Going on a weekend camping trip is something that we all look forward to. Many of us have been camping ever since we were children, and we have lots of fun memories of the good times we had with friends and family.

We all want to make those fun camping trips and memories to keep piling up. One of the greatest part of any camping trip is the fun outdoor activities we get to participate in. Sure, we can do many of these things when we are at home, but there is something about being a new place that makes it more adventurous and exciting.

These five fun outdoor camping trip activities will us happily entertained and leave us yearning for that next time we can pack up the car and head out on another camping trip!

1. Hiking
Hiking may seem like a simple idea, but a weekend camping trip usually takes us to some beautiful areas we visit only a few times. New surroundings always peak our interest and offer us miles of hiking trails full of places, people, and things we don’t get to see and meet everyday.

Hiking trips are great exercise and make us feel better getting fresh air that we might not get being stuck in a cubicle all week long! Hiking trails are usually abundant near camp grounds and is something almost everyone down to the small children can participate in.

Next time you go on a camping trip how about heading out for a nice long hike? You will get some great exercise and see some new scenery in the process.

2. Fishing
Fishing might not be the first outdoor activity that comes to mind when heading out for a weekend camping trip. Even for people who don’t normally fish a lot, a camping trip fishing day can be something new and fun to try.

Usually a lot of us camp near bodies of water; streams, lakes, rivers, and can usually find a fishing pole laying in the basement somewhere. Also, most states sell 2 day fishing

licenses that are not very expensive. A hook and bob-er are usually cheap items and you can dig up worms for free in your backyard. Fishing can usually be fun for kids and even adults who never have had the chance to do it much, so give fishing a though next time you pack for your camping trip.

3. Nature Photography
One of the most popular and newest outdoor activities is taking nature photography. Even for those of us who are not professionals, heading out into the nature that normally surrounds our campsite to capture some unique photos is easy enough.

Taking nature photography usually helps us slow down, be still and quiet, and take in our surrounds a lot more then we normally would. When you are on a mission to find that bird, animal, or unique feature we seem to take notice of our surrounds and appreciate them a lot more. With nearly ever person these days owning a digital camera or smartphone, nature photography is a fun camping activity that will make you feel like a pro!

4. Biking
A lot of times when we are camping there is a lot of walking involved, and the range of sights we can see and things we can do without getting into a car is diminished. Have you ever considered a weekend camping trip devoted to biking?

Nearly every State Park has a biking trail these days, and with how popular the bicycle has become of late, it’s very easy to pedal your way to new destinations. Most of us own a bike, even if it is not the best that we could disassemble and take along on a camping trip. Biking somewhere besides your neighborhood can be exciting and allow you to see and cover a lot of ground that maybe you never could have before. Consider a fun bike ride in your next camping excursion.

5. Kayak and Canoe Rentals
Last but not least, renting a kayak or canoe near your campsite, on a lake or river can be a blast! Usually locating a outdoor retailer and rental company online before you depart on your camping trip is pretty easy.

Renting a kayak or canoe is a camping activity that can lead to a whole day of fun and exercise that will leave you sleeping well that night, and not caring that you are not in your own bed! Prices are generally pretty reasonable and most rental stores allow rentals that are only a few hours long, so you don’t break the budget. Especially when the rental stores will transport and pickup the kayaks or canoes for you, it makes your job a lot easier!

These five fun camping activities are sure to make some more memories and experiences that you will not soon forget.

One may ask what do you eat out of when you are camping? Some choices include disposable plates, cans the food came in or traditional dinnerware, which includes a plate, bowl, and cup. But what choices do you have if you are primitive camping and/or backpacking? The answer is simple and something that was created to aid the war effort of both WWI and WWII. This basic item of war that many soldiers carried into the trenches is the mess kit.

The basic design of a mess kit consists of a pan with a hinged handle and lid. When the lid is placed over the pan and the handle is folded over, it only measures nine inches deep and seven inches wide, which is very important if one is backpacking.

Some designs have a ring on the lid that can hold eating utensils and can aid in cleanup.

The design of the mess kit has really not changed since wartime. The WWI versions were normally made of aluminum while the WWII versions were made of stainless steel.

Eating utensils could be added to the kit along with a drinking cup and were secured to the mess kit by the ring in the lid.

Today, mess kits are not hard to find and most sport related stores carry this camping staple. But what happens if you forgot your mess kit or do not want to purchase one. Do not worry; the answer is no farther then your kitchen cabinet.

