Cold weather camping is much more harsh on your body than camping in warmer seasons, so it is important to place extra attention on taking care of yourself by staying warm and eating the right foods. If you are camping in cold weather, you should allow yourself an additional 1,000 calories per day in your diet. Winter camping meals and snacks should be very high in carbohydrates to fuel your body through the extreme cold and should also contain plenty of fats and proteins.

Winter camping trips offer more flexibility for the types of foods you can pack because the cold temperatures are much friendlier to foods that may spoil quickly in the heat. Cooking and preparing your camping meals in the cold, however, is much more difficult. You will want to plan winter camping meals that are easy and quick to prepare and that are just as simple to eat. Plan on packing a good bit more food when camping in cold weather and pack several emergency meals as well.

Instant soups are simple winter camping meals that help warm you up on a cold night. Bring along plenty of hot drinks, like cocoa or coffee, and a Coleman 14 cup percolator to keep your body temperature higher before you wrap up in your sleeping bag for the night. Lunch will most likely take place on the trail so plan easy to eat foods that are high in carbs and proteins to keep your energy and strength throughout the day. It is important to continue to eat all day long because your body will be burning calories at a rapid rate, not only trying to keep your body warm, but to produce energy to hike as well.

High protein snacks like jerky, nuts, and trail mix are great for eating throughout the day regardless of the type of weather conditions you are hiking in, but are especially important winter camping foods. Dried fruits are also very beneficial to your body during strenuous cold weather activities like backpacking and hiking. Bring along plenty of raisins, trail mix, and fatty type snacks. Chocolate is even a good snack for winter camping and backpacking trips and it won’t melt along the trail!

Camp cooking in the cold can be a tedious task, but it is very important to eat well and to stay warm. Plan your winter camping meals ahead of time and consider the fact that things take longer to heat in cold weather. Avoid raw vegetables because it will be nearly impossible to cook them at camp. You can prepare vegetables at home and simply warm them to save time. Always cook with a covered pot or pan to retain more heat in the cold and warm your meals faster.

Consider hearty winter camping meals that can be prepared in a single dish and eaten with little effort. Prepared canned foods, like beef stew or chili, are great energy providers, but can be heavy to pack. Vary these heavier foods with light winter camping meal selections, like foil packets of tuna, pasta, and bagels, for a healthy menu for your cold weather camping adventures.

 

Humans spend a lot of time indoors. We are the only mammals that eat, sleep and live indoors. We spend all day working inside skyscrapers, factories, malls and office buildings. We go to school indoors, entertain indoors and worship indoors. So when it’s time to play, take it outside!

Outdoor living is essential for your body, mind and soul. There is no shortage of outdoor activities, all year long, so everyone can get out for some fun and fresh air. It’s all about what you like to do, and how you like to get your fun on.

Sports
Try to imagine any sport that cannot be played outdoors. Football, soccer, swimming and baseball come to mind. Even racquet sports, basketball and volleyball are more fun outdoors where facilities permit. Fresh air and sunshine make the game more enjoyable and provide a natural energy boost that you need to play harder and better.

Kick Back
You don’t necessarily have to get physical to enjoy the great outdoors. Take a walk for a double-hit of exercise and beautiful scenery. Jump on a bike, grab a skateboard or strap on a pair of roller blades and cruise the outdoors at your own pace. When you really need to relax, hang a hammock in a shady nook and let the summer breezes rock you to sleep.

Get Wet
Indoor pools can’t hold a candle to taking a dip in a cool river, lake or stream. Swimming is synonymous with outdoor living in summertime. Swimming exercise virtually every muscle in your body, keeps you cool and gives you time to clear your head of all those indoor troubles. Try boating as a fun way to bond with your kids. Whether you paddle a canoe across a silent lake, or water ski behind a speedboat, outdoor living doesn’t get much more fun.

Everybody Out
Get the entire family involved in outdoor living. Experiencing and appreciating the beauty of nature is something that all of you can–and should–do on a regular basis. Take a walk after dinner, enjoy a family bike ride on Saturday morning, hike through the woods or call a neighbourhood touch football game for some impromptu fun. Our society, and our children in particular, lead sedentary lives that are choking us of fresh air. Get everybody out to add some exercise and activity to your regular routine.

