Inside Games?

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babyj06

OKay, the B-Day is on saturday...slight chance of rain. Does anyone know any inside games for kids to play in case it rains! 5-7 years old

Answer
Here's what games we played at my son's 8 yr bday party (it was night time so most of them HAD to be inside!)

We had a relay race across the living room. They started at one end and had to crawl (since you dont want them running inside) to the other side of the room where they had to put EVERY piece of clothing that was in their pile on (they were all ADULT clothes and each pile consisted of a t-shirt, shorts, ball-cap, shoes and gloves!) Then they had to HOP back. The first person back won a small prize!

Another game we did was the "jello jiggler!" I made enough jello for each child and gave them all the SAME amount on a paper plate. Each plate was put on the floor and they had to eat it as fast as they could (without using thier hands EVEN to hold the plate still). Whomever finished first won. This was REALLY funny to watch!! Do it on a floor that can be wiped off easily though!

We also played musical "mushrooms" I didnt have enough chairs so we used pillows instead! I was in control of the music for the first round. Then once a child had been "out" then THAT child got to do the music for the next round, and so on. That way each child got a turn at helping w/ the music. And the rest of the kids that were "out" helped me figure out who was "out" next! (if you arent sure on how to play musical chairs, email me and I will explain)

Twister, of course, is ALWAYS a good, TIME consuming game!! It takes FOREVER to play!

A treasure hunt is another fun thing to do! We usually give each "group" of 3-4 kids a list of what they are looking for. Then hide things in places like the dishwasher, the dryer, the bathtub, etc. We put DIFFERANT things on each teams list so that they arent all trying for the same things. We usually make a riddle out of it so that its a little harder to figure out (for example in the dryer we would put something like:
The next thing you have to find and get
Is located somewhere that you put something wet
When it comes out its usually dry
So go now and find! TRY TRY TRY!)
The first team to find all thier things win and get a goody bag or an extra cupcake or whatever!

Once it was dark outside we played flashlight tag where each child (was told to bring a flashlight to the party) took thier flashlight and that was how you got "tagged" in the game. Also if they were caught running they were AUTOMATICALLY out (this cut down on them getting really wild)

Another thing we did (which isnt really a game) is that we turned our living room into a "fort!" We got a bunch of sheets and let the kids use chairs, table-trays, and whatever else they could find to drape the sheets over to build a fort. Then we put on a movie and they all got under thier "tent" like fort and watched the movie in their sleeping bags, telling stories, giggling, etc until they FINALLY fell asleep!

If its a sleepover then designate a SEPERATE room for those kids that WANT to go to sleep. That way you dont hear a bunch of fussing and arguing all night b/c the ones who are tired can go in the seperate room and go on to sleep while the others can stay up and watch tv.

I hope that helps!! I just LOVE kids bday parties!! :)

Need advice/tips with a survival situation!?

Smithy

Coming up in a few months (this summer), I plan to try to survive in the North Carolina mountains for five to seven days. I have minimal experience camping/hiking, so I come to you for help.

As far as gear goes I plan to bring:
- Backpack
- Striker to make fires
- Axe/small knife
- Fold-able shovel
- Rope/string
- Tarp
- Collapsible pot (do they make these?)
- Metal rack (like the ones that are on grills)
- MRE packs only to use in emergency
- Flash light?

Still undecided on if I am going to bring a small tent and a fishing pole, would like to try to build my own shelter and would like to see if I could catch food without a fishing pole. Is there anything that I left out that may be needed?

Any tips as to what find of food I should look for? My dad suggested crawlfish. Any other tips of hints you might have would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Answer
dont eat ,then try one day/ nite in back yard ,,using same,//, ok to buy few craws, fire wood ,jug water,mushrooms , tomato , snickers bar,, pork chop,or fish ,to use, if find it just have other hide them, ,seperatley my grand kids had same ,ideal,,not like used to be ,,taking what you need as avaliable,,hook, line an gun, an bag of beans,, three kids ate 4 mushrooms, mesquite beans and i can viennas,few minnows in trough in two days, an nites on 1,200 acres of flats ,then took map ,to find dinner, from bbq barn,, fire skills were lacking,,

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I am new to tent camping and need help. How do you use an electrical hookup in a campground?

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romancegir

I am going to camp in a Yogi Bear campground in a site that says "Water and Electrical Hookup". Does that mean I can use an extension cord with a strip on the end of it that has plugs in it?
I can find lots of info on tent camping on the internet, but nothing that explains electrical hookup. I'm a single mom. I hope I can find a veteran camper who can help me with my camping questions.

Answer
Typically, "Water and Electrical Hookups" are referring to convenient places an RV or trailer can plug in to for power and running water. Chances are, you should be able to plug an extension cord with a power strip for running some electrical items.

I say plan your trip as if the electrical won't be available, but bring a few things that will be helpful in case it is.

A few helpful camping tips:
If there's a firepit, bring a couple Duraflame logs. They last a couple hours, don't take any special gymnastics to ignite, and you can always throw regular wood on after the duraflame is burning. Remember to smother your campfire before you go to bed (Shovel dirt on it, etc).

Bring a stiff rake. Rake out the spot where you're putting your tent(s). This way, you don't end up rolling over onto a rock or acorn.

Please, please, PLEASE, clean up when you're gone. Have your kids walk all over your campsite and pick up every little bit of trash possible. (Also, bring trashbags! Not all campsites have convenient trash receptacles).

Check the temperature ranges in advance, and pack accordingly. It's a very long night when it's freezing cold and you didn't bring the winter sleeping bags. Remember that tents catch fire VERY easily, so don't put the tent next to the campfire, and don't bring electrical or gas heaters into the tent.

Bring fresh drinking water. (Those 2.5 gallon jugs with the convenient spigot are good...)

Bring a medical kit w/ all the usual refinements. Kids will always find a way to get boo-boo's.

I can almost guarantee that you will certainly overpack for your first trip. You'll find that over time you'll be able to whittle it down to the stuff you *really* need, as opposed to the stuff you think you'll need.

If you're with someone who is not a morning person, they will be much worse in the morning. Trust me.

