If someone were to ask me of my favorite experience while outdoors with my father, I would immediately respond \”tent camping!\” When my brother and I were younger, our parents were determined to help us experience the most out of our summer vacations and still spend time with them. Thus, instead of signing us up to join a summer camp, since they were both working individuals and time was back then a luxury, my parents decided to split their summer vacations in such way so as to increase our ability to vacate with them; even if that meant that we would have to spend more time first with the one and later with the other.

My mother was the one that introduced us to all those amazing resorts and my father joined us during the last of the three weeks we had the opportunity to spend with her. Upon the completion of that last week that we were all together, my father drove us-literally drove us-to a number of places all over my home country, for an extra fifteen days. By the time I was fourteen, I had been given the opportunity to live outdoors, see a million different places and experience the unexpected. I remember now that when early in fall I returned to school, I was one of the few students delighted to write the first essay of the semester, titled \”How did you spend your summer vacations?\” I was extremely eloquent in describing my tent camping adventures and that made my teacher\’s eyebrows rise high pleasantly surprised.

Ask around and you will see. One third of U.S. adults say that they have gone on a camping vacation in the last five years, making it the number one outdoor activity in the U.S. Camping in and of itself is a great hobby for families to undertake together. But tent camping in particular, offers to parents the opportunity of teaching their children that fun and adventure are not things one should pay a high price for. Especially nowadays, when parents are seeking for an instructive, yet affordable, way of instilling in their kids a taste for the simpler things in life, tent camping can be a great outdoor activity for families to explore. Since many kids lack any sense of responsibility, discipline, and organization, embarking for a tent camping adventure can offer to parents the opportunity to instruct their children that it is possible to have fun, be safe, and keep organized, all at the same time.

Some of the advantages of this simple form of camping for parents and kids are its affordability, the fact that it offers the right circumstances for one to teach that you can survive with only the basics and that one should stay organized and always be prepared. In fact, tent camping gives you a sense of success and accomplishment, while it lets you experience nature from a totally different perspective. But before deciding to let yourself, your friends and/or your kids experience this amazing outdoor activity, you should remember to check some basic stuff. First, how many people can fit in your tent. It would be really frustrating having to deal with the fact that one has to sleep in the car because you miscalculated your tent\’s dimensions.

Second, you should check whether or not tent camping is allowed where you are going. If you are going to visit a specific area, call the local authorities and find out if tent camping is a welcomed activity. Some places, like forest areas and such, do not allow campers to stay overnight, in fear of fires or other camping accidents. Third, you should make a list of the things you will need apart from your precious tent. Flashlights, sleeping beds, water coolers, food containers, cooking and eating utensils, handbags, and of course the right type of clothes and shoes, are some of the things you should be planning to take. Walking in high heals or wearing uncomfortable clothes can result in frustration and whining. This is the time you and your family should relax and bond with each other, not the time to fight. Thus, make sure you are familiar with the basics and don\’t let simple things, like the weather for example, get in your way. Check your list, do your shopping and then camp away!

About the Author

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Outdoors, Food, and Nutrition

Travelling the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southern United States will continually surprise you as you cruise past first a folk arts fair, then a museum to Appalachian culture, then a breath-taking shimmering lake. Stretching all the way from Pennsylvania to Georgia, the mountains are a world of possibilities, and Blue Ridge RV camping is one of the best ways to see them.

You can travel about in the comfort of your own place, at your one pace, and stay near to the things you want to see. And some of the attractions of the Blue Ridge area are uniquely suited to RVing.

One of the fastest growing business and attractions within the Blue Ridge region is wine-making. While California may still be the viticultural behemoth of the United States, the east coast wine industries is its plucky younger brother who boasts more than a few surprises.

Blue Ridge RV camping can be an excellent way to tour the wineries of the region, as you can set up camp and then head out to see what the local area offers. After you\’ve sipped all that one area has to offer, picking up and heading to the next spot is as easy as turning turning your key in the ignition.

Blue Ridge RV camping isn\’t restricted to wine touring, however. Many people who head to the mountains have something else in mind completely: a bit of blue-grass music!

Mountain music sites abound throughout the Appalachian range, and those taking a Blue Ridge RV camping trip will not be disappointed by the range available to them. A bit of research before your trip will pay off, however, as many of the best acts and venues are small time and not easily booked too far in advance.

Some of the best places to see blue grass musicians are in fact local coffee houses such as the Purple Fiddle in Thomas, West Virginia. Give places near your itinerary a ring and see what acts are scheduled during your stay.

Blue Ridge RV Camping is also one of the best ways to have an outdoor adventure. You can travel with your RV through some of the most beautiful landscapes in North America on your way to an exciting white water rafting or a relaxing fishing trip.

