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11 Do’s and Do Not of Campsite Set Up
When you Arrive at the Campground
You have searched out the best place to take your family for your weekend adventure, you arrive at the campground, now you need to layout your camp site. You maybe saying to yourself that it isn’t a big deal, just set up your tent and your good to go. Yet there are 11 do’s and don’t considerations that must be planned out as you are setting up. You should survey whether you are camped on flat land or a mountainside. What direction is the wind blowing? Where are the restrooms? Is there a water source nearby? Are there trees in the campsite?
If you are camping in a campground that has a table and fire pit, you likely will not have full control of how the campsite is laid out. But if you are camping on BLM land, disperse camping, or on vacant land that you own, there will be considerations that you must plan out for your safety and enjoyment. The best way to explain how to plan your campsite set up to put the Do’s and Do Nots in list form.
The Do’s and Do Nots of campsite set up
Do set your tent up on high ground away from any gullies. Make sure fire pit smoke will not blow toward your tent.
Do pile your firewood no less than ten feet from your camp-fire location.
Do set your kitchen and clean up area well away from firepit and tent site.
Do use wide web straps if you plan to hang a hammock on a tree, ropes will damage the bark.
Do store axes and hatchets safely in their sheathes and away from any walking path
Do make sure your latrine is set up well away from your main campsite, check for poisonous plants and water sources. You do not want to pollute a river, stream, or lake with sewage.
Do not set up a campfire on the ground unless you have cleared the ground ten feet around the camp-fire location and made sure that you are not under a tree or low hanging branches.
Do not hang any ropes from trees in your chosen camp site area
Do not put nails in trees to hang anything, learn how to lash a hanger with rope to the tree.
Do not ever have a gas or propane lantern hanging against a tree, the tree may start on fire.
Do not have any wood hanging out of a fire pit, ever.
Do not use freshly cut wood in a fire pit, it will produce flying embers and excessive smoke.
When you are breaking down camp
When you are getting ready to leave a camp site, make sure that you Leave No Trace of your being there. Clean all trash that may have fallen, clean up cigarette butts, and bottle caps, if you made a fire ring then clean up the ashes and distribute the rocks, if you dug trenches around your tent then rake them out, and definitely do not leave a camp fire burning unattended at any time during your adventure.
The LogicBlue Levelmate RV Leveler
The Product
Backing up a trailer, fifth wheel, or motorhome, often can be challenging and taxing to a relationship. Leveling out is a whole other ballgame, and one that causes a lot of yelling, running back and forth, and just plain frustration.
The LogicBlue Levelmate Pro is game changer. It is a wireless blue tooth system that comes with a smartphone app. This device makes leveling your RV/Travel Trailer a breeze. Some reviewers complain that you must level your RV prior to being able to use this device, but you must start from a known level position to ensure the best leveling experience with this product. I bought this item, leveled my motorhome, and then pulled out a four-foot level. It was dead on.
The ease of using this device saved my wife and I, at least 15 to 20 minutes of stress, and when you are going camping, stress is what you want to leave at home.
Cost
This product cost $149 on Amazon
Purchase Link Click Here for the LogicBlue Levelmate
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Your Summer Camping Trip
Planning a Backpacking Trip
Planning the Trip
Many of us dream about going backpacking into a mountain area that is not on the beaten path. There is so much to think about as you plan a backpacking trip, you need to be sure that you have everything that you need when you go. A backpacking trip requires advanced planning for items that you will be packing, camp menu, and activity needs. You need to create a special backpacking list.
Have a Map to Your Trailhead??
Don’t forget that when you set up a backpacking campsite, you will be spending a lot of time getting there, the locations you are going to hike from, take longer to drive to than most campgrounds. It goes without saying, therefore that you need to spend time researching the best location for your adventure. Have a map of where you are going before you set out on your adventure, you do not want to be stressing out or getting lost as dusk sets in.
Safety is a Priority
Safety is the first priority when choosing a location for your backpacking trip. You will have a number of things to consider when you’re making your decision and will need time to do so. Plan to start hiking to your chosen campsite, early in the morning to give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your campsite. While we are on the subject of safety, make sure to share your plans with someone who is not going along on the trip, so they know when to expect you to arrive back home. And the most important tip of all, stay on the trail.
Make Sure Backpack is Packed Properly
When you are getting ready to set out on your hiking expedition make sure that your backpack is loaded correctly and has the right amount of gear to sustain you for your trip. The gear that you carry in your backpack you will need to help you to be comfortable in your wilderness campsite. Make sure to have the right food and equipment for where you going.
