Assuming you have packed some matches, a lighter or some method to produce a flame, the first step in building any fire is to clear about a 6 foot circle of excess sticks, leaves and pine needles. In the center stack small rocks or large stones in 2-3 layers in a 3 foot circle about 1 foot high but not less than 6 inches to make  a fire ring to build your fire in. Make sure the fire ring is a safe distance from overhanging trees, tents etc. and space the stones so there are openings at the bottom to allow air to flow through freely. Do not use damp or wet rocks because they can heat up and explode.

If water is readily available, splash some on the ground around the fire pit making sure not to let any go in or on the fire pit. This will insure the campfire is contained.

Next gather the wood needed to start and maintain the fire. You will need tinder, such as dried twigs or pine needles, or whittle with your knife from a dried branch to make wood shavings. You will also need medium to large pieces of wood to feed the fire. Stack the firewood, by size, a safe distance away from the fire pit. Whatever you collect to burn, gather at least three times more than you feel you will need because experience shows that you it will get used. You may not have the time or the energy to go around and select woods, so burn what you can, get warm and safe and then look for more wood. Just remember that pine, cedar, and spruce will start a fire quickly but will also burn swiftly.

Now using the wood you have, it is time to prepare your campfire to light. Build a small, loose pile of kindling, making sure to leave space for air to feed the fire. Use the larger twigs to make a teepee or a log cabin, which is made by placing the twigs in a square formation and building higher and higher.

Time for the final step, you are now ready to light the fire. Hopefully you have packed a fire-starter kit, matches or a lighter, if you did then light the tinder and gently blow or fan the flame to help increase the oxygen flow. If you didn’t then “opps” you could be in for a cold night, unless you have advanced fire making skills using some other fire starting method. Once the fire gets going, add increasingly larger twigs, sticks and then logs as the fire grows in strength, always letting enough room between the wood for the fire to breathe.

After you are finished with the fire make sure it is completely out. If possible douse the ashes with water, scatter the cinders around the fire-pit and cover them with dirt. You should be able to touch the fire pit and not feel heat. Pour water over the pit again listening for “hisses” that would indicate there are still hot embers.

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3. Tips For Building a Quality Outdoor Storm Survival Shelter

When planning a camping trip ensuring you have the essentials is a necessity and the endless lists of what to take can be, at the best of times, confusing. Fear not, here is our list of the must have items and how you can get your hands on them at a discount, proving you don’t have to blow the bank to have a great camping holiday.

With vouchers and discount you can make great savings when shopping online. Using the vouchers and coupons, you can get special offers from the companies and get some money off the listed prices of the products. The vital thing about the vouchers and coupons is that these are very easy to use. So, just what will you need for that camping holiday and where can you buy it at a cheaper price?

The Tent

When looking for a tent make sure you get the best for your money and that it suits your needs and the number of people that you’re accommodating. The main things to look out for in a tent are: aluminium poles for strength, folded seams and double stitching to protect from water, a roof vent for circulation, zips that are heavy duty and adequate guy lines to protect the walls of the tent.

Discounts available: Sportsdirect.com (UK stockist)

Camping Stove and Pans

Nothing can be more relaxing than sleeping under the stars and cooking on a camping stove. You can buy camping stoves in many shapes and sizes, depending on your need. If you are camping on the move, you need a camp stove that is lightweight, compact and easy to transport. However, if you are driving to a campsite and that’s where your adventure ends, you may be able to take a larger camp stove to cook better for a larger group.

Discounts available: Homebase (UK stockist)

Sleeping Bag

The right sleeping bag is essential to make sure you have an enjoyable and safe camping trip. It should keep you warm and comfortable, whatever the weather outside the tent. Sleeping bags are “classified” to make sure you get the correct one to suit your needs:

• 1-2 Season Bag: Comfortable down to +5 degrees C
• 2 Season Bag: Comfortable down to +1 degree C
• 2-3 Season Bag: Comfortable down to -2 degrees C
• 3 Season Bag: Comfortable down to -5 degrees C
• 4 Season Bag: Comfortable down to -7 degrees C

Discounts available: Sportsdirect.com (UK stockist)

First Aid Kit

A good first aid kit is an essential for a camping trip. It should contain items to help stop bleeding, cleanse wounds, stabilize injuries and provide pain relief. It needn’t be expensive but is a must have item at the campsite.

