Feeling like your annual camping trip could use a few amenities? Thanks to new products designed to help make your vacation under the stars a little more civilized, a trip to the great outdoors can have the same luxuries as an indoor hotel stay. Whether you're looking to create a safari-style sensation or simply bring a few of the comforts of home with you, here are some ideas to add some comfort to your campsite.
Lighting
Light up your campsite with a practical, ambient and safe rechargeable outdoor lantern. Visually appealing, battery-operated lights give off more light than the traditional flash light. Use them to create a romantic mood, as make-shift table lamps or to add task lighting. Whether you hang them from trees or line them along the path to your tent, these lanterns are definitely a camping "must-have."
Curl up near the fire
No campsite is complete without a proper campfire to gather around and cook over. Consider trading up from the traditional fire with an all-in-one portable fire pit and grill. A light weight luxury should come complete with a no-spark screen, iron stand and detachable chrome grill for added safety, comfort, and convenience.
Mood music
If campfire sing-a-longs aren't your cup of tea, you can still set the mood around your campsite with music. Take your iPod along with a portable, weather resistant, set of outdoor speakers.
Naptime
Take a break from hiking and fishing with a rejuvenating rest in a double hammock. Comfortable for one but roomy enough for two, it's the perfect spot for any couple to curl up together for a nap, a good read or to simply relax.
Dining al fresco
Set a stylish table with a folding version and all-weather tablecloth. Thanks to new weather resistant fabrics that mimic the sophisticated look of linen and cotton, dining al fresco can be an elegant experience. Dress up a light-weight, portable aluminuim dining table with an innovative, easy-to-wash, easy-to-clean fabric tablecloth. Keep things classic with white, add contrast with pop colors like hot pink and purple or tune in to your environment with earthy shades of green and brown. Both practical and attractive, tablecloths will add stylish sophistication to your outdoor spread.
Set a beautiful table
Trade in those environmentally challenged paper plates and Styrofoam cups for new and improved tabletop versions made of bamboo, plastic, wood and stone. Innovations in outdoor party ware such as "unbreakable" plastic champagne flutes, faux-silver plated flatware, and patterned "china" have given the idea of outdoor dining a new life. So, dump the disposables and give your campfire meal an elegant new twist.
Fabulous furnishings
Camping doesn't have to mean sitting on the cold, wet ground, with so many fabulous and functional seating options for your campsite. Deck chairs with attached side tables and a modern flair, folding loungers and portable side tables let you furnish your base camp with style.
A good night's sleep
Sleeping on the ground can be a real letdown when you're dreaming of a nice soft bed after a day of hiking and swimming. Thanks to the portable Aero Bed you can have the comforts of your nice down-filled bed in the wilderness. Although this water resistant delight comes equipped with a weatherproof mattress pad for added comfort, add a little style with a down-filled comforter and pillow or use a pair of down-filled sleeping bags for a cozy retreat.
Clean up
There's nothing like a shower to help you feel refreshed after a day in the woods. A portable, shower-in-a-bag is just what your campsite needs. Simply fill the bag with water and let the sun heat warm it while you're having fun. Some are equipped with a thermometer for added comfort. This compact amenity is sure to make keeping clean in the wilderness a whole lot easier and more fun.
Stylish shelter
While sleeping in a tent is part of the fun of camping, create a stylish shelter from the sun with a portable gazebo. Easy to transport and easy to assemble, this outdoor structure lets everyone gather under one roof. For an upscale safari look, decorate the sides with gauzy outdoor fabric or netting. Not only will this give your campsite an ethereal look, it will also keep the bugs away. Hang battery operated string lights or lanterns from the ceiling for ambience and you'll have your own living room in the wilderness.
Pillows and throws
Nothing adds style to a space like the pop of accessories. So, don't neglect the details just because you're in the rugged outdoors. Inject a little comfort and color to any campground by peppering furnishing, beds, and outdoor rugs with some attractive pillows and throws. Available in different shapes and sizes, outdoor pillows are made with weather resistant fabrics ranging from faux velvet to basic canvas. Choose stripes, bold colors or traditional damask prints for the perfect accent.
