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Tips on Camping with Kids

By Wendi  Garcia

      It's true that when you go camping with your kids, you need to double your effort, time, and most of all, your patience in packing, planning, and preparingfor the trip.

     Yes, camping with kids seems a little more tiring and stressful than the usual camping trips when it was just you and your spouse. Aside from the thorough preparation, consideration of the kids' needs take top priority, leaving littleor no room for you and spouse's.

     Although the drawbacks may sound bad, as a parent you know that the rewards are priceless. The precious time that you are able to spend with your kids at the trip—playing, exploring nature, and doing campingactivities are simply rewarding.

     Because you love these little creatures so much, you don't mind putting that extra effort to your camping trips because you know it won't be memorable withoutthem anyway.

     But just to help you get by before they drive you crazy and you want to pullyour hair out, here are some helpful tips for camping with kids:

1. Get the kids involved with the planning and preparation. Ask for their suggestions and ideas regarding camping activities and places to visit. For example, do they want to go hiking or fishing or both? Allow them to pack their own things while supervising them along the way.

     All these things would make them see that you value their opinions and that you treat them as mature responsible adults. They are likely to act so because they would want to prove to you that they are.

1. Try backyard camping if it's your kids' first camping trip so they know what to expect and they won't get homesick.
2. Elicit their help in setting up the campsite. Teach them how to pitch their own tents and ask them to help Mom with the cooking. No, they don't need to chop and slice or boil water over the stove. They should only be involved with kid-friendly chores.
3. Teach them how to use camping equipment like compass and rain gear.
4. Do some campfire singing and story-telling.
5. Show them the wonders of nature by taking them into an environmental tour through a day hike. During the educational tour of acquainting them with the flora and fauna and the creatures that reside in the forest, be sure to incorporate valuable lessons on respect for nature.
6. Don't forget to teach them how to keep themselves safe at the camp. No playing with fire and no swimming in the lake alone are just some of the many rules they have to be familiar about.
7. Create games out of camping chores to make them more fun and interesting. For example, engage them in a race for the fastest clean-up.
8. Do some bird watching.
9. Apply insect repellent and sunscreen on your kids.
10. Flashlights and glow sticks are nice companions during the night when your kids' anxiety grows as night time falls.
11. Do some star-gazing.
12. Don't forget to bring the very important first aid kit for small accidents or mishaps.
13. Have some night snacks. Not inside the tent of course. Before you go to sleep, a few chats and chips will surely be a great finale to a great day.
14. Bring toys that will make the camping even more fun. For instance, a kiddie magnifying glass will make exploring of insects even more interesting.
15. Make sure you capture these priceless moments by bringing a camera and ample film and batteries.

     Family camping trips are a fun way to spend quality time with your children. Although it takes double the effort, just seeing the delight on their facesor hearing their squeals of laughter all make the trip worthwhile.

     For more tips anda information abouttents ,check out http://www.bobsoutdoorstore.com/tents-shelters

Building Camp Fire : Tips and tricks

By Wendi Garcia

      They say that it's not a camping trip without a campfire. This American tradition of building a campfire—singing songs, telling stories and spooking each other out while sitting around one—has long been part of almost every camping tripthere is.

     But a campfire is not simply for tradition or for fun and games. It's also used to give light to the campsite and to provide comfortable warmth for thecampers.

     Building a campfire is not that hard as long as you have the important items you need such as dry wood, paper, small branches and fire starters such as a lighter or matches. If you don't have all these things, it may be a littleharder.

     Here are some techniques on how to build a campfire:

        Now for some safety rules:

     Campfires have long been a part of American camping trips but the growing concern over safety and the environment has decreased its popularity. Sure, there are lots of fun activities to do around a campfire but you can stillhave fun without it. Remember, at all times, safety first!