Discounts available: Tesco (UK stockist)

Food

Plan ahead: decide what you are going to eat and how you are going to cook it. Make sure all food and drinks are transported safely. Camping essential food items are pasta or rice, coffee and tea, cereal bars and tinned products such as soup and tuna.

Torch

A torch or lantern is a must have item for the campsite and far more safe than a fire. Make sure to purchase a sturdy torch that is perfect for use outdoors and remember to take spare batteries.

Discounts available: B&Q (UK stockist)

Finally…

And, to make sure you enjoy your camping experience to the full make sure you follow these 5 easy safety tips:

1. Assess the site before you pitch your tent. Try and arrive on site before sunset so you can see what you’re doing and therefore can make sure you get a safe pitch.
2. Don’t use naked flames such as candles and lighters inside or too close to the tent. Use a torch instead- much safer!
3. Be sure to pack a complete first aid kit and know how to use it. You never know when it will come in handy.
4. If you’re not drinking bottled water, make certain that the water you’re drinking is from a purified source.
5. For those cool nights, bring adequate bedding and clothing to stay warm.

And always heed the scouts motto; be prepared!

If you are looking for a good place to camp, check out http://www.pitchup.com/ for inspiration, user reviews and even a facility search.

Thanks to vouchercloud.com for putting together this post. Pitch without the price tag by grabbing the latest discounts and vouchers before you buy.

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What makes the country a bit unusual is the entire tradition of Freedom Camping, which allows tent, campervan or motor home camping on public land for free at 500+ sites. To take advantage of this great opportunity, you simply need to make sure that the region where you want to camp allows Freedom Camping, that you don’t camp or park on private property and that you don’t leave rubbish behind. In the spirit of Kaitiakitanga, a Maori word for sustainable management of resources for current and future generations, New Zealanders urge outsiders to be careful not to abuse this unusual opportunity to wander about the nation’s most remote areas and camp there.

Despite this commitment to preservation of this camping practice, some campers have abused the liberties of Freedom Camping, especially when it comes to disposing human waste and littering. Camper vans, in particular, have been cited for not using dumping stations. Because of the lack of toilets in Freedom Camping areas and paucity of knowledge about the waste issue on the part of campers, the Freedom Camping Act 2011 was passed. This law allows for a $200 instant fine for those camping illegally and a fine of up to $10,000 for those who dump their sewage in inappropriate places.

Freedom Camping can still be enjoyed by all and will remain a Kiwi fixture, but if you choose to use one of the free areas, be sure to devise a green way to dispose of all your waste and refuse. In addition to legal changes, New Zealand tourism officials have steered visitors towards pay camping sites to combat the problem. Websites have sprung up to educate campers of the magnitude of the problem and of the proper ways to dispose of waste when staying in New Zealand.

For those who want some accoutrements when camping, New Zealand offers abundant possibilities, from areas that go for as little as $5/night to holiday parks that have everything you could need to park your motor home and live there for weeks. The country also offers self-contained motels and cabins, which can be easily reserved for rental.

Among the many online sites that can assist you in deciding where you want to camp and then making the proper reservations, this one has the easiest navigation according to price, facilities and the type of vehicle allowed in the area: http://www.rankers.co.nz/respect. The site has a nice map that can enable you to find everything from a pristine spot in genuinely pure wilderness to a holiday park with a pool for the kids and facilities for your camper.

Pohutukawa flowers - a common site around NZ if you travel during Christmas time.

For those who drive camper vans, the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association is 33,000 members strong, driving 18,000 vehicles from gorgeous location to gorgeous location in a country where several hit films have been shot, precisely because kilometers and kilometers of land are covered in a dazzling, untainted green. For those that are only after a simple rental car, there are a wide variety of car rental companies to choose from (such as Omega Car Rental New Zealand).

Among the most popular sites for camping are the Mavora Lakes, Kaiteriteri Beach, Marahau and the Coromandel Peninsula. Many tourists enjoy seeing the unique black sand beaches of New Zealand, some of which have ruins from centuries ago long before Europeans discovered the land. Other highlights include the Southern Alps, which cover a broad swath of the South Island, and the many charming coastal areas that first attracted Europeans. Campgrounds are most crowded during the summer holiday, which spans December and January, so plan accordingly.

Images come courtesy of http://www.kiwiwise.co.nz

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Tent Heaters

For areas that have extreme cold at night, you might consider tent heaters to stay warm once the campfire is out. These propane devices are effective, yet inexpensive to run. When selecting a heater, look for one with an oxygen sensor and automatic shutoff. Propane uses oxygen to produce heat. Read and comply with all the safety guidelines that come with the heater. Propane is the safest way to heat a tent, but only if you set up the equipment up correctly. Place the heater on a stable surface, such as a small table. Keep it away from the tent walls and flammable substances. Light the heater at home before you leave to make sure you know how to use it and that it is working properly.

