So, you want to head into the great outdoors this weekend? You want to have an adventure and get some fresh air, spend some time in your tent and burn a few marshmallows while you are at it. But there is one small problem.

You have kids. Kids are awesome and so is camping, but how do you combine these two potentially explosive things. Being far from home, fire, a tent, a kid that’s quicker then your eyes. Isn’t it sort of setting yourself up for some major “excitement?”

Camping with your kids doesn’t have to be stress inducing race to keep them out of the water away from the fire. You just need a little careful planning ahead of the game to keep your head in the game and have a great camping weekend filled with fun and kids!

What are some of the things we can do as parents to have the most exciting and fun camping trip possible with our children in tow, and come out alive?

1. Pick the right campsite.

When it comes to bringing the rug rats along on your camping trip, you know you are in for a good time. But to set ourselves up for success it’s going to all start with picking the proper camping site to use. Not all campsites and locations are created equal.

First, you should probably pick a campsite that is not next to any large bodies of water, cliffs, or any other type of potential danger. Just for the sake of your peace of mind, someone wandering
off into the woods may be better then into a lake or some other deadly landform.

Also, it’s a good idea to pick a campsite that has plenty of space between you and your camping neighbor that weekend. Not everyone loves our kids as much as us, and to avoid any uncomfortable situations, it’s’ best to choose a site that gives us a little space for the kids to run.

Last but not least make sure you pick a campsite that is close to the bathrooms. Do I really have to say it? Just save yourself the hassle of nighttime expeditions with flashlights and the kids in tow over to the restrooms. It will make your life easier if you are only a few spots away.

2. Come Prepared for battle.

You know as well as I there are going to be many “opportunities” on a camping trip with kids. There is the falling in the water part, into the mud, into the fire, or basically anything
else that you don’t want to happen.

Having lots of clothes and cleanup supplies to deal with the messes that are going to happen will make your camping trip go just a little bit smoother, smooth enough to do it again next month.

Also, make sure to pack food that will be consumed by your ravaging clan of kids. Hungry kids are grumpy kids and you want everyone to sleep through the night. Make sure you have food prepared that your kids like and will eat.

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.

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.

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.

This baking can happen in two different ways. The first way is when you snuggle something like a potato in between the chard briquettes. The radiant heat surrounds the potato and “bakes it.” But another, little known way of using charcoal, is through baking.

Baking by definition is the process by which something is cooked with dry heat. This cooking technique typically is viewed as dealing with breads, desserts and such but it can also be used to cook meats and casseroles.

The key to using this cooking technique beyond sticking food in the coals is two fold. The first part deals with the container and the second deals with temperature.

When “baking” with charcoal, one must first use a container that can withstand the heat. Cast iron is an excellent choice. Skillets and/or Dutch ovens with the lids work well. If you do not have a lid for your skillet, consider using another skillet the same size upside down or a metal plate.

The second thing one needs to consider is temperature. When baking temperature or the correct temperature is very important. A heat that is too hot or not hot enough can be disastrous. To prevent this, follow this simple formula. Each briquette that has turned white equals 15 degrees. An example of how this works starts off by reading the temperature that you will need. If your cake needs a 350 degrees F temperature, then you will need 24 seasoned briquettes.

The number of briquettes in this process is very important but so is the placement. When using this technique, place two-thirds of the seasoned briquettes on the ground and then place your heat-resistant container. Next, place the remaining one-third of the briquettes on top of the lid. Make sure to arrange them so that they are equally spaced.

Keep an eye on the briquettes and monitor their heat. These briquettes will cool down and will need to be replaced often.

Cook your dish the length of time indicated by the recipe. After that time has been reached, remove the lid and check the contents. If it is not done enough, resume cooking and check ever 15 minutes after that.

Cooking with briquettes is a time saving technique when it comes to radiant heat. It also works well as far as baking but keep in mind that while the dish is baking a constant supply of coals will be needed so keep the home fires burning.

When camping, especially if one is primitive camping, space is a very important commodity. In doing so, this kit is designed to provide the most fire starting equipment without taking up a lot of space.

The basic premise of this kit is to fill it with fire starting tools so the first ingredient in this fire-starting recipe is the container. The best container to use is an old plastic medicine bottle or an old film canister. Both of these are small and waterproof, which is a very important factor.

The next ingredient in this recipe is something that will be a fuel source for the fire. Since a liquid is out of the question, the next source would be something that would burn just as easily. There are a couple of options at this point but two of the simplest come from common household items. The first one can be found in any dryer and that is dryer lint. This substance is a great ignition source and if do not believe that consider how many home burn up due to dryer fires.

The second ignition source is no farther then your cupboard or vending machine and that is chips. Whether you are talking about corn or potato chips, these little treats are great fire-starters. The oil that they were fried in burns very hot and long. In doing so, they make great ignition sources.

