camp counselor...?

YaoiQueen3

Have you ever been a camp counselor for little kids? If so, did you sleep in cabins or tents? and what were the activities and stuff that you did? also does anyone know any sites about any camps and being a camp counselor?
TY!

Answer
this summer will be my 3rd summer as a camp counselor at a girl scout camp. We have girls from 6 to 17, mostly the 8-13 age though. However I really like the youngest kids and send most of my summer with them. We sleep in our own tent or cabin with the girls in the unit, during the week and have a staff house for the weekends. We have scheduals for the day that include swimming, arts and crafts, boating, hiking, we cook one meal out a week most weeks, and we do badge work along with other things that that girls might want to do.
there is a site called www.summercamps.com, or www.mysummers.com also www.acacamps.org is a really good website to find accredited camps. you can also look through girl scout council websites for camps and i am sure the same for boy scouts. hope this helps.

Cheap/Good Camping tent/items?

ariesalway

Family of four. Little ones are 5 and almost 3. We went last year camping once and loved it - Used borrowed items. We are looking to buy our own tent and things this year..But cant spend alot of money but want something that wont be crap.
Walmart? Target?

Answer
Wal-mart has some good deals on camping gear and won't cost alot either. I have been buying what i need a little at a time. One good idea for you is to get a plastic storage box to put your cooking gear in it so you won't have to get anything from the house.They also make good containers for putting the kids toys in. And also your camping gear so everything will be packed and ready to go camping the next time you want to.

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Camping Ideas for Couples?

Katie S

Me and my boyfriend are going camping and we need some fun activities to do. Any great ideas? We don't have any kids and we are in our early 20's. Let me know

Answer
Camping is a vague word, seeing as it could mean as little as pulling up a camper into a lot and partying all night to roughing it out in the wilderness with limited supplies for a few days, so I'll just say what I recommend for a couple in their prime years.

Depending on where you live (I'm assuming the United States), you can pick one of the country's many national parks ranging from the desert landscape of The Joshua Tree National Monument to the forest of the Great Smokey Mountains. Your best friend for finding a place to go is most certainly a local outdoors/backpacking store such as Apex Outdoors. The employees generally have much experience and often go on sponsored trips, so they generally serve as the ultimate resource. I myself have gotten to know people who work at some stores nearby and they give the best recommendations and preparation around. The internet is also useful.

I am 18, and for spring break this year I went with two of my friends to The Great Smokey Mountains for a 4 day backpacking trip. Besides a small hike I went on with a friend earlier that year in hunting territory, that is the only experience I have had. It was without a doubt the single most exciting and englightening experience of my life, and I highly recommend that you take advantage of your age and position and experience something similar. With a family you can go pitch a tent in a campsite whenever you desire and have fun with your kids. When it's just you and your friend, you are only dependent on yourself and don't have to look out for anybody else.

It sounds ridiculous but a week long trip to a good location to spend a few days in the wilderness will change your life for the better. The freedom and solitude of the wild will make you appreciate life more and obtain a totally new perspective. Not only that, but doing something like that with your boyfriend will more than likely improve the connection you share by getting through such an experience together. It's not something you can do very often once you settle down, so it's best to do it before it's too late.

As far as preparation goes, it's much cheaper than most vacations (with gas prices these days you really can't tell though). You can rent or purchase a backpack (to buy one it costs anywhere from $100-$150 for a decent one). You must also purchase backpacking-specific compact gear, like sleeping bags ($50), tents (anywhere from $40-$100, depends on what you want), bedrolls or backpacking mattress ($40), and sleeping bag lining (probably around $10). Then you will need to purchase other necessities:

A small gas burning grill to cook food or boil water.
Metal cups and utensils for eating.
Something to light fires with.
Rain gear.
Good backpacking socks (talk to a salesman).
Hiking boots (a must have, you might think you can make it with sneakers, trust me, it sucks, don't try it).
A decent knife.
Lots of Nalgene bottles that will fit your water filter. Used for keeping cooking water and drinking.
Food (trail mix, beef jerky, or you can buy a book that teaches you how to make your own dry meals).
A bag to tie your food into trees with to prevent bears from getting it at night.
A first aid kit.
And most importantly, a water filter. Don't underestimate the environment, no matter where you are, you will ALWAYS need a water filter. It's good for when you can't boil water due to rain or just need a quick fill, and it will prevent you from getting amoebas and bacteria. Remember that rivers form from run-off, and with run-off comes animal feces.

To prepare physically, go for walks or runs three times a week for at least 30 minutes. Make sure you stretch so that your muscles become toned. Go for a practice hike for a night in a nearby park or even in your backyard if you have woods. Keep in mind that you will have 20-40 pounds of gear on your back when you climb. Read some books or look online about fire building and familiarize yourself with all your equipment, using the bathroom in the woods, and dealing with animals.

