I figure it’s probably a good idea to put together of list of things to take camping:

Cooking Gear

• Pots and pans – Good if you’re going to do a lot of cooking, but somewhat of a pain to use camping. Not to mention the cleanup.
• Dutch oven – This is all I usually take. You can cook just about anything in it.
• Coffee pot (the kind made for camping unless your campsite has electricity)
• Knife
• Aluminium Foil – Makes cleanup a ton easier if you line everything with foil.
• Paper towels
• Plates and cups
• Silverware
• Spatula, ladle and other similar items depending on what you are cooking.
• Can opener if you are bringing any canned items. (I had to stab a can to death with a knife one time…)
• Trash bags
• Charcoal
• Lighter Fluid
• Aim-n-flame or matches or a lighter
• Water bucket
• Dish soap
• Dish towels
• Ziplock bags
• Cooler and ice
• Food. Check out my favorite camping recipes for some ideas.

Personal Gear

• Enough clothes to cover however long you’ll be camping
• Extra socks (having to wear wet socks really sucks)
• Toiletries (don’t forget the toilet paper!)
• Towels
• Bug spray
• First aid kit
• Sun screen
• Hat
• Sun glasses
• Sturdy shoes (flip flops not recommended for camping. I have a broken toe to show for that one)

Sleeping Gear And Other Items

• Tent (make sure it has everything with it before you leave!)
• Sleeping mat
• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Camping chairs
• Flash light
• Lantern

Are there any other items that you take when you go camping?

Growing up I spent many weekends camping. My parents put me in Cub Scouts as soon as I was old enough. I spent 5 years there and moved into Boy Scouts. I spent several more years there eventually becoming an Eagle Scout.

In all the time I spent camping, I cooked on everything from a fire made from scratch to a beastly propane burner. I’ve cooked everything from hotdogs on a stick to fresh trout that I caught a few hours earlier.

Let me tell you, just because you don’t have access to a stove doesn’t mean you can’t whip up a pretty fantastic meal.

I know whenever I am putting together a meal plan, it is usually dictated by what kind of equipment I’ll be taking with me.

So here’s a list of some of my favorite camping recipes broken down by the way they can be cooked.

Dinner On a Stick

One of the easiest ways to cook when you’re camping is food on a stick. All you need is heat and a stick.

You can buy fancy camping skewers, but I usually just find a good stick when I get to my campsite. Sure it’s probably not 100% sanitary, but you’re camping right? Become one with nature….

Seriously though, if you’re concerned about it. 5 minutes over a hot fire will kill anything unsanitary that may have been on the stick.

Now when it comes to food on a stick one of the most obvious is hotdogs. There’s really not much to say about ‘em. Put a hotdog on a stick. Put the stick over the fire. Eat.

If you want to get a little fancier, I really like making pigs in a blanket over a fire.

You need:

• Canned biscuits (Or you can use a biscuit mix, but that’s a little more work)
• Hotdogs

Put your hotdog on a stick then mould a biscuit over it. You may have to put another stick though it sideways to get the biscuit to stay on. Roast it over the fire until the biscuit is nice and brown. Viola! Super easy.

Hot Off The Grill

Next to food on a stick, cooking on the grill is one of the easiest ways to cook when you’re camping.

You don’t need to go overboard and buy an expensive camping grill. All you need is something that will sit over the fire and hold food.

I’ve used all kinds of things as a grill over the years. One of my favorite ways is grill is to make a grill out of small tree branches and aluminum foil.

I find a dozen or so branches about 10 inches long and about the size of a pencil. Green branches are the best. I wrap each one in foil then weave them together in a checkerboard pattern. Support it with a couple of rocks and you have an easy homemade camping grill.

Here’s one of my favorite camping recipes that works perfect on the grill:

Spicy Ranch Burgers:

• 1 pack of spicy ranch dressing mix
• 1 pound of ground beef or turkey
• Optional: shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mix everything together in a pot or bowl or whatever kind of container you have. Make 4 patties and put ‘em on the grill.

