traveling with kids?

sarahnsqui

we're going to be camping in Colorado for a family vacation with my husbands siblings/dad/etc...there will be a 14 month old and my baby who is 3 months...what are some ideas for activities?

Answer
14 mo old - We bought a child carrier backpack for my first son and that sures makes nature oriented stuff easier. My son loved the pack, and so if we went on a hike he just road along in the pack, the sites alone will keep them entertained for the most part.

At 3 months you can get a front carrier, and tote that one along.

Wherever you camp, scout out the area very well before you let the 14 mo old wander around, make sure there are not any dangerous critters or bushes or whatnot. Have a big tent so they can also just use the tent as a playarea.

Buy a few new toys (don't go overboard) and give them a new toy when you first get there, when they bore of that one, give them another new toy.... depends on the attention span of your child how long this will or if it will work at all. (my 16 mo old this would never work, his attention span is like 3 minutes.)

Which tent should I choose?

kjetit

I am looking for a 2-3 person 3 Season backpacking tent.
It should be high quality, water proof, noiseless, no condensate and sturdy against wind. I would also like it to be comfortable for 2 persons, functional to use and not too heavy.
I will use it mostly when hiking on mountains.

I have been looking on
-MSR Hubba Hubba HP Tent
-Sierra Designs ASP 2 Tent
-The North Face Roadrunner 33 Tent
-Sierra Designs Antares 3 Tent
-???other sugestiond??

I was thinking of investing +-$400 to get a long lasting tent.
Please help me. Which tent should i choose?
If you know a good place to buy it, it would be great also.

thanks.

Answer
The basic criteria for a good three season backpacking tent include: dual walls with full rain fly that reaches the ground OR single wall waterproof/breathable with vents, carbon fiber or aluminum DAC poles, a method of securing the poles to the rain fly (often Velcro), plenty of screens, and a bathtub floor. Other considerations are that a tent with only two poles is obviously lighter than three or more, and lighter materials make for a much better time backpacking.

Of those four tents, I'd dismiss the North Face tent immediately as I've been prejudiced against their products due to their popularity and its reputed effect on quality control. The MSR Hubba Hubba has won awards and is the lightest of the four, but I consider it overpriced in comparison to the Sierra Designs tents, which would be my choice, and is, because I sometimes carry a Sierra Designs Lightning tent which is similar to the Sierra Designs ASP 2 tent, although about a pound lighter, which is my answer to your question. The SD Antares weighs over 7 lbs and thus isn't suitable for backpacking in my opinion.

Comparing the Lightning 2 and the ASP 2:
http://sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=716
http://sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=47

The ASP 2 is larger than the Lightning 2, both the interior and the vestibule, but for me 4 lbs is the absolute maximum weight for couples UL backpacking, and when my kids are older I plan to switch permanently to use my silnylon tarp or sew a Ray Jardine tarp with mosquito netting. Still, I carry the tent, fly, guy lines, and stakes myself and my wife carries only the poles included her 11 lbs FSO (from skin out) BP weight.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___20069
http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Tarp-Kit/index.htm

Other options include various UL tents such as those made by Henry Shires: http://www.tarptent.com/ or some kind of pyramid tent such as those made by Titanium Goat: http://www.titaniumgoat.com/vertex5.html or a pair of hammocks from Hennesy: http://hennessyhammock.com/

REI carries the Lightning 2 and ASP 2 tents, both of which are are sale right now, which is my answer to the last part of your question as well: http://www.rei.com/product/763152
http://www.rei.com/product/763148

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What are the different types of tents?

Jack

There is something to consider before deciding to buy a tent for there are large variety of tents. Can any experienced one intro. the styles and your favorite style or creative style ones?

Answer
ââDome Tent
The dome tent: These tents owing to their shape are most spacious and can be divided into rooms as well. Can fit a single person or a family as they come in both individual and family sizes. Easy to carry by backpackers, it is very popular in camping. Its shape makes it more heat efficient. The tents have a ârainflyâ which is water proof and helps in keeping the interior dry. So depending on what type of group you have Dome tents have various options. Even the windows come in clear or mesh options. Dividers are available if you need more privacy in the family dome tents. The family tents also have the option of tafetta walls to make it more sturdy. Dome tents are very easy to move if you decide to shift to any other location close by. The most important thing is it is very stable in windy conditions.
ââcabin tent
The cabin tent: Well, if you plan to go car camping and need room to stand then the cabin tent is your best bet. The cabin tents are big enough that you can actually park your car inside it. It is a huge tent that was designed for camping with your car. Some of them stand as tall as 8 ft giving it the room to have a party as well. . These tents are made with heavy material which helps for long durable. These are also exclusively used for hosting backyard parties, or for bigger family groups that go on camping.
ââgeodesic tents
The geodesic tent: These tents were introduced by the Buckminster Fuller. He was an engineer, author, inventor. Mr. Fuller was the one who introduced the geodesic dome in buildings. The geodesic dome is based on âtensegrityâ structures such as tetrahedron, octahedron which are a net of continuous structures that do not touch each other but form closely bound spheres which is just enough to not make them touch each other but also have enough tension in them to make them separate spatially to form a sphere.
The geodesic tents have become popular because of its design as it requires minimum material and provides a large space. This concept is specially useful in tents as there is a central pole which gives it additional strength in high wind conditions as there are no weak points and is easy for one person to set it up. Geodesic tents are heat efficient and spacious like the other tents but their main selling point is the high strength and stability they provide.
ââTunnel tents
Tunnel tents: Tunnel tents or Mutli-hoop tents as they are also called are tents used both in camping, as a kids play area, even as tents for pets. Due to the ring structure in these tents they can give a good height. These are similar to A-frame tents but slightly heavier. A good tunnel tents must be at least 3 lbs in weight including the poles, guy lines and canopy panels This type of camping tent is a large standing free room tent. The tent is waterproof and is very easy to assemble. Another benefit of this tent is it has the capable of shedding heavy snow.
ââFolding tents
Folding tents: Folding tents are also known as popup canopies or instant gazebos are incredibly handy for events, festivals, promotions. Being a lightweight spacious and easy to setup as well as fold up is an ideal choice for moving around and quick set up. These tends usually do not need to be staked down but can sometimes require skylines attached to tress or stakes. Folding tent is easy to move to other places when it needs to be shifted within a short frame of time. It is ideal for hunting or camping.
ââ Umbrella Style tents
Umbrella style tents: They are like umbrella because they have only one supporting pole in the Centre of the tent. They are simple and light, but not the type of tent you want to be in during camping or hunting. Mostly ideal for sitting under on a beach or in the backyard for a party to have shade while you are in the sun.