Setting Up Your Camp
Don’t just choose the first area of flat ground that you find to set up your wilderness camp. You must make sure that this location is safe, from any falling rocks or branches. Look up at the trees around you to see if there are any loose branches which may become dislodged when you are sleeping. It is always nice to camp close to running water for a couple of reasons. First, you will be able to get water to boil and to wash your hands. Second, the sound of running water is often soothing when it is time to sleep. However, make sure that the campsite that you choose is above the floodplain, you never know when the level of the water could rise. Sudden torrential storms far upstream have been known to cause safety situations for hikers even though it may not be raining where you are.
Know What Animals are in Your Location
Before you set out you should have a good overall awareness about the type of animals that live in the area. Are there wild animals that could be a threat to you? In particular mountain lions or bears? Look for evidence of large animals, paw prints and so on, that way you are aware of your surroundings before you get surprised by what is around you.
A Fire Can Be Your Friend
A fire is a great friend when you are camping, so when you are setting up your backpacking campsite, look around for firewood to burn in your campfire. Make sure to have all the necessary permits if needed. A fire permit from the U.S. Forest Service, is free from their website. Be fire aware, clear the brush or grass at least 15 feet around your campfire, and erase the evidence that you were there when you are finished with your adventure.
Getting Off the Beaten Path
Backpacking is great way to get off the beaten path and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Make sure that you plan everything out, have map of the area you are backpacking to, and that you share your plans with someone who will know when you get home. Make sure that you set up your camp with safety in mind, know what animals are in the area, and whether you are allowed to have a campfire and have obtained the proper permits. Go out and enjoy!
Kelty Trekker Hiking Backpack
Keep tradition alive with excellent load carry, ventilation, and plenty of places to tie down your gear. Super efficient at carrying heavy loads, the external frame Trekker 65 is a backcountry workhorse.
Insects Often Found in Campgrounds
Insect Life to Be Aware of
Going on a camping trip might be one of the finest adventures you’ll enjoy. Clean air, spectacular mountains, stunning flora, or plant life are what I like most about campgrounds. However, humans are not the only species in the forest campgrounds that I work in. There are many not so friendly insects often found in campgrounds that campers should know about. As I have said in another article, Know Before You Go.
Yellowjackets
The type of wasp that are common to the regions that the evergreen tree grows, is the yellowjacket. This type of wasp will construct their nests in downed trees that your kids maybe playing nearby. Some will attempt to build a nest in your awning. Wasps usually appear around the spring or the start of the summer camping season. The yellowjacket normally leave their nests early in the morning and return late in the afternoon.
Even though, not specifically aggressive, unless the colony becomes aroused by someone coming close to the nest. An aroused nest heightens the likelihood of getting stung. They tend to be attracted to the smell of meat being cooked, sugar water (even a tiny amount on the rim of a soda bottle), and a variety of other products that you may have in the campground. If you don’t notice them, the chances go up that you may get stung. Watch for them.
A can of wasp or yellowjacket repellent is often an excellent item to include in your camping box. I use low -cost yellow jacket traps in my campsite. What can a yellowjacket sting do to you? Two years ago, my wife and a group of friends were sitting in a screen tent, my wife put her arm down at the wrong time and was stung by a yellowjacket. Immediately she started swelling up at the sting site, and her breathing became labored. We rushed her to the hospital, where the doctor informed us that, you build an immunity to bee stings, but each time you are stung by a yellowjacket, especially as you get older, you risk breathing complications. Now she carries an epi-pen with her at all times and a can of wasp repellent.
Mosquito
Mosquitoes are another insect that you may find in a campground especially if you camp near a lake or stream. The mosquito sting may not be painful, it is bothersome and will itch a great deal. With the new species that have been identified, mosquitos may actually be quite harmful. West Nile disease is nothing to sneeze at, see a doctor if you are in the area that this new species has been identified in.
There are 3,000 species of the small fly we know as the mosquito. They do not actually bite or sting, they are sucking your blood to help with their reproductive process. The attraction for the mosquitoes is the carbon dioxide that we breathe out, together with certain different elements which can be less understood. Studies have indicated that body warmth attract them, whilst others have even revealed that insects can sense heartbeat vibrations.
Luckily, there are a variety of sprays which aid in tackling them. Deet containing worm spray is safe and green, if used correctly. It’s made to spray over clothing as opposed to applying to bare pores and skin. In either scenario use the least amount possible. Citronella candles may be used in a few instances, but if there are gusty winds, citronella loses its effectiveness.
Ticks
Ticks are plentiful in forest areas. The threat of Lyme disease has been over exaggerated; however, the threat should not be totally ignored. Try wearing long sleeved shirts and pants that reach down to your boots, also keep your hair from coming into contact with bushes. Ticks do generally tend to be attracted to animals, especially dogs, more frequently than human.