It sounds like a ton of work, but it is so incredibly worth it. It's something you'll never forget or regret.

If this isn't your cup of tea, oh well, but it's just what I recommend. Best of luck to you!

camp counselor...?

YaoiQueen3

Have you ever been a camp counselor for little kids? If so, did you sleep in cabins or tents? and what were the activities and stuff that you did? also does anyone know any sites about any camps and being a camp counselor?
TY!

Answer
this summer will be my 3rd summer as a camp counselor at a girl scout camp. We have girls from 6 to 17, mostly the 8-13 age though. However I really like the youngest kids and send most of my summer with them. We sleep in our own tent or cabin with the girls in the unit, during the week and have a staff house for the weekends. We have scheduals for the day that include swimming, arts and crafts, boating, hiking, we cook one meal out a week most weeks, and we do badge work along with other things that that girls might want to do.
there is a site called www.summercamps.com, or www.mysummers.com also www.acacamps.org is a really good website to find accredited camps. you can also look through girl scout council websites for camps and i am sure the same for boy scouts. hope this helps.

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Cheap/Good Camping tent/items?

ariesalway

Family of four. Little ones are 5 and almost 3. We went last year camping once and loved it - Used borrowed items. We are looking to buy our own tent and things this year..But cant spend alot of money but want something that wont be crap.
Walmart? Target?

Answer
Wal-mart has some good deals on camping gear and won't cost alot either. I have been buying what i need a little at a time. One good idea for you is to get a plastic storage box to put your cooking gear in it so you won't have to get anything from the house.They also make good containers for putting the kids toys in. And also your camping gear so everything will be packed and ready to go camping the next time you want to.

campgrounds for kids only?

jerseybitc

you know that movie 'the parent trap"? well im trying to find a camp sort of like that where me and my friends can stay for a couple of days. please help!!! If you find some, remember i want something only in florida around Orlando area!! thnx!!!!!

Answer
Legally I think kids or teenagers would have to have supervision on any campgrounds, kids or only. What I suggest is you take a map of the forests, find an area that can be reached by a short walking distance from a road, and camp down. Most national parks would allow you to camp legally on federal land, so just find a plot a little off of a campground. I would not suggest going without a weapon, some animals (Like raccoons) with rabies could be dangerous, a good shovel or bat might work.

Sadly, I do not live anywhere close to Florida so I wouldn't be able to find a kid's only camp.

It's pretty easy to set up a camp, dig a pit for a latrine (With a shovel or hands), set up a tent (Or sleep in a pit you made big enough for yourself), and you can even build structures out of dead trees and vines.

For a campground with structures, I highly doubt you would find one. Here all we can find is flattened out dirt areas, or fields, they even said straight out there would be no tables, chairs, bathrooms, houses, or otherwise. Though, I'm in Colorado.

Your best bet to find a camp like in the Parent Trap would be going to a literal, "Camp" or to an abandoned camp.

Once again, I would suggest taking a weapon (If you know how to use one without maiming yourself, I for one know how) if you are going without a parent or adult.

**EDIT**
There's a section on these forums labeled, "Orlando" you'd get more answers there.

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What are some good ways to really scare kids?

little kids camping tent image

kitty

my little sister and her friends are camping outside of my house in a tent. they are 9-10 yrs old. me and my other sister want to really scare them. any suggestions? i need suggestions to scare them good but i dont want anyone getting hurt.

Answer
Explain, in detail, the Obama healthcare plan, and what kind of debt they're getting into. That should scare the piss outta them.

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

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!

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

little kids camping tent image

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!

Where can I find tent campsites on a beach in Siesta Key Florida?

dre38w

Me and a friend are wanting to camp ON the beach in a tent at one of the beaches in Siesta Key Florida. Anyone know of any let me know please? Thanks.

Answer
Sorry, there's no tent camping anywhere on Siesta unless it's the kids in the family back yard. There's a little RV park near the beach, but tents are not allowed.

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What are some good summer camps for teenagers?

little kids camping tent image

Layla Kyri

The title question sounds very vague, but I want to go to a summer camp this year. Preferably a few weeks long. I live in Michigan, and sadly, all of the ones I've found here are wildly expensive, or for little kids, or Christian (which I am not, and I'd rather not have to deal with another set of people trying to save me.)

I'm willing to go out of state. Maybe even to Canada. Hopefully not *too* far, but if I'm going to go somewhere else, I might as well go somewhere cool, right? Though I'd prefer to stray from big cities
Anyway, here are just a list of things that I think would be cool in a camp. It doesn't have to have all of them, but it should give you an idea.

