plastic cup as it could melt from chemicals in the turpentine).
• Place the matches head down into the turpentine and allow them to soak for about 5 minutes.
• Remove the matches and let them dry out on some paper towels or newspaper for around 20 minutes to allow the excess turpentine to evaporate.

The Nail Polish Method

• In clear nail polish dip the head of your match far enough to cover at least an eighth of an inch of the stick below the head.
• Hold the match for a few seconds to allow the polish to dry and then place the match on a table or counter so that the head is suspended off the edge of the surface.
• Place a sheet of newsprint below to catch anything that may drip.

“Come on Baby, Light My Fire”

And there you have it.

So, even if your camping trip isn’t guaranteed to be fool-proof, at least you’ll know that your matches are waterproof. To make sure that your waterproofing precautions weren’t done for nothing, store your matches in a 35mm film container (or any waterproof vial or case); for extra ease glue a small piece of sandpaper in the container’s cap to help start the matches.

Waterproof matches: for those “come heck or high-water” occasions.

Read more on: Camping Matches and Alternatives

Author: Kirsten
(The CampTrip Team)

Don’t Get Left in the Dark

Matches aren’t a “no fail” camping tool. If they become wet – or even just damp – from humidity in the air or maybe an unexpected dip in the lake, matches won’t light. No working match means no fire; no fire means no heat source – the implications can snowball.

Match Alternatives:

It’s probably a good idea to not only bring waterproof matches but to also bring along some alternative fire-starters.

• Lighter (ideal)
• Fire steel or magnesium fire starter

Wood is Stronger than Paper

If you are going to bring a pack of matches on your camping trip, opt for the more sturdy wooden matches for camping and leave the notoriously more flimsy paper matches at home. Wooden matches are more durable and reliable.  If you aren’t using “strike anywhere” matches (which are probably preferable) make sure you bring a striking surface such as sand paper, along with your matches.

Sandpaper – a Reliable Striking Surface

After repeated use the striking surface on the side of the match boxes can wear down and become smooth, preventing the match from lighting when struck. Bring a square of sandpaper along just in case; sometimes matches can be quite finicky. Ensure that the sandpaper is not too coarse, otherwise when you strike the match you will likely take the whole head off the stick, leaving you frustrated and without a fire.

So, before you go camping or out into the woods be sure you’ve packed some camping matches and alternatives such as a hand-held gas lighter and wooden strike-anywhere, waterproof matches along with a strip of sandpaper as an alternative match striking surface.

Read more on: How to Waterproof your Matches

Author: Kirsten
(The CampTrip Team)

The Journey

We began our scenic trip by being told that I was riding in the back seat between my boyfriend and my boyfriend’s nasty kid sister who hated everyone who did not wear braces. I think I was strategically placed in that seat to prevent her from stabbing her brother. At least now, she would have to reach over me to get to him (I just had to hope then that she hadn’t gotten a hand on my “killer” stilettos).

Whoever said that singing songs would help the time to pass quickly? I think I learned every word of some silly song about” beers on the wall””.  I really couldn’t have cared less.
Anyway, there was no GPS System back then so we had to rely on my boyfriend’s father’s sense of direction. That added almost three additional hours to the trip!

The Destination

Finally there (after consulting several park rangers, one policeman, and a gas station worker), we piled out from the station wagon. I could barely feel my legs – and I hadn’t even begun walking in these heels! When I asked where the “cabins” were everyone laughed. My boyfriend’s mother proudly showed me the lovely view from the mountain – and a funny looking tent that had no air conditioning!

When I was told that we would have to “catch” our dinner, I had great cravings for Burger King. There were five people on this trip – and after four hours, they had caught only three fish.

Night-time was a cacophony of every weird sound that one could imagine. I slept with all of my clothes on, including my pantyhose. If I was going to be some creature’s dinner, I was going to look good. I could not wait until morning arrived.

The crisp mountain air was a welcome change from the stale air of the city. While my boyfriend’s parents were trying to show me all of the beauty that I could possibly take in, I could not help but think of the many lovely runway models who had never seen a stream up close, nor fought something furry for her make-up case. I was trying to decide if the beauty and peacefulness of nature was worth the runs in pantyhose, make-up applied without the assistance of a full-size mirror, and heels that were in danger of snapping off thanks to uneven terrain.  It would seem that my glamor was taking a backseat when faced with nature’s own glamorous surroundings.

The Finale

I thanked my boyfriend’s parents for the trip. As they dropped me off at my house, I could still hear them singing that “beer on the wall” song as I dashed into the air-conditioned house with the stale air and the level ground. Camping was an interesting experience, but I believe heels were made for a greater purpose other than to aerate grass. If camping: leave your heels at home!

Author: Paulette Jones

Edited By: CampTrip.com

Some Tips on How to Prepare for Your Outdoor Activities

Give Your Body Time to Improve

First we will stress that, without a proper air supply and a healthy heart, being outdoors can be a real chore. Let’s face it – as our bodies get older some of our organs begin to slow down. To cope with this process you must keep discipline and stay on top of your exercise plan. The best way to do this in my opinion is to get an early start; begin at least 2 months before your adventure with walking or running for 30 minutes, 3 times a week.

Gradually Increase Your Exercise

As time progresses, your body and endurance will improve with the workout and, therefore, so should your workout. Either increase time or speed. Be sure not to do the same workout everyday, mix it up by playing some backyard football or running stairs. Your body can get used to and adapt to a certain routine pretty quick. You may be exercising faithfully, but if it’s the exact same thing, day after day, I can guarantee that the results you’re looking for won’t be so quick to appear.

After you build your proper base where you can walk for a comfortable pace for a comfortable amount of time, you can then move on to working for you specific trip. If you are going for a canoe trip in the boundary waters, work on your upper body muscles including your core. All movement comes from your core – so the stronger your core is, the easier everything else will be. If you are going hiking in the Rockies, work on your leg strength along with everything else.

Try to Vary Your Routine

If you’re going on just a weekender with the family, work on all around fitness and reap the benefits of overall health and weight loss. To be sure you’re getting the most out of your workout, try to vary your routine by targeting all parts of your body with different exercises: cardio (walking, running, jumping jacks, skipping rope), strength (push-ups, rows, lunges, bicep curls, squats), and core (almost anything that works the abdominal muscles).

To get the most out of your workout, vary your routine by targeting all parts of your body with different exercises.

Stay Hydrated

One thing you must do to get the full benefit of a workout plan is to stay hydrated. Drink at least one liter of water before beginning any activity. Stay hydrated throughout the day for optimum results. Another tip is to do your activity at the start of the day, this way you won’t put it off until it’s too late. Remember to build a proper base, train for your particular activity, mix up your routine so you work the whole body and to stay hydrated. Those are some of my tips on how to get in shape for camping season. The most important thing to do is get outside and have fun!

Author: Loyal Carpenter

Edited By: CampTrip.com