How do I make hoop tunnel for dog agility?

Brooke A

Currently, I'm using a construction-type ditch pipe. I'd also like to know where I can purchase some nylon for the tunnel cover.

Answer
Bad idea. A good agility dog comes out of a tunnel faster than he went in it (and he went in it fast). That's because they can use the cloth of the tunnel for purchase. And they can run on the walls using centrifugal force. And the tunnel has give.

Your construction pipe will be slick inside and therefore difficult to get purchase on. The dog will have trouble running on the sides. Most importantly, when the enters at an angle and hits solid pipe, he'll learn to slow up. Your pipe will be teaching the dog to SLOW up when entering the tunnel. Totally wrong approach.

A stiff cardboard box is a far superior alternative. Dog's don't perceive the world the way we do. You see a pipe as similar to a tunnel because you're focusing on shapes. A dog sees a stiff card board box as similar to a competition grade tunnel because his experience running inside is more similar than it would be running inside a construction-grade pipe (that is more similar in shape to a competition-grade tunnel). Don't think like a human, think like a dog!

As for making/acquiring a tunnel:
--Look at Affordableagility.com and you'll find a competition-grade tunnel for $150.
--If you really want to go cheap, go to Target or JC Penny and buy a plastic kid's tunnel for $20. That is less than the material you'll spend MAKING a tunnel.
--If you insist on MAKING a tunnel, than the key is the piping that provides a secure but flexible tunnel frame. Almost any cloth that is stiff nylon or rip-stop will do keeping in mind that without any kind of rubber treat, your tunnel will develop rot and mold very quickly and will probably last less than 12 months (unless you can move it inside).

However, I suspect you aren't really trying to make a tunnel but a chute. In which case your approach makes more sense.

1. Go to affordable agility. Buy "agility in a bag." For $150 you get 6 PVC weave poles, 2 PVC adjustable jumps, a worthless pause box, a mediocre tire, and a perfectly useable chute (short tunnel with very appropriate cloth chute). It's worth the time and money you'd spend making the darn thing to just buy the kit. It even comes with a travel bag!
2. If you insist on making a chute, I still wouldn't use the construction ditch pipe. The challenge with the chute is to get material that isn't too light or too heavy. Too light and it becomes easily tangled, your dog will panic and you've trained them not to like the chute. To heavy and a small dog can't push it's way through. Some tent tarps or extendable covers (at a Target or camping store) might be appropriate as long as they aren't heavy duty material. Often times, tents or sunshades will have an extendable awning--that's the kind of material (and probably in an appropriate size) you'd be looking for. But the catch is--that will probably cost you more than it would to just buy the chute from Affordable agility.

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Games to play out side with 2 school aged kids?

Linda Lou

I am now babysitting a 1st and 4th grader for a few hours after school. today was my first day and I had the 1st grader go down the slide head first smash into a wall and bleed everywhere decided a playground/swingset in the backyard is prlly better to just look at lol

any ideas that I can do with them?

Answer
tag.
hide and seek.
board games (*checkers,charades,tick tack toe,connect 4.)