Cabins. Not tents. Not dorm rooms. Actual cabins.
Nice, relaxing scenery.
Archery.
Horses.
New age-y or Pagan stuff.
Renaissance festival stuff.
Crafting.
music- For beginners!
Not every minute of the day planned. There needs to be a little bit of chill time.
No babying people. We're teenagers, we don't need to be checked on like little kids. The last camp I went to had people get out of the lake every ten minutes to do a head count, and you had to have a buddy wait outside of the water. So not worth it.
Maybe some community service.
Learning things.
Food that isn't disgusting.
Paint ball.
Ropes course.
Fencing.
If it has some kind of therapy in it.
Just a bunch of fun things to do.

I can't really think of much else to put. I just want a really fun place to get away in the summer, and meet some people. I'd prefer if it were in or close to MI, but I'm not gonna pass up another state. But it has to be, like, perfect if I'm going to go far.
I've been to two camps, and I'll describe them and explain what I did and did not like about them.

The first was band camp, and that was just really overwhelming. I'm not in band anymore, so I can't go back, but it was a whole lot of running around a field on a humid day, with the sun frying you, trying to memorize your drill, and also trying to learn new work (color guard), and then being forced to go to events that may keep you up til 1, just to get up 5 hours later and do it all again. I did, however, like the camp because when you weren't complaining about how exhausted you are, it was fun. I liked the atmosphere. The events we had were pretty fun and they had a lot of stuff around that would've been fun if we had more free time. However, I think that place is mostly for booking school trips and retreats and stuff.

Then I had a work weekend at a place that's also a summer camp, and I'm really considering for summer. I was only there for a weekend, but the teen package would probably be pretty similar. We'd be working behind the scenes of camp, and be doing I believe 60 hours community service in 2 weeks. And I like the cabins and the showers aren't horrible, and they have all sorts of cool things like horses and paintball and a zip line, and the food is really good, and they aren't too expensive, but the problem is... It's a Christian camp. I don't mean like a vaguely Christian camp, I mean, like, the lower levels take Bible lessons and it's all worship-y and stuff. There's nothing wrong with that, I mean, yay them for being religious. But I'm not Christian, and while I respect their religion, I don't think I want more friends who completely disapprove of my beliefs (and 90% of my Christian friends do), and it's just... I don't want to spend two weeks being constantly preached to.

Got any suggestions? I think this might give you something to go on.

Answer
Suggestions? Yes, yes I do.

I don't know what *too* far is, but the camp I'm suggesting is in Canada. Southern Ontario, so it's not that far. Maybe 7 hours by car?

I've been going for 5 years, and love it!

It's called Camp Muskoka.

From your list, it has:
â¢cabins- provided that you're over, say, 8, you are in a cabin.
â¢nice, relaxing scenery- oh yes. It even has a private lake.
â¢archery- there is archery.
â¢horses- horseback riding with the camp 5 minutes away.
â¢crafting- yup. And it's awesomely housed in a converted school bus.
â¢music- will a recording studio do?
â¢chill time- there's about two hours of the day free, plus meals and after dinner. You also choose your activities literally right before you do them.
â¢babying- no. No babying. You're assigned a number, and there's a board full of chips with numbers at the water front. Flip it.
â¢learning- well what do you want to learn? You can learn all sorts
â¢food that isn't disgusting- I happen to really enjoy the food. Just ignore the kitchen staff.
â¢paintball- not much to say about that. There is paintball.
â¢ropes course- yup. With the largest over water zip line on the continent.
â¢lots of things to do- over 60 different choices per week.

Showers and toilets are in the cabins. The counsellors are in there too, but in their own room. They're just like friends really. 3-4 years older, MAYBE. They just like to sit and listen to music and do hair/nails and stuff in the cabin. It's a lot of fun.

www.campmuskoka.com

Hope to see you there this summer!

P.S.: you can go anywhere from 1-8 weeks of the summer.

How to make a tent easily out of household items?

foreveryou

My friend is sleeping over, and all of our other friends are at camp. So we wanted to have a little camp out ourselves. Our idea was to make a tent. Now, I've looked at a BUNCH of websites, and they all either have insanely complicated tents, or indoor ones made for little kids. We need a way to make a tent fast, and able to hold outside for the entire night. Any suggestions are helpful!!

Answer
Does your mom have a clothesline anymore? That's what we did. You use clothespins and clip sheets to the clothesline -- clip just the edge, so the sheet hangs far enough down to make a tent wall.

Failing that availability, can you set up a table or two outside somehow? Put sheets over it to enclose it, and put heavy stuff on top of the sheets to hold them down. It makes a rather short tent, but you can sit in it and it is cozy for sleeping.

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