It’s really easy and the burgers are awesome!

Over the Coals of a Campfire

I really love cooking down in the coals of the campfire. You get a really steady heat that can work just like cooking in an oven. Only instead of an oven, your dinner is cooked in foil.

Two of my favorite recipes are the hobo meal and omelet in a bag.

Hobo Meals:

• Stew meat
• 1 sliced potato
• Baby carrots
• Sliced onions

For this one I get a 12×12 square of foil. Put all the ingredients in the middle along with a little bit of water and wrap them up very tightly. Place the pouch in the coals of the fire for 30-45 minutes. Use tongs or a stick or something to pull it out when it’s done. Just check to make sure the meat is cooked and the potatoes are soft.

It’s really easy to make and pretty tasty too! Don’t like beef. Chicken works just as well.

The second meal that works great in the coals is what I call omelet in a bag. It works just like the hobo meal, but you do it with breakfast food.

• Breakfast sausage
• 2 eggs
• Sliced onions
• Frozen hash browns

Just like with the hobo meal I combine everything together on a piece of foil. Wrap it up and put it in the coals of the fire.

It usually takes about 30 minutes. You just want to make sure that the sausage is cooked all the way though.

Easy Dutch Oven Recipes

Oh man do I love dutch oven recipes. Over the years I have literally been amazed by some of the things I’ve seen cooked in a dutch oven. Everything from cakes to pizza to cobler to homemade bread to chocolate chip cookies.

One really easy dutch oven recipe is a dutch oven taco bake. You need:

• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 package of taco seasoning
• 4 large flour tortillas
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• Some type of cheese sauce. Check the ethnic food section of your grocery store.

I usually line my duch oven with foil first to make cleanup easier. First, cook the ground beef in the dutch oven. Add the taco seasoning according to its directions. Once cooked, pull the ground beef out and set aside.

Then put down the first tortilla in the dutch oven. Put 1/4th of the beef, cheese and cheese sauce in. Then put the next tortilla, beef, cheese, etc. Laying everything up as you go.

Once done, put the lid on the dutch oven and place it over the fire. Put 4-6 hot coals on top and let it cook until the cheese it melted.

I also use my dutch oven just like a regular old pot to cook really easy things like stew and chili. You could also do something like beans & texas toast.

I’ve only scratched the surface here on what you can cook while you’re camping. Give these camping recipes a try. I have no doubt that’ll you love how easy they are and how awesome they taste!

Many of the big camping equipment makers also carry miniature versions of their best selling gear that are made just for kids. Most have a large central compartment that can carry some clothing or some lighter pieces of camping gear. Each will also have an assortment of smaller pockets that are perfect for a water bottle, flashlight or any other compact items. Chances are, these backpacks will hold more than any kid would want to carry. When you buy a hiking backpack for kids, stick with well-known brands. Kids can be tough on gear. You want to make sure that you get your money’s worth out of any backpack you buy.

Here are some of my top picks for a kid’s hiking backpack:

Deuter Junior Backpack

This bag is made out of a microrip nylon and polytex material that is rip resistant and will hold up to some abuse. Is it small enough for a 7-12 year old to use, but large enough to serve as a day pack for an adult. The top of the main pocket on the bag closes with adjustable straps, so you can really pack it full if you need to. At $36.99 on Amazon, this backpack is a steal of a deal.

Mountainsmith Youth Scout Backpack

For a “real” hiking backpack, check out this bag from Mountainsmith. With 3,356 cubic inches of space inside, you can fit everything you need for a backpacking trip into the back county. This backpack is made to grow with your child. All of the strap adjust to fit most kids from 8 to 18. It may be overkill for a family camping trip to the lake, but if you need to carry all of your gear on your back, then this is the bag for you. It is currently listed for $102.36 on Amazon.