Never leave the kids alone. They might draw on walls or get into something they shouldn't be in. Keep them occupied and bring lots of fun games.Don't ever leave the child alone. They will pour soap down the potty and make bubbles.
Make a Fun Bag. In the fun bag you could have candy (if they are allowed), movies, coloring pages, stickers, books, games, and crafts, as well as various things for you when the kids go to sleep. The things in the Fun bag should consider the age of the children you are babysitting, as very young children will appreciate different things to older children.
When the kids start to get fussy or antsy, ask them if they want to color / do a project / play a game. They say yes and, voila! Fun bag!
Play with the children. They won't like it if you don't play. So, take out the thing they want to do. If you are doing a project or coloring and you have messy toddlers, let them help put down newspaper or a plastic mat to protect floors and tables. Have fun and they will be able to tell and enjoy your presence more.
For projects; when making things if you can make it edible it's good. Some finger painting recipies are edible. (Vanilla yogurt with food coloring)
Little kids also love doing things for themselves. Let them pour or stir their own drinks, make their own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or help you make cookies. It helps pass the time while teaching them skills, and they will feel more involved and grown up instead of you taking over everything.
Put a chair by the sink for the kids to stand on, and let them help you wash the dishes. (Take out sharp objects like forks hiding in the suds so they don't get poked accidentally.) Being allowed to help you wash the dishes can be a reward for young children.
Be patient with the children if they start getting bored or miserable, show them the things they have brought and encourage them to play. If they don't want to do something in particular, find something else for them to do!
Take them outside! Ride bikes, go to the park, walk the dog, anything outdoors will run their energy out! Make sure to be very careful because the outdoors also has many hazards.
Play fun age appropriate games. Don't do something that is to old for the kids because you want parents to want you to come back. Also, when playing with the child, be sure to not be rough with them especially when you have a younger age group. This may turn them off and somebody could get hurt.
Make or buy play-dough. If you have a recipe that doesn't involve cooking on the stove, you can have the kids help make it. If you don't have the materials needed for play-dough, you can make something called Ooblek with simply water and cornstarch. This is especially good because it doesn't involve dangerous, hot ovens or sharp objects. Do this outside of course, as it is extremely messy, but that's the fun of it!
Pick a movie appropriate for the age group you're babysitting. Pop some popcorn and put the popcorn in individual bowls for each child (if they are young). Give each child a ticket awhile before the movie. Be the ticket-taker at the door to the room, and give each child a bowl of popcorn. Then turn off the lights and start the movie!
Make a tent! Use chairs and big blankets. Fill the inside with pillows and blankets. After it's made, you can tell (or read!) stories. If it's possible, make it over a TV, so the TV is inside, and you have a movie theater! If the children are 4 or older (and less likely to make a mess), pop some popcorn to get the great movie atmosphere!
Remember, toddlers love anything that keeps them active. If everyone's bored, take out some scarves, turn on the music, and dance! If you have a lot of children, play freeze tag, or a team game where EVERYONE needs to be involved.For most kids under the age of 5, hide and seek may have some hazards.
They might run and hide to far, not come out of their hiding spot and you may not be able to find them.




[edit] TipsMany things that adults think of as drudgery is fun for young children. Find ways to let them help you and make them feel important. Thank them for helping.
Play with the children. They'll like it when you get involved and will ask for you as their babysitter. Neither parents nor kids like lazy babysitters who stay on the phone all day.
Don't make a mess. Leave the house as clean or cleaner than you found it.
Always clean up after an activity. But don't do it alone. Have the kids help, too. You can sing this song: "Clean up, clean up. Everybody do their share. Clean up, clean up. Everybody, everywhere," You can make up your own melody.
Don't just sit down and watch a movie. Keep the kids active. If it is a nice day, go outside play with a ball or your dog or your trampoline.
If it is dark encourage NOT to go outside =)
Also try to play games that are educational but still fun
Clean up

Bed tents: what features to look for?

HisayoA

I'm interested in getting a bed tent for my toddler. When selecting a bed tent for kids are there any particular features which make a big difference? Thanks for your help and suggestions.
Play tent to go on a childrens (twin size) bed, not for a crib.

Answer
Getting the right size tent for the bed, theme (if child has a favorite like mermaid), durability, and does it have a window, velcro or zipper on entrance, are all some of the features to keep in mind. When shopping online I also always read the product reviews.

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Where can I buy bedroom furniture for my loft conversion with slanted ceilings / awkward walls?

Paul S

I'm ideally looking for a specific company that can supply kids bedroom furniture as IKEA and HABITAT etc don't fit the strange angles. I could get bespoke cupboards and drawers etc, but that would be so expensive. Just some links would be great...

Answer
Check this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=tent%20loft%20bed&tag=ya-us1-20&index=garden&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325

Can you recommend a gift for a 5yr old boy? This is my friend's son.?

InLoveChic

I asked my friend what her son wants for his birthday but she wont tell me.

Answer
Id go with a generic toy rather than a character specific one. since she wont tell u what he's into.
rc cars
trucks
bug habitat
sports stuff - basketball, football, roller skates
puzzles
play doh finger paint (she'll love u for either of these )
pool toys
indoor pop up tent
aqua doodle
sock em bop ems (especially if he has siblings)
I wouldn't go with clothes unless it has a character on them that u know he likes. anyway kids (especially boys) aren't too excited about getting clothes on there birthday

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What classic outdoor toys do your kids love?

pdooma

My son likes his scooter and playing frisbee.

(I'm looking for things to add to his Christmas list that I've been asked for...)

Answer
Wagons have been favorites for three of my children (the baby seems to enjoy riding in them, as well). Even my 12 and 10 year olds still play with the wagons. They grow well with the child, and you can find many different styles for various needs.

How about stilts and/or a pogo stick? Those are things we getting this year.

I seem to recall you have a younger child. Those Little Tikes playsets are well worth the value- they are expensive, but again we have one that held up through our oldest child (now 12) and is still in the same condition for our 5 month old to use when he can. And, we got it used!

Bubbles, sidewalk chalk, scooter and/or skateboard (we have one that converts from scooter to skateboard which is nice), bicycle (of course).

Basketball and hoop

Baseball, bat and catchers mitt

Tent

Hula hoops (even for a boy- they can be used for circus pretend play, as part of an obstacle course, etc. For some reason most people seem to think hula hoops are "girl" toys).

Sandbox and sand (you can buy or build the sandbox)

Butterfly nets, critter cages (mine like to catch fireflies, caterpillars, frogs, etc. and observe them for a while and then release them)

Garden supplies- a rake, hoe, shovel and some seeds and a watering can

Sprinklers (depending on where you live, it may not be a good Christmas gift)

Badminton

Tree house

A-Z list of summer items for kids?

