Camping and Caravan Club

Written By: Patricia Bessey

Camping is a great way to relax and enjoy nature, but the wilderness is not hazard-free. It’s important to know, before setting out on any adventure, how to respond in the event of an accident.

Be Prepared for Bites and Stings

Knowing how to treat a bee sting is an important tip with special emphasis on allergies. Know before heading out if anyone is allergic to bee stings and have the appropriate medication on hand. In the event of a sting to someone without allergies, it is important to have tweezers to remove stingers, alcohol to cleanse the area, and a painkiller for discomfort relief.

Tweezers are also handy for removal of ticks. Be certain to retain the tick’s body once removed so it can be taken to the doctor upon returning home. Many medical professionals will test the ticks for Lyme disease so the unfortunate victim will know if they’ll need to seek additional treatment. Insect repellant for all people and dogs included on the trip will help to keep away some of the pests, as will insect repellant-style candles and torches. Placing these around the camping area will eliminate many biting insects.

Burns

Campfires are entrancing and fun, but they can be dangerous. Be prepared for potential burns by having antibiotic salves, gauze, and bandages on hand. Make sure to keep the affected area clean and covered at all times while in the woods. If there is any sign of infection or if the burn is larger than an average large bandage, seek medical attention immediately.

Sunburns can also be dangerous. The best tip is to avoid them by wearing a sunscreen with a high enough SPF and to reapply frequently if swimming or sweating heavily. Otherwise, aloe is the best heat quencher for sunburn. Apply aloe generously and keep skin covered to avoid further sun damage. Any blistering should be covered and left alone. If the blisters break, cleanse gently, apply an antibiotic cream, and cover with a bandage.

Broken Bones and Cuts

Aside from certain horrific injuries, it can be difficult to ascertain if a bone is broken or if it’s just a sprain or exceptionally painful bump or bruise. It’s better to err on the side of caution. Have bandages and know how to apply a splint to the injured area. Learn how to stop or slow bleeding from cuts by applying pressure or tourniquets if necessary.

Know the Area

Every terrain is unique as well as having different species of wildlife and insects. Be educated about these dangers. Dress appropriately, have plenty of water, or a water purifying kit. Know the signs of dehydration, hypothermia, and shock. Be aware of poisonous snakes and insects and know how to avoid them. Pay attention to the weather and take any storm warnings seriously.

Above all, know the basics. Be able to read a map and a compass. Stay on trails or within marked areas, and remind children to do the same. Have on hand, and use, safety gear such as lifejackets, flashlights, and appropriate footwear. Know how to do the Heimlich maneuver and CPR. Know where the closest help is and how to reach them. Be aware of the wilderness skills and limits of everyone on the camping trip.

Written By: C Holder

Camping can be a fun experience if all the supplies that will be needed are taken. There are campers who go out in the wilderness and sleep on the ground. They will only need minimal supplies such as basic food items. More often, there are the campers who want some of the comforts of home mixed with the adventure of the outdoors. These campers obviously will need a much bigger list of supplies.

A checklist of basic campsite items that will be needed for sleeping will consist of a tent, plastic sheeting to line the bottom of the tent, seam sealer, and an air mattress. A hammer will be needed to pound in the tent spikes. Sheets, pillows, towels, and blankets will round out the necessities for the inside.

Lightweight but sturdy tables, aluminum chairs, and rope to hang wet clothes will make life more comfortable outside. A tarp or two is handy to give shade or to cover any wood set aside for the fire. Cooking can be done on the fire or on a camp stove. Don’t forget matches or a camping lighter. Bring a small shovel for digging duties and binoculars for seeing what is in the distance.

Don’t forget the personal items such as sunscreen, mosquito spray, moist towelettes, toilet paper, and paper towels. Trash bags should be taken to put any litter in. If hiking is planned, a backpack or fanny pack can be very handy. If there are no bathrooms at hand, a portable toilet can be taken.

The type of food taken is up to the individual. It is a good idea to list the food that is wanted along with all the condiments, such as mayonnaise and mustard, that will go with any food chosen. Putting the food in large tubs with tops will help keep the animals away. A good ice chest or two that will keep ice frozen for several days will ensure that cold drinks are always handy.

To cook the food, a small hibachi or gas grill can be used. Extra fuel for the grill should be taken, and plastic utensils, plates, and bowls are essential if there is no running water to wash dishes. Aluminum foil, a sharp knife, colander, cutting board, and coffee maker will make food preparation easier. Cast iron pots and pans are perfect for campsite cooking. Potholders for hot pans are a necessity.

To be able to see after the sun goes down, flashlights, lanterns, and glow sticks will be needed. Extra fuel and mantels for the lanterns should be taken as well as extra batteries for the flashlights.

A well-equipped first-aid kit should be taken in case of emergency. A good kit will consist of bandages, scissors, antiseptic wipes, an emergency solar blanket, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and tweezers. The phone numbers of doctors, poison control, and relatives should be kept inside as well.

Miscellaneous items should be considered as well. Reading materials, playing cards, a camera, board games, and music can make camping more pleasant. Take a small tool kit for any repairs. A clock, compass, safety pins, duct tape, and a sewing kit are other items that can be useful on a camping trip.

Written By: Abby Hauck

One of the great pulls to camp is the fantasy of “roughing it”. The ability to live amidst nature for a day or two is as intriguing as it is adventurous. But planning a trip to your local mountain range or lakeside for a little outdoor vacation involves much more than packing up a few sleeping bags and a tent. Keep campers happy and well-fed by planning a menu that works with a little char.

You can’t go wrong with traditions

Everything seems to taste better when cooked on a stick, especially when camping. Keep it simple with a package of hotdogs and marshmallows, or expand on the concept by bringing along ka-bobs or pop-open bread stick dough.