REI Comet Pack

The Comet Pack from REI is a mix between the first two bags mentioned above. With a volume of 2,250 cubic inches, your child will still have plenty of room to pack all of his gear. One neat feature of this bag is that it is made for a hydration pack. This bag is made to fit kids from 6 to 10 years old. You can get it directly from REI for $89.50.

If you little boy is into cars, check out sleeping bags with muscle car imprints. You can find kids slumber bags with the 1967, 1968, and 1969 Oldsmobile 442, Pontiac GTO, Chevy Camaro SS, Ford Mustang GT390 Fastback, and the 1969 Dodge Charger R/T imprinted on them. For kids that are a little younger, you can also find Disney sleeping bags that have the characters from the movie Cars.

If your child is into dinosaurs, then look into Jurassic Park sleeping bags. Jurassic indoor slumber bags appeal to children of all ages. These sleeping bags offer children a sense of adventure.  Sleeping bags to consider includes imprints of a T-Rex on the hunt for food or a sleeping bag covered in fossils. Some of these bags are even reversible. Super dinosaur print pajamas are available to make your child’s adventure complete.

Different bags are sold online including the Dino-Theme that incorporate your children’s favorite historical creatures printed on the pattern in a vintage Dino print with solid brown interior design. You can find the chocolate brown mink style with velcro straps on the Web.

Princess sleeping bags for kids include the glittery crowns, glitter princess, princess sleep mats, and more. Some styles come with glittery pillow sets. Your little princess can sleep every night like royalty on the glitter crowns sleeping bag made of 100% cotton. The indoor reversible bags are designed with coordinating solid pink colors. Magical travel princess bags are available online as well.

Personalized sleeping bags for kids give parents more options over design and style. Starry Night sleeping bags take your child into orbit every night he or she falls asleep. If your child is interested in astronomy, the starry night bags are a good choice.

Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Mollie sleeping bags for kids provide parents with options in design, style, and pricing. The slumber bags include features, such as your child’s favorite sunny patch characters. These comfortable sleeping bags are filled with high quality material that adds to your child’s comfort.

You can check out different styles on the Web including the Playhut cars, Melissa’s bright magnifying glass, patch blaze firefly and flashlight, blossom bright flash, and the Augie alligator. Other designs are available online as well. There is something for every child to enjoy including Scooby bags, Princess Bags, and more.

Toddler sleeping bags and other bags often have imprints of children’s favorite cartoon characters, which give parents an option over choosing styles and designs that please the children.

Are you a big guy that needs a big chair? Then check out the Ming’s Mark Heavy Duty Full Back Folding Director’s Chair. This is one of the best heavy duty camping chairs you can buy. The solid aluminum frame gives it durability without weighing it down. It also comes with a side table and a small cooler that attach to the sides. It sits a little higher than most camping chairs and is very steady, so it is easier to get out of. This thing is about as close as you can get to having a “real” chair when you’re our camping.

On the flip side, there are number of lightweight camping chairs that are perfect for backpacking. The Sherpa Chair is one of my favorites. It is a good blend between lightweight and sturdy. It sits as high as a normal chair, but folds up quite compactly. If you want something that is ultra light weight, take a look at the Walkstool Comfort Stool. At 2.2 pounds, you can’t find a lightweight camping chair much smaller. I can’t say that it is the most comfortable of folding camping chairs, but at 2.2 lbs, I can’t complain.

Now, how about kids camping chairs? It’s hard to pick just one or two. There are a huge variety of camping chairs for kids. If you want something simple, I recommend the Kelsyus Kids Canopy Chair. It is lightweight and has a little canopy to provide some shade for them. There are also a lot of themed chairs like the Dora The Explorer camping chair, Spongebob Squarepants chair or a Princess Pony camping chair.

So go! Check those out! If you have any other picks that you think should be on this list, send me a comment below.

Next, you should compare the different brands and models available, starting with material. Although a silk sleeping bag liner is very lightweight, it is also a good insulator, and in warmer weather is breathable and absorbent. Some favorite types of silk sleeping bags include the Hammock Bliss or Grand Trunk Sleep Sack.  Many people feel silk liners are more comfortable against the skin than nylon or cotton liners.