Spiders
Depending on where you are camping, there can be many species of spiders that you will need to stay away from. The chances of being bitten are slim, as spiders tend to avoid human contact and commonly only attack if cornered. Black widow spiders like dark areas, like under your tent, watch placing your hand in any dark corner without checking for them. They are identified by the hourglass figure on the top of their body.
Know Before You Go
Here we have been looking at insect life in a campground, and we can not list them all because they vary according to where you live. Again, Know Before You Go. Campground websites will often list the flora and fauna (plants and animals) that are indigenous to the area you wish to camp at.
Research and Be Prepared
Research the poisonous plants, snakes, insects, and animals that are indigenous to an area that you plan to visit, you do not need to cancel an adventure because they exist in the outdoors. You only need to prepare to wear the proper clothing and have supplies in your camping box that will safeguard you against them.
In another post we can examine the wildlife that live in areas you may want to visit.
How to Find a RV Dealer
Are you interested in becoming a motorhome owner? If you are, you will find that there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding a motorhome to buy. For instance, you can often find motorhomes for sale at RV shows, in newspaper classified sections, and at RV dealerships. Speaking of RV dealers, you will find that RV dealers are one of the best ways to go about finding and buying a motorhome.
Although it is nice to know that RV dealers are one of the places that you should look, when looking to buy a new or used motorhome, you may be wondering exactly how you can go about finding an RV dealer. In all honesty, you will find that it depends on where you live. As RV camping and motorhome travel increases in popularity, a large number of RV dealerships are turning up all across the country. This means that there is now a good chance that you will have at least one RV dealer in or around your area.
Since there is a good chance that a RV dealer operates in or around the area in which you live, you may want to try and use your local phone book to find some of those dealers. In the back of your local phone book should be the business directory section. This section is where you should be able to find the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of local RV dealers. Often times, you will find RV dealers located under the heading of “motor home sales,” or “RVs.”
Another one of the many ways that you can find RV dealers is by using the internet. What is nice about using the internet is that there a number of different approaches that you can take. For instance, you can perform a standard internet search. When performing a standard internet search, you may want to search with phrases like “new motor homes for sale,” or “used motor homes for sale.” If you would like to buy a motorhome from a specific area, like your state, you will want to incorporate that location into your internet search.
In addition to using a standard internet search, you can also try using online phone books, like Yelp, and online business directories. When you use online phone books and online business directories, you can search for a particular business, like a RV dealer, in a particular city and state, like New York. A website like Yelp, should give you the names, the addresses, and the telephone numbers of local RV dealers. An online business directory will give you similar results, but if the RV dealer in question has as online website, you should get the address to that online website.
Another way that you can go about finding an RV dealership is by just driving around. If you have time to spare, this can be a little fun and exciting adventure for you. RV dealerships are often found along populated streets; therefore, they should be easy to spot. If you have nearby campground or RV Park, you are more likely to find local RV dealer, in or around your area.
Asking those that you know for recommendations is another one of the many ways that you can go about finding RV dealers. If you know of anyone, like a family member, friend, coworker, or neighbor who has recently bought a motorhome, you may want to think about asking them for information on where they made their motor home purchase from. Even if someone that you know hasn’t purchased a motor home themselves, they may have come across a RV dealer in their travels.
The above-mentioned ways are just a few of the many ways that you can go about finding RV dealerships. As a reminder, RV dealerships are just one of the many places where you can find motor homes for sale.
11 Types of Work Camper Jobs
What jobs do campgrounds hire for?
Campgrounds hire a variety of work camper jobs to service the needs of campers and maintain the campground facilities. If you have a background in a useful field for the campground, even the pay scale maybe higher than the usual minimum wage most campground workers earn. Let me show a partial list of what is available in the campground industry.
The Types of Jobs
Manager- If the RV Park is not owner-operated, or for US Forest campgrounds with more than one campground, there may be a need for a manager. These employees should be able to lead a staff of one to twenty, have knowledge of the campground industry, know the Campground Masters program, and be able to accept a fulltime position. The pay rate is higher for the manager. There is often an onsite accommodation offered. And a long-term contract may be available.
Campground host- There are several names for this position. Park host, work camper, to name a few. These employees tend to work on a seasonal basis, typically April to October, directly service the needs of the campers. Collect fees, lead campers to their sites, sell firewood, enforce the rules, and help to keep the campground clean.
Relief camphost- These employees cover for the hosts on their days off, may cover lunches for store employees, and assist management as needed. These are seasonal positions.