Good luck!

Do you have any tips for camping with young children?

yahooey

We have done it before...but it has been almost 2 years. We will be tent camping with a 2 1/2 and 5 year old. We got a site with both electrical and water hookup. Any tips would be great, thanks!
we'll be at the beach.

Answer
bring their bike :) we went camping on the weekend and it was a very kid friendly park where they had activities every hour planned for the kids and it was so much fun but all the kids had bikes and my son was the only one without one.

glow sticks and sparklers are great for night time. We bought some chalk at the dollar store and my son was playing with it and like 5 kids flocked over to play with him, it was a great friend maker :)

get a laundry basket and fill it with your cooking items, that way everything is together so you can whip up a quick meal.

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What are some fun ideas for going camping?

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Kate M

our family are going to camp in a campground near a lake, we bring big family camping tent, some cooking thing. what should we do to make it more funny.

Answer
swimming or sunbathingor boating may be a good option if there are rivers or streams nearby. Take all the gears needed as spend a nice day near the water.All those activities will endorse you kids new skill that they can expand on when they get home while appreciating the beauty of the nature.

I live in Coeur d alene ID what is a nicest national park to Visit?

On memorial day weekend and week my family want to go to a nice national park to camp, we were going to go to yellowstone but everyone is saying it will be very busy any ideas? We like caves,wildlife , camping (Tent) and fishing. Kids are 3 years and 8 years.

Answer
How far are you willing to travel?
some not too far would be:
Glacier NP MT
Olympic NP WA
Hells Canyon ID/OR
John day Fossil BedsOR
Columbia River Gorge OR/WA

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What are views on folding campers / trailor tents?

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0

We have three small children and want to camp in comfort - we have seen a trailor tent for a very good proce on eBay - what are your views?

I want to go away for 3-4 weeks and cannot bear the thought of staying in a normal tent for that time, and cannot afford a hotel...

Answer
Pop-up campers are ideal for families with small children. Most are light enough to be easily towed behind a 6-cylinder vehicle without a huge sacrifice in fuel economy. Unlike motorized RV's, a pop-up does not need separate liability insurance or expensive maintenance (though inexpensive RV insurance is advisable on newer units that still have good value).

One big advantage of a pop-up versus tent camping is your camper can be cleaned and re-stocked after each trip so you just need to add perishable foods and clothing to head out on your next adventure. There is enough storage space to keep all of your gear permanently inside the camper, either in the cabinets or in storage bins on the floor. So you don't need to shoe-horn your tent, sleeping bags, cooking gear, food and clothing in the car with the family, making the driving portion of your trip more comfortable and enjoyable.

The other big advantage is the additional comfort and protection. Thick foam mattresses and heavy canvas tent material, combined with the solid roof, floor and partial walls of the main body, offer additional insulation, weather protection and security versus a tent. You can choose a model that has a propane furnace to safely heat your camper in cold weather, and fans or even air conditioning to keep cool in the summer.

Most pop-ups have a galley with a sink, fresh water supply, and a propane stove that can be used inside or outside. They carry one or two 20Lb propane tanks externally so you don't have to deal with disposable propane canisters (you might need adapters and extra hose if you want to use a gas BBQ grill). There is a 12V battery to run lights and small appliances when no AC electrical hook-ups are available, but you also have the option to hook-up to "shore power" to run your air conditioner (if equipped or added), microwave oven (again, if equipped or added) or other higher-power devices. Small 3-way refrigerators are common in larger pop-ups.

Some things to consider when choosing a pop-up:

1. Where will everyone sleep?
_ a.) Small kids can share a bed, 3 small kids fit on a king-size mattress.
_ b.) The dinette folds into a bed, but only 48" wide, so sharing is "intimate."
_ c.) The dinette might be too short for a single teen/adult. Check before you buy.
_ d.) Older boys don't like sharing beds. Make sure you have sleeping options.
_ e.) Kids like to invite relatives and friends. Complicates all the above.
_ f.) An add-a-room and some cots can provide additional sleeping options.

2. Bathroom or not?
We never had a bathroom in our pop-ups and didn't miss it. Worst case is you setup a chemical toilet and shower bag in a privacy shelter outside, but mostly we relied on the campground facilities for toilet and shower needs. Our hybrid camper (a full-box travel trailer with fold-out bed ends) has a small bathroom, which we use when dry camping, but we prefer to use the campground facilities when available to avoid adding humidity or smell to the camper. No built-in bathroom also eliminates the most hated of RV chores: dealing with the sewer line and holding tanks.

3. Water heater or not?
Even without an inside bathroom or nearby facilities, a quick hot shower is a welcome luxury. When dry camping it is much preferred to bag showers, and at a full-service campground it makes quick clean-ups after swimming more convenient. The only disadvantage is a shower will use up water quickly when dry camping, and takes-up storage space.

4. Air conditioner or not?
They often ice-up and stop working when you want them the most, particularly in a pop-up camper that's not as well insulated as a full-box travel trailer or motorized RV. The A/C requires an electrical hook-up or a minimum 3500-watt generator. A/C is noisy and a generator makes things worse. We found that even in the desert during summer, once we acclimated to the temperatures, nights were comfortable with only fans. But in hot and humid, A/C might be desirable.

5. Awnings
One awning is highly recommended. Two is even better. We rarely ate or just hung-out inside our campers, even with the large hybrid, even in the rain and cold weather. With our last pop-up we had one awning on each side. The "front" awning was used as our hang-out area, sometimes with an add-a-room to keep out the bugs. The "back" awning was where we setup our kitchen and dining area.

6. Storage
An outside storage trunk is a great feature. Just remember to unload it before extending the front bed slide. Some pop-ups have a slide-out drawer that can be accessed when the bed is extended, but this cuts down on storage capacity and doesn't allow large items. Use stacking storage bins to storage space; small in cabinets, large to stack on the floor during transit.

Always buy used. Most people use their camper 2 or 3 times a year, so even a 10 year old camper - if well maintained - can be in great condition at huge savings.

Does anyone know of a large backpack that can be apart to a smaller size?