Some outdoor enthusiasts choose a fleece sleeping bag liner, as they are very soft and quick drying. The heavier models tend to be a bit bulkier, however, so if you are hiking you may wish to take this into consideration. On the other hand, they do provide a bit more warmth than other fabrics, adding approximately 12 degrees Fahrenheit. The Coleman Stratus sleeping bag liner is a favorite of those who prefer fleece, and works well with any sleeping bag.

The Slumberjack Merino Mummy sleeping bag liner is made of wool and provides exceptional warmth. Most people, who find their skin sensitive to wool, successfully avoid this discomfort by running the liner through several wash cycles to soften it.

Other options include the Sea to Summit Thermolite liner. This model is lightweight and can double as a sleeping bag for warmer weather. It is made up of fibers that offer warmth, but are also breathable.

Cotton liners are strong and durable, but not very compact. For humid conditions, synthetic liners are probably a better choice as they are moisture-wicking and a bit more breathable.

With the wide variety of sleeping bag liners available, there is something for everyone. It is wise to decide on a budget for the sleeping bag liner, and then comparison shop to arrive at the best decision.

Camping in a tent is a great way to get away for a relaxing vacation and enjoy nature at its best with family and friends. Tents have come a long way from little two man pup-tents to spacious, well-made 6 man tents. Let’s look at some of the varieties and features of these roomy, comfortable tents.

Eureka Headquarters – 6 Person Tent

This family sized tent is large in size and comes with a handy removable internal divider, which is really useful for creating separate rooms. There is nothing like a bit of privacy while camping! Tall people will appreciate the 6 foot plus center height. Air ventilation and windows are built in with two large sized windows and two doors with additional windows. It has a heavy-duty floor made to repel water and it comes with a long lasting frame made of fiberglass poles and aluminum. Living space is 102 square feet and walls are designed of nylon taffeta. Customers seem pleased with the great ventilation and how weather-worthy it is, even in heavy rain storms. After one practice drill for set-up, it’s easily put up in 10 minutes or less.

Paha Que Pamo Valley

This is probably the tent that many are looking for, because it comes with a lifetime warranty and that’s hard to beat. This 6 person tent is about 11′ X 11′ and weighs 42 pounds. Floor space is 10’ X 10’ with a tall ceiling that allows for standing room even in the corners. It is constructed of heavy-duty fabric and comes with waterproof performance guaranteed. You have two large doors with windows. Excellent ventilation and visibility. Stands up to driving wind gusts and heavy rain. Customers feel this tent is really huge and very roomy. The square shape design makes better use of space compared to dome shapes and there’s plenty of room for chairs, portable potties and cots.

Coleman Bayside 6

This bright orange tent is ideal for sleeping 6 people comfortably and you’ll find setup to be easy and quick. It even comes with a hinged door that can swing open and has an easy to close fastener for shutting the door, instead of messing with zippers. This Coleman 6 person tent comes with the Weather Tec System designed by Coleman to keep everybody dry in rainy conditions.

Whether your want pop up tents, four season tents or spacious living quarters while camping, there are plenty of 6 man tents to choose from, assuring you of a great camping trip.

The cabin tent is a great investment for anyone that wants more space while being outdoors.  Some are large enough to fit a table into which would be great for those rainy days while camping.

Coleman has a variety of camping cabin tents available.  The Coleman Heritage tent sleeps six people, comes with two rooms and two doors.  The walls in this tent are straight to add more living space.

Are you the camper that enjoys winter camping?  Then you should check out what the Canvas Cabins Tent has to offer.  This company is out of Oregon and offers a variety of canvas cabin tents.

In the past, so many families have had to take two or three tents with them when they go camping due to having a large family.  Now you can purchase a family cabin tent that will comfortably hold your entire family, such as the Gigatent Mt. Kinsman.  This is a three-room tent with attached screen room that will sleep eight people.

