Canoe camping is my preferred way to camp. It's peaceful and quiet and an awesome way to get away from it all but if you've never tried it, then you need to know what to expect.

It 's a sort of romantic way to experience life in a way that's similar to the people that lived on our continent many years ago. Paddling, portaging, sleeping and eating on the edge of the shore. There's nothing really like it. There's nothing like paddling across a hidden lake that not too many people even get to see. At the right locations you may not even run into another person or group.

Because of the isolated nature of camping this way there is one thing that you need to think of above all else. Safety. Because the odds are fairly high that you may not run into anybody else when you're on a paddling trip then you need to be prepared with the safety basics. You'll need life jackets and make sure you wear them. It's amazing how tired you can become when trying to recover from an upset canoe and it can happen fairly easily. Canoes are not the most stable craft in the water and I've been thrown into the water from them myself. Because of their low sides and somewhat "tippy" nature you will need (and are required in most places) to carry a bailing bucket to help empty your canoe of any water you may have taken on, and a throw rope for emergency rescues from shore or even other boats. Throw ropes come in a bag and are designed not to be an entaglement hazard before they're deployed. In an emergency you simply grab the free end of the rope with one hand and throw the heavier bag to shore or to you're would be rescuers. I was forced to use one of these ropes when I accidently swam the rapids of a river by falling out of my kayak. A man on shore had one at his side and threw it to me,helping me get out of the rapid water. I was glad he had one nearby.

The key to keeping your boat stable when canoe camping is to ensure that you pack all of you equipment with the heaviest stuff on the bottom and the lighter stuff on top. I always make an effort to use dry bags to keep all of my things in and I always clip them to the gunwales of the boat to prevent my belongings from going to the bottom of the lake in the event of an upset. I've seen people use garbage bags on canoe trips but that will only keep your things dry from splashing. They're not very robust and they rip easily and will eventually allow your stuff to get wet, not to mention they won't prevent your stuff from sinking if you flip.

You should always plan your route before leaving and it wouldn't hurt to have a secondary route planned just in case. You never know what mother nature will throw at you and you may be forced to take a different route than what you had originally planned. The important thing is to let someone know what you're intentions are and how long you'll think you'll be canoe camping. It's not something you'll likely need but if you did need the help it's pretty reassuring to know that someone is expecting you back and they know where to send help if by some very small chance you don't return when you say you will.

It's a very safe way to get out and see the wild but you do need to be prepared. The more you do it the more you'll become aware that the chance for things to go wrong is not great, but it does exist. Having the right supplies along with a first aid kit is an excellent way to ensure your safety.

By: Ian Kurz
Ian Kurz is an enthusiastic camper and the owner of the website http://www.everything-about-camping.com. Be sure to visit his page on canoe camping for more tips and ideas for your next camping trip.

Camping is an excellent recreational activity for families to enjoy together whether you prefer camping in a tent, RV, or pop-up trailer. This summer make sure to take a few precautions while enjoying your trip. Everyone will have a fun and memories to last a lifetime. Here are a some tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this camping trip. Most of these are just common sense but it is always good to be reminded once in a while.

- Some State and National forests do not allow the use of camping stoves during high fire danger periods. Chech to make sure that camping stoves, barbeques, and campfires are allowed in your camp area.

- Do not use camp cooking appliances when it is rainy or windy.

- Make sure you have adequate lighting while cooking and preparing foods.

- Never leave your cooking area unattended while appliances are turned on or fires are lit.

- Wait until all cooking appliances have cooled before leaving your cooking area.

- Keep a 3 foot childfree zone around your cooking area.

- Keep your cooking area and the area around campfires free of clutter, especially from items like paper towels, paper plates, and other flammable materials, as well as items that could be tripped over.

- Keep dry leaves and pine needles away from your cooking areas.

- Always include potholders, lids for pots and pans, and a fire extinguisher with your camping supplies. An ABC fire extinguisher is the most preferred.

- Never use water on a grease fire or try to move a pan with burning oil. If you feel you are able to hold a lid with an oven mitt and gently place it over the pan on fire without getting injured, do so. Do not move the pan until it has cooled.

- Purchase tents that are UL listed as flame retardant.

- Set up tents away from the campfire area.

- Use flashlights or battery powered lanterns inside tents or other enclosed spaces.

- Always build your campfire down wind, away from your tent.

- Build your campfire in an area that is free of vegetation. If a fire pit is provided, always use it.

- Make sure your fire pit is deep enough to keep the fire contained and there are rocks surrounding the pit.

- Store lighter fluid away from tents and campfires.

- Always put out a campfire before going to bed or leaving the campsite.

