Lodging & Accommodations

A crackling campfire or handy camp stove are a key part of the camping experience, but they do pose a danger to campers young and old if not handled properly. When building and using a campfire, make sure long hair is tied back, and no loose clothing, like overlong sleeves, comes near the fire.

There’s no need for a giant fire, which can get out of hand. Don’t use a huge dose of accelerants, like lighter fluid either. Teach your kids to be careful around the fire–that means no running, no playing and no frantic waving of flaming marshmallows. Have a bucket of water on hand to douse flames, and after you’ve put out the fire with sand or water, stir the embers to make sure it’s absolutely dead. (Watch little ones around the water bucket, especially kids under one, as it’s a drowning hazard.)

Place your camp stove is on a stable surface and keep it in good working order. A decent oven mitt (rather than a tea towel, which can dangle into the flames or burner) is a must to prevent burned hands. Store extra fuel cans away from a heat source.

Camping & Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bags have come a long way since Freydis sailed around the world, and sleeping bag manufacturers have paid close attention to the details and the needs of consumers, producing sleeping bags for every camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing adventure they dare to get themselves equipped for.

Information about sleeping bags such as; design types, insulation fill, and temperature ratings, are easily accessible on-line; some information is quite technical, and some is as fluffy as the down used to fill them. TheOutdoorWorld.com, a leading supplier of camping and outdoor goods has compiled a few of the most commonly asked questions about sleeping bags. We hope this will help you determine the best fit for your needs, as well as the needs of your family.

Typesof Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and some retain heat better than others; it is important to know which sleeping bag works best for you. The two most common types [shapes] of sleeping bags are rectangular and mummy.

A Mummy bag, which is tapered at the foot and flared at the shoulder is designed to mimic human body shape and will retain heat better than those that are not. It will perform better in colder temperatures because it allows air, warmed by your body, to effectively form a barrier between you and the colder air outside the bag.

One feature that separates the mummy bag from the rectangle bag is the hood, which all mummy bags will have. It is designed to trap warm air at the top (your head) where heat is most likely to escape. Rectangular bags which are usually recommended for warm weather are roomier, but by design, will not trap heat as effective and will take more body heat to warm.

Those who have rectangular bags know you can still be plenty warm on a cool summer night, and that fabric, fill, and construction must be factored in. If you find yourself somewhere between the two, manufacturers often offer modified versions of the mummy and rectangular, combined in both.

Having a Good Night in aTent

Sleeping in a tent can be a rewarding experience believe it or not Waking up to the sounds of birds singing and the cool crisp air of spring or fall is the stuff of memories. But you will need to make yourself comfortable and you can with a little preparation.

First, position your tent with the entrance away from the wind. Throw some leaves in the air and try to see which way the wind is blowing. You will be warmer in cold weather. You also want to be aware of where your fire will be so that the tent is not full of smoke when you are ready to go to bed. So watch that the wind will not blow the smoke inside of your tent and zip up the window flys when necessary.

You will want to have a nice spot to lay down at night so do a little work to prepare the area before pitching your tent. Clear the ground under your tent, check for tree roots and small rocks. Use a ground tarp below your tent to prevent moisture. Throw the ground tarp down on the ground and lay down on it to see how level the ground is and if any rocks will make you uncomfortable while sleeping. Make sure the ground tarp is completely covered by the tent. Otherwise rain might collect below your tent.

Keep your tent tidy. Crumbs and garbage will atract ants. Keep a few zip lock bags for food and dirty clothes. Put on a pair of clean dry socks as well. You will be more comfortable and warm and your tent mates will appreciate it as well. Get a self inflatable mat and a pillow if possible. Take some Advil or ibuprofen for sore muscles. Stretch those tired muscles before your lay down.

When you put up the tent drive your stakes and tie your lines as if you were expecting a big storm. It could come up in the middle of the night you never know. And by all means make sure you look up before you pitch your tent, loose tree limbs can come down during a storm. Furthermore, watch that your tent is not in the path of water drainage in case of a storm.

Whenever you pack your tent away make sure it is dry. Putting up your tent before you leave and letting it air out can help with musty smells.