Dress and Sleep in Layers

The morning air may be cool when you first climb out of your sleeping bag, but later in the day, it will get warmer. Dressing in layers is one way to deal with the rise in temperature. To protect your legs from the environment, you should always wear long pants when camping, but feel free to layer your shirts to adjust to the changing temperatures. Check the daily extended weather report. Often, campers only check the daily overview. This reports the high temperature but not the ups and downs of weather throughout the day. Prepare yourself for the cold of morning and night in addition to the warm hiking weather of the day.

Layering isn’t just for daytime. You can employ the same technique at night using your sleeping bag. Leave the zipper open on the bottom of your bag if it is warm. With the zipper undone, air will reach your feet and help keep you cool. When it is cold, zip all the way up to insulate, the retained body heat will help keep you warm. In cold or hot weather, make sure to sleep on a ground cloth and insulating mat. The cool from the ground will seep up and make sleep uncomfortable if the temperature drops. If you are hot, you can remove the mat and just use the cloth so the earth can lower your body temperature.

If the night air is cool, dress warmly before you get into the sleeping bag. Something as basic as a knit hat can help keep you snug. Your body is under the insulation, but your head is sticking out into the cold. If you warm up, you can always pull the hat off.

Camping is an inexpensive way for you and your family to enjoy the outdoors. Springtime can allow you to get in some camping time without having to deal with the hot weather in summer. A night under the stars in the fine sleeping weather of spring gets even better if when you plan ahead.

Jessica is interested in construction and camping. She enjoys spending her time outdoors and blogging on behalf Sears and other brands she loves.

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It is commonly believed that only a man’s man knows how to start a fire by hand, well I am not sure about that but I do believe it is an important survival skill that everyone should learn. You may never need to use this skill. But what if you find yourself in a situation where you need a fire and matches or a lighter are not available.

Maybe while packing your camping gear you forgot to pack the matches or fire starting kit. Or perhaps you are driving in a remote area and you find yourself stranded overnight. It could even be because of extremely windy or wet conditions on a camping trip that make matches virtually uselessly. Wouldn’t it be great to be ready?

Starting a fire by hand requires the use of friction which is primitive and is probably the most difficult way to start a campfire. Friction based methods require using a fire board and spindle. The most important part of starting a friction based fire is the type of wood you use. Aspen, cedar, cottonwood, cypress, juniper, walnut, and willow are best. The wood must be bone dry in order for the friction method to work.

The Hand Drill is one friction method that requires dry wood, tireless hands and determination. First you need to build a tinder nest; this will be used to create the flame you get from the ember or hot coal you produce. The tinder nest can be made out of anything that catches fire easily, like dry bark, leaves and or grass.

Next find/make a spindle is a stick approximately 1 foot long; you will need this to spin between your hands to produce friction with the fire-board. When you cause enough friction between the spindle and the fire-board, you will create an ember which is used to start the campfire.

After preparing your tinder nest and spindle stick, make your fire-board by cutting a v-shaped notch into a flat, approximately foot long, 2 inch wide piece of wood.  You want it long enough so that you can easily secure the fire-board.  Next make a small depression adjacent to the v-shaped notch. Now place a piece of bark underneath the notch; the bark will be used to catch an ember from the friction between the spindle and fire-board.

Put the spindle into the depression you made on the fire board. It is important to keep constant pressure on the board as you start rolling the spindle between your hands, moving them rapidly down the spindle. Repeat this until a hot ember appears on the fire-board. When you see this glowing ember, tap the fire board to drop your ember onto the piece of bark. Hastily move the bark to your nest of tinder, place it under your tinder nest and softly start blowing on it to start your fire.

Another friction method that requires a fire board is with a Bow Drill. You will also need a great deal of patience and energy. The bow drill is probably the most effective friction based method to use because it’s easier to maintain the speed and pressure you need to create enough friction to start a fire. In addition to the spindle and fire-board, you’ll also need a socket and a bow.

Prepare your tinder nest and fire-board as before then find a socket. The socket is a palm sized piece of wood or stone to use to put pressure on the opposite end of the spindle as you rotate the spindle with the bow. If you are using another piece of wood it is best to try to find a harder piece than the wood you are using for the spindle. A wood with oil or sap are good because they create a lubricant between the socket and spindle.