Kyle

I'm in the military and I'm looking for a backpack that can pack 3 days worth of stuff, but can still be taken apart into a smaller size for like patrol and school use. I would prefer ACU, Black, Tan, or OD Green

Answer
For military use - forget it. You can only used what is issued.

For civilian use, I have seen such backpacks at Bass Pro Shop and Big 5 here in California. You should be able to find them online as well at Cabellas and other outfitting/outdoors companies. I do recommend that whatever you get you touch and feel it first to make sure it is what you really want. Often times the frames are weak aluminum and bend quite easily making the pack useless where you have to abondon the items or treat the pack as a hand-carry sack.

Interesting that you mention "3 days". A basic WWII, Korea, Vietnam (up to about 1986) combat pack provides plenty of room for someone who knows what they are doing for a 3 day hike/camping trip. I packed on for over 20 years and speak from experience. My pack had a mess kit, extra socks (2 pair), C rats and later MREs, poncho, extra skivvies and trousers, blanket, shelter half with pegs and tent pole, entrenching tool, 1st aid kit (in addition to the one on my cartridge belt), plus a few other items like bug juice. You just need to know who to properly pack your pack so that every cubic inch is used. The blanket and shelter half are carried on top of the pack and strapped on.

Water and another 1st aid pouch is on a cartridge belt that has pack suspenders to balance the load. If you want to add more, pick up a cargo pack that is strapped to the bottom of the marching pack. I have carried a can of 7.62 ammo in it plus extra gear. That was no fun because the ammo is mostly lead! : )

By the way, the color is OD Green. You can stil get these packs at most Army/Navy surplus stores around the country. I still have mine that I have used for over 40 years. Works great, been through hell, and still excellent condition. There are sprays for water repellenancy - have to use them on current nylon packs also but more often.

Lieutenant Colonel, U S Marine Corps-Retired (27 years active and had both my canvas and ALICE pack. preferred the canvas since it never broke).

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Are there any good camping places to take kids 10-14 in Missouri?

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MommaDoo

We want to take our kids who have never camped somewhere family oriented. My husband and I both grew up tent camping.

Answer
We live in the Missouri Ozarks and have 5 children ages 9, 11, 12, and two 14 year olds. Our favorite place to take our family is Alley Springs campground on the Jacks Fork river. It is about 6 miles west of Eminence. It offers plenty of sites, some with electric, hot showers, flat level sites with paved roads for bike riding, and a good swimming hole. About 1/2 mile away is the Alley Springs Mill and spring with two hiking trails, one that goes around the spring area, and then a more difficult one that goes up to a lookout that is above the spring. It is a beautiful place. Hope this helps!

Is there tent camping with showers near Padre Island?

sierragirl

I want to tent camp but still be able to take a shower when we stay in or near Padre Island this summer. I can't find anything online except for the state part & KOA is for RVs only in that location. I'd also like to be able to make a campfire but the shower is most important! LOL I am camping with 3 kids and we don't really want to go to bed with sand stuck in our rears for a week-lol. Any suggestions?

Answer
Here is a link to a state park that states camping with facilities, and not that KOA place

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/mustang_island/

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What kind of fabric do I need to make clothes?

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Lady_Eagle

I am making some kids clothes and I was wondering what kind of fabric I need to buy. I am used to buying quilting cottons, so any help is appreciated! Thanks!

Answer
I'm assuming that you're using commercial patterns for your kid's clothes... if you check the back of the envelope, there will be a list of fabrics that will work well with a particular pattern. You'll want to choose something that drapes like one of the listed fabrics for the pattern to "work right" -- too stiff a fabric will make the kid look like s/he's wearing a circus tent, and too drapey a fabric will make the garment look old and tired or straight off the "anything for $2" rack.

Easy fabrics for beginners to garment sewing:
softer denims
cotton twill
pinwale corduroy
cotton shirtings
cotton interlock
polar fleece
sweatshirting
wool or cotton flannel

Have you found the Kwik Sew book on sewing for kids? (Actually there are three -- babies, toddlers and kids).... the book contains "master patterns" for the full range of sizes, and tells you how to sew them. It also tells you how to make various modifications to the patterns to turn them into new designs. Highly recommended. If you buy used copies, make sure the master patterns are included.

Campers: What type of camp meals do you have when tent camping for about a week?

Woodland H

Weâre a family of 3 & weâre going on a longer trip this time, & restaurants are far & few between. How do you manage meals & what type of food do you bring? Do you precook foods at home, bring them raw & cook them at camp, or frequent local grocery stores? Do you tend to eat a lot of canned food? Peanut butter sandwiches? Just looking for easy ideas & non-complicated recipes as space is at a premium w/ all the junk we have!!!

Answer
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches work fine for lunch, but if you're gone for a week, don't make them part of the dinner routine.

I would recommend that you pre-measure and prep before the trip as much as possible. Segregate stuff into zip-lock baggies and then just dump and mix once you are at the camp site. It makes life so much easier when you are trying to prepare the meal if you don't have to spend time cutting vegetables, measuring flour, spices, etc. Some recipes that work well include stews and cobblers. Don't be afraid to have a night roasting hot dogs. Do some searches for "Boy Scout Meals" to get some ideas.

Bring powdered drink mix like Tang, Lemonade, or Kool-Aid (leave the sugar free and low-calorie stuff like Crystal Lite at home as you and the kids will need the extra calories) to have with breakfast and lunch. Hot Cocoa works well for dinner.

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What would u like to see as the next expansoin pack 4 sims 2?

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SleePy

i cannot think of anything else they would need...
besides updates of the sims 1 expansoin packs
what would u like to see as an expansion pack?

Answer
I thought too that they would probably tried to make a Vacation ep just because of Seasons ep, and a few of the interactions we could do in vacation on Sims1 are missing. I would like to see the theme park from magic brought in, that would be fun and someone mentioned Adventure: rock climbing, hiking, camping, rafting etc. that would be awsome!

The Great Outdoors idea sounds good too:
Main feature: pets! Dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, plus wild animals like foxes, racoons, squirrels, frogs, mice and birds. Also improves outdoor life for Sims, making them want to spend more time in the gardens.