Rugs
Outdoor rugs are possibly one of the quickest and easiest way to add color and comfort to any camp site. New options for outdoor use are more attractive and durable then ever before. Portable and weather resistant, these rugs are available in styles ranging from classic Orientals to geometric shapes to natural sisals. Spread them over the grass or dirt in your tent or sitting area and these rugs will keep your feet clean and dry, even when you want to kick off your heavy camping boots.
Showing posts with label preparation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preparation. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Camping Air Mattress - What You Must Know Before You Buy
The camping air mattress is more than just a nice addition to a camping trip. It is the single most important tool in determining whether you get a good night's sleep. Since failing to get a good night's sleep can ruin an otherwise great camping trip, we realize a good camping air mattress is mission critical. For this reason, we have put together a list of tips to help you find a top level air mattress:
1. Choose ones similar to your sleeping conditions at home.
One of the obstacles all campers have is learning to adjust to a new bed while camping. For this reason, it is far easier to adjust to a "camping air mattress" that closely resembles your bed at home. Look for ones that are made of the same materials. For instance, if your home bed has a pillow top covering, opt for a camping air mattress with the same feature.
2. Match the level of firmness with your bed at home.
Look for camping air mattresses that can provide you the level of firmness you are used to. For instance, if you prefer a really firm bed, check to make sure the air mattresses you are looking at can deliver that level of firmness by reading reviews and their details on the quality of fabric and its "air pumping" ability. The best piece of advice here is to choose air mattresses that can pump up very easily and are strong enough where they will not puncture easily.
3. Pick ones that are significantly raised off the ground.
If you have gone camping before and slept in a low level air mattress, you know how difficult it can be to get up in the morning or the middle of the night to use the restroom or tend to the fire. One thing you can do to make this easier on yourself is to get camping air mattresses that are at least a foot high. This makes it far easier to put on your shoes and lift yourself up.
4. Opt for a size larger than you are.
By choosing a camping air mattress that is bigger than you are, you allow yourself two advantages. One is you provide yourself more room to roll around on which can be very helpful to you if you tend to move around while you sleep and are not used to sleeping in tight quarters. The second advantage is it allows you to store other items on the bed with you. The most helpful items would be shoes, glasses and a flashlight which can come in handy if in the middle of the night you feel the call of nature.
5. Review the pump very carefully.
Camping air mattresses can vary significantly on how they are to be inflated. Some versions offer a very fast self inflating pump whereas others can only operate by being plugged into a car cigarette lighter outlet. Naturally, you should choose one that will fit your camping needs. Although faster self inflating pumps are ideal, they sometimes do not deliver the same quality results. For this reason, give this area some thought on what type will work best on your next camping trip.
1. Choose ones similar to your sleeping conditions at home.
One of the obstacles all campers have is learning to adjust to a new bed while camping. For this reason, it is far easier to adjust to a "camping air mattress" that closely resembles your bed at home. Look for ones that are made of the same materials. For instance, if your home bed has a pillow top covering, opt for a camping air mattress with the same feature.
2. Match the level of firmness with your bed at home.
Look for camping air mattresses that can provide you the level of firmness you are used to. For instance, if you prefer a really firm bed, check to make sure the air mattresses you are looking at can deliver that level of firmness by reading reviews and their details on the quality of fabric and its "air pumping" ability. The best piece of advice here is to choose air mattresses that can pump up very easily and are strong enough where they will not puncture easily.
3. Pick ones that are significantly raised off the ground.
If you have gone camping before and slept in a low level air mattress, you know how difficult it can be to get up in the morning or the middle of the night to use the restroom or tend to the fire. One thing you can do to make this easier on yourself is to get camping air mattresses that are at least a foot high. This makes it far easier to put on your shoes and lift yourself up.
4. Opt for a size larger than you are.
By choosing a camping air mattress that is bigger than you are, you allow yourself two advantages. One is you provide yourself more room to roll around on which can be very helpful to you if you tend to move around while you sleep and are not used to sleeping in tight quarters. The second advantage is it allows you to store other items on the bed with you. The most helpful items would be shoes, glasses and a flashlight which can come in handy if in the middle of the night you feel the call of nature.