Beach Camping 101:
A Beginner's Guide on How to Have the Best Summer Vacation

By Wendi Garcia

     Frolic on the sand, bask on the warmth of the sun and enjoy the sweet salty aroma of the ocean air and the grilled barbecues. Is there any better way tospend the summer than to go on a nice beach camping trip? Probably none.

     But just like any camping trip, a beach camping won't be successful and memorable without proper planning and preparation. Here are some tips on how to havea blast in your first beach camping experience:

• Pick a reputable beach resort that allows for camping. Check if you need to make reservations so you can do the necessary arrangements. Find out if there is access to safe drinking water source. If not, make sure you bring sufficient drinking water.
• Create a checklist for your things to make sure you don't forget anything. For a beach camping trip, some of the camping equipment you'll need are tents, sleeping bags, lanterns, flashlight, camping cookware, stove, eating utensils, matches and first aid kit. For you personal items, don't forget your sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, sun hat, toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush and so on), clothing, rope (to make a clothesline for your swimsuits), and of course, food and water.
• Pick a camp spot to pitch your tent that is located way above the high tide line so you don't risk waking up all wet the next day. Smooth out the sand and remove stones and sticks before you stake your tent to make your sleeping more comfortable.
• Prepare sumptuous meals. Food fresh from the grill like grilled fish or chicken are great to eat on the beach. Marinade the meat at home so you just have to grill them when you get to the beach. A portable grill will come in handy. It's a good idea to prepare easy-to-cook meals so you don't have to spend all day cooking. Don't forget the snacks too.
• Keep yourself hydrated. Bring coolers and stock them with drinks to refresh you anytime you need to quench your thirst. The heat of the sun can easily dry you out.
• Beach camp chairs are also fantastic to bring on the beach to give you an area where you can relax and watch the waves of the sea while you get yourself some tan.
• Prepare activities to do at the beach. Flying kites, building sand sculptures, fishing or playing board games, volleyball, or frisbee are just some of the many enjoyable activities and games to do on the beach.
• Don't bury your trash. Dispose of trash properly by putting them in designated trash areas.
• Use wet sand to wash your dishes.
• When you're at the beach, sand gets into everything—into the parts of your stove or into the lens of camera. Be sure to protect these things by keeping them covered or not leaving them out in the open.
• Never throw out anything into the sea. Remember that respect for nature should always be a top priority in whatever you do.
• If you are to build a campfire, be sure to completely extinguish it before you sleep or leave the campsite.

     With the beautiful coastlines and exquisite beach resorts this country has to offer, the beach is definitely the place to be during the hot summer days.

Things to Watch Out For in the Outdoors

By Jose Francisco

      You're all packed, you've got everything you need: food, tent, first aid kit, and so you're itching to go. You even bought a jungle bolo just like what Rambo had. Having all the right equipment won't prepare you for Nature's pandora's box of surprises, though. And there are a lot. So don't go just yet, let megive some good hints that you need to know before venturing into the wild.

Poisonus Plants

     Poison ivy is a three-leaved plant that can either grow like the other weeds on the ground or they can hang from the branches of a tree. If you're going out into the woods for more than three days then you'd really need to watchout because poison ivy allergies set in after two days on most people.

     The oil found in it, called urushiol, is very potent and can continue to cause the red rashes even when you only come into contact with contaminated clothing or your pet that has some of it in their fur. Poison oak and sumac are otherplants that have the same size, shape, and poisonus effect.

     People who are very sensitive to pollen also need to watch out. But aside from those, the only other thing you'd have to worry about is a pitcher planteating you whole.

      Leeches and Limatics Galore

     You've got Rambo's knife and you're rarin' to whack at those shrubs and loose tree branches that come between you and your campsite buffet. Aside from getting poison ivy sap on your arms, there's also those little leeches waiting for you atop the leaves of trees. They stick out on top of them leaves just like little l's and they'd love to suck the blood out of you. They jump at the first thing that moves. The best thing is, you don't notice them on you until youremove your clothing. So better be prepared with your Zippo.