Rainy Days
When it rains on your parade, soak it up and have some fun! When a warm summer rain starts to fall, pull on your duck boots, and splash in the biggest puddle you can find. Outdoor living reminds you how it feels to be free and just have fun. Those more reserved can idle on the front porch to breathe in the aroma of the rain on earth, and if you’re really lucky, can watch a spectacular summer storm roll in.

Humans are not conditioned to survive solely indoors. Like all creatures, we need fresh air and sunshine to thrive. Outdoor living is essential for a clear head, healthy body and happy heart. As always, mother knows best; so take her advice and go play outside!

 

One of the most popular family events for summer outings is camping, and to have a safe and fun vacation or holiday it is important to have the right camping gear. Since there are so many different types of camping gear on the market today, for those just getting starting it can be a bit overwhelming.

While there are lots of add-ons and specialty items, there are a few basics in camping equipment that are a must and they simply can’t be skipped or missed, or you won’t have the trip that you are looking forward to. The basic camping essentials include:

Tent probably the most essential item in camping equipment, tents now come in a variety of styles, fabrics, frames and even colors. The most basic tent is a “pup tent” or traditional inverted V-shaped tent that is usually a two-person tent. There are larger versions of the pup tent that have the peaked roof but are much taller to allow adults and children to walk around inside with relative comfort. Hexagonal tents also offer more overall room, an important consideration if you are camping with children or large groups of people. When buying a tent consider the number of people you will be housing and the amount of under-cover storage space you may require. Also consider the weight of the tent if you have to pack it into your camping spot, as well as how easy or difficult it is to put up and take down.

Sleeping bags there are a wonderful variety of light-weight, ultra warm and very durable sleeping bags available at most camping stores. Sleeping bags come in a variety of sizes, from extra long to children’s sizes. Sleeping bags, like tents will have to packed into the camping location, so should be a lightweight, easy-to-care-for fabric.

First Aid Kit absolutely essential when you go into the woods or to the lake, a first aid kit should be a must for every hiker and camper. Most pharmacies, camping supply stores and sporting goods stores sell highly compact first aid kits that are reasonably priced. Be sure that the first aid kit contains antibacterial cream, disinfectants, bandages of all different sizes, gauze, pain medication, tweezers, scissors and a tensor wrap. Some creams or lotions for insect bites and sunburn prevention are also a great idea.

Cooking surface don’t count on a fire always being possible, depending on where you are camping, fire regulations and restrictions, or wet weather. A small, portable propane stove or charcoal grill can be a life saver for heating up food and water.

Food it is important to bring more food than you think you will require, just as a safety precaution if the trip lasts somewhat longer than originally planned. There are freeze-dried and pre-packaged foods that are easy to carry and ideal in the case of emergency.

Remember that many garage sales and swap meets will have used camping equipment, a wonderful way to get a lot of new and unique camping supplies at a fraction of their cost as new items.

 

When asked about the right camping Rucksack, most people who do not have any experience in camping will say that it is just a bag. The kind of back one chooses is not a small issue to people who have experience in camping. You will never be grateful for a good Rucksack until and unless you have bad experience with a bad one.

For instance, a trekker who went on a trip to Appalachians in the year 1994 went back home broken and bleeding from the heaviness of a bad Rucksack which caused his hips to be injured. Ten years later, he was a lot wiser and experienced than he was before; he took a better Rucksack and had a better and much more fun-filled experience.

Since we have decided the necessity of a good pack, given below are few tips that will help you choose a good Rucksack for your camping trip:

1. Recognize your requirements- The preferences of trekkers and campers are different. Some people take as minimum instruments as possible on their trips where as some take more.

Whatever that is that you may take with you, it will be a basis for what kind of Rucksack you will require. Assess your space requirements. In fact, most of the capable sales persons can assist you choose the right pack with the amount of space you need. While you are on this, try measuring the instrument that you may want to take for the longest trip that you intend to go.

2. Is the pack comfortable- When selecting a Rucksack, this is possibly the most essential point that you should keep in mind. Every person who intends to go camping would like to get a pack that can take most amount of weight with only a slight effort or difficulty.

When you have a good pack, it allocates the weight evenly and effectively. As a result, you do not face any problem while carrying it. In order to know how a pack can help in this, you will have to check out the pack yourself. Usually most camp stores have sand weights to put in the pack. You can examine how this pack can hold the weight and before deciding to buy it, make sure that the pack is comfortable.