Kartika

Answer
Airplane, Amusement Park
Beach Ball, Bubbles, Bike, Baseball
Chalk, Campfire, Camping, Crab
Donuts, Day Camp
Eye Goggles for swimming
Fish, Flashlight, Fair
Golf
Horse Shoes, Hop Scotch, Hula Hoop
Ice Cream Cone
Jump Rope
Ketchup, Kite
Lightning Bugs, Lantern
Marshmallows
Net, Nest
Orange
Popsicle, Paddle Boat, Pogo Stick
Quiet Night
Roller Skates
Swimming Pool, Squirt Gun, Sand Castle, Scooter, Smores, Sand Toys
Tricycle, Tent, Trampoline
Under the Stars, umbrella
Vacation
Walk, Watermelon, Water
Xylophone
Yo-Yo
Zip Line, Zoo

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Where can I buy bedroom furniture for my loft conversion with slanted ceilings / awkward walls?

Paul S

I'm ideally looking for a specific company that can supply kids bedroom furniture as IKEA and HABITAT etc don't fit the strange angles. I could get bespoke cupboards and drawers etc, but that would be so expensive. Just some links would be great...

Answer
Check this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=tent%20loft%20bed&tag=ya-us1-20&index=garden&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325

Can you recommend a gift for a 5yr old boy? This is my friend's son.?

InLoveChic

I asked my friend what her son wants for his birthday but she wont tell me.

Answer
Id go with a generic toy rather than a character specific one. since she wont tell u what he's into.
rc cars
trucks
bug habitat
sports stuff - basketball, football, roller skates
puzzles
play doh finger paint (she'll love u for either of these )
pool toys
indoor pop up tent
aqua doodle
sock em bop ems (especially if he has siblings)
I wouldn't go with clothes unless it has a character on them that u know he likes. anyway kids (especially boys) aren't too excited about getting clothes on there birthday

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What is the biggest camping tent available?

anonymous

I am leading a youth group camping trip this summer and I'm looking for a very large tent to accommodate optimally 15-16 people? I have looked at several 12 person tents (Gettysburg 12 Family Camping Tunnel Tent, Trekker⢠20' x 16' Cabin Tent and the Copper Canyon 12), but was hoping for something maybe a bit bigger.

Positive reviews about waterproofing is also a must. Our tents last year leaked horribly in the rain, even with the rain fly on and tarp underneath.

Answer
How much money do you have, how big do you need to go?
http://armytents.com/tents/tent-tmpr.html

As far as managing a group several smaller tents would be more suitable, you can arrange the tents around a central canopy for example like the circling of the wagon trains of old. this works best with vertical wall tents of the cabin styles like the Copper Canyon 12 or the Coleman Instant 8. Figure also gear for each camper unless they are on a cot each person will have gear that takes up sleeping space so figure 1 extra space for 3 persons is needed so a four man tent actually comfortably sleeps three, an eight man sleeps 6 and so on.

Personally as having been there done that thousands of times as a scoutmaster, The Coleman Tent family has the best reputation for staying dry in and not breaking the bank, so I highly recommend them.

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-14x10-Foot-Person-Instant/dp/B003QUT9OE/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1360109250&sr=8-7&keywords=12+man+tent

What qualities and features should I look for when shopping for a tent?

Mrs.Fine

I love to camp, but my poor old tent has worn out and it is time to purchase a new one. There are alot more features available now, and I want to know which ones are worth the extra money, and which ones just add more weight to my gear. It was a little overwhelming shopping at the Bass Pro shop last weekend.

Also, where is the best place to find a good deal on these tents? I only have a family of four, so an extra large tent is not needed. Just one that is relativley simple to set up.

Thanks for your input!

Answer
First, get a name brand tent. Almost everyone I know who has purchased a tent from a discount store has had problems with it very soon. Not only is this bad economics but can ruin a camping trip.

The tent that is right for you will depend on your own use and priorities. If you are car camping, you will likely accept weight and volume to have a comfortable tent. If you are bike touring, you probably want as small a tent as you can get.

Here's a few things to consider:

Self supporting - The more self supporting a tent is, the less you have to rely on stakes, but the more likely it is to have more poles and more weight. A classic pup-tent for example is simple, has only basic center poles, but needs good ground to steak it down.

Ventilation - Very important if you will be in warm weather especially. I find that having cross ventilation (two opposite doors for example) give much better ventilation than the percent of the tent body that is netting. ( I find that if the netting is completely surrounded by the fly, you won't get much wind movement anyways)

Mosquito netting - get the smaller no seeum netting. It's helpful if you can adjust this and the door rainflies without having to open the tent door (thus letting all the bugs in)

Zipper - get one with a substantial zipper on the doors. This is a point of failure on many bargain brand tents.

In my outdoor program I purchase Eureka Timberline Tents which are the mainstays of many outdoor programs. I think they are one of the best values you will find in a tent. They are well built, have good zippers, have excellent cross ventilation and are easy to set up with poles that are unlikely to break. You can adjust the ventilation from inside the tent. They are great for most general needs, but would not be my choice for activities where light weight is needed such as bike touring or light-weight backpacking. They will make more noise than a dome tent in a wind. A good source is Campmore. They also stock spare parts such as poles should you ever need them. Personally, I find myself using this tent most of the time unless I'm in the wind or snow I use a Eureka dome tent, and if I want to go light, I use a small
Sierra Designs hoop tent instead.

Help preserve your tent by shaking or sweeping out all the debris each morning when you take it down. This will make the floor last much longer. If you are not overly concerned about weight, cut a plastic ground cloth to fit, which you can always leave out if you don't want it. (Campmore sells these very cheaply to fit the timberline)

P.S. - the Timberline has a 4-person version, but it is room for sleeping only. If you are car camping for long periods of time, you may want something more roomy for a family of four.

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Is it illegal to camp in a forest?