Next you will need to make your bow. The length of the bow should be about the length of your arm. It is important to use a flexible piece of wood and it helps if it has a slight curve. The string of the bow can be made from thin rope, shoelaces, para cord, or a strip of rawhide.  Just be sure to find something that will not break, then string up your bow and get ready to make fire.

Prepare the fire-board as before, cut a v-shaped notch and make a depression next to to it in the fire-board. Then place your tinder underneath the notch. Now wrap the spindle in a loop of the bow string, place one end of the spindle in the fire-board and apply pressure on the other end with the socket, using the bow, start sawing back and forth. Essentially you will have created a basic mechanical drill. Rotating spindle quickly, keep sawing until you create an ember. Once you have made an amber drop it into the tinder nest, softly blowing on it to start your fire.

The Fire Plow is another friction method that requires a lot of elbow grease. After making a tinder nest you must form a plow board out of soft wood. It should be flat and measure a couple of inches across and about 2 feet in length. Now make a plow stick, it must be from a hardwood, about 2 feet long and 1 inch in diameter, sharpening one end like a pencil.

You will then make a depression by rubbing or cutting down the center of the plow board about 6 to 8 inches long. This is done to form a trough to scrape the plow stick in. Clasp the plow board firmly between your legs. If you have a longer board you can sit or kneel on it to hold it in place. The most important thing is to keep the board secure.

The plow stick is then pressed onto the plow board at around a 60 degree angle with downward pressure and pushed forward. Release the pressure, pull the plow stick back to the start of the trough and then push and pull the plow stick rapidly. This will create wood dust at opposite end of the trough. Be sure to end each stroke at the same spot to allow the dust to accumulate there.

This does take quite a bit of time but eventually, the wood dust will smolder, producing an amber to push into the waiting tinder nest. After pushing the amber in to the tinder nest, slowly start blowing on it to start your campfire.

These friction methods for starting a campfire take a great deal of work but the benefits of knowing how are priceless when the need arises. At the very least the next time you go camping you can show that you are  a “man’s man” and start a fire from scratch by hand.

“Good Luck”

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An outdoor storm shelter or hillside shelter can make the difference between brutal, prolonged exposure to the elements and having a protected place to stay through the night. While it’s not the ideal accommodations for anyone, it can provide the necessary protection to get you through the night, allowing you to regroup in the morning and make it through any storm.

A storm or survival shelter is also a smart thing to have set up if you own a large plot of property, especially if it’s in a wooded area.

Before starting construction of your shelter, choose a spot that is level, flat and which has some natural attributes that make it a good spot for building a shelter. Perhaps it is nestled near some large trees or a concave rock formation? Choosing the best spot possible in your location will just make your work all that much easier as you proceed with constructing your shelter.

If your ideal location is not level and not very clear, excavators or an excavator service could provide the assistance you need in prepping the location for your shelter. If your chosen shelter location is near a hillside and requires any large-scale digging or dirt removal, the use of an excavator can make your work much easier. While this is not an option for an impromptu shelter set up for a one-time use by a hiker, for a more permanent shelter, excavators can help prepare the spot for the best quality survival shelter possible.

Once you have the location chosen and you begin to build your shelter, here are some things to keep in mind:

Size: More Can Be Less

One of the most common mistakes in building a storm shelter is building it too large. A larger shelter does not stay as warm inside as a smaller one. Also, it is more difficult to create a durable, stable roof for a larger structure. The basic framework of your shelter will involve large and medium sized tree branches arranged into a hut-like structure with walls and a roof. Fill it in with as many full, leafy branches as you can find.

Use Adequate Insulation and Filler for the Sides, Roof and Floor

Whether you are in a warm or cold environment, an adequate amount of insulating material should fill the structure’s walls as high up as gravity will allow. Use soil, bark, grasses, roots, leaves, plants and small twigs to pack your structure’s walls as solidly as possible. Create an insulating carpet on the floor of leaves, moss and pine needles.

Heat Source: Yes or No?

If you would like to be able light a fire inside of your shelter, make sure there is adequate ventilation, including an opening in the roof to allow smoke to exit the structure.

A storm or survival shelter can make all the difference in surviving an unplanned night in the woods. Using these simple guidelines can help you to build the best shelter possible for your circumstances.

Jessica is interested in construction and architecture. She enjoys spending her time camping and being outdoors.