- To extinguish the fire, cover it with dirt or pour water over it.

- Keep pets out of the cooking and fire areas.

- Always carry water and some food while hiking.

- Do not park cars or RVs over dry vegetation, this can cause a fire.

- Be aware of your surroundings while smoking.

- Always be aware of wildlife and teach yourself and your children how to defend themselves from an attack. In some areas bears are very prominent. If you are camping in an area with bears, always follow the rules of the campground regarding food storage.

By: Christy Tuller
Christy Tuller is an expert on several topics and enjoys camping with her family and dogs. Have a safe and fun camping season! For more tips and ideas check out my blog Camping In The Western States at http://mrstscampwest.blogspot.com

Despite the close proximity of Westchester County to Yew York City, it does make for a very good and attractive RV camping site in the area. Westchester County does have a lot to offer nature lovers and people looking for all forms of camping.

RV camping at Westchester County can be a lot of fun and convenient too because the vast expanse of the RV camping park offers a lot of facilities to the RV campers who visit the park in thousands every year. Irrespective of the park you choose to camp in, you will have full excess to all the facilities any other park has to offer. Croton Park and Ward Pound Ridge are to of the popular parks at Westchester County, these parks have a vast range of hook-ups and the rates vary according to the time you need to use the facility.

Naturally, locating a good camping site for your RV is just the first accomplishment of your trip. For this there are maps and instructions available at the Park office and you can easily locate good camping spots with the aid of these facilities. Once you have decided on a spot, you can park your camper or RV and then explore the country side.

There are many activities to take part in, and you literally have a choice of what you want to choose to do. Perhaps you could start with the Seven Wonders of Westchester. These are the seven most popular sites in the Park. These include; Caramoor Center for the Arts, the Hudson River Museum, the Katonah Museum of Art, Kykuit, Lyndhurst, Neuberger Museum of Art, Philipsburg Manor, and the Performing Arts Center. Scores of people visit these sites daily. Then there is 'Playland', which the first ever planned amusement park of the Unites States.

Then there are the scores of American Revolutionary War sites. These sites are easily reachable from any of the camping sites of Westchester County. If you are there for Independence Day, this is the place to celebrate your freedom. Some of the best places to visit are Thomas Paine's Cottage and Patriots Park. After visiting these places you can get back to the camp and continue your celebrations with some burgers and a BBQ and perhaps watch or take part in the County's firework display.

Westchester Camping County has a few words of advice for their patrons who visit the site in thousands each year. The peak season for RV camping is the entire summer months, and also during the week ends, and you want to get yourself a good camping spot, ensure that you make reservations well in advance. Millions of people are vying for the very same spot you have your heart set on. So, reserve in advance to avoid hours of driving around the park to locate a suitable camping site for your RV.

By: Abhishek Agarwal
Abhishek is a Camping freak! Visit his website http://www.Camping-Guru.com and download his FREE Camping Report "Camping With The Family: How To Have A Safe, Fun, And Inexpensive Vacation" and learn some amazing Camping tips and tricks for FREE. Learn how to have the perfect vacation on a shoe-string budget. But hurry, only limited Free copies available.

The most important factor to keep in consideration is that bears and other wildlife are as their name implies-wild. While bear sightings are very rare in the mountains in Breckenridge, you should keep in mind that the goal is to coexist with these creatures, so you should do your part to keep these animals wild and safe. Under no circumstances should bears be captured, harassed, or fed. In fact, feeding a bear will likely make them become more aggressive toward the next group of humans it comes across. Before you go out playing in the Breckenridge mountains, take these precautionary tips into consideration:

• Make noise.

Although the mountains boast a calming and relaxing environment, an unassuming bear can feel startled if snuck upon. For maximum safety, make mountain activities a group effort. The more noise you make, the less likely a bear will approach. If a bear hears you, it's unlikely that it's going to come to the noise. It would rather keep to itself and leave you alone. When bears are surprised by mountain visitors sneaking up on them, they are more likely to feel threatened. Talk, sing, or hum as you explore the mountains. Local shops in Breckenridge sell bells that you can tie around your neck, automatically making noise for you as you hike trails.


• Stay calm.

In the rare event that you do come across a bear while hiking, try to keep a cool head. Slowly lay down your pack or anything else you are carrying and back away from the animal. In most cases, the bear will either move along on its own or take interest in your pack. If the bear does approach you, make yourself look big by extending your arms above your head, and make loud noises.

• Clean up.

