Tag Archives: camping

Winter Camping

5 Great Camping Videos On YouTube

Camping is an extremely popular activity enjoyed by many across the globe. Surrounded by nature’s vibrant beauty amidst a peaceful, restful ambience, it is no surprise that so many people have fallen in love with this activity. Here are 5 great camping videos on YouTube which provide beginners and advanced campers alike with fantastic tips and showcase the beauty of the outdoors.

 

1- Keeping Warm at Night

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBc8gDTPbOo

For campers ready to venture deep into the wilderness, this video provides great tips on keeping warm. There is nothing worse than shivering throughout the night, desperately craving the comforts of home. This video will prepare campers for their outdoor experience, ensuring that they stay warm, dry and comfortable whilst camping. From tucking trousers into socks to wearing a woolly hat, these basic tips are essential for campers wanting to keep cosy. Also supplying viewers with handy little tricks, such as laying leaves under the mattress for extra comfort, this video is a must for those ready to brave the unknown!

2-  Family Camping

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk0EzM7DH7U

Families wanting to try out camping for the first time should definitely watch YouTube’s Family Camping clip. Informing beginners on the in’s and out’s of camping, this video shows parents exactly what to think about when planning a family camping trip. From buying a tent with a single large sleeping compartment (so that the whole family can sleep together), to looking at what facilities campsites offer, this video breaks down the basics of braving it under canvas. Less than six minutes long, viewers will be left with a much better idea of what camping consists of after watching this short, direct video.

 

3-  The Beginners Guide to camping

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuZDH4_hCvU

Told in a comedic fashion, this light-hearted camping video provides beginners with a few, simple tips. With information on how to set up a tent and even create a fire The Beginners Guide to Camping is perfect for those ready to depart on their first camping experience. Addressing essential issues such as who will make each meal, this video gets a camper thinking about every single detail so that they are well and truly prepared for their holiday.

4-  Camping in Comfort

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sJfLzX94Ys

Providing advanced camping tips, this video is ideal for regular and experienced campers. For those familiar with life in the bush, this video dives into greater detail, such as pointing viewers towards the best forms of insulation whilst camping. From using real fur to taking a carry mat, many options of to stay insulated are discussed. The video then goes on to discuss the best fabrics and materials that can be used to ensure campers stay warm and dry, day and night. Filmed from his tent, narrator Andrew Price shows great knowledge and insight into the camping life.

 

5-  CAMPING TIPS! CAN.. YOU.. DIG IT?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDSdWM4lHRQ

Filmed by a first-hand camper, this video shows viewers exactly what the camping lifestyle is like. From showing viewers his means of drinking water to providing tips on how to make a fire, this video allows ambitious campers to get a great feel for this outdoor activity. Visually showing viewers the intense beauty of nature that surrounds the camping life, the video radiates an exciting and adventurous ambience, which is felt by the viewer. A great video to watch, this short, YouTube clip will have campers feeling ready and excited in a matter of minutes.

 

These five, great camping videos on YouTube, provide campers with both basic and advanced tips. From learning how to get a fire started in the wilderness to supplying tips on camping with children, these videos are great for campers of all abilities. After watching these videos, campers will be prepared and ready to enjoy their camping experience!

 

An article by Maria Hubbard, a keen outdoor blog writer and travel enthusiast. Maria enjoys travelling, camping and hiking and writes on behalf of Outdoor World Direct, a specialist camping website who have many different tents for sale including those from Vango.

Image Credits:  AlphaTangoBravo/Adam Baker and Britanglishman

Backpacker Safety – The Essentials

The following post was written by +Sarah Clarke who blogs for Al Fresco Holidays, specialists in camping holidays in France. For more information, visit the blog

Backpacking can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. It can be a great workout as well and be a way for friends and family members to spend quality time together. For this to be the case, there are a number of essentials to pack and some safety considerations to keep in mind.

Planning

Before heading out on any trip, it is necessary to do some degree of planning. This is true for a simple weekend trip just like it is necessary for a month long backcountry excursion. In this planning phase, maps and information about the area should be reviewed. Take into consideration the ability and skill level of other backpackers and the type of hiking and adventure that is desired. A basic route for each day should then be planned along with alternative routes and options for leaving the area in an emergency situation. Knowing the nearest hospital, access points and other areas of civilization is critical as well. Once everything is well planned out and any necessary permits acquired, it is wise to leave a copy of this itinerary or schedule with a friend, family member or neighbour. In the event of an emergency, this person will know an approximate location of the backpacking group.