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I started by looking in local stores but found the selection to be small and expensive. I then searched the web and found many kits but it seems that a good, affordable first aid kit is not that easy to find. Today there is such a wide variety of emergency kits available, ranging from a few band aids and some medical tape, to a major trauma medical kit. The problem with most of these is they are either under supplied, over priced or both.

To make your own first aid kit is a nice thought but buying each individual supply needed for a well stocked kit is expensive. This is because buying smaller quantities of single items of what you need is nearly impossible. If you do find medical supplies in smaller quantities you pay the price. For example have you ever priced a roll of emergency medical tape or a pair of first aid scissors? It can become quite expensive.

The items for a first aid kit are cheapest when purchased in bulk. This can also become very expensive not to mention the problem of storing what you do not need. A good way around this is to find another person or two that have an interest in making up their own kit. Then you can all go in on purchasing the items in bulk, dividing the items and savings equally. What to get and how much of each is determined by personal needs and preferences. A homemade kit should include at least some, if not all of the following items.

Pain medicine
Tweezers, scissors, and knife
Medical tape
Elastic wrap
Sunburn lotion
Hydrogen peroxide
Sterile wipes and rinse solutions
Antiseptic creams and ointments
Bandages and gauze of various sizes
Sunburn relief spray
Anti-diarrhea medicine
Sanitary napkins
Snake bite kit

The snake bite kit isn’t a necessity everywhere but if it applies to an area where you live or an area that you plan on camping or hiking, then it is a necessity.

One last important tip is to be sure to check your first aid kit annually and restock any outdated or exhausted supplies and medicines. It is always a good idea to have a well-stocked first aid kit with you wherever you go.

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There are many special preparations needed for camping in the spring but making a roof over the campsite is one of my favorite that I feel is worth the time and effort. I like to put up a large tarp over my campsite to protect it from the rain. You will need a large tarp, rope, cloth the size of a towel and a small shovel.

Take the large tarp, I use a 30’ x 50’ a tarp and find a downed tree, about 10 feet long and about 6 inches in diameter, to hold up the middle of the tarp. A fallen pine tree works best because it is light weight and usually easy to find. Next tie the corners of the tarp to four trees that are about 15 feet apart around your campsite that form a square. It is surprising how you can find trees that are fairly square to each other on a campsite. The corners should be tied at least 5 feet off the ground to allow for easy entry and exit of the campsite.

Now it is time to raise the roof so to speak. Take the pole (be sure to trim the branches off) wrap and tie an old towel or some type of cloth (about the size of a towel) around the top of the pole to prevent it from poking a hole in the tarp. Slide the pole under the tarp and crawl underneath with it, you may need someone to help. Grab the pole and place the top in the middle and stand it up. The pole should wedge firmly between the ground and the tarp.

To be sure the pole remains sturdy you may dig a small hole to place the base of the pole in. Once the pole is in position fill the hole with dirt and place some rocks around the base of the pole for added support. Now you have a large covered area to set up camp. I build the fire pit a few feet from the center, making sure the fire is not too close to the pole for obvious reasons.

If you really want added protection from the wind and rain it is a good idea to have a smaller tarp (or two) to tie to the roof to form a wall. Tying the smaller tarp to the larger one is easily done with the loop holes and some rope or paracord. It is also possible to seal the seam with some duct tape but I have found this to be more hassle than it is worth. The base of the wall can be secured by spacing rocks across the bottom or if it isn’t too windy just allow the tarp to hang lose.

This may seem like more trouble than it is worth and the first time I did this I thought so too. It seemed to me to be a lot of time and effort for rain that may not come. The truth is the tarp serves more than protection from the rain. It keeps the leaves and branches from falling into the campsite which helps to keep the campsite clean. On clear days the cover shades you from the sun’s rays and at night it holds the heat in from the campfire. The cover also gives you a cozy comfy feeling and keeps the dampness off of you and your camping gear. The end result is a warm dry place to play games (like cards), talk or just sit and enjoy the moment. Try adding a roof to your campsite you will enjoy the benefits it will provide.

Please remember the golden rule of camping “leave no trace”. A campsite should be left as clean, if not cleaner, than it was found. Be sure to respect the wildlife and Mother Nature, be a courteous and careful camper.