      Mud, Moss, and Stones

     Road test the bank of a stream with your stick first to see if the bottom will be stable enough to hold your weight. Then you can proceed with swimming in it. Just remember that the leeches are also swimming. If you only plan on crossing the stream and you wish to do it by jumping atop some rocks, look at their color first. Green rocks will not be fit as stepping stones. They've got moss on them. Better to get wet than to literally lose your head.

     Centipedes

     These will reside in soil that is not compact, like those that have liverworts and moss in them. So when you're getting rocks either for your campfire or those you want to put beneath your Eureka tent for heating, try to use you Rambo  knife first and see if any will come out. If you're bitten by a centipede then a fever is sure to follow. It might cut your camping trip short.

     These are trivial things but can cause a lot of harm when ignored. So packa lot of watchfulness and common sense along with the barbecue.

Cooking Basics

By Marianne Opulencia

     There is a lot of cookware sets that can be used for camping. There are those that can be washed even though the pan is still hot while others like the enamelcookware which should be cooled down first before washing.

     It is best to check on the material used in your select cookware to know what to and not to do. This ensures a better lifestyle of your camping. Also, with this in mind, you can avoid mistakes in taking care of your things. When thingsare taken cared of, their lives can last longer.

     Cooking is not a big deal for others so they just do with whatever ingredients or materials they have at hand. Others, who are on their creative side, look for new recipes and experiment with the different spices and meats available to cater to their taste buds. After all, cooking is always a learning process. There are times that some of the great foods that are cooked today were justpart of the imagination of a person or two until it has been carried out.

     Trial and error is part of cooking and sometimes it takes time to perfect it. Hard work and all that frustrations of trying to create something wonderful and tasty will all be worth it once the food has been cooked to perfection. Not only will the creator enjoy it but others as well. To be able to sharesomething extraordinarily done is truly something to be proud of.

     Food should be exciting at the same time healthy. One way of achieving this is to ask a companion – whether your loved one or a friend – to critic your output. Maybe it needs to have a little more salt or perhaps you placed too much in it or other insightful ideas and suggestions to make the food morescrumptious.

     Do not be offended with what your friend may say. Besides, it may make or break your recipe. If you really love cooking then you'll understand this. Even though you're camping out, you can still make a delicious meal as longas you know your way around herbs and spices that you can find near your campsite.

     All you need is imagination and let it fly. Sometimes treasures remain hidden because it does not want to be discovered but once discovered, it will make sure that it will be known. So enjoy and create food masterpieces, do with whatever you have, make sure that you have the right cookware sets for it to come alive and have fun making it.

                                        How to Avoid Tick-Borne Diseases

                                        © 2007 Gary L. Benton, All Rights Reserved

     Now that summer is here, most of us will be spending more and more time in the woods. Bow hunters will be scouting new sites, or observing the movement of their favorite game, in order to be prepared for the coming hunting season. Hikers, campers, and fishermen will spend hours or days in the fields, woods, and trails of North America. Often, we head off into Mother Nature without a serious care in the world, but we should have some concerns and ticks are one of many.

     Most of you have encountered ticks on your wilderness treks and just add them up, like mosquitoes, as the price we pay to venture outdoors. Usually we just pull the tick off and continue on our way, not realizing the potential danger the tick may present. A simple tick can carry a number of different diseases, all of which can cripple and even kill you. How much do you know about ticks, the removal of ticks, and the symptoms of the various tick-borne diseases, treatment, and prevention?

     Ticks infest the woods, fields, and front yards of North America and when I venture outdoors I find ticks on me almost daily. These same ticks are capable of transmitting a tick-borne disease and those of us who live in North America are pretty much exposed to all of the tick-borne diseases, with the exception of the Babesia Infection, which has only been identified (so far) in the northeastern part of the United States.

      So, let’s look at a few of the tick-borne diseases and where they are usually found.

     1.  Lyme Disease is found in a scattered manner all across the United States. However, it does not seem to be very common in the plains states.