New objects: Lots of petcare equipment, tents of different sizes, trampolines, basket hoops, soccer goals, roller skates, bicycles, kiddie pools, toys for all pools. Jungle gyms.

New interactions: Teach kids to swim, ride bicycles, ride horses. Go camping in the garden. Teach dogs obedience. Mow the lawn.

New community lots: Petshop, veterinary clinic, gardening shop, playgrounds, markets, riding school....

More to do with families, like having strollers for the toddlers and taking them to community lot pre-schools.

More fun ways for kids to gain skills. Instead of reading books, they can have coloring books (creativity), jump ropes (body), they can go outside and collect rocks or frogs (logic), play dress up (creativity?), maybe even have a little science kit and they can cause little accidents (logic).

So many things you could add to the game...

How to make my room awsome?!?

HALFMOONCO

My house is really really borin an none of my fiends really like coming over because of it. I want ideas on how to make my room super cool and entertaining so we have something ti do when they come over. In a teenage girl just so u know, and I font have a lot of money but am willing to sped some to make my room cooler. Please anything- your own ideas, wikihows, other yahoos, or anything else you think could help :) thankss

Answer
how about a theme room?
here's the themes i want to do someday:
underwater
roman
egyptian
asian
princess
tropical
safari
ship/nautical
storm
halloween
tiki
treehouse
desert tent
gothic
jungle temple
castle
forest
beach
cave
east indian
mystic
barn
Train
aztec
1950's art deco/diner décor
Cabin
campsite
Starry night/enchanted forest
Four seasons
Bordello
Arabian/moroccan
Sci-fi
English countryside


as far as activities go-what do you like to do with your friends at their houses? how about a TV for your room? dart board? is there room for a pool table or other type of game table? how about a table for puzzles? you could get beanbag chairs and play board games on the floor. get stuff to do makeovers (nail polish, face masks, make-up, etc....)

I also recommend if you have a yard, to get sports equiptment to enjoy the outdoors with your friends-thats what i did as a kid. there are all kinds of fun things to do outside (capture the flag was my fave!)

make yoru room comfy for just hanging out and listening to music and/or talking too.

good luck have fun!

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What should I consider when purchasing a winter camping tent?

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Anita

I am planning my first winter camping and I need to purchase a winter camping tent. What should I consider when buying it?

Answer
Freestanding
Choose a freestanding or dome tent that needs few or no ropes or tent stakes for support. Tent stakes are easily lost, and staking out a tent in the snow can be difficult. A freestanding tent allows you to be flexible with location while still feeling secure in the tentâs structure. Keep in mind, however, that a freestanding tent is easily tossed in windy conditions but can be weighted down with gear on the inside or rocks on the outside.

Support
Four-season tents are designed with snow load in mind and have sturdy, strong support poles. Avoid tents with large, unsupported, low-angled areas that can accumulate snow and possibly cause the tent to collapse.

Size
Choose a tent that's rated for one more person than will actually be using the tent. The additional space will come in handy for bulkier cold-weather sleeping bags and extra winter gear. In addition, harsh weather can force campers indoors more often in the winter, and the extra space can help campers pass the time more comfortably. Furthermore, you may want to consider a tent with a vestibule area where you can leave snow-covered boots or cook inside when necessary.

How to repair a canvas camping tent?

Ivy

I noticed there is a tear in my canvas camping tent. Can it be fixed? How to do that?

Answer
1. Sew the sides of the damaged area together. This is similar to sewing clothing, except that thick canvas may require a large needle or awl and heavy duty or waxed string. These materials are available at outdoor specialty stores.

2. Spread seam sealer or beeswax to the sewn seam. This product is available at outdoor and camping specialty stores, and can vary depending on the make of your tent (canvas or nylon). Follow all product instructions and warnings for proper application details, including drying time.

3. Line up one of the patches so that it is centered with the inside area of the tear. The patch should be larger than the damaged area on all sides by at least 2 inches. Secure the patch with glue, which can also vary depending on the make of your tent. Follow product instructions for drying time; be sure the adhesive is completely dry before continuing.

4. Sew the patch into place to fully secure it. Using adhesive and stitches will help prevent the tear from spreading or from opening again.

5. Spread seam sealer or wax over the sewn seams and the edges of the patch for optimal protection.

6. Line up, glue and sew the other patch to the outside of the tear. Be sure that it lines up with the inner patch, as the two should be the same size. Apply sealer or wax to the seams and the edges of the patch.

Or you can purchase a new camping tent on http://www.quictents.co.uk.

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Who still uses a Coleman fuel catalytic heater for camping?

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Bobo

Does anyone still use a COLEMAN catalytic heater that burns Coleman Liquid fuel (not propane) for camping? Do you use it in a tent? How much ventilation do you provide in the tent? I'm a little worried about Carbon Monoxide if I use it in the tent.
Liquid Coleman fuel; Heater, not a cooking stove. It has a catalytic dome that glows red and provides heat. I used it in a garage with a carbon monoxide detector and the detector registered zero. I know it uses up oxygen.

Answer
Don't use this in a tent unless you have all the vents open to the tent. They are not very efficient heating devices in really cold weather in a tent. I've heard of several people who have died using those type of heaters in tents without adequate ventilation.

What i've done in the past is bought a gas powered generator and i used quartz radiant heaters when i was out camping in the mountains in the snow and sub zero temperatures.

These days i use a battery i removed from a bulldozer and use quartz heaters. Works really good for 2-3 days then i just hook up some cables to my truck battery start up and recharge the large battery for about 30 minutes every 2 or 3 days.

what do my husband and I need to go camping?

KimberlyJ

I haven't been camping since I was a kid. What equipment do I need? I don't want to spend a fortune on camping equipment, but I need to be comfortable. I am five months pregnant and feeling very sick. I think the outdoors would help me quite a bit. Any advice would be helpful thanks.

Answer
#1 most important thing.

Be comfortable.

Pick out a tent at Walmart/Kmart/Target that is large enough for one of those Coleman (or off brand) air mattresses to fit inside it. Twin size at least. The air mattress should come with (you may have to buy it seperate) battery operated blower/pump, to blow it up for you. If it rains...the 6" thick air matress will keep you up off the ground and dry...even if you have an inexpensive tent.