The first thing you will need is a mesh bag. This is easily found in the produce section of any grocery store holding onions, oranges or potatoes. Next, you will need a heat resistant plate and bowl. Try to get one that is not breakable. After that pick out some silverware and place all the items in the mesh bag.

As far as a “drinking cup,” you can use a canteen, collapsible cup or drinking bottle only if you plan to only drink cold beverages. If you plan to drink hot liquids, a heatproof, non-breakable mug will suffice. Many of these can be found in camping stores or look for a metal one in a consignment shop.

Once you have your “mess kit” assembled, the next question is how to clean it. Cleaning ones dinnerware, regardless of what it may be, is very important and can mean the difference between an enjoyable camping experience and a trip to the emergency room.

The first step to the cleaning process is to scrape the dinnerware clean of any food particles. Next heat two deep pots of water to the boiling point. Place dish soap in one and leave the other one plain.

If you are using a commercial mess kit, attach the lid to the pan by the ring and to the ring add the silverware. Once this is done, you can simply hold on to the handle and dip everything into the soapy, hot water. Do this twice and then dip into the clean water. Let air-dry before folding up.

If using the homemade version, place dinnerware in the mesh bag and dip as above. Hang the bag in tree to air-dry.

Having something to eat out of beyond a can is very important when it comes to roughing it. But always remember that even though you may be roughing it, the importance of cleanliness still remains.

The other day, my little son asked me where I went to the bathroom when I went camping. The question was a little puzzling since he has gone camping since he was in diapers. I explained to him that there were correct ways of going to the bathroom when you are out in the backcountry and that to be a responsible primitive camper, one should follow these rules. In his little voice, he said why mom animals go outside. Well as you can imagine the answer was not as simple as he thought and in a society where the backcountry and primitive camping is becoming more popular, the answer is as muddy as a creek after a spring rain.

Anytime you plan to go out into the backcountry, one must have a plan as to what to do when you have to go. One approach is to always go before you go but this is neither always possible nor practical, especially for those long trips.

A more practical approach is to plan to go when you go and this plan should be based on the rules established by the land manger and the Leave No Trace Guidelines. The four guidelines that apply to waste are that it should not affect water quality, spread disease, affect the aesthetic beauty of the area and be handled in a way that it can be decomposed of safely and quickly.

Handling Number One

Handling a number one really is not that big of a problem for men or women. While the issue is of handling this waste is pretty simple, there does exist some basic rules that one should follow.

1. Urinate at least 200 feet from the campsites, water sources, and trails.
2. Consider diluting the urine with water. This will cut down on the odor.
3. Respect other campers and hikers when choosing a location.
4. While urinating, make sure to avoid ones pants and shoes.

Handling Number Two

Number two can be bigger problem. Some areas require campers and hikers to carry out their waste (WAG) while others allow individuals to handle their waste appropriately in the environment.

Two ways that number two can be handled without carrying it out includes catholes and latrines. Catholes are generally dug for one person and only for short-term use. Latrines, on the other hand, are dug to handle more waste and in doing so work for groups or in areas where you plan to camp for a long period of time.

Digging a cathole or latrine, starts with choosing a correct area. Both of these need to follow the Leave No Trace Guidelines described above. They also need to be in areas that are normally not visited by humans, such as thick brush or under logs,

Once you have your location selected, the next step is to dig the hole. Catholes should be six to eight inches deep and four to six inches wide while a latrine should be six feet deep and the length is dependent on the size of the group.

To use either one of these “holes”, one goes to hole and does their business. The waste is then covered up with soil. Continue to do this until the “hole” is full or you leave the area. Prior to leaving the area, both “holes” should be completely covered over and the area should be left pristine.

If dealing with a latrine, one end should be selected to be the beginning and then filled in as usual.

Once the Job is Done, What About the Paperwork

There has been a lot of debate about toilet paper and its affects on the environment. Toilet paper buried in catholes or latrines takes longer to decompose then the waste. In doing so, many campers and hikers are carrying out their paperwork in resealable plastic bags.

If you insist on disposing of your toilet paper in a cathole or latrine, make sure to only use white, non-perfumed toilet paper.

Other natural sources exist for that can be used in place of toilet paper. This includes dried leaves, which should be identified before using and smooth rocks. When using this approach, make sure to bury these items in the “hole” with the waste.

What to do with ones waste is a universal question that has been asked since the beginning of time. But following these simple guidelines will help one become a responsible camper and keep all wild places wild and clean.