| What good is camping anyway? Most people think | | | | them go out in nature. |
| of camping and they think of sitting in the dirt | | | | 5. Identification. Always bring identification with you |
| with insects all around and then sleeping on a hard | | | | when camping out in any state park or private |
| rock floor. They think of hoving around each | | | | campsites or forests. You will need this in an |
| other at night in a camp --afraid of what noices | | | | emergency. |
| they are hearing from the trees or forests. | | | | 6. Haha, a luxury tip for tenters: If you bring a |
| However, if you are one of the people who love | | | | small George Forman grill, you can cook burgers |
| to go camping, then you think the opposite of all | | | | and veggies on there and leave all the charcoal, |
| that. When you love nature and you love camping | | | | grills and bbq things at home. |
| out, you think of all the wonderful times that you | | | | 7. Buckets and containers: These are necessary. |
| will have even if it rains the entire time. | | | | These items keep the tent clean and dry and |
| When you love camping you are thinking that you | | | | keep your things organized. Bring the bucket with |
| are the closest to nature than you will ever be; | | | | you when you go to the shower. You can put |
| you are closest to pure natural stress relief there | | | | your watch and wallet and other things inside a |
| is. When you love camping, you look forward to | | | | child's small beach bucket, and now everything |
| camping season and you are probaby sad to see | | | | stays dry while you shower. |
| it end. Most of us think about camping one way | | | | 8. Lots of string or cord for the tent stakes, and |
| or the other. You either love it hate ir or you | | | | tents, tarps and other related items. |
| have no clue what camping is about. | | | | 9. Music and electronics and coloring books and |
| So, here are some ideas, suggestions and | | | | games for those stormy times when you need |
| comments, along with some great product | | | | to be outside your tent (perhaps in the |
| descriptions: | | | | gamerooms or somewhere else). |
| - Camping will and does lower blood pressure | | | | 10. Friends and family for some camping trips and |
| because having less stress has been known to | | | | be sure to do some solo trips also. A good mix is |
| lower blood pressure also and camping relieves | | | | the health idea. |
| stress. | | | | Some other good snacks are Craisins, yogurt |
| - Camping provides that no stress atmosphere --if | | | | candies, watermelon, crackers, pretzels, and more. |
| you camp with a tent. You never have to worry | | | | Bring something with wheels on it if you have to |
| about doing the dishes or about entertaining | | | | walk far from the car, you can tote your items |
| people. | | | | on wheels or let everyone carry their own share. |
| - You can have your first experience building your | | | | Other camping hints: |
| own home; now how is that for being different. | | | | Attach the fly of the tent ONLY after you have |
| And yes, putting a tent together is building a | | | | completely tied the tent down to the ground with |
| home. Yes it is a temporary home, but still it will | | | | a sufficient number of stakes. One year I did not |
| be your home for at least a day or perhaps a | | | | tie the tent down and let go of it for a split |
| week, depending on how long you intend to camp | | | | second. One six foot high tent went flying up in a |
| out. | | | | gust of wind. I have to chase this tent for half |
| - Camping is one of the best ways to teach | | | | the size of a football field before I caught up with |
| children about nature. After all mostly all around | | | | it. So, moral of this story is always stake this tent |
| most campsites you will find nature and natural | | | | down before attaching the fly. For non-campers, |
| settings. | | | | the fly is that extra piece of tent/material that |
| Here are some things to bring with you when you | | | | goes on top of the tent. It attaches to the tent |
| go camping with your tent or tents: | | | | with string. As you can see, a nice wind picks the |
| | | | tent up and if the fly is not attached it will not fly |
| 1. Money. Yes, bring money. It pays to be | | | | too far away from you. |
| prepared, even if you are only camping out for a | | | | Here is a link for one of the best tents you can |
| few days. | | | | purchase. I purchased this tent for about $70 |
| 2. Dried foods (Some dried foods are raisens, | | | | dollars AFTER the camping season was over. And |
| oatmeal cookies, dry cereal, nuts, rice cakes, and | | | | it is the best tent that I have ever put together. |
| if need be, pototo chips or cheese doodles. | | | | One person can assemble this --even on a windy |
| 3. Wild camping? You will need a water supply and | | | | day. My version actually had two plastic windows |
| you might need iodine tablets to purify your | | | | in the fly that covered the screen windows on |
| water. Bring a small filter so you can filter stream | | | | rainy camping days. I recomment Tetragon and |
| water. | | | | especially Tetragon 9 or Tetragon 7. |
| 4. Grippers or Gophers are all important. These | | | | Stay tuned in for other helpful hints in other |
| metal/plastic extensions are great for reaching | | | | articles. |
| inside the tent, for catching spiders and for letting | | | | |