5. Review the pump very carefully.
Camping air mattresses can vary significantly on how they are to be inflated. Some versions offer a very fast self inflating pump whereas others can only operate by being plugged into a car cigarette lighter outlet. Naturally, you should choose one that will fit your camping needs. Although faster self inflating pumps are ideal, they sometimes do not deliver the same quality results. For this reason, give this area some thought on what type will work best on your next camping trip.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Camping Tips and Preparation Guide
Summer camping is somewhat different than winter camping. They are both equally fun in activities and being outside but they are also equally dangerous if not taken serious enough.
Whether you're camping in the middle of January or spending a weekend camping in July you will have to be properly prepared for the possibility that anything and everything can and just might happen.
Here are a few things you can add to your preparation lists when you go camping this summer.
Choosing a Location
There are several things to keep in mind when it comes finding a good place to camp but here are the top three.
Bathroom Facilities. Those who are new to camping sometimes think there will be nice facilities where they can shower for free as long as they like, have an abundance of privacy and take hot water for granted.
Not all campgrounds have nice bathrooms. Some of them are down right nasty. Not many campgrounds have showers. When you choose a campground, call the managers and inquire about the bathrooms. Ask if they have showers.
Find out how often the bathrooms are cleaned. If you absolutely can't live without your curling iron, blow dryer or other electric gadgets ask them if they provide electrical outlets.
Pottable Water. Pottable water is water that can be used for consumption. It's always good to bring your own bottled water for cooking and drinking, that way you don't have to worry about contracting a disease or something worse.
Family Environment or Adult Playground. If you found your campground online be sure to read through the about us pages. There are not many adults' only campgrounds around. If you're planning on taking the whole family find out what kind of atmosphere is encouraged by the campground staff and other campers.
Some of the best family campgrounds provide outdoor movie theaters, classes, workshops and other activities for families and/or just kids. Camping families sometimes like to mingle with other campers. My kids have the most fun at Manyane Centre at Pilanesburg. It's a place where all the kids get together after dinner and play flashlight hide-n-seek or just hang out. Pay attention to things like playground areas, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and paved areas for bicycles and skateboards
Make Lots of Lists
As soon as you decide where you're going, sit down and start making lists. Make separate lists to help eliminate confusion. Make one list for food, another for clothing and another for first aid supplies. The more lists the better. I also like to make lists for dishes, sleeping necessities, grooming supplies and all the activity equipment. When it comes time to buy camping gear speak to someone who has camped before.
It's also important for kids to have lists so that they can feel like they are a part of the trip. Give them a clothing list and activity list specifically explaining how many toys and what kinds of toys they can take. Many kids carry iPods, cell phones, cd players, gameboys and other electronic items for those moments where they're too tired to do anything but sit around the campfire.
Dealing with the Heat
Just like you have to have proper clothing for cold weather camping, you also have to have proper clothing for hot weather camping. Take plenty of shorts, t-shirts, sandals and a bathing suite of course. But in addition to that consider taking Sunblock, hats and sunglasses. Spending long hours in the sun can cause heat exhaustion or sever sunburn. The head is no exception.
Sunblock; Need I say more? Take lots and lots of it with you. You will spend a small fortune buying Sunblock at any convenience store close to a campground. Coppertone makes a cool spray on kind that works great and doesn't' smell so bad either. I am extremely fair skinned and more than a little phobic about the sun so I go straight for the SPF40. Higher SPF means more protection.
Insects will be everywhere, especially at night when the mosquitoes come out. The heat combined with the moisture in the air draws mosquitoes out at night and they tend to buzz around lakes, rivers and ponds. Purchase some really good mosquito repellant. The best kind to use is the deep wood repellant good for ticks, mosquitoes and other insects. Citronella candles on the picnic table at night as well as citronella oil tiki torches are great too.