Kiosk or Gate house worker- These employees collect fees from visitors or campers as they enter the park. Or they may take phone reservations at a busy campground. This could be seasonal or part time in the slower winter months.
Volunteer workers- These employees are often called Docents. A docent is a person who instructs visitors on the local flora and fauna (plants and animals) of an area, they may act as trail guides, and typically live off-site.
RV Camp Employee- These employees may live off-site or on-site. They help the campground owner to operate the park in areas of store clerk, grounds maintenance, pool safety, game amenities, etc. They may be onsite or offsite employees.
Activities Director- These employees organize activities for campers. They usually live off-site and may have come from a recreation, teaching or human resources background. Table tennis, shuffleboard tournaments, whiffle ball games, board games, barbeques, dances, concerts, are just a few of the events that this employee may organize and oversee.
Grounds Maintenance- These employees can live onsite or offsite according to the needs and size of the campground. Although the camphost will assist with grounds when the campground is not busy, a full-time grounds employee maybe needed to keep focused attention on the grounds of the campground or RV Park. These positions could be seasonal or year around.
Marina dockhand- These employees are needed for lake campgrounds with rental boats. They may live onsite if necessary or be hired locally. They could be seasonal if in snow country, or year around in temperate climates.
Store clerk- There are several ways that a campground can cover a store, a camphost couple could have the husband hosting and the wife in the store or they can hire an offsite local.
Pool lifeguard- Most RV Parks hang a no lifeguard on duty sign up, but if the park is large enough, a full-time lifeguard may be necessary. These employees would likely be hired locally and live offsite. Unless the pool is indoor, this will be a seasonal job.
Naturally the number of camphost jobs that are offered to run and maintain a campground, is factored on the size, use needs, and finances of the campground or RV Park. More employees are needed in the summer months and of course just a skeleton staff remain in the winter when most amenities are closed or not available. The wage scale for campground workers is based on experience, the needs of the campground, and the position applied for. I have been a camphost for five years, I have done nearly all the positions listed above, and I highly recommend working in a campground.
Are You a True Camping Fanatic?
If you love camping, then you have likely purchased camping equipment that takes you from being just a regular camper, to a true camping fanatic. And if you are not an avid camper because you don’t think you can find the comforts of home at your campsite, then you may just not be aware of all of the things you can buy. There are camping products available today, that can bring creature comforts to your campsite.
Like any other hobby, camping has benefited by the technological advances of the last few decades. You will find advanced types of products to buy, that have taken camping from roughing it, to glamping it. First, there’s apparel that is specially designed for camping. Pants with zip off legs, shirts with zip off sleeves, jackets with a number of layers and materials as well as undergarments that keep you dry and warm have all been developed that will give you lots of choices without taking up much space in your backpack. Plus, good, sturdy camping shoes with flexible soles make hiking more pleasant, especially if you get heated socks to keep your toes warm.
When it comes to backpacks, there are now a number of ergonomically designed products that are scientifically designed to distribute the weight of a pack across the body in the most efficient and least burdensome way, meaning you can carry more with less strain on your back. There are those made for women, for men and even for children, and many have convertible or removable compartments so that you can carry only what you need when you need it. Plus, there are weatherproof models so that your belongings and other items you buy (camping equipment is expensive) don’t have to be stashed in your tent to stay safe.
When you’re tired of hiking and want to set that backpack down for dinner, you won’t necessarily need a fire to cook those meals. There are personal or miniature stoves that boil water or can cook entire meals with an easily carried fuel canister. Water filter systems mean that you can be absolutely certain of water being potable, no matter where you are camping.
For safety and navigation, technology has made a number of differences. Depending on where you are camping, you might have internet or cell phone access available. But if not, buy the latest technology equipment that will still keep you connected to the world.
There are radios that can pick up stations for miles around, safety lights that never run out of batteries and can be seen from miles away, and portable GPS systems mean that you’ll never lose your way again. Go out and enjoy the woods today!
The Perfect Sleeping Bag?
If you’re searching for the perfect sleeping bag that will meet all of your needs, forget about it!
There is no such thing.
However in saying that, there is a sleeping bag out there that will keep you warm and happy through most of your camping adventures, a three-season mummy type with a temperature/comfort rating of around 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
A nice three-season bag should be able to get you through a cold evening when camping in spring or fall and not overheat you during a warm night in the middle of summer.
If your preference is more towards winter camping, then opt for a bag rated to below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter mountain climbing requires you to have a sleeping bag temperature rating of minus 15 to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mummy-shaped sleeping bags are the most efficient sleeping bag at keeping body warmth. However in some cases, some people find them tight. Also, another tip is to be sure that if you are buying two sleeping bags to zip together, the zippers are compatible and you purchase both a left as well as a right zipper.