The next ingredient for a fire starting kit is something that will create a spark. A flint and steel is a good choice but it can be hard to fit into a small container. Another choice is blue-tipped strike anywhere matches. These matches, as the name describes, can be struck anywhere. As an example, they can be struck on a rock, shoe or on any other hard surface.

To make these matches even more useful, it is a good idea to waterproof them. While you can buy waterproof matches, the process is so simple why not do it yourself.

To waterproof matches, simply paint several layers of fingernail polish on the head of the matches. Make sure that each layer is dry before applying the next layer.

The last ingredient to add to the kit is something that will keep the fire going while the kindling is burning. This can be dried pine needles, dried bark from dead trees and old candles.

Once you have all your ingredients together, the next step is to fill your fire starting kit.

Organize it so that the items are easy to reach and in an order by which they will be used. As an example, place in the bottom the kindling aids, such as old candles or pine needles. Next, place a layer of some type of ignition source and then push matches around the perimeter of the container. Once this is done, place the lid on securely.

If you are using a larger container, consider adding a 9-volt battery and steel wool. Both of these can be used to create a spark.

So this year, while you are enjoying the wilds, keep your fire starting ingredients safe, dry and sound in your homemade fire starter kit.

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park is located just north of the Mexico border in Texas, between San Antonio and El Paso. The park contains the gorgeous Rio Grande river canyon pictured blow.

The nice thing about considering Big Bend National Park as a winter camping destination is that it’s a nice warm-up to more extreme iterations of winter camping. January, the coldest month at Big Bend, still has an average high temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit with an average low of 35. Those temperatures are still extreme and require full winter camping preparation, but it’s quite a bit more pleasant than trying to negotiate a winter camping experience where the high temperature never goes above freezing.

There are four campgrounds in Big Bend, many of them located nearby restaurants and convenience stores. Backpacking and bird-watching are two popular activities in the park.

Mojave Preserve

The Mojave Preserve is a National Park in the southeastern part of California between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. This is one place you wouldn’t want to choose as a summer camping destination; the desert climate is scalding hot with highs regularly above 100. The winter is far more suitable although temperatures can get below freezing at night. One must follow normal winter camping protocol when camping here despite the fact that it is a desert.

Two campgrounds in the park are open year round. The park is known for it’s sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, mountains, wildflower and Joshua tree fields. Roadside camping is also allowed. A favorite visitor activity is paying a visit to the abandoned mines and military outposts which can be found all over the 1.5 million acre national treasure.

Killarney Provincial Park

For some real winter camping, give Killarney Provincial Park in central Ontario, Canada a try. The park has a designated area for winter campers. They require all campers in winter months to file a trip plan with the park office. Temperatures at night can sometimes get as low as -20 Fahrenheit! The winter camp site includes a hut with a wood stove for frigid campers eager to warm themselves.

A popular activity for winter campers in Killarney Provincial Park is snowshoeing. The park is considered safe for blazing your own trail on foot in the winter since the terrain is fairly flat and relatively shielded from the elements by the dense forestry.

French Creek State Park

French Creek State Park is located in Pennsylvania in close proximity to Philadelphia.

For those appealed by the idea of winter camping with some amenities, French Creek State Park is a great place to look. They have ten cabins available to rent with electricity and heat. You won’t score many points with the hard-core campers, but it’s a good way to wet your beak to what it means to camp in the winter. The park is known for its hiking trails and is popular as a site of cross-country skiing in the winter. Ice fishing and ice skating is also popular.

Planning a winter camping trip around hiking, skiing, or snowboarding can add fun to your time in the frigid outdoors. With the right amount of planning and preparing, camping in the winter can be comfortable and safe.

No matter what time of the year you camp, having the proper supplies and equipment is imperative. This is especially the case in the winter when the low temperatures can contribute to frostbite and hypothermia.

A Good Pair of Boots

Perhaps the most important thing you can bring on your winter camping trip is a good pair of insulated, waterproof boots. They should go at least halfway up the calf.

Layering

You must protect your extremities against heat loss in the cold weather. Your body generates heat and you need proper clothing to insulate and trap this heat when camping during the winter. If you are participating in an activity like skiing, your body will generate more heat than usual so you will feel less of an overall need to trap body heat. This is why you might see people skiing in 25 degree weather wearing nothing but a turtleneck. But what happens as soon as you slow down and your body’s core temperature returns to normal? You start getting very cold and need to put on more layers to trap more of the heat being produced by your body. This is why you need to have several layers of clothing handy at all times when camping during the winter.

Pack several pairs of wool socks. Doubling up on socks will help tremendously in keeping warm.