Nathan

I wanted to camp in a tent in a large forest, is that illegal? This is UK by the way

Answer
Yes the British forest are ether privately owned or Owned by the forestry commission!
Ether will be extremely down on people camping in them!
There are how ever proper camp sites run by the Forestry commision for the public !
There are how ever not in the forest as you want1
But proper open pitches!
And remember that wild Camping is illegal in England and Wales!

Where can I find a tent like this?

climbing-r

i need to find a tent this size & shape: http://fuckyeahbedrooms.tumblr.com/post/773335641/belongings
where can i buy one?

Answer
Well, that's an unusual site for Y!A but what you're looking for is a teepee, sometimes spelled tipi, or a ridge tent.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3400803.htm . . .
Argos do a teepee cheaper than most ridge tents that size but it's still quite a bit to fork out and it'll likely need a bit a bit of work on it before trusting it in wet weather.
It's much better if it's put up in Arabia with nice silk curtains and gold ornaments around and white fluffy carpets on the floor and some warm nights that are more comfortable for suitable night time activities like star gazing.
The sight of the heavenly bodies at night can be truly awesome and for many of them no telescope is required.
Here is some gen about the Argos 12 person teepee and the smaller 4 person one with a photo of the smaller one on the second link in my answer and comments from users of 12 person and the smaller one.
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Amnw6vKT6b2.jruBph08yg4hBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20101123124210AA5f0XI . . . . . .
In the photo with the girl reading the tent she's in is a large ridge tent which you can get from many manufacturers all over the world.
In UK Blacks do a big one and the early Vango Force Ten tents were that shape too but now they are geodesic domes and tunnels.
Here is the classic Force Ten, as used by hundreds of Everest climbers.
You'll see Force Ten tents on Everest all through the year...if you go there.
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-news/happy-birthday-vango/3780.html . . . .
http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Force_Ten_Classic_Mk5_Tent.html
http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?14759-Vango-Force-10-Classic-Review&s=2061677d9c6d6db2d1b1f3126a1a4d73 . . .
A look in any camping shop or the on line sites will give a good choice of large ridge tents cheaper than the Vango and capable of providing a comfortable living area for three or four people.
These are up-market..as pricey as the Vango Force Ten.
http://www.tortugatents.co.uk/category/ridgetents/ . . . .
For space to move and have a party one of these would fit.
http://www.tents-direct.co.uk/show_tents.php?productid=1513 . . . .
The Relum Giant Pearl is probably more the size you had in mind though. It's a nice tent, well made and with good headroom.
http://www.jacksons-camping.co.uk/relum/ridge.htm . . . .
Have fun.

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How do I buy gear that uses less space for car camping?

MthrNature

In the past I've done a lot of car camping. However, even in a full size 4 door sedan, I am using up all kinds of space with clothing, gear, ice chests, etc...so much so that with 2 people, the trunk and back seats are fully occupied.

I'm in a position right now to order a new set of camping gear. How should I go about it so that the gear all fits into the large trunk of my full size car? I envision being able to provide for 4 people in my trunk with food and gear, and still have the seats to transport them.

I'm not a poet or an English major, so if I need to add details, please let me know.

Thanks!

Answer
The first thing is to try to reduce the amount of gear and clothing you bring with you. While you need fresh socks and underwear every day, pants and shirts can usually go two days between changes. Exchange bulky clothing such as denim and flannel for more compact chinos or synthetics. Trim out unnecessary items from your toiletries kit. If you have a properly-rated sleeping bag you won't need to bring blankets. Leave your pillows at home and stuff your pillowcase with your extra clothing. Minimize your cooking gear down to the bare essentials.

After you eliminate or swap all you can to save weight, then you can look at replacing items with gear that's more compact.

The first easy swap is to get rid of those cotton bath and dish towels and switch to synthetic pack towels.

Things like lanterns and bug lamps can take up a lot of room. If you have huge gas or oil lanterns, consider replacing them with more compact (and longer running) LED lanterns. Instead of bug lamps or citronella candles bring mosquito coils. Replacing folding tables and chairs with roll-up tables and bag chairs will save space.

Also look at the size of your coolers and how you pack them into the trunk. Sometimes going with a different cooler design will allow you to pack your car more efficiently without sacrificing cooler capacity. And if you're bringing more than two coolers, (one for beverages, which gets used most often, and one for food), you've got too many.

Do you bring both a stove and a grill? Maybe you can consolidate by using a Coleman Grill/Stove unit (just don't use the grill side for pots and pans, it _CAN_ melt; don't ask how I know). You can also get a griddle accessory for this unit, which might replace your frying pan entirely.

Next look at your sleeping bag. Although they can be a bit expensive, you can find sleeping bags that compress down to 1/4 the size of a cheap unit. 9" x 15" pack size is easily obtainable without spending over $100 per bag. Then look at what's going under your sleeping bag. Is it a huge cot or mattress? You might be able to save a bunch of space by switching to a more compact-folding cot or self-inflating mattress.

Then look at your shelter(s). How much room could you save if you went with a smaller tent design? Is it worth the trade-off in space? Maybe you could find a tent with similar floor space that packs into a smaller footprint. Do you also bring along an easy-up, screen room or gazebo to shelter your kitchen/dining/sitting area?

Finally, if the above doesn't solve your packing problems, or the cost exceeds your budget, you can always add additional storage space by using a removable roof-top basket and/or waterproof cargo bag to handle additional gear. Just be careful to adequately secure everything before heading out on your trip.
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Living in the canyon for the summer--being voluntarily homeless?

Q. So I'm seriously debating over whether it is a good or bad idea to go live in the canyon this summer instead of renting an apartment. I love the outdoors and I could save a lot of money by just camping up there. No rent, no utilities, and natural living! I also think it will be a really good learning experience.