Try to find a shadey spot, wherever you set up your tent. Tents can get hot in the morning with the sun shining on them.

I'd say the rest ...keep as simple as you can. Setting up and taking down your camp should not the a "big" chore. If it is...your making it too hard on yourself.

My favorite time saver? I gotta have coffee in the morning. I don't mess with a perculator anymore. I buy those big pre-made coffee/filter bag things. Drop one or two in a camp pot...boil...coffee! No mess to clean up.


Keep the "camp" part of it simple. You will have more time to relax, explore or goof around.

Just my two cents...


Have fun!

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Does anyone know a website that has a list of campgrounds in the Traverse City, MI area?

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crazy_anna

I am traveling there this summer and was looking for a good spot! I am camping.... so no hotels or anything like that. I feel like roughing it this time.

Answer
There is Traverse City State Park. Though it's a bit large (350 sites can get noisy on the weekends) and urban, not very rustic (showers & electric) it's only a short walk to Lake Michigan. Downtown Traverse City is only 2 miles away and kayak rental is available at the park.

15 miles S of Traverse City is Interlochen State Park. It is near a private arts community/camp and has many paved biking and hiking trails between cabins. Almost 450 sites, can be noisy. Is on two so so lakes (not near Lake Michigan).

One of the absolute best in Michigan and worth the drive is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, 25 miles west of Traverse City. If you enjoy hiking and gorgeous scenery this is the place to be! Three campsites to choose from, including a quiet backpacker tent camp area. Reserve early on line. It books up fast. http://www.nps.gov/slbe/

Cycling from New York to South Carolina?

Q. Hi, Im planning a cycling trip from NY to SC with my boyfriend and were just looking for advice on what to bring with us and what to expect. Were looking to camp out during the trip but we've never camped out before and we dont really ride bikes much. I just want to live home and see different places and think about life a little plus i do love riding my bike and we would of planned a road trip but we cant afford a car rental. any advice? thanks

Answer
Sounds like it could be a really fun trip! Depending on where you intend to start and finish, this could be a 600 plus mile ride. From what you've described, it sounds like you all may be looking at something like a 10-12 day jaunt. Logistics of a long bicycle tour like this can be pretty daunting.

To me a key to success is asking yourself a bunch of questions about how you want to do the ride. Answers to these questions determine much about the equipment and food you'll need.

First off do you really want to camp? Camping means you need: a good quality tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, toiletries, camp stove, eating/cooking utinsels, towels, etc., etc., etc. This isn't an insurmountable problem, but it means you've got to carry lots of equipment with you. (Plus, you've got to buy, beg, borrow or steal all the gear you'll need to camp.) You'll need racks on your bicycles and panniers to carry everything. Can you get all of this stuff? It also means planning your trip around places you can camp.

Would you prefer to stay in hotels? This means somewhat less stuff to carry, but is a lot more expensive. Again, you'll need to plan your route to get you within range of places you can stay. Plus, you'll be going through somewhat larger towns where you can find hotels and other places to stay. As an emergency precaution, I'd want to have sleeping bags, and emergency shelter, etc. in case I got lost or simply coundn't make it to a planned hotel. So, you've still got to carry some of the same stuff as if you are planning to camp all the time. If you book places in advance, to insure you have a room, you lose a lot of flexibility in your trip. If you come down through the mountains - like the Blue Ridge Parkway, there aren't a lot of places to stay on the parkway. Thus, you may wind up having to climb to the parkway in the morning and descend to a town and a hotel in the evenings.

How and what do you want to eat on the trip? You're going to work up a powerful hunger riding 50-10 miles per day. It is cheaper to plan on making your own meals, but you'll have to stop in grocery and convenience stores along the way to get supplies. In the country, you won't be able to count on finding your favorite gels, etc. so you'll have to stock up on those up front. Fast foods and restaurants are more expensive, but convenient.

Do you want to go flatlands or mountains? The beauty of an east coast tour is you can choose to do either (or both.) As you know, summer in the East is hot and sticky. If you go up in the mountains it'll be much cooler, but the riding will be vastly harder.

Are you all capable of a ride of this magnitude? This type of ride requires a lot of physical and mental strength. You really ought to take at least one multi-day shake down trip prior to making this ride. With luck, the weather on your shake down trip will be horribly windy and rainy one day then incredibly hot and humid. This will give you a great idea of how horrid it can be! If you enjoy yourself and all of your equipment works out well, you'll know you can handle whatever comes.

There are lots of other things to consider and get together, but this should get you started with your planning.

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are knives made in china bad?

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Tanner

I just noticed a buck knife i was looking at, its called that mantis, is made in china. Also the kershaw vapor 2 i noticed is made in china. Does that mean those knives aren't good quality because i heard most Chinese made knives are crappy
so what im asking is are the knives i was looking at any good even though they were made in china?

Answer
Generally their steel and their quality of workmanship is considerably less than most US-made knives, and they certainly won't take the abuse, especially getting put away wet, avoiding rust, abusive treatment, etc.

However, both Buck & Kershaw are good names in the industry, so you're probably getting better quality than some of the no-name Asian knives, or the not-very-good-name knives, like Frost Cutlery.

As in most things, my advice is to spend as much money as you can afford -- or more -- to make sure you get as far away from the Junk category as possible. A good-quality knife is a pleasure to own and use, and you'll never be sorry for spending the money if you actually use the knife rather than having it decorating a drawer somewhere.

I paid 35 bucks for my Case Shark Tooth, about 25 years ago, and cringed as I spent that much money for a one-blade pocket knife. If it hadn't been so damned beautiful I wouldn't have done it.

However, I've carried that thing in six different countries, hiking and camping all over the world, and it's still a fabulous tool that I can always trust to hold an edge and do the job -- cleaning fish, cutting kindling sticks, clearing a campsite, or even hammering in nails to tie my tent flaps to a tree (yeah, it's an awful abuse, but it'll take it).