Other Accessories

A hat is also imperative. Up to 70% of your body heat escapes through the head. Wear a hat while sleeping to stay nice and toasty.

For keeping your hands warm, mittens tend to work more effectively than gloves. Fingers help keep each other warm, so it’s best not to segregate them away from one another in gloves if possible.

If you’re able to pack clothing with a lot of zippers to help ventilate, your winter camping excursion will be much more bearable. Putting on and taking off clothing can be a real pain in the butt, so it’s nice to have pants and jackets that allow you to ventilate without having to remove your skis, boots, etc in order to cool down.

Final Tips

When playing out in the snowy weather, it’s important to stay as dry as possible. A clump of snow getting into your clothing will later freeze and could cause frostbite.

Bundle up even more than you think you need to at night before going to sleep. Your body temperature, and the temperature outdoors, will be at its lowest while you are sleeping and right when you wake up. A good sleeping bag rated to extreme, sub-zero temperatures is a must-have for winter camping. Keep a thermos of a hot beverage (tea is a good choice) in your tent in case you want a sip of something to warm-up with at night.

Finally, have fun and use common sense. Winter camping takes more planning and precautions than camping in the summer, but with the right preparation it can be a very worthwhile experience!

Portable Grill

Part of the fun of camping is being able to cook a meal over an open flame. Why take the easy way out by bringing a grill with you? With your campfire and some basic equipment, you can cook just about anything!

RV

The RV lifestyle has become very popular and is great for persons wanting to do some serious, long-term camping while enjoying some of the amenities of a home. But one is hardly necessary for a single camping excursion. It’s okay to camp the old-fashioned way by sleeping in a tent.

Air Mattress

It’s rather common for people to bring along an air mattress to sleep on in their tent. While this does add some comfort versus sleeping on the ground, isn’t the whole point of camping to reconnect with nature and escape the world of modern amenities? Unless you’re prone to serious back pain, a couple nights of sleeping on the ground won’t kill you. Think of it as a chance to reconnect with human history where sometimes sleeping on the ground was the only option.

Space Heater

If humanity survived thousands of years of evolution and sleeping outdoors without an electric space heater, you can too. Prepare by bringing adequate clothing (several thin layers is better than just a couple thicker layers) and sufficient blankets and sleeping bags. By doing this, you can leave the space heater at home.

Power Generator

If you’re going to go all the way out into the wilderness just so you can fire up a noisy generator and enjoy electricity, why not just stay at home? It’s entirely possible to sufficiently prepare for a camping trip that requires zero help from external electrical sources. You can do without a power generator on a leisurely camping trip.

Check and Prevent for Ticks

Most camping settings are loaded with ticks just dying to latch onto your dog as a host. Ticks can cause life-threatening diseases for your dog. You should be applying a tick and flea preventative medicine on your dog, such as Frontline Plus, on a monthly basis anyway. This is especially important if you are taking your dog into an outdoor, woodsy setting. Check for tigs regularly on your trip and have a pair of tweezers on hand to remove the entire tick (head included) from your dog.

Bring a Reminder of Home

While dogs love being outdoors, camping can also be anxiety-inducing for them if they do not feel a sense of home or “den” (remember, they evolved from wolves). Bring a special blanket or dog-bed along. Help adjust the dog to the campsite by taking him or her on a leashed walk around the premises before returning to the site of their familiar bed/blanket. This will help build a sense of normalcy for the dog and allow him or her to have a more enjoyable time with you while camping.

Bring Toys

Camping is a great chance for a real rowdy game of a tug-of-war or fetch with your dog. Let them get out all of that inner canine energy with their favorite toys and games in the great outdoors.

Store Food Safely

A loose, open container of dog food is an invitation to whatever animals may be nearby to come inspect. Keep your dog’s food sealed until he or she is ready to eat. If your dog can subsist solely on “wet” dog food for a few days, just bring along a few packages of that and feed him or her at their appropriate feeding time. Just be aware that if your dog is considerably more active while camping than they are normally that their appetite may increase.

Use Common Sense Precautions

Don’t take your dog camping and insist that he or she sleep with you in the tent when it’s 100 degrees with humidity outdoors. Dogs are very prone to heat-related sickness, moreso than humans. Be aware of this and always provide ample water, shade, and resting time for your dog.

Bring poop-scoop bags to clean up your dog’s waste.

Bring a brush and brush him or her nightly to remove various burrs, twigs, etc from their coat.

Make sure your dog has an identification tag.

Bring a leash and stake to tie him or her to, especially if part of your camping itinerary is involves getting rowdy at night; you don’t want your dog wandering off while you’re not paying attention.

Be aware that not all fellow campers and woodland critters are especially fond of your dog. Be responsible and sympathetic to this, especially if your dog is prone to barking or biting at strangers.