My plan so far is to rent a storage unit with electricity for all my crap. That way I could have a mini fridge and a place to plug in an electric griddle if need be. I would still have my car. I am a student at the university so I'd use the gym's showers, campus internet, etc... Then I could rotate through campsites every week so I'm not too suspicious.

I think this town consistently rates one of the top safest towns in America so I really doubt I need to worry about creepers. And the campsites are usually well kept so I feel like large animals will steer clear. And like I said, I still have my car in case of emergency.

Am I forgetting anything? Should I be worried about anything else? Any personal experiences?

Thanks

Answer
In order to obtain a master's degree, I camped in developed campsites for two summers in a van down by the river. Due to all of my papers and an electric-powered non-stick pan for meals, I was glad to have electricity provided in camp. Fees were cheap, but transportation and loss of time were costs. I also paid for one restaurant meal each day due to time constraints, usually a Chinese lunch for economy and healthy components in the meal. Your willingness to move camp weekly is very responsible and will allow you to leave-no-trace. Therefore, you will not be in conflict with law enforcement as long as you are following the local regulations for dispersed camping. In my circumstances, I was not near any lands where dispersed camping was allowed. I figured that my daily living costs were $20 per day.

Today, I could have adequate battery storage to run a laptop computer between charging at school. I would use propane-butane canisters for cooking now. During my education, internet was not a source of research materials. I slept comfortably in a +15 degree sleeping bag, especially because the van retained some heat. I did shower and shave in the university gym early each morning without ever being challenged. During the past decade I have never applied any of my university education from three degrees, five certifications, and spent two decades being either underemployed or moving every few years for career changes. Of course, I answer questions, write articles and books, but do not recover the costs of outdoor gear or transportation from my work.

I have known a few homeless men. One froze to death in winter on a below-zero night where alcohol was involved. Another beat a fellow homeless man to death at his campsite and is serving a sentence for murder. A woman was killed by her homeless man companion associated with a knife-stabbing during an alcoholic binge in their campsite. Several young men have frozen to death in snowdrifts near me due to being disoriented on their way homes from bars. No one ever had a conflict with a wild animal, except one man stored canned goods in his tent that were eaten by a black bear when he was away from his dispersed camp near town. I attribute that problem as stupidity of the homeless man and proximity to a community that trains bears to eat refuse. I have never had any encounter with a bear in my remote wilderness dispersed camps. Human communities educate bears badly and help create alienated homeless men. Military veterans, alcoholics, and mentally-ill men are typically homeless and estranged from "civilization." Perhaps, you will be able to write a balanced thesis on homelessness in American after you get a taste of it.

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Poll: Have you ever road on an elephant?

Kung Fu ll

I have at the zoo and it was so scary cuz the tent thing at the top would like shake.

Answer
yeah once when I was very young, one of my uncles took me and his kids, oh man when my mom found out, she went ballistic, she see that as cruelty to animals

How does the Book Water for Elephants end?

Q. I read most of it but haven't found time to finish it...i just want to know how it ends...i read up until Marlena left the train and was hiding out in the hotel room.

Answer
Marlena goes back to the circus....not to go back to August but to perform. And Jacob sneaks back and sees that a bunch of the fired/red-lighted workers have come back to sabatage the show. They free all the animals in the managerie and it causes a stampede. Jacob runs to Rosie's tent to find Marlena, who is cornered by August who is trying to ... strangle her I think...Rosie is there also and picks her stake up out of the groud and bashes Augusts head in. And Jacob and Marlena go to work for the Ringling Bros circus and have a bunch of kids...some of them grow up in the circus but they eventually stop travelling with the circus and get a home.

We know from the beginning of the story that Marlena dies before Jacob...and he's travelled across the street to the circus since his son forgot it was his day to hang out with him. It takes him so much time just to walk across the street that the circus is over but he ends up talking to one of the workers and tells him he worked on the Zambini Bros circus...the guy knows a lot of historical circuses and knows about the stampeded disaster and it's sort of unofficially decided that the man agrees to take the old Jacob alone on the circus.

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Alternative Camping Heater Source Other Than Propane?

Alexis

I live in Canada and everytime I go camping it is always super cold and super damp. I pruchased a Coleman Propane Cataylic Heater for the last time I went camping and it worked like a charm. However, it totally freaks me out having to use propane. Also, propane is very large and cumbersome to travel with if you are hiking or on the move.

Does anyone know what other type of heat source I could get or use to make my tent dry and warm that ISN'T propane? I think with all the innovations that we have today their has to be some sort of memory-cell or solar panel/cell like device that can generate heat and warmth in a environmentally friendly and safe way.

Thanks a bunch!!

Answer
Coleman used to make a Coleman fueled catalytic heater. That and propane are very dangerous because they deplete oxygen and create carbon monoxide. You need to have a lot of ventilation in you tent to keep from not ever waking up again. I have a small wood burning stove that has a stovepipe through the roof of the tent. Even with the tent door or window open it'll keep you warm. Depends on how much you want to carry or spend. It would be unrealistic to believe that any solar powered or battery powered resistance heater would. You would need a bank of batteries that would fill a truck to heat for just one day. You can also heat large rocks in a fire, wrap them in towels or blankets and use them to heat your tent. You'd need 2 sets, one for in the tent and another set in the fire to rotate when the first set gets cold.