But it certainly doesn’t have to stop there. Try roasting cookie dough or bread sticks over a fire by wrapping them around a stick before putting it in the fire. The basic rule here is that anything goes so get creative. You will find that with a little innovation and patience, roasting your own food on a stick or hanger over an opened fire can bring out new and unique flavors.

For more information about roasting food on a stick, visit http://voices.yahoo.com/how-cook-stick-campfire-638171.html?cat=22.

Thinking outside of the box – or stick

Of course, not everything can be poked with a stick prior to cooking. If your campsite comes equipped with a grill, then the simple addition of a foil “baking sheet” can open up many more food options. For example, heating up foil on your camping grill creates an instant griddle perfect for pancakes or French toast. Cookies and biscuits also work well using this method.

Another great option is to use a pan over your grill to heat foods such as soups or pre-packaged frozen meals like Stouffer’s Easy Express Skillet dinners. And, tough you may have a little extra clean-up this way, these pre-packaged options can save you energy in preparation while still providing a variety of well-rounded meals.

A little foil goes a long way

When you are out camping, the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of time cooking. So why not let the fire – and a little foil – do the cooking for you? Wrap veggies, potatos, or bananas in high-quality, thick foil and throw the whole thing on hot coals. Corn-on-the-cob can be thrown directly onto coals without foil provided that the husks are still on and in tack.

For more tips about cooking food with foil, visit http://www.campingroadtrip.com/outdoor-living-newsletter-november-2012/tips-and-recipes-for-campfire-foil-cooking.

Camping – and cooking – outdoors is an adventure in and of its self. Make the experience as enjoyable as possible by planning ahead of time the perfect foods to cook while there. Then pack foods in two separate containers; one for dried foods and a cooler for foods that should be kept cold. Use ice or frozen soups to keep your food cold until you need them. And always remember to clean up after yourself by properly storing food to keep wildlife from helping themselves to your stash of goodies.

Written By: Abby Hauck

With spring quickly approaching, many people begin planning their first trip out into the wilderness for a good old fashioned camping trip, complete with both hiking and sight-seeing. But being off the grid, so-to-say, does require special precautions to remain safe. Plan to use these eight simple tips during your next outdoor adventure to see that everyone involved will remain safe and healthy.

Plan for injury: Though it is quite likely that your camping trip will go off without a hitch, there is always a chance that bumps, cuts, and bruises will happen. Stay prepared by keeping a complete First-Aid kit handy, just in case your hatchet breaks mid-swing.

Bring plenty of water: Vacationing in the outdoors usually involves getting plenty of exercise. This also means that dehydration can be likely if one doesn’t consume enough water. Because most of the running water that is found near camping sites and hiking trails is non-potable, pack extra drinking water to prevent dehydration.

Dress appropriately: Long sleeves and pants should be standard camping and hiking attire, no matter what the temperature. Otherwise, poisonous plants or sharp stick and rocks may prove to be too much of a challenge. Keep your limbs protected from nature by keeping them covered.

Apply sunblock: Even if you’re clothed from head-to-toe, your face and hands can still experience sun damage from extended exposure. Apply sunblock every few hours and wear a hat to shield UV rays from your scalp and eyes.

Don’t eat any wild berries: As tempting as it might be to “live off of the land”, it can be hard to tell what berries are safe for consumption. Play it safe and avoid anything that you’re unsure of.

Keep dogs leashed: Even the best behaved K9′s can disrupt nature’s balance in the wilderness. Even if Fido answers well to voice-commands, it is still best to keep him close to avoid conflicts with territorial animals. Doing so will also help keep the area in its natural state so that all wildlife can maintain a comfortable existence in natural, undisturbed habitats.

Use the Buddy System: The great outdoors is a vast place, with many landmarks closely resembling the next, which makes it easy to get lost. Keep a friend close at all times to make sure everyone ends up where they are supposed to.

Have a game plan: and share it with someone back home. This will ensure that the proper authorities will be notified should disaster occur. This is especially important if you plan on visiting more out-of-the way locations where rangers and other park-goers are less likely to be.

Camping and hiking are excellent ways to reconnect with nature while maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and careful planning can only make it better. Incorporate these simple tips into your next outdoor adventure to keep you – and Mother Nature – safe and healthy. For more information about camping and hiking safety, visit the National Traffic Safety Institute’s website. Happy hiking!

Written By: Kenton Watson

If you or your family is looking to start camping, tent camping is a great option. Whether the reason is just to enjoy the great outdoors, or you want a cheap way to travel cross country, tent camping is perfect. The first step is to select a good tent. This may seem intimidating at first, but the types of available tents can be broken down into a few simple categories, according to your needs. If you are traveling by yourself, or with only one or two other people, consider an A frame tent; they’re small, lightweight, and will very comfortably sleep a small number of people. A good tip when tent buying is to only buy the size you need: as long as you have room, smaller is usually better. If an A frame seems too insignificant, but you still have a small amount of people, try a modified A frame. This revised design can have more headroom, and features like a rainfly. Other types of tents include the popular dome tent, which can fit larger groups and is strong against the wind, and the tunnel or hoop tent, which with its ultra-lightweight design is perfect for backpacking. Once you’ve selected your tent, it’s time to find a place to camp. Although designer campgrounds dot the nation, these are almost always expensive and overdeveloped. Look up National Parks around where you want to travel: a pass can be bought inexpensively which allows you to make use of any of that park’s camping facilities. This method saves money, and if one of your reasons for camping was to enjoy the outdoors, camping in a National Park puts you right there. No matter the type or location you settle on, tent camping can be an exciting trip for you or your family.