Best money I ever spent on a knife, and it'll probably still serve my kid well years from now when I'm worm food. Which is a lot more than can be said about some shiny Chinese knockoff.

What is the cheapest way for a family of 10 to go and stay Orlando and go to Walt Disney World?

Hope B

Answer
Stay in tents at Fort Wilderness when at a time of year when your campsite will be under $60 a night. Here is a good price on a well ventilated good quality tent. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/columbia-sportswear-belladome-6-tent-6-person-3-season~p~5558m/?filterString=s~tents-6-person%2F&colorFamily=01. BTW, 10 people per camp site is the max, so don't invite any more people.

Train everyone, even tiny children, to keep walking -- don't slow down, don't turn and look -- when they exit a ride. You see, the rides all conveniently exit via a gift shop/toy store/snack bar area. Nice when you're on a budget with kids, huh?

Get an ice chest and some groceries and eat at the campsite twice a day. This grocery delivery service is very dependable: http://www.gardengrocer.com/?gclid=COmL0YaxpLUCFQyDnQodC0gAVQ. Just a snack at Disney is a big dent in the pocket. A burger at a snack counter is $10. No drink, no fries, just a burger. You can see where this adds up.

Bring your own drinks with you instead of buying in the park. Usually prices at the nearby hotels are are slightly lower than in the theme parks. Especially avoid the ALCOHOLIC beverages if you are on a tight budget.

Stay away from places where spending money IS the attraction, places like Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island. Avoid tempting extras like water parks. Unless you plan on staying more than a week, there will be plenty to see and do even on days when you don't go to a theme park. Just riding around on the monorails, buses, and ferry boats is enough to occupy a day. As Fort Wilderness guests you will have access to fancy swimming pools, hiking paths, playgrounds, sing-alongs, and much more.

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How many people fit in a 10x10 tent?

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<3

My boss let me borrow a 10x10 tent for my camping trip this weekend. I have no idea how big/tall it is. I was just wondering how many people will fit in it with a full size blow up bed.

Answer
Tents are advertised as two man, four man, six man and so on. However, at best this is the maximum number of persons you can cram into the tent for sleeping in close company with no personal gear. This rating method might make sense for backpackers who are traveling light, but it is terrible for all others.

Why be cramped? Divide the advertised rating by two, and you will have the real capacity of the tent. Therefore, most four man tents are really only comfortable for two adults, or perhaps two adults and two very small children.

You should plan a minimum of 30 square feet of floor space per person. Make this even higher for longer camping trips, unless reducing weight is important.

Actual length and width are also very important. If you are six feet tall, you will need a space of at least seven feet in order to stretch out and not be crammed against the tent sides. You will need at least two and one half feet in width just for sleeping. This equals only 17.5 square feet. A "two man" tent might be advertised which measures five by seven feet.

Adding space for clothing, and a space to stand up without walking on your tentmate, will result in a more livable situation. Think more like eight by eight feet as a basic two man family camping tent. This gives you 32 square feet per person. Still not overly generous.

A ten by ten foot tent is ideal for two adults. You will have enough space for cots or a double air mattress, plus space to stand up when changing clothes.

Kids can fit comfortably in smaller tents. Once they are old enough, about seven or eight, they will probably want to sleep in a separate tent anyway. Parents will appreciate the privacy provided by this arrangement too. A five by seven foot tent is adequate for young kind. Teenagers should be considered as adults when fitting a tent.

Be cautious about tents that are larger than ten by ten. You will find three problems. First, it will be much more difficult to find a smooth and level spot large enough to set up the tent on. You need a spot as level as possible. Second, big tents can get heavy. This is not a problem for your car, but think about how much work it might be for you in loading and unloading the car. Finally, do you really want everyone to sleep, and dress, in the same tent. Privacy becomes an issue with the bigger tents.

The peak inside height is very important to you comfort. For most trips, try to have a tent that is tall enough to stand in. Plan for the taller persons in your group. A six or seven foot peak height is necessary for adults, and a four foot peak is about right for kids. Remember, the tent slopes downward at a sharp angle, so the actual spot where you can stand up will be small. Larger spaces will be provided in tents with taller peaks.

How to pack for camping and have everything organized?

rocio

we enjoy the outdoors and camping, we have bought many items during the years and now we have many things, and they get everywhere in the car during the trip. How do you pack kitchen items: paper plates, utensils, paper towel? bed items (they are bulky)? mosquito repellent bottles ( they love me )I usually put kitchen stuff in a plastic container, but to reach the bottom I have to take everything on top. Any creative ideas? tips? I may buy a space saver bag for the bedding, has anybody tried that.

Answer
For car-camping I use a medium-size Rubbermaid Action Packer bin with sheets of plastic (lexan? stuff from Home Depot) cut into 11" tall dividers and duct-taped into place for my kitchen box. There's room in the box for my pots and pans, three propane canisters, plastic plates and bowels, napkins, trash bags and space for most of my dry foods. On the very top I lay my large griddle, cutting board, campfire grate, collapsible sink, axe, folding saw and 1/2 rolls of paper towels. I have a mesh organizer I made myself and screwed to the inside of the bin's lid to hold my cooking and eating utensils.

I can then strap my Coleman stove and el-cheapo propane grill on top of this. When I get to camp, all the stuff on the top of the bin comes out and generally stays out until it's time to pack-up and go, and the stuff underneath is stored vertically instead of flat, so there's no digging for buried items. The lid, with the utensils attached, also comes out and stays on the mesh shelf under my camp kitchen unit (small folding table with grill shelf).

Generally speaking, each person -- child or adult -- is responsible for carrying their own clothing and sleeping kit. All our sleeping bags compress well into their stuff sacks, and we use self-inflating mattresses that also roll-up tight. The sleeping bags go inside each person's duffel bag or backpack on top of their clothing and personal items, and the mattress gets strapped outside to the top or side. Clothing is organized into dry bags to protect from any weather or mishaps, and for organization. We also use one of the drybags full of clothes with a pillow case instead of a pillow. Each person is also responsible for their own toiletries, which go in a small nylon bag stored the outside pocket of the duffel bag or backpack, along with sun block, insect repellent, flashlight or headlight with extra batteries.