Bears are hungry creatures and will likely follow the smell of food the longer it lingers. After you've finished cooking, burn all excess grease and food from grills and stoves. Be sure to wipe your table or eating area clean as well. Additionally, try to situate your camping area so that your tent and sleeping bag do not smell of food. Because the clothes that you've cooked in will retain the grill's smell, store those in bear-proof containers as well.

• Store it.

Keep your food and garbage in the trunk of your car or suspended from a tree. Get all food at least ten feet off the ground and four feet from the trunk of the tree to be safe. Remember, vehicles are not bear proof-the trunk is the safest storage place if your car is nearby.

• Get it out.

Don't burn or bury your trash-a bear will just dig it up and create a mess. Pack it in bear-proof containers and pack it out with you. Many camping areas are equipped with bear-proof garbage cans for your use.

Remember, bear encounters in Breckenridge are extremely rare. Bears are solitary creatures that like to stay to themselves. Hikers and campers can continue to coexist with mountain wildlife by remembering these basic tips of hiking and camping in the Colorado high country, so get out and have a good time in Breckenridge.

By: Christine J. Cook
Chris Cook lives part time in Breckenridge, Colorado and loves to share her expertise on the mountains with visitors. If you're planning a trip to the Rocky Mountains, visit this site for your Breckenridge lodging: http://www.summitvacations.net

Buckeye state may not offer the mountains like other states but has still got lots of places and beautiful sceneries for vacationers. In Ohio while camping you can have the chance to enjoy the Midwestern hospitality offered by Ohio campgrounds. In fact the Ohio campsites may be seen as ones which made your family camping trip the most enjoyable.

Though Ohio is considered geographically a small state,but it has quite a few of campsites it can boost about. This state of Ohio is fractioned into five camping regions which are distinct: that is southwest, northeast, and northwest southeast. Each of these regions has a distinct style and flavor to offer for campers.

In case you desire to camp at the central region of the state; for example, you will have a number of fascinating options. First of all is the Rippling stream campsite which is in Baltimore, Ohio. Apart from the state offering a full picnic area, rippling stream has a game room movie night, hayrides, bingo, and horseshoes. There's also a swimming pool for you to take a dip when you tire from hiking.

If you want to research Ohio campgrounds in the northwest region of the state, try surf motel and RV campsite in Marblehead. This is called Ottawa counting camping ground, which looks out over beautiful Lake Erie and also bordering the popular Kelly's Island and the beautiful Put-In-Bay. This ohio campground also offers quite a few of amenities such as picnic tables, out door pool, and other stuff like fishing and boating.

If you're moving around southwestern Ohio, make sure you stop at Forest Heaven which is located in Chillicothe. This ohio campground is considered as a primitive campsite, which is particularly land of tranquility. Forest Heaven is one of the Ohio campgrounds that brings people to simple living style .It also has luxuries to offer, such as electricity, hot showers ,flush toilets and laundry.Spend your time here by doing activities like fishing for one day, walking for next, and swimming ,boating ,riding etc while in Ohio campgrounds.

Ohio is a place for family vacations, as this whole state is family oriented. There are too many Ohio campgrounds you can choose from. Camping is the best form of activity for a family to get together, irrespective of the region of Ohio you are vacationing in, there are also lots of family oriented summer activities where the whole family can have fun.

Simple pleasures together create more stronger bonds within the family .Simple pleasures can be such as dining together on the picnic table, sleeping below stars will become the most cherished memories for you as well as for your children. Ohio may not be as glamorous as Las Vegas and may also not provide amusement parks of Florida but Ohio campgrounds have lots of place for the family fun. Once you spend time at an Ohio campgrounds, for sure you and your family would want to return for more fun and frolic.

By: Abhishek Agarwal
Abhishek is a Camping freak! Visit his website http://www.Camping-Guru.com and download his FREE Camping Report "Camping With The Family: How To Have A Safe, Fun, And Inexpensive Vacation" and learn some amazing Camping tips and tricks for FREE. Learn how to have the perfect vacation on a shoe-string budget. But hurry, only limited Free copies available! Camping-Guru.com

If you are looking for a great place to go camping, whether it is tent camping or you have and RV, you should check out Cachuma Lake Campground in Santa Barbara County. Located off Hwy 154, it is a beautiful lake that offers many activities year round. Widely known for fishing, this campground/recreation area also offers wildlife tours, hiking, boat rentals, a swimming pool, miniature golf, and so much more. There is no swimming or skiing allowed on the lake however, so keep this in mind when you go. The lake hosts fishing tournaments through-out the year, and is home to the UCSB Rowing Team.