Looking for a semi - secluded tent camping spot in Western PA?

adas

Hi I live in Pittsburgh and want to go camping in a semi-secluded area with some type of water (creek, river, pond, lake) for fishing and to be able to have a camp fire at night drinking a few beers. Most places around me or that I know of all the camping spots are right next to each other, that are run by the state, which means no drinking at night by the fire and your super close to the next camper . I want a place that I can camp and not be near people. Anyone know any within a 2 hour radius? I'd be willing to pay a fare amount of money to have this.
Also, we would like to go 9/2/2011 -9/4/2011.
Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated!
Thanks!!

Answer
yes, plenty of places in Allegheny National Forest but you need to be willing to hike back in a few miles for a secluded area. The John P Saylor Trail about 2 hours east near Johnstown is a nice 13 miles loop with a lot of pretty tent sites along it including some streamside (though I doubt there is much to fish for). No charge to camp there but also no services (like toilets or drinking water.) You'll have to pack in all you need..

Bear in mind this is a holiday weekend and you may not be able to be terribly picky about being "secluded" or snagging the most desirable spots, especially if you plan on a drive-up site. Nearly everyone wants to camp by the water and any site with good fishing is likely to already have people laying claim to it. You might want to consider renting a canoe and going down Tionesta Creek up in the Allegheny Forest. Lots of cool campsites on sandbars along there and no one will bother you.

Another option is about 2 hours south of the 'Burgh in Coopers Rock state park in West Virginia. There is camping in the park itself (if you are discreet about your alcohol use, not whooping naked around the fire, you are not likely to be bothered) and also more relaxed camping across the highway from the park (same exit but go the other way) at Chestnut Ridge campground. It's a developed large private camping area with some cabins and a stocked lake, but there are also some wooded primitive areas where you can have a bit of privacy.

Check the PA DCNR website for recommendations on fishing. Since I don't fish I am not an expert on areas that would be best for that.

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Where can you go camping on the beach in southern california?

Justin M

Im looking for a site where you can camp on the beach like on the sand, not an rv park, not in the woods by the beach. In southern california by la but not too far by san diego

Answer
Many beach areas are closed to camping due to the harm done to natural resources by camping. There is no reason to sleep on a beach when plenty of developed tent pads and campfire rings exist in stable woodlands above beaches. When I was a Forest Service Ranger, I did not enjoy cleaning-up thousands of pounds of rock rings blackened by beach bonfires or shoveling buckets of broken glass from parties out of beaches where campers wading or swimming could cut their feet on abandoned trash.

Checking past Yahoo! Answers:

The best spot is Carpinteria State Beach. 12 miles south/east of Santa Barbara. My favorite beach is Carpinteria, which is rated at "The World's Safest Beach". There is plenty of beach for swimming or body surfing. There are some excellent tide pools on the south end of the beach, and some large natural tar seeps nearby, which is how the beach got its name (The Spaniards noticed that the local natives used the tar to make their canoes... the word Carpinteria basically means "wood shop"). Also, there are plenty of places to explore in the nice little town. There are fun local restaurants like the Spot (just look for the line of people on Linden Avenue), the Palms (where you cook your own steak), or Giovanni's Pizza (where they have excellent antipasto salad). There is even an old-fashioned candy store called Robitaille's (RO-bah-ties). Kids will also probably like the surf shop (Matt Moore's Rincon Designs), and Foster's Freeze... nothing like a ice cream cone on a warm afternoon. The trains go by, but itâs a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits. In fact, itâs a source of entertainment, since you can put a penny on the tracks and watch it get smashed flat by the train. Also, there is a train platform about 100 yards from the north end of the campground, which we have used when someone in our group hast to come late or leave early. Camping on the beach doesnât get any better than Carpinteria, which puts you steps away from the sand and surf. Be sure to bring your bikes: Itâs one of the favorite activities besides going to the beach. Just before dinnertime, the campground has more bikes moving than cars. This is probably the most family-friendly camping on the coast. However, youâll need to plan well in advance: Sites book 6 months in advance, so you have to think of summer camping in the winter (Memorial Day weekend books November 1, for example).

McGrath State Beach, Ventura: This is a nice enough beach. Technically, you are on the beach, but itâs almost ¼ mile to the water over the dunes. And no trains to worry about.

Point Mugu State Park: Near Oxnard, it consists of two campgrounds: Sycamore Canyon and Broome Beach. Sycamore Canyon is nice enough. My dad used to love it here. There was a fire about 15 years ago which destroyed the campground, but itâs grown back nicely. Broome beach is a windswept parking lot just off PCH. Not much in the way of amenities here.

Leo Carrillo State Park, Malibu: Note the name. Most people call it Leo Carrillo State Beach, but itâs on the inland side of PCH, and you can walk under PCH to get to the beach. Since the beach is covered with large rocks, itâs low on my list of favorite campsites.

Doheney State Beach, Dana Point: This is one of the few campgrounds that have actual beachfront sites. There is a VERY nice park next door, and you are within walking distance of the Dana Point Harbor and shops. Just across PCH and the RR tracks, there is a condo development where you could pay hundreds per night to stay. Or, you could pay twenty bucks and camp right on the beach. The choice is yours. This is another one of my favorite spots for tent camping.

tent camping in oc/la?

gosandiego

are there any places to camp (tent only) in orange county/la area? if anyone knows anywhere, I'd appreciate it!

Answer
"Near" is a relative term. There isn't much in and around LA proper, since real estate is much too expensive. Within 100 miles, you have a selection of campgrounds for tent camping. Try some of these campgrounds, listed roughly north to south). State campgrounds can be reserved at www.reserveamerica.com:

Jalama: This is for those who like to get away from it all, and like to take risks. It is first-come, first-served, but if you DO get in, itâs incredible. Located in SB County, south of Vandenberg Air Force Base, near Lompoc. If you want to camp at a remote beach, this is the place. Nothing here but the store/restaurant, and some RR tracks. Can be a bit windy. The main reason I donât camp here too much is because I donât want to make the drive all the way there, only to find itâs full. www.jalamabeach.com.