If you are using regular bedding you'll find that sleeping bags will take a lot less space and weight, particularly if you use a compression bag (just remember to loosen the compression bag during storage at home so the insulation doesn't go flat). Our bags compress down to about 9x12". As mentioned above, we put a pillow case over our clothing's dry bags to use as a pillow, or you can get inflatable pillows. Also, camp towels or large "Sham Wow" type towels take up much less room than regular household towels but work just as well, and dry more quickly.

The tent, 2 LED lanterns, 2 bag chairs, roll-up table, dining tarp with poles go into one large duffel. This sometimes leaves one or two loose chairs to sling over your shoulder.

If necessary, I can stack the two coolers, Rubbermaid bin, stove and grill onto a folding luggage cart and drag it to the campsite on one trip, then return and strap the water container, large duffel, and camp kitchen to the cart for my second trip.

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Do I need a passport to drive to alaska?

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Christophe

I don't like flying much & really want to go to AK for some hunting. I hear there is a highway that goes all the way into AK, but you have to drive through part of Canada. Is there any roads that I can drive, where I wont need a passport?

Answer
Technically, there is no way you can drive to Alaska from the CONUS without driving through Canada. Driving through Canada requires a passport or a passport card. From my experience, getting into Canada is very easy (though I have never brought firearms into Canada). However, getting back into Alaska is a bit more time consuming (at least it has been for me).

If you want to get to Alaska and money is not an option, you can take the Alaska Marine Highway. You can catch the ferry in Bellingham, WA. From there, you can take the ferry up to the Prince William Sound area and you can drive to most of the mainland Alaska from there. I believe you have to take the ferry from Bellingham to one of the SE Communities (Ketchikan, Juneau, Yakutat) and then hopping another ferry from there to Prince William Sound (probably Whittier is the most cost effective). The sailing will take days (I think 3 days to SE Alaska and another 3 days to Whittier), to get a vehicle that far will be well over $1K, and unless you want to pitch a tent on the back of the boat with the college kids, you need a berth which is going to cost you more.

To be completely honest, you would be much better off getting the Passport card. You can expedite the application and have one in your hand pretty quick for under $200.

Personally, if you are planning on taking a car, take the Alcan from Dawson Creek, BC up to Tok, Alaska. From there, you can reach most parts of the Alaska interior pretty easily. If you are looking for SE Alaska or the Aleutian Islands, that will be a bit more planning and possibly a ferry ride.

If you are transporting firearms through Canada, you need to get a license to transport the firearm through Canada. Check out http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/index-eng.htm for information on getting a license to do so. I've never done it personally, so I have no clue how easy it is to get one. It looks like you just fill out the paper work, declare them at the border, and pay $25.

Good Luck and happy hunting!

What do our indian friends think of this doing the rounds in Canada?

Mr Mom

i recieved this email, with the sub heading, its probably the same in australia, i know what my answer is.

lucky the canadians arn't into cricket hey, they would bite the hand that feed them there too, no doubt.
Welfare Poem
I cross ocean,
poor and broke,
Take bus,
see employment folk.

Nice man treat me
good in there,
Say I need to
see welfare.

Welfare say,
"You come no more,
We send cash
right to your door."

Welfare checks,
they make you wealthy,
Medicaid it keep
you healthy!

By and by,
I got plenty money,
Thanks to you,
Canadian dummy.

Write to friends
in motherland,
Tell them 'come
fast as you can.'

They come in turbans
and Ford trucks,
I buy big house
with welfare bucks

They come here,
we live together,
More welfare checks,
it gets better!

Fourteen families,
they moving in,
But neighbour's patience
wearing thin.

Finally, white guy
moves away,
Now I buy his house,
and then I say,

"Find more aliens
for house to rent."
And in the yard
I put a tent.

Send for family
they just trash,
But they, too,
draw the welfare cash!

Everything is
very good,
And soon we
own the neighbourhood.

We have hobby
it's called breeding,
Welfare pay
for baby feeding.

Kids need dentist?
Wife need pills?
We get free!
We got no bills!

Canadian crazy!
He pay all year,
To keep welfare
running here.

We think Canada
darn good place!
Too darn good for
the white man race.
EDIT. Listen sexygal gay OZ, get the fuk off my question, goin on about jesus you jerk, you get on religion and sprout all your athiest crap, when some one catches up with you soon, you will wish you had god on your side then, goat boy. your taxi must stink inside, do you shower in the morning, the BO smell from indian cabbys is disgusting, the comments they make to australian girls is appalling too. i wont block you gay oz, just to prove when this question goes missing that its your handy work again, go and wash, you stink big, and leave the goat alone, poor animals.
IAINYFAY wtf, the govt give nothing to indians-------------- It is interesting that the federal government provides a single refugee with a monthly allowance of $1, 890.00 and each can also get an additional $580.00 in social assistance for a total of $2,470.00.

This compares very well to a single pensioner who after contributing to the growth and development of Canada for 40 to 50 years can only receive a monthly maximum of $1, 012.00 in old age pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement.

Maybe our pensioners should apply as refugees!

Lets send this to all Canadians, so we can all be ticked off and maybe we can get the refugees cut back to $1, 012.00 and the pensioners up to $2,470 00 and enjoy some of the money we were forced to submit to the Government over the last 40 or 50 years.

Please forward to every Canadian to expose what our elected politicians are doing - to the over-taxed Canadian.

Answer
Seems you got certain people all figured out Dave! Can you email me for a message.?

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Is there tent camping with showers near Padre Island?

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sierragirl

I want to tent camp but still be able to take a shower when we stay in or near Padre Island this summer. I can't find anything online except for the state part & KOA is for RVs only in that location. I'd also like to be able to make a campfire but the shower is most important! LOL I am camping with 3 kids and we don't really want to go to bed with sand stuck in our rears for a week-lol. Any suggestions?

Answer
Here is a link to a state park that states camping with facilities, and not that KOA place

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/mustang_island/

What are some must-have snacks while camping?

candace191

My family and I are going camping. There will be my husband and I along with three children. We will be tent camping and need some ideas for some easy, yet satisfying snacks. Snacks can be kept in our cooler or dry. We prefer snacks that take little to no preparation. Thanks!!

