tents Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

How to Simplify Your Camping Checklist Now

Paula — Tue, 18 May 2021 12:47:00 +0000

New to the camping scene? Not sure what to pack and what to leave at home? Maybe you’ve been doing this for awhile but you still have not got the packing down to a fine art. Either way, this simple camping checklist can help you save time and headache. Experienced travellers often rely on lists. It’s no different for campers. If you go camping you probably have a camping checklist. I am a list lover so I tend to write them all over the place. Occasionally, I even remember where I put them when I need the list in question. LOL. Your list can be as extensive, or as short, as you want. If you have a very long camping checklist, there are ways to simplify it. Sometimes long lists can wear you down just by looking at them. If you find yours super overwhelming then it’s time to chunk the items or edit. Or maybe just use this post as a guideline to help. Simplify Your Camping Checklist Matches/ Lighter Taking some kind of matches or lighter is vital because being able to start a fire is a huge part of camping. Many people forget this. This is a small item but a very essential one on your packing list for camping. Food There are a few nonnegotiable food items on my camping checklist always. This will be the next thing to add to your short list. You just need to write down food. You can go over in your mind what types of food you want to take and place it aside and pack it right away. You may not be able to include meats or things that need freezing but you would be surprised at how much that can be packed long before you go. Check your list before you leave and you will remember the frozen articles. Instant coffee if you need it, buns for hotdogs or hamburgers, cereal, bread, a carton of juice for kids. Snacks too. These are easy to pack ahead of time. Cooking utensils You will need something to cook your food in and all you need add to your list is cooking utensils. This will let you think of the things you will need in this area. Go through your cooking in your mind and pack the pots and plates you will need. Also related – dish soap, just a tiny bit to last the trip so that you can clean the plates, mugs and silverware. Tent/RV I almost missed this one because it seems like common sense but then again maybe not. Pack a tent or rent an RV. Either way you will enjoy the experience of sleeping under the stars. Coleman Stove Accept no other substitutes. These stoves work brilliantly. You could get away with camping over an open fire and you might also need a Coleman stove so be ready. A Bucket or Pail You will need this for so many reasons. Just pack a bucket. If you need to fill it with water in order to safely put a fire out then you have one handy. Warm, Dry, Clothing Break it down if you want. But here’s the thing. In Ontario where I live it gets cold at night probably ten months of the year, so you need to think warm and dry. Bring your swimsuit for sure. But bring the flannel pyjamas and the wind breaker and extra socks. Bring lightweight, washable, long sleeve tops because then you can easily wash and hag to dry and wear again if necessary. Think in terms of layers and remember to bring one extra in the event of miserable weather or sudden illness. One September we did an epic Ontario Parks adventure with an RV and it was amazing. It was also September and we were up near Killarney and Grundy Provincial Parks and at night — BRRRR. The kids had warm blankets and sweatshirts with them and one wore her warmest sweatshirt probably four out of the five days. It cools off fast at night. Don’t forget to bring something decent to wear too. If we need to leave the campsite one night to trek in to town and go to a restaurant I’d rather that the kids were not wearing pyjama bottoms to dinner. Know what I mean? Tarp If it rains or is damp at all you will be glad you had the camping tarp packed. That is all. I might buy another one this year for camping adventures because believe me you don’t want to get soaked when camping, especially if camping with family. Towel/ dish cloth You need the towels if you swim, or shower or rinse off in a lake at the end of the day or early in the morning. Polar Dip anyone? Obviously you need a cloth to clean the dishes too. Sleeping Bags Clearly you need a sleeping bag for each member of the family. That’s a no brainer. Blankets, Mattress Pad Depending on how rough your experience or accommodation is you will potentially need or benefit from extra blankets and a mattress pad. We have done some tent camping with and without a mattress pad. My oldest daughter lasted one trip without a mattress pad and then was literally ready to buy one herself with her own money. This is an important part of your camping checklist. Poor sleep can ruin the experience for everyone. Flashlights/ Lanterns This is another word to add to your list. Find your lanterns and pack them away. Include flashlights in this list. You will need a flashlight to maneuver around your campsite in the dark. Games You will needs to take something to fill up the few spare moments you have while camping. If you list games that will remind you to pack things like books, playing cards and games to take up your time while relaxing. Toiletries Need toiletries? I have two teens so when we camp we also bring something to wash our faces with. That can be as simple as a facecloth and water or occasionally it is cleanser and we walk to the washrooms before bed to wash the sunscreen and dirt off our faces. Medicine If you have medicine that you take for any reason please remember to pack it and store it safely. Also, if you camp and have a medical condition or are concerned about health for any reason always check the location of the nearest hospital. First Aid Kit That leads right into a First Aid Kit. I rarely leave home without one. Accidents happen and you should be ready to do basic first aid if necessary on any trip or road trip. Water Bottled water is sometimes a smart addition to the packing list. Depending on the type of camping you are doing and where you are going you could run out of water and I can’t be dehydrated even if I am just two hours from home camping in southern Ontario. So occasionally I do load up a huge jug of water. This is also the one and only time we travel with a case of bottled water. BugSpray Not negotiable. If you camp at all then you know this. Bugs can be a total PITA. Sunscreen This is a big one no matter where you go. Make sure to pack sunscreen for any kind of travel or camping trip. Don’t mess with a nasty sunburn. Phone To Take Pictures and maybe even call someone in event of an emergency, you should still have a phone. You might want to be off grid and all of that which is totally admirable, but also be safe. Copy and print the Camping Checklist out Easily get this printable checklist one of two ways. You can click and save the printable image in this post or just click on the download link below. Print it out for reference. Have a wonderful trip! Camping is a Fabulous Way to Explore We were late to the game but now we adore camping and can’t get enough of it. So, we’ve learned a few tricks along the way through trial and error. This camping list can help. Is there anything we missed?

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7 Simple Minimal Impact Camping Rules to Obey

Paula — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 14:30:00 +0000

If you are a camper then you probably are also a wilderness lover. True nature lovers and wilderness fans embrace the outdoor lifestyle. But there’s a bit more to it than that. There’s