The most important point that you should remember is that shoulder strap should carry about three-tenth of the weight where as the rest of the weight should be carried by the hips. While you are examining the pack, ensure that the shoulder straps are comfortable. It would be advisable to move about with the pack in order to determine how much mobility the pack can provide.

Usually most pack have sternum strap with them and these strap helps in stabilizing the pack. These straps are usually situated below to collar bone to guarantee comfort and steadiness.

Hip belts should not restrict your respiration nor should it be too broad that it hinders in the way of your steadiness.

The designs of the Rucksack will always be different and the Rucksack companies will always claim to have a new and improved pack for the purpose of camping. In order to know how good they are, just try them out.

3. Select your frame- You can choose between internal and external frames. The frames that are thinner and that hug your body closer are internal frames. These frames are perfect for hard paths as they are easily maneuvered and do not restrict the movements. However, these frames are a little difficult to load.

External frames are usually perfect for the beginners as they are not difficult to pack but they are a little stiff and may restrain the movements. This is the best kind of pack for children and the starters.

4. Miscellaneous- While you are buying your Rucksack, ask if the pack is well-suited to the different kinds of weather in order to protect your pack. You should also think about how the other attachments can be adjusted with it. Usually pack rings and snap-on(s) permit accessories to join together with the Rucksack.

Conclusion

Ultimately what matters the most is a good Rucksack. Selecting a good pack will certainly improve your camping experience. Remember to choose cautiously as your Rucksack will be your most trusted companion. Have a great trip!

 

Had it with the “rat race”? Got time off but not much cash to spend? Losing touch with your family? Sounds like an old-fashioned campout is just what you need.

Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and spend time getting reacquainted with your family. Great family camping getaways are easy to plan and inexpensive vacation options. Nature is everywhere, so you don’t need to travel far for your camping trip. You can journey to a national park, drive to a local campground, or pitch a tent in your own backyard.

Camping 101 begins with the planning. This part of the trip is half the fun. Call a family meeting to decide where you’d like to go. Depending on your budget, you can plan to load up the trunk with tents and sleeping bags, pull a camper or drive an RV. The point is to treat your family to an unforgettable outdoor adventure, so it doesn’t matter how you plan to camp or where you intend to go.

If you are new to the camping experience, it’s probably a good idea to start out slow. Book a weekend campsite to get the feel for the camping lifestyle. Get used to cooking over a wood fire and sharing your space with wildlife, before you venture too far away from the comforts of home. Many campgrounds provide fun activities like pools, playgrounds, fishing or recreational boating, so check your local listings to see what adventures lie ahead.

Once your kids (and you) recover from the shock of having no television or Internet access, you’ll all have an eye-opening experience. You’ll realize the nature is fun. Camping opens the doors to a world of new activities, like swimming, rock diving, boating, fishing, hiking, catching butterflies, searching for fossils, and going wherever your energy level and imagination can take you. Campgrounds and remote parks are all filled with wonderful ways to enjoy the best nature has to offer. If you want to boat or water ski, many campsites offer these and other items for rent.

Don’t expect to bring along your everyday dinnerware and automatic coffeepot for your campout. Remember, you will be roughing it, so pack accordingly. Bring plastic dishes and cutlery that can be washed and reused, but won’t break in transit. Make sure you have enough sleeping bags, pillows and extra clothes. Pack the food you’ll need, plus a little extra, and keep a supply of ice on hand for perishables like meat and dairy. If you’re bringing tins of beans, remember a manual can opener or pack your Swiss army knife. If you’re not sure what to bring, ask an associate at your local sporting store to help you choose your camping needs. Call on friends who like to camp, and ask them for advice.

Just like your old scoutmaster used to say, “Always be prepared”. Make a list of Camping Equipment and check it three times before you leave on your camping trip. Make sure that there is enough food and fresh water for everyone. Bring food that can be easily prepared on your campsite. Pack clothing for all kinds of weather. Don’t forget sunscreen, bug spray and hygiene items. Toilet paper and paper towels are absolute necessities. Bring along some soap and toothpaste, but leave the hair gel and makeup at home. Mother Nature doesn’t care what you look like. She just wants you to enjoy your stay.

 

Camping Equipment from Springfields.co.uk