Columbia makes an incredible cabin tent called the Cougar Flats II. This tent has two rooms and is made with heavy-duty nylon for frequent use.  It has two doors so you can enter each room without disturbing anyone.  The Texsport Sequoia Pass is another great cabin tent. This thing is huge at 19-Feet X 9-Feet X 86-Inches. It can easily fit two queen sized air mattresses with space in the middle for all of your other gear.

Tents have changed so much that you really need to go out and see what there is to purchase.  Decide on whether you will be using this tent all year round, in different seasons or to house overnight guests in your back yard and then make your decision and get the tent that meets your needs.  Other considerations are the weight of the tent as if you are going to be carrying it this can be a concern.  How large a tent will fit in your vehicle and do you have room to store the tent when it is not in use?  The Internet is a great place to research your entire tent needs. I highly recommend reading the reviews on Amazon before you purchase. Click here to visit Amazon’s cabin tents.

For those who are planning a special occasion, there are many different products available. Many different brands provide different features, such as screened sides or complete enclosures, depending on your needs. EZ Canopies offer many different models to choose from, in different sizes as well as styles. For everyday use at sales or flea markets, there are basic models with a roof and vinyl sides. These features allow sellers to keep an eye on merchandise and to avoid the sun’s harmful effects.

For weddings and other special occasions, some festival tents can accommodate up to 50 people. Many come with screen attachments for the sides, so insects and debris can be kept out. This is especially useful when food and drinks are served in outdoor settings. Some models look more like gazebos, with special design elements that provide a touch of class to the occasion.

The EZ Up brands offers the ability to add a logo, for those who are looking for a structure to house business transactions. These are perfect for trade shows or outdoor markets as it is a great way to advertise what you sell or offer. These tents list up to the EZ Up name. They can go from packed to full set up in less than 5 minutes.

For setups in large gatherings, such as fairs or carnivals, tents for festivals include high peak models that will stand out above the crowd and the other booths. Promotional Design Group has many models shown on the web site, in bold and striking designs. Frames are typically aluminum, with vinyl roofing material. They are designed to draw quite a bit of attention to your business.

Festival camping tents add a special design to typical two or three man models, which are distinctive and fun for children. Gelert Quick Pitch and Safe Pitch models are a few of the brands that are available for outdoor camping. They go up in minutes and will provide more than adequate protection throughout the night. Such items can be found in outdoor supply stores and through online retailers. Cheap festival tents are available for nearly any budget and can be found in a variety of places.

Camp cots come in all different types, which help for you to be able to pick one that is just right for you. You can get accessories to go with your new cot such as cot sheets, cot blankets and cot pillows. These extra supplies are made specifically for a cot, so you will not have to worry about them being too big or too small. You also will not have to take any of your good sheets or pillows from home on your camping trip and risk them being ruined.

A camping cot should be strong and durable so you do not have to worry about it breaking. It is also important to get one that is lightweight since you may be carrying this for a long time to the campsite. These cots are great for persons who are not looking for anything fancy, just wants something will get them off the ground so they can get good nights sleep.

Folding camping cots are great because you can just close them up when you are done. You can also close them up after you are done sleeping so that you have more room in your tent to move around. One of the most popular camping cots is the Rio Adventure Military Cot. This great cot has very durable fabric so you can expect it to last for many years. This cot does have to be assembled, so make sure that you do it before you go on your camping trip.

Coleman camping cots are great for the outdoors and provide several different styles to buy. The Coleman Legacy Deluxe Cot provides strong support and comfort. Many people rave about how much it feels like a regular bed This cot can hold large amounts of weight and is long enough to fit somebody who is 6”8” tall.

You can find these cots in most outdoor retail stores and when shopping online. Amazon has a very large selection to choose from and has some supplies that you can purchase to go along with your new cot. Do not go without one of these for your next camping trip. You will be glad that you did not!