Answer
That's great you are going camping, we camp every weekend. I usually take things like those p'nut butter sandwhich crackers, smores are great but remember the chocolate melts and so do the marshmallows into one icky mess. Trail mix is good, the kind you make yourself with m&m's, marshmallows, raisins, etc. (keep in cool place). Go-gurt, poptarts, apples, oranges, watermelon and cantelope already cubed. Cheez-it's too.
Do forget to pick up some glow sticks (necklaces) for the kids at night, they love them.

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What are the differences between north shore and south shore at lake camanche? What are the differences?

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mercydercy

What does one location (north shore or south shore) have that the other is lacking? Kids & adults will be attending. Primarily tent camping.

Answer
Dunno!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are there any good camping places to take kids 10-14 in Missouri?

MommaDoo

We want to take our kids who have never camped somewhere family oriented. My husband and I both grew up tent camping.

Answer
We live in the Missouri Ozarks and have 5 children ages 9, 11, 12, and two 14 year olds. Our favorite place to take our family is Alley Springs campground on the Jacks Fork river. It is about 6 miles west of Eminence. It offers plenty of sites, some with electric, hot showers, flat level sites with paved roads for bike riding, and a good swimming hole. About 1/2 mile away is the Alley Springs Mill and spring with two hiking trails, one that goes around the spring area, and then a more difficult one that goes up to a lookout that is above the spring. It is a beautiful place. Hope this helps!

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I have $400. I am married w/ 3 boys, 7-5-4, my grandma is my hero- closest person in my life.She is dying,?

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hyphyscwif

I am living in cal. right now in a 2 bedroom apartment in the not so nice neighborhood where kids run the streets day and night & since two of my sons are in school now w/ a lot of these kids, harder n harder to keep them away fr. the street/ kids. already have a place to live when we get there. my hubby out of work right now, but he is an elect. do work is there- but the longer we stay here the more $$ we will spend- rent groceries, day to day, but can we afford to drive with us 5 in our 1992 honda accord from bay area to northwest wyoming? Are there tips to save when driving long trips?ideas for cutting costs- ways to make my $ multiply? I need to hurry I am losing precious time w/ my grandma, and i feel so anxious all the time?

Answer
Im sorry for your Faimly.
If it was me I would sell everything and leave the area. I would spen the last bit of time with my grand mother. I have lost mine and she lived accross the country from me.
When your ready to leave make food for days before hand for example cook Meals store them in Eskies as your driving use them for your meals. Make sand wiches, Cordial or better still have plewnty of water. if you need to spend the night any where use a Tent. The kids will enjoy it as a adventure. I have a 6 yr old daughter. Make up stories and Get them to pack a Back pack each filled with their toys,books stuff. Pack pillows in the car. Then when all this is done just say good bye and go for it.
Good Luck.

To those who live in a Small house/Space, how do you make room for babies and kids things?

Sophia's M

My husband and I live in a 1200 square foot bungalow which has two bedrooms down stairs and 1 full bath. Upstairs has 1 large Bedroom and Half Bath...We want more children in the future but we don't see ourself moving anytime soon. I am trying to find a good way to make more space for my child and her toys and things. Any tips

Answer
I am also in a small space - 900 sf 2 bed / 1 bath apt - and we have a toddler and twins on the way.

Our lease is up at the same time I am due. It would be really bad timing to move, so we plan to stick it out here for a year and get into a larger place next year.

We've adapted by making our space very child centered. We have a train table instead of a coffee table. The kitchen is too small for a full-size dining room table, so we sit Japanese style at a toddler-size table. The living room is the play room (as well as my daughter's room). The living room also houses our computers and office stuff which we have compactly on one wall. The futon couch doubles as a guest bed when we have company.

My daughter's closet now has two rods for clothing (one high and one low) to accommodate the twins' wardrobe. Her bedroom has enough room to have 2 beds - a full size bed for co-sleeping/nursing and a smaller toddler bed. Her BIG tent will have to be packed up once we set up the toddler bed, but we plan to replace it with a smaller collapsible version. The train table may also temporarily go into storage to make space for some baby gear.

In your situation, I would make the large upstairs bedroom into a play room and let the rest of your house be relatively clutter-free.

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What is the best tent when camping with kids?!?

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AngelMom

My husband and I are going camping in August and we trying to find a good tent. We want a dome tent for 6-8 people. It is actually going to be just my hubby, my 9 month old and myself, but I want the extra room (which our old 4 person tent doesn't have). Does anyone have any suggestions? We're wanting to spend between $100-$200. Thanks!

Answer
short, but simple answer. you can EASILY find Copeman (or Coleman i think rather) brand tents for ridiculously cheap and they're HUGE. take a look over there first. you'll be surprised. and most of them are under $100 too!

How do I make a giant Igloo for my preschool class?

Meghan

I am a preschool teacher and we are doing themes for our summer camp and one of them is an artic theme. I want to make a giant igloo in the corner of the room that the kids can walk in and out of. Any suggestions on how I can do that? I would like to some how make it out of butcher paper. Any ideas would be great. Or any ideas I can add to help decorate the room for our artic theme would be awesome. Thanks.

Answer
If you don't have or don't want to collect that many milk jugs, how about a dome shaped tent? You can find them at fairly low prices and, if you don't plan to use it for real camping outdoors, you can get a cheap one. Draw block shapes on the butcher paper and then use it to cover the tent.

Please be sure children learn that people in the Arctic do NOT live in igloos. Read up on it and give them authentic information about life in the Arctic.

I didn't read the other answers all that closely, but here are some ideas:

Put up pictures of Arctic animals. Use them later to go on an Arctic animal "safari".

Freeze water in various shaped containers. You can put in food colouring to give them colour. Float them in your water table for "icebergs".

Have kids make "Ivory Snow" pictures and put them up around the room.

Teach kids to cut out snowflakes. Hand those up around the room.

I love having kids make decorations for the room rather than teachers doing it.

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