Gaviota: No reservations required, but I rarely see anyone here. Not much more than some parking spots by the side of highway 101.

Refugio State Beach: North of Santa Barbara about 15 miles. This campground is right on the beach level, and has some spots just a few feet from the water. Itâs a nice place, and itâs not too far from SB. However, one drawback it the freight trains: It is located at a bend in the RR tracks (most state beaches are right by some RR tracks, BTW), and the longer âpiggybackâ cars screech when they make the turn. Itâs not a pleasant sound, but it only happens a couple times a day.

El Capitan State Beach: Practically next door to Refugio, 2 miles south. El Cap is on the bluffs above the beach, with many trees around the campsites. However, the trains here are much less obtrusive, because thereâs no crossing (so no blasts from the horn), and the train is slightly below ground level at this point, as the tracks are dug into the hillside. This is my second-favorite campground.

Carpinteria State Beach: 12 miles south/east of Santa Barbara. My favorite beach is Carpinteria, which is rated at "The World's Safest Beach". There is plenty of beach for swimming or body surfing. There are some excellent tide pools on the south end of the beach, and some large natural tar seeps nearby, which is how the beach got its name (The Spaniards noticed that the local natives used the tar to make their canoes... the word Carpinteria basically means "wood shop"). Also, there are plenty of places to explore in the nice little town. There are fun local restaurants like the Spot (just look for the line of people on Linden Avenue), the Palms (where you cook your own steak), or Giovanni's Pizza (where they have excellent antipasto salad). There is even an old-fashioned candy store called Robitaille's (RO-bah-ties). Kids will also probably like the surf shop (Matt Moore's Rincon Designs), and Foster's Freeze... nothing like a ice cream cone on a warm afternoon. The trains go by, but itâs a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits. In fact, itâs a source of entertainment, since you can put a penny on the tracks and watch it get smashed flat by the train. Also, there is a train platform about 100 yards from the north end of the campground, which we have used when someone in our group hast to come late or leave early. Camping on the beach doesnât get any better than Carpinteria, which puts you steps away from the sand and surf. Be sure to bring your bikes: Itâs one of the favorite activities besides going to the beach. Just before dinnertime, the campground has more bikes moving than cars. This is probably the most family-friendly camping on the coast. However, youâll need to plan well in advance: Sites book 6 months in advance, so you have to think of summer camping in the winter (Memorial Day weekend books November 1, for example).

McGrath State Beach, Ventura: This is a nice enough beach. Technically, you are on the beach, but itâs almost ¼ mile to the water over the dunes. And no trains to worry about.

Point Mugu State Park: Near Oxnard, it consists of two campgrounds: Sycamore Canyon and Broome Beach. Sycamore Canyon is nice enough. My dad used to love it here. There was a fire about 15 years ago which destroyed the campground, but itâs grown back nicely. Broome beach is a windswept parking lot just off PCH. Not much in the way of amenities here.

Leo Carrillo State Park, Malibu: Note the name. Most people call it Leo Carrillo State Beach, but itâs on the inland side of PCH, and you can walk under PCH to get to the beach. Since the beach is covered with large rocks, itâs low on my list of favorite campsites.

Pomona KOA: Next to Fairplex, in Pomona. People are always asking where to camp âin LAâ. While there are no campgrounds in LA itself, this is the closest. Forget about camping here in September, itâs full of people who work at the county fair. Itâs exceedingly hot and smoggy in the summer, so beware. Itâs very urban camping, but if you want to camp close to LA, this is the spot. http://www.koa.com/where/ca/05438/

Newport Dunes: Located in Newport Beach, itâs the Cadillac of RV parks. You can tent camp here as well, but the park caters mainly to RVâs. The prices are 2-3 times that of the state parks. If I wanted to spend that much, I'd get a hotel room. www.newportdunes.com.


Doheney State Beach, Dana Point: This is one of the few campgrounds that have actual beachfront sites. There is a VERY nice park next door, and you are within walking distance of the Dana Point Harbor and shops. Just across PCH and the RR tracks, there is a condo development where you could pay hundreds per night to stay. Or, you could pay twenty bucks and camp right on the beach. The choice is yours. This is another one of my favorite spots for tent camping.

San Clemente State Beach: Located in the beach town of San Clemente, it is located on the bluffs overlooking the beach.

San Onofre State Beach: Unless you are a HARD CORE surfer, this is not a good place to camp. I camped here once, but never again. You are 10 feet from the RR tracks, 20 feet from I-5. If you're lucky, you get to be right next to the border checkpoint, with flashing lights all night. And it's ¼ mile walk to the beach. There are loud teens and twenty-somethings up late, and no ranger enforcement of quiet time. Great if you're a college-aged person and want to surf and party, but rotten for families.

South Carlsbad State Beach: Close to Legoland in north San Diego County. Located on a strip of land on the bluffs above the beach, itâs great for whale watching during migration season.

San Elijo State Beach: Located in Leucadia, in north San Diego County. Same as South Carlsbad, but with a few hookup sites if you have an RV.

Campland on the Bay: Private campground on the north end of Mission Bay, close to Sea World. Excellent location, lots of organized activities, but you pay for it. Full amenities here, like Newport Dunes.

Sequoia is not really SoCal. At the very least, it's Central California. As long as you are up that way, you might as well go all the way to Yosemite. Nothing like it, and no pictures can do it justice.

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