Shape of Sleeping Bags
Sleeping bags come in both a rectangular shape and a mummy shape. The style which is right for you depends on
the way you like to sleep. Some people may not give much thought to how they sleep but it can play a factor in
terms of having a good night’s sleep when you are camping.
A mummy bag would be suitable for those who tend to curl up whereas those who like to sleep sprawled out would find the rectangular bag more comfortable. The mummy bag’s smaller size also requires less energy for the body to warm up and it also has a hood which can be pulled tightly around the head area, thus creating additional warmth. The rectangular sleeping bag on the other hand contains more air space and since it will not close around your head, getting warm can take longer.
Temperature and Insulation
A good sleeping bag will maintain the warmth of your body through insulation, but the way the
bag is constructed will decide how well it is insulated. Make sure to choose a sleeping bag with a temperature
rating based on the type of climate you plan to use the sleeping bag in.
When choosing a sleeping bag, you should take into consideration not just the climate but also the types of activities you will be doing which can have an effect on your level of fatigue and metabolic body factors.
Down insulation is known to be the best insulator because it is small and can be compressed quite easily. Unfortunately the disadvantage of a down sleeping bag is that they lose their insulating capabilities when they get wet. A well-maintained Down sleeping bag can last for many years. Whereas, synthetic sleeping bags can remain well-insulated regardless of being wet but weigh quite a bit more and don’t have the durability of down bags.
Things to consider when buying a sleeping bag
The majority of bags are constructed from nylon, polyester, or nylon blends inside and out. Sleeping bags with cotton
insides, quilted rectangular shapes, and children’s sleeping bags with cartoon characters printed on them, not surprisingly, are not recommended for backpacking or for winter camping trips.
When you purchase a sleeping bag, take a little time to really check it out. If the store you are buying it at will allow you to, get inside it, roll around in it, zip it up, etc and then choose the one that seems to best meet your needs for comfort, warmth, and toe room along with affordability. Although you may be looked at funny when doing
this it is actually worth all that to make sure what you are buying will be to your liking.
All sleeping bags generally have similar features. Check out the following from, “The guide to buying a sleeping bag for
dummies”:
A lining of taffeta or other soft non-cotton material is more comfortable, warms up quickly, and breathes correctly.
A two-way zipper offers more flexibility options when you are attempting to get out or into the sleeping bag. Just a suggestion, be sure to buy two sleeping bags that are compatible with the other, if you plan to zip two sleeping bags together to cuddle with your significant other.
You want a differential cut — the inner lining is sewn smaller than the outer shell — which allows insulation to
fluff up to its maximum. If there is more fluff, the sleeping bag will be warmer.
An insulated draft collar helps to seal in the warmth.
Hook and loop tabs should cover the zipper toggle by the hood, preventing unplanned unzippering’s while you sleep.
A multisectioned or shaped hood, cups the head naturally.
Ample draft tube that hangs from the top of the bag and covers the zipper to seal out cold air.
A windproof and water-resistant outer shell. Dry Loft is the most down proof.
Semi rectangular cut for sleepers who toss and turn. Mummy-style bag for sleepers who manage to stay put.
Dark colored lining. This absorbs heat better and the sun’s rays most efficiently should you need to dry out your
bed.
One last highly desirable option: a fleece-lined stuff sack. Turn it inside out for a comfy pillow when stuffed with a
parka or your extra clothing.
Sleeping Bags For Cold Weather
Sleeping bag designers generally agree that a cold weather sleeping bag must have the following features to keep the occupant really warm: zipper draft tubes and shoulder collars, hoods that cup the head and insulate without being claustrophobic, and a temperature rating of 0 Fahrenheit or below (in the winter it is far better to err on the side of warmth).
What insulation do designers prefer? Down, with a 650-power fill rating or above, is best for weight-to-warmth ratio
and for longevity. The fill power of down indicates the amount of actual downy feather and quill. The lower the fill
number, the more quill and less feather. The higher the number, the less quill and more feather.
How big should a winter bag be? Buy it long.
Most mountaineers recommend against regular-sized sleeping bags and opt for sleeping bags that offer at least an extra 8 to 10 inches of space at the foot of the sleeping bag after you are nestled comfortably inside.
Those extra inches provide adequate space to store cameras, water, boots, and such items that you don’t want
to freeze.
In addition, bags with a wider cut can offer more warmth because they give you room to add clothing without
constricting the bag
No matter what type of sleeping bag you choose, it’s important to make sure it’s the best choice for your sleeping
needs. As long as you take care of your sleeping bag, much like your tent and backpack, it should last you a very long
time.