     2.Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever has been reported in all states except for Hawaii, Vermont, Maine and Alaska. This illness is the most common of the tick-borne diseases.

     3. Southern Tick-Associated Rash. This disease is common in the south and may be difficult, without laboratory testing, to separate from Lyme disease. To the eye, the rash may appear to be Lyme disease, due to the similarity of the rashes.

     4. Babesia Infection is very rare and only seems to be found in the Northeastern part of the United States. Unlike the other tick-borne diseases, which all have somewhat similar symptoms, this illness has malaria like symptoms.

     5. Ehrlichiosis is the newest tick-borne disease and is currently under evaluation. It was first clearly identified in 1994, and so far, it has only been identified in a few cases in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

     Now that I have your attention, if you find a tick on you, don’t panic. There are many different ways to remove a tick and the one that works for you is the best. Do not grasp a tick and just pull it off. The head may remain and cause an infection (even if the tick is not diseased). In the military, we often used a blown out hot match head. We placed the hot end of the match near the ticks rear, it would release and then back out. At that point the tick can be removed and dealt with properly. Also, we were taught to coat the tick with tree sap, an oil, or Vaseline, to cut off its air supply. After a couple of minutes the tick will back out and you can remove it safely. Another good way to remove a tick is by using a commercial tick removal kit, which is available at many sporting goods stores.

     Regardless of the method you use to remove a tick, always clean your hands afterwards with soap and water. Also, the area of the bite should be cleaned. There may be some itching in the general area of the bite following the removal of a tick. This discomfort is very common in a crotch area (genitals, armpits, or rear). Cold compresses, or a mixture of water and ashes, can greatly reduce the itch while in the field.

     If you contact any tick-borne disease you will know within a few days. Do not wait for them to go away, but seek medical assistance immediately. The symptoms of most tick-borne diseases are (with the exception of Babesia, which has malaria like symptoms):

     A rash at the bite area, do not confuse the small red bite as a rash.               
     You may develop flu like symptoms
     You may experience fatigue
     You may start having headaches for no reason
     Your neck may stiffen
     Your jaw may cause you discomfort
     A slight fever may occur
     Your glands may swell
     You may start experiencing swollen or stiff joints
     Your eyes may redden

     Use repellents to help avoid these problems.

     If you do not see a doctor, and you go untreated, the disease will progress to the next stage in one to three weeks after the bite:

     You may become dizzy
     Your heartbeat may become irregular
     And, you may experience a weakness of your facial muscles
     In the very late stage, the disease will affect your joints, heart, central nervous system, or other major organs.

     Depending on the particular disease you have been exposed to, the symptoms for the late stages may vary. But, in all cases, seek medical attention at the first sign of a tick-borne illness.

     The treatment of tick-borne diseases depends on your doctor. In most cases, treatment involves the use of antibiotics. Your medical professional is very qualified to treat the illnesses and will develop an individual treatment plan for your case. Keep in mind though; in many cases you can still experience recurring symptoms for a long time (perhaps years). Also, make sure you follow your doctor’s recommendation for treatment to the letter. Lyme disease and other ticks illnesses are very serious and can adversely affect your overall heath.

     Our time outdoors should be fun and exciting for us. While the rewards of spending time with nature are great, remember, there are some risks. If you use common sense, check for ticks at least twice a day, and know the symptoms of tick-borne diseases, you can feel more confident about your time outdoors. Knowledge is the key to really enjoying your time in the woods.

     About the Author:

     Gary Benton is a retired United States Air Force Senior Master Sergeant. Sergeant Benton is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force water, desert, mountain, and jungle survival schools. He spent twelve years in Life Support teaching parachuting techniques and survival skills to Air Force aircrew members. He has an Associates Degree in Search and Rescue, Survival Operations, and a Bachelors Degree in Safety and Health. Mister Benton retired from the USAF in 1997 with over twenty-six years of active duty.