White water rafting attracts many people to the Blue Ridge Mountains each year, and for thrill seekers it is a hard thing to beat. For the more subdued, there are numerous creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes that are home to hundreds of thousands if not millions of fish all waiting for a chance at your bait during your next Blue Ridge RV Camping trip.

Be sure to make reservations for rafting trips, as growing popularity in recent years makes reservations essential.

About the Author

Tom Ambrozewicz is CEO/President of CampingManiac.com combines his love for the outdoors to help you with information that will enhance your camping experiences and make your adventures memorable. Check his latest bestseller book titled Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Camping, But Never

The best hiking boots should be what you are looking for. There are many different brands on the market today. Some are not meant to be taken on the trail, though. The brand names that you know and love as quality boots should be what you are focusing on. Yet, brand names are nothing in regards to the best hiking boots. You need to consider the use you have for those boots as well as the quality that they can provide for you. The good news is that there are a number of different options available to you that do provide quality.

Key Factors In Boot Selection

Consider what you need in the best hiking boots. You need a boot that will carry you over rough terrain, rocks, slippery surfaces and even through the mud. You want all of this to happen without much damage to the boot itself and definitely no damage to your foot. In addition, you need a boot that will allow you to easily move in it, one that\’s not too heavy and one that provides you with stability. The combination of these factors will deliver the best boot for the job.

One of the key factors of the boot should be how well it fits your foot. To find the best hiking boots, then, you do need to have your feet professional measured. You should determine the right sizing for your feet, as well as the amount of support you need. Support is not just so that your feet don\’t ache but also to give your hips and your back strength to take you up and down the trail comfortably. Having them professional measured insures that you get the overall best fit.

Look at the quality of the boot, too. Consider how well the best hiking boots that your friends or family members have lasted them. A good quality boot will last years, over all types of terrain. Flip the boot over and look at how well it is made. Bend it back and forth a bit, does it give easily or is there tension there? How much do they weigh? Do they feel heavy when you slip them on? The lining inside them should also be comfortable. You\’ll find the best results from a boot that is designed well because all of these features are found.

If you set out to find the best hiking boots with the consideration of price or brand name first, you will not come home with the best boots. In fact, spending a bit more on quality, well designed and well fitting boots right now will allow you to keep them for years to come and get excellent results form them. This makes for the best hiking boots possible.

About the Author

Tom Ambrozewicz is CEO/President of CampingManiac.com combines his love for the outdoors to help you with information that will enhance your camping experiences and make your adventures memorable. Check his latest bestseller book titled Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Camping, But Never Dared To Ask

A backside sleeping bag is the perfect choice for the outdoor enthusiast who takes their outdoor excursions to the extreme of cooler weather conditions. A quality piece of survival equipment that can withstand such cooler conditions requires a number of features and a high level of quality.

In order to produce such a superior item, much must go into the product by way of research and development to determine which properties make for a more reliable product and which do not. Those who choose a Backside sleeping bag will find that the research has led to an extremely fine product.

Since a backside sleeping bag is especially designed to keep campers and hikers incredibly warm in the coldest of climates, synthetic and natural insulations are used in their products with a fill power of 700-750 or more. Bags with this high of a fill power are ultra-toasty, more durable and last longer.

A backside sleeping bag can also be counted on to be amazingly light and compact even with the extra insulation added to the chest and footbox of the sleeping bag. A draft tube that runs the length of the sleeping bag will help to keep out a chilly draft and many of the models come with an adjustable draft collar that creates a seal keeping body heat in and cold drafts out. Models that come with a parka style hood help to retain even more heat.

The bag\’s durable seams are places on the bottom to keep out chilly winds and compatible zippers allow bags to be joined together to make for a larger sleeping space, a necessary tactic in extremely cold weather conditions. Highly breathable fabrics add to the comfort.

A backside sleeping bag can be found for all shapes and sizes, including children\’s sizes and youth sizes. Each style gives all the necessary protection a camper could want. Many campers and hikers find that the features, fill power and the bag\’s ability to compact as well as it does make the Backside sleeping bag worth every penny. The fact these bags can last for many seasons with proper care only increases their value even more.

Other cold weather sleeping bags may offer similar features but backside continues to deliver at a much better price, even if the bag is used only from time to time throughout the year. However, extensive use shows that this is a product that can take the wear and tear of a camping or hiking trip in cold climates and come out extremely well with no problems whatsoever.

About the Author

Tom Ambrozewicz is CEO/President of CampingManiac.com combines his love for the outdoors to help you with information that will enhance your camping experiences and make your adventures memorable. Check his latest bestseller book titled Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Camping, But Never Dared To Ask

While you\’re away from home on your camping vacation, remember that safety and first aid becomes even more important. Accidents can happen during your camping trip that you may have to deal and being prepared for cuts, scrapes and injuries is very important, as well as knowing what to do in case of an emergency.