Supplies

The right equipment is important when it comes to the safety of everyone in the group. This would include things such as camping stoves, adequate food and water, and a decent first aid kit. All members of the backpacking group should be relatively familiar with all of these supplies which includesknowing how to use and cook on stoves and be able to take care of minor first aid emergencies that might arise. The more knowledge people have, the better. Everyone on the trip should be able to contribute in some manner.

Clothing

Even in warm summer weather, having the right type of clothing is necessary. Dressing in layers will help to best regulate the body temperature. If a person does not have appropriate backpacking clothing, it is best to borrow some items or make a trip to an outfitter to purchase the appropriate clothes. When possible, cotton should be avoided. Clothes that wick away sweat and moisture will keep a person dry, comfortable and safe from problems such as hypothermia. Well-fitting boots will be needed as well. These should be comfortable and broken in before the trip begins. Otherwise, a person can quickly get painful blisters and find out the boots do not fit correctly.

When backpacking, safety should always be thought about. By having the right gear, making an appropriate plan and dressing correctly, everyone is sure to have a safe and truly amazing and memorable time backpacking in the wilderness.

sausage tortillas

Camping Meals and Recipes

If camping is one of the activities that your family loves, then you will certainly want to make sure that you serve them a great meal on your next camping adventure. Cooking and eating in the great outdoors can make your camping trip so much more enjoyable.

Recipe #1: Sausage Tortilla

To help get their day off to a delicious start, scramble 500g of breakfast pan sausage in a skillet. You can add chopped onions and green onions to the sausage while it’s browning if you’d like. Once the sausage is done, add enough eggs that have been beaten up for everyone. Scramble the eggs and the sausage together until the eggs are done. Wrap the egg and sausage mixture in a flour tortilla and sprinkle grated cheese over the egg and sausage mixture. Roll up the tortilla so that it resembles a burrito. Now you can serve your family homemade breakfast burritos.

This is a great camping recipe because you only need one skillet to prepare it and it’s great for eating on a paper plate or even a paper towel.

Recipe #2: Ground Beef Gravy

Another great recipe that you may want to try on your next camping trip is to take enough ground meat for everyone and brown it in a skillet with some chopped onions. Once the meat is browned, sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of flour over the meat and continue to cook it until it becomes a rich brown color. Add a cup of water at a time to the meat so that gravy forms. If the gravy is too thick for you liking, you can add a little more water. Add salt and pepper to taste. Once it has cooked for a few minutes, it is ready to serve. You can serve it over plain white bread. You can toast the bread if you have the means or you can use it right out of the package whichever you prefer.

S’mores

There are a lot of great meals that you can prepare while you are camping besides the same old hot dogs and sandwiches. You can just about prepare anything on a camping trip that you would prepare at home. However, you may want to continue to bring all of the ingredients that you normally bring on your camping trip to make those must have smores that everyone craves. After all, a camping trip isn’t the same without the great taste of smores being included. To jazz up your smores, bring along a little coconut or peanut butter to spread or sprinkle on your smores to create a great new taste.

Your family is going to love these great new camping recipes that you have prepared for them. It is going to be just what they need to make their camping trip a great adventure. You may find that they will be asking you to prepare these meals again once you have returned home.

 

preserving-food-outdoor

How To Keep Your Food Cool In The Outdoors

There are various of methods for preserving food and keep it cool in summer. In the outdoor the most practical methods are:

  • evaporation
  • pit coolers

Pit Coolers

  • Dig a pit 50 centimetres large and 90 centimetres deep in the ground, in a shady location.
  • Support the sides of the pit by placing thin branches or wide bark strips.
  • Fill half of the pit with pebbles from a stream bed or tiny rocks of any type.
  • Twice a day pour 2-3 buckets of water onto the pebbles and place the food containers on the top of them.
  • To protect from the above ground heat, carefully cover the surface of this storage pit with soaked newspaper sandwiched between two layers of wet cloth.

This kind of cooler may have an inner temperature of around 10° C below the outside air temperature.

Evaporation Methods

To make an evaporation cooler:

  • Place the container that will contain the spoilable food over few flat stones inside a stream
  • As a precaution, weight down the container with rocks.
  • Pack food which can be spoiled by water in waterproof containers before placing in the cooler.
  • Use a cloth to cover the container so that the ends hang down into the stream, absorbing water to maintain the container and its contents cool.

You can make another type of evaporation cooler by hanging a small container under a bucket suspended from a tree.

  • Fill the bucket with water, cover the bucket with a large cloth and sink it to the bottom of the bucket by putting a heavy rock in its center.
  • Drap the ends of the cloth over the sides of the bucket and down over the food container directly below, which is kept fresh by evaporation, assisted by any air flow which is blowing.