So, now you know what the park has to offer, let me tell you a little more about it. The campground is a County run park, camping is first come first served. They do not take reservations. They have a large number of full hook-up sites for Rvers as well as partial hook-up sites. They have an even larger number of tent sites. In most cases, when you arrive they will give you a map of the campground, tell you which sites are available and you can drive around, choose the one you want and go back and pay for it. Most of the campground is dirt, they do allow campfires year-round, and they have a wonderful little store in case you forgot or run out of something. There is also a wildlife museum in the park and they occasionally host special events for kids. Prefer hiking? Try out one of the many trails available around the lake. They range from short walks to longer hikes. Maps are available at the park.

Want to see wildlife? This is the place to do it. Because the park is located in the mountains you will most definitely see raccoons and probably a skunk. Keep your trash picked up at night and the raccoons won't be a problem. Skunks? Don't do anything to scare them and they will leave, they are just passing through anyway. You will also see squirrels, birds, and other small wildlife. Go down by the boat launch ramp and you can feed the ducks, carp will come and eat with the ducks too if you're lucky! You can wear yourself out riding your bike around the park on the roads leading to the various campsites. They also have Yurts for staying in if you don't want to stay in a tent.

Cachuma Lake is located only half an hour from the Santa Ynez Valley. Day trips into Solvang, Los Olivos, and Santa Ynez are a must. There are a variety of fun shops, wine tasting, and excellent restaurants in the Valley. If you would rather go to Santa Barbara, you can head the other direction from the lake and it is about forty-five minutes or so depending on traffic. The most important thing to remember about camping there is to have a great time! Roast some marshmallows, make new friends, and catch a big fish! Enjoy Cachuma Lake and you will want to return.

By: Christy Tuller
Christy Tuller is an expert on several topics and enjoys camping. For more tips, ideas, and photos check out my blog Camping In The Western States at http://mrstscampwest.blogspot.com

Safety and Situational Awareness

Safety and situational awareness are one two of the most important elements of any outdoor activity. I'm sure we've all heard the horror stories of what can happen if they aren't given enough consideration. Yet despite those warnings uneducated people still keep falling into the same situations. Even now, after the popular "Survival Guy's" and "Safety Expert" documentaries have appeared on countless travel and educational channels, we still go out unprepared. Now I don't at all claim to be any kind of expert in how to keep yourself safe... I've had my share of injuries... However I can share with you some clear common sense items:

Map out your camp site before you arrive, identify roads, landmarks and Ranger Stations and be aware of fire danger levels if you are in heavily forested areas. In winter time, if you are snowshoeing, be aware of avalanche areas.

Cooking and campfire: Keep your cooking and campfire away from your tent.

Children: Be certain to teach children to respect fire, sharp instruments, wildlife and to stay nearby.

Let friends and family know where you will be camping and when you expect to return.

Never sleep with portable heaters running over night in your tent. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be lethal, or at the very least, seriously uncomfortable. Plus, plastic melts!

Wildlife: Respect their habitat - you are in their home -- and always keep your food out of reach, especially in bear country.

Water: Never drink directly from rivers or mountain streams, trust me this can have baaaad consequences. Use a well-rated water purifier/pump.

Sleeping Bags: This is where I hear the "That's a plug", well give me a little credit, at least there's good info here ;-) Make sure your sleeping bag is rated for a sufficient temperature. i.e. don't go out winter camping with a %2B50 degree rated sleeping bag.

Poison Ivy Relief: If exposed wash the exposed area immediately with soap and cool water. Bring ointments that can help relieve any discomfort. Some people think vodka helps, but Mythbusters shot that down like five episodes ago.

Snake Bite Kits: If you are camping in an area, or during a time of year, in which you could encounter poisonous snakes, be certain to have a snake bite kit, and then don't leave it in your tent when you go out for a hike...doh!

Bee and Wasp Sting Kits: Not everyone is allergic to bee or wasp stings but some people are highly allergic. Be aware if anyone in your group is. Also, don't quote me on this, but I heard somewhere that jumping into a lake helps you escape, however, you could very well be facing a whole new set of issues if you do that so....

Bear Repellant: If you will be in bear country, bring bear repellant. Know what to do ahead of time upon encounter with a bear. I know for a fact, without a shadow of a doubt, kicking the bear if the repellant doesn't work.

Ticks: Be aware if you are in an area where Lyme disease is possible and know the proper way to remove ticks - with tweezers as near to your body as possible and never squeeze the tick as you remove it. See American Lyme Disease Foundation.

Bugs and Insects in general:

Avoid wet and grassy areas.

Avoid scented products, such as perfume or cologne.

Wear colored and long sleeved pants and shirts when possible. The light colored cloth allows you to see any little critters.