Water Safety
Hundreds of people, and probably more, drown each year in lakes, rivers and oceans. Make sure your family takes the proper precautions when swimming. Don't mix alcohol and swimming. It's far too dangerous when your body loses coordination. Provide life jackets for anyone that is not a strong swimmer. Do not leave children unsupervised near or in the water. Pay attention to rules around lakes regarding boats and fishing areas. Know where it is safe to swim and where there is a danger of fishing line and hooks.
Whether you're camping in the middle of January or spending a weekend camping in July you will have to be properly prepared for the possibility that anything and everything can and just might happen.
Here are a few things you can add to your preparation lists when you go camping this summer.
Choosing a Location
There are several things to keep in mind when it comes finding a good place to camp but here are the top three.
Bathroom Facilities. Those who are new to camping sometimes think there will be nice facilities where they can shower for free as long as they like, have an abundance of privacy and take hot water for granted.
Not all campgrounds have nice bathrooms. Some of them are down right nasty. Not many campgrounds have showers. When you choose a campground, call the managers and inquire about the bathrooms. Ask if they have showers.
Find out how often the bathrooms are cleaned. If you absolutely can't live without your curling iron, blow dryer or other electric gadgets ask them if they provide electrical outlets.
Pottable Water. Pottable water is water that can be used for consumption. It's always good to bring your own bottled water for cooking and drinking, that way you don't have to worry about contracting a disease or something worse.
Family Environment or Adult Playground. If you found your campground online be sure to read through the about us pages. There are not many adults' only campgrounds around. If you're planning on taking the whole family find out what kind of atmosphere is encouraged by the campground staff and other campers.
Some of the best family campgrounds provide outdoor movie theaters, classes, workshops and other activities for families and/or just kids. Camping families sometimes like to mingle with other campers. My kids have the most fun at Manyane Centre at Pilanesburg. It's a place where all the kids get together after dinner and play flashlight hide-n-seek or just hang out. Pay attention to things like playground areas, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and paved areas for bicycles and skateboards
Make Lots of Lists
As soon as you decide where you're going, sit down and start making lists. Make separate lists to help eliminate confusion. Make one list for food, another for clothing and another for first aid supplies. The more lists the better. I also like to make lists for dishes, sleeping necessities, grooming supplies and all the activity equipment. When it comes time to buy camping gear speak to someone who has camped before.
It's also important for kids to have lists so that they can feel like they are a part of the trip. Give them a clothing list and activity list specifically explaining how many toys and what kinds of toys they can take. Many kids carry iPods, cell phones, cd players, gameboys and other electronic items for those moments where they're too tired to do anything but sit around the campfire.
Dealing with the Heat
Just like you have to have proper clothing for cold weather camping, you also have to have proper clothing for hot weather camping. Take plenty of shorts, t-shirts, sandals and a bathing suite of course. But in addition to that consider taking Sunblock, hats and sunglasses. Spending long hours in the sun can cause heat exhaustion or sever sunburn. The head is no exception.
Sunblock; Need I say more? Take lots and lots of it with you. You will spend a small fortune buying Sunblock at any convenience store close to a campground. Coppertone makes a cool spray on kind that works great and doesn't' smell so bad either. I am extremely fair skinned and more than a little phobic about the sun so I go straight for the SPF40. Higher SPF means more protection.
Insects will be everywhere, especially at night when the mosquitoes come out. The heat combined with the moisture in the air draws mosquitoes out at night and they tend to buzz around lakes, rivers and ponds. Purchase some really good mosquito repellant. The best kind to use is the deep wood repellant good for ticks, mosquitoes and other insects. Citronella candles on the picnic table at night as well as citronella oil tiki torches are great too.
Water Safety
Hundreds of people, and probably more, drown each year in lakes, rivers and oceans. Make sure your family takes the proper precautions when swimming. Don't mix alcohol and swimming. It's far too dangerous when your body loses coordination. Provide life jackets for anyone that is not a strong swimmer. Do not leave children unsupervised near or in the water. Pay attention to rules around lakes regarding boats and fishing areas. Know where it is safe to swim and where there is a danger of fishing line and hooks.
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