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Survival Guide - Chances are you won’t have to end up eating your hiking boot leather or improvising traps for wild animals on your camping trip if you plan things out right. But it’s always nice to have the option of acting out your own version of Into The Wild if you feel like it. Survival Guide gives users tons of helpful tips on everything from creating a shelter to identifying edible plants in the wilderness.

iHandy Flashlight Free – While you should probably pack a few flashlights and some backup batteries before you head off to the local wilderness area, it’s always good to have a fallback plan. If there were an award for truth in advertising, iHandy Flashlight Freewould win in a landslide. It does exactly what you’d expect it to do, providing illumination via the iPhone’s camera light in a number of different modes.

TrailBehind: Find Adventures Nearby – Spending time outdoors will necessarily involve a bit of hiking. TrailBehind gives you access to some of the most comprehensive trail and hiking maps you can find on any iPhone. If you get lost with TrailBehind on your iPhone, it won’t be because of this highly accurate and up-to-date map app.

My-Cast Weather Radar – Nobody likes it when the weather decides to rain on their parade, and that’s doubly true when it comes to camping outdoors. My-Cast Weather Radar gives you a heads up on incoming storms and inclement weather with full-featured Doppler maps and severe weather alerts.

Star Walk – 5 Stars Astronomy Guide – One of the best things about camping is sleeping under the stars. Identifying constellations is a major component of the fun, which is why Star Walk is a must-have for astronomy lovers. It’ll help you find new constellations, rediscover old ones, and make the most of your stargazing regardless of what hemisphere you find yourself in.

All of the aforementioned applications were chosen not only for their utility in a camping scenario, but also for the high marks they receive from users. Thoroughly tested in the field by thousands of iOS users, these applications are guaranteed to be worth it in the few cases where they’ll actually cost you anything. If you’re planning an overnight stay outdoors, make sure to take these handy apps along with you.

Author S. Dawson writes for Tundraheadquarters.com, the place for interesting articles on truck accessories as well as reviews of truck camping gear, like tents, truck bed air mattresses, and more.

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Basic Ice Chest Tips

Depending on the size of the group or family, quite a few ice chests may be necessary, especially on trips longer than three days. A family of four can typically get by with three ice chests, and each has a specific purpose. One cooler should be set aside for perishable food, another for drinks, and one for frozen goods. Using separate ice chests reduces the time they remain open while campers are looking for a particular item; thus, the ice will last longer and food remains cooler.

Drink coolers work best with cubed ice, while you will want to use ice blocks within the perishable foods and frozen chests. Keep the chests in a shaded area when it is hot outdoors and consider laying a tarp or insulated sleeping bag atop them to preserve temperatures. Take time to empty excess water out of the coolers daily to reduce the risk of cross contamination and bacteria.

Make Block Ice

Many families keep a stash of milk jugs, plastic juice containers and so forth on hand to store away water for emergencies, and camping is a great time to use those resources. However, do not simply take the water bottles as they are. Freeze them along with some smaller portable water bottles, and then use them as ice blocks within the coolers. Not only is this ice virtually free, it lasts much longer and reduces the need for draining the ice chests daily. When camping in winter, temperatures could drop low enough to refreeze these containers overnight. Naturally, when the receptacles thaw, precious drinking water remains.

Camp Freezer Tips

If camping for more than a few days is on the agenda, consider investing in an extra-insulated cooler. These are more durable and will extend the longevity of ice blocks. Hard freeze the meats that you plan to use on the trip beforehand, so they will be thawed around the third or fourth day into the camping adventure. Some campers prefer to use dry ice in their camp freezer, which allows them to bring frozen treats. Keep in mind that however effective, dry ice is risky if younger children are coming along for the trip, as it can burn the skin in mere seconds.

Keep the Critters and Bugs Away

By far, food is what most attracts pests to the campsite, and it is advisable to store away all nonperishable foods and coolers in a vehicle or tent if possible. Even if there is no risk for bears, raccoons and other clever creatures, have no trouble breaking into ice chests or food boxes. Concerning food at the campsite, make sure to avoid dropping scraps nearby or pouring grease onto the ground. Animals can smell these particulates for great distances, and will surely attempt to find them. Rinse all cans and containers before throwing them away, and try to remove trash from the site daily.

Whether one plans to camp in a small state park, such as the one near Inks Lake in Texas or head to a majestic national park, water and nutrition are staples that cannot be done without. Keeping these tips in mind will allow campers to enjoy a smoother experience when it comes to handling the food and beverage aspect of any outdoor adventure.

Tracey Mastic first enjoyed camping, and then living, by the Highland Lakes in the Texas Hill Country.  She enjoys writing about the area so that visitors can enjoy what it has to offer.

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