In areas with heavy populations of mosquitoes or flies, a head net can be a welcome relief while hiking. It also can be a great fashion idea when you stumble across a random mountain town.

Entertainment

Now if you aren't running for the nearest Hyatt, let's move on to the fun stuff. In the outdoors, there should never be a time where there isn't something to do, whether it be hiking, swimming, climbing a tree, or well...climbing a tree higher! However, if you do find yourself without anything to do, and relaxing and reading a book isn't appealing, here are a couple other ideas.

Story-telling: Since the dawn of human kind, campfires and night and story-telling have gone hand-in-hand. With children, let them talk about what they want - the stories will follow. What did they see in nature during the day that most excited or pleased them? If there aren't any children, you can still always make something up and pretend it really happened...lol, but be warned, I think that leaves open the possibility of you being dubbed a liar!

Musical Instruments and songs: Like good story-telling, songs and campfires have always gone hand-in-hand. If you or your children play instruments, bring them if you can. Bring along some songs, as well. Even if you don't know how to play, again, you can always pick one up and make something up; at the very least you'll get some laughs.

Cards: For many, cards are a must to any campsite.

Look up!: For many, the stars overhead are pure wonderment. You might want to bring a star map. I like to give random stars a name, then try to find them the next night. So far, I'm 0-100.

Cooking

For those who love to cook, cooking over a campfire is a great challenge, harking back to where the art of cooking began. The web offers many free recipes for campfire cooking. One thing to keep in mind: Don't go grabbing random plants and throwing them in your stew... now you'd think that would be just flat out logic, but apparently, based on some statistic I recently read... it's not.

Calculate the number of meals you will prepare, measure out the ingredients you'll need and pack them, neatly labeled, in Ziplock bags. These are the times where, as a writer, you wish Ziplock paid for product placement.

For quick "on the go meals," prepare chili, stews and soups before your trip, freeze them, keep them in a cooler to reheat.

Bring heavy duty aluminum foil and your favorite plastic wrap. This could also be categorized under the entertainment section ; )

Bring liquid biodegradable dishwashing soap.

Freeze foods, such as meats and cans of juice, before putting them in your cooler. They will keep longer and serve to cool other foods. Crafty! In the woods, you need to be crafty; otherwise you're just...well, normal!

Cover pots and pans when cooking. Food cooks faster and you use less fuel. Pack everything in a cooler in watertight plastic bags. Wait! I might be repeating myself, well, it's good advice anyhow.

Store food high and out of reach to discourage animals, including bears. Consider hanging it high from a tree branch, this is where the climbing a tree practice we talked about earlier comes in handy... 2 for 1 entertainment and no bears! (You'll need to remember to bring rope.)

While you're eating, place a pan of water over your fire, to help clean up when you've finished eating, or for a warm liquid to wash the taste out of your mouth

Fuel source: Will you be using charcoal or propane to cook? Be sure you bring plenty of what you will need. Surprisingly enough the whole "rubbing two sticks together" is harder than it looks.

Clean up quickly after eating so food doesn't harden. Yes, unfortunately hardening food is a big problem these days. Once I forgot to clean up after making some chicken soup and man oh man, I broke a tooth later that day.

If you'll be cooking over a wood fire, wipe dish soap on the outside of your pots and pans to make soot removal a breeze.

Search the web for great campsite cooking recipes and come prepared to dazzle your family! Or if you're eating alone that night, you can conveniently forget you got the recipe online and say to yourself "I've always been an incredible cook".... definitely comforting.

Campsite and Campsite Etiquette

Picking your campsite is kind of like shopping for a house, minus the realtors, escrow and whatnot:

Find a shaded spot that is large enough for your needs.

Pitch your tent away from low ground, where rain water can gather.

Be certain your campsite will have good drainage, in case it rains.

Be certain restroom and bathing facilities are within easy walking distance.

Be certain drinking water is nearby.

Pack it in- Pack it Out: Leave your campsite as clean (or cleaner) than you found it. We all hate it when we get to a campsite and there's a freeze dried haggis wrapper sitting there.

Keep an orderly campsite: Keep your campsite orderly and safe. Don't leave dangerous or sharp tools exposed. Keep food stored safely out of reach of animals, so you do not draw them in. If you looked hard enough, I bet you could find a maid service online that could help with the orderliness, with the technologies these days who knows!

Make sure your campfire is cold: When you leave be absolutely certain that your campfire is cold. No jokes, this is important!

Treat neighboring campers as you would want to be treated. Don't be loud and bothersome in close camping quarters.

Don't pee near camp, it can attract wild animals and is just flat out a bad idea. *A rule for the guys.

By: D. Sturgeon