Every camper should have a first aid kit and survival aids packed alongside their tents and coolers, and it\’s a wise thing to know something about handling injuries and the people that are suffering from them.

To increase your camping safety and keep your grounds as accident-free as possible, begin by walking the area and looking for hazards such as broken glass, sticks jammed into the ground at dangerous angles, slippery spots to avoid or rocky areas that could be dangerous in a fall. If there is deadfall on the ground, remove as much as possible and clear the area.

Accidents such as being jabbed by a branch during a fall could be avoided by a little prevention. During your stay, always try to keep safety in the forefront by making sure you\’re handling your equipment carefully and clearly marking ropes that can be a trip hazard with colored fly tape. Another good way of ensuring safety around your campsite is putting things away once you\’re done using them. A cluttered camping area has plenty of potential for small accidents that can cause a lot of grief.

If you\’re planning on building camp fires for warmth, enjoyment or cooking, be smart, wary and safe. Find out if there are any restrictions for the time of year or dryness in the region – many areas don\’t permit fires when there has been a recent dry spell and the spread of fires is a concern. Avoid building fires on a windy day, as the breeze can transport smouldering ashes and start them burning elsewhere.

If you know it\’s safe to build a fire and it\’s not a windy day, do make sure you have a proper fire pit dug out and ringed with stones. Containing and controlling your flame is extremely important. Always have a bucket of water handy, as fires can get out of control very quickly – and you\’ll need to extinguish your fire properly before turning in. Letting a fire die down unsupervised is asking for trouble.

Wilderness camping can be one that holds a lot of risk for injuries. Accidents are never expected to happen but even the most cautious camper can end up in an emergency situation and needing quick help.

First aid courses can provide you with the know-how to deal with concussion or severe cuts, and the amount of time it takes from your schedule usually isn\’t more than a weekend. The advantages to being able to provide quick, proper emergency care out in the woods, where qualified help and sometimes hospital resources aren\’t available, is a must for anyone planning a camping trip.

While there are a lot of things you can do to keep your camping trip safe and pleasant for everyone, staying aware of potential hazards can mean the difference between needing stitches and bringing back good memories.

Learning good first aid skills and getting into the good habit of keeping your campsite clean and safe is never a wasted effort. No one wants to have accidents or emergency situations happen and avoiding them is the best prevention of all.

About the Author

John Edmond runs and writes regularly for Living And Camping Outdoors where you can find more articles on mountain safety and outdoor survival. Also go to Well Spoken Audio for a range of entertaining audiobooks on camping and much more.

While camping, you will probably be enjoying activities such as fishing, boating or hiking. In order to have enough energy to enjoy your day outdoors, bring with some camping recipes breakfast ideas. Camping breakfasts that include healthy foods will fuel you for the day and leave you feeling satisfied and energetic.

Following is one of the many camping recipes breakfast found online that includes a well-rounded variety of healthy ingredients such as vegetables and eggs. The recipe is simple and easy to prepare while also being tasty and satisfying.

? Chop 1/2 cup each of green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and any other of your favorite vegetables.
? Fry the vegetables with oil in a campfire skillet — a large, cast iron skillet works best.
? Beat up to a dozen eggs in a large bowl and add the eggs to the vegetables once they are tender.
? Cook the eggs by stirring constantly until they are set.
? If you would like, include bacon by frying first and adding in the vegetables or top the dish when you are finished with some shredded cheese, allowing it to melt while the eggs are still hot.

Who would not like to start the day off with some campfire doughnuts? These treats can be prepared in just minutes, and will be sure to be a hit with everyone.

? Open a can of biscuits and separate each biscuit, poking a hole in the middle of each one.
? Place one cup of oil in a skillet and heat the oil until it is very hot.
? Place the biscuits with holes in them into the hot oil and fry until one side is brown.
? Using tongs, turn the biscuits over and fry the other side until it is also brown.
? Remove the biscuit doughnuts with your tongs and place on a paper towel to drain.
? While they are still warm, dip the doughnuts into a mixture of half cinnamon and half powdered sugar.

Many camping recipes breakfast call for a dutch oven, a great piece of camp cooking equipment that is easy to use and transport. Dutch ovens are perfect for preparing morning favorites such as muffins or biscuits. They can also make delicious egg bakes that may include any ingredient you like and will turn out like a quiche.

A great resource for camping recipes breakfast are online web sites. Be sure to have in a mind a few hot and satisfying campfire breakfasts before you head out on your next family camping trip.

About the Author

Ronald Piper is the proud grandfather of five. He also has been an avid camper for many years, and has found that camping together helps keep the family close. Get the free report to answer all of your camping questions at his website    ronaldpiper.com/

#1 – Sleeping Bag – One of the most important pieces of camping gear that you will need is a sleeping bag. Sleep is a very important part of your trip and you will want to be sure that you do not end up sleeping on the cold ground with the bugs and other crawling things. Before you leave on your trip, be sure that you check the sleeping bag off your essential pieces of gear.

#2 – Food – Unless you want to go hungry or scrounge for food on your camping trip, you better remember to pack the food you are going to eat. Make sure you take food that will not need to be refrigerated and will provide you with plenty of energy on your camping trip.

#3 – Water – Water is another essential piece of camping gear that you will need on any camping expedition. Remember that it is always unsafe to drink out of rivers and streams, so you need to be sure that you bring your own water along. Humans need water to survive, so if you want to survive your camping trip without having stop for a trip home or to a store, be sure that you have the water you need.

#4 – Tent – When you go camping, you never know what kind of weather may be coming your way. It is always important to have a tent with you so you can have protection against any weather that you run into. There are different sizes and styles of tents that you can choose from, depending on your needs, but make sure that you have one along.

#5 – Flashlight – At least part of the time that you are camping, you will be in the dark, and more than likely there will be no electricity readily available. While a campfire will provide some light, you may need light in your tent or if you have to go off into the woods after dark. Make sure that you take a durable flashlight that will withstand the rain, and you may even want to pack extra batteries just in case you need them.

#6 – First Aid Kit – Before you go out into the wild, you need to make sure that you are prepared for anything that can happen, and you never know when an accident can happen when you are camping. Be sure that you take a first aid kit with you in case anyone gets scratched, cut, or seriously injured. While it is best to prevent accidents from happening, it is always wise to be prepared.

#7 – Knife – Another very important piece of camping gear to take with you is a good knife. Knives are very versatile and can be used for a variety of things like cutting food, opening packages, or even filleting fish if you decide to go fishing.

These are just a few essential items that you should take along with you as part of your camping gear. While there are many other things that you may want to take along, make sure that you put these seven things at the top of your list!adams

Don’t Look Back (Unless It’s to Take in the View)

Get away at a moment’s notice — and take the comforts of home right along with you, including all of your favorite gear.

If you like going places and doing things, you’ll love RVing. These versatile vehicles are perfect for camping, for exploring our national parks and scenic byways, for tailgating, for weekend excursions — and so much more.

For every passion, there’s an RV to help you enjoy it more. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite RV activities here — some ideas to fuel your imagination as you ponder your next excursion.

Thinking of taking your family for a vacation? Instead of going for expensive vacation packages and burn a hole in your pocket, why not bring your whole family for a great camping trip. Family camping is not only more affordable than a complete stay in a resort, it offers enjoyment that packaged vacations can’t even come close to.   The 5 reasons below will provide you with some of the great benefits that family camping can bring:   1. It’s educational   The kids will learn about nature and wildlife as well as about learning about national monuments and state parks.  Kids also learn other skills from camping like independence, self-reliance, wilderness skills and first aid.   2. It’s active   Obesity is a growing epidemic among children.  Instead of taking your kids to a theme park or taking them on a vacation where they will just sit around most of them time taking them camping will be encouraging them to swim, hike, and do other outdoor activities.    3. It’s a way to get great quality time When you’re off on a family camping trip you will have lots of quality time to spend with your spouse and your kids because it will just be the family in a quiet, beautiful outdoor environment. No TV, videogames, movies, or other distractions will keep you from focusing on your family or keep them from focusing on you.  For families where both parents work and are busy all the time it’s a wonderful way to reconnect with your kids.   4. It’s cheap   Most camping vacations cost a lot less than traditional vacations.  Camping in state parks or other historical areas often costs less than $100 for a week’s worth of camping.  You will need to spend money on gear, but later in the book we’ll look at ways you can cut the costs of buying camping gear.    The biggest expenses that you will have will be food and gas. Eating meals that you cook yourself with groceries you bring with you will be much cheaper than eating in a restaurant three times a day like you would on a traditional vacation, and gas will probably be cheaper than what you would spend on airfare for the whole family.   5. It’s something everyone in the family can enjoy   Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to relax and enjoy yourself without having to listen to one child complain that he or she wants to go to the pool while another cries bitterly because you won’t buy them a new boat/sweater/ toy or trinket and the other just sits in the corner with a sullen look and kicks the bed repeatedly?   A camping vacation is a real vacation for the whole family because there is always something fun and active to do for people who want to do something active and that leaves plenty of time for the people that want to do nothing (usually the parents) to sit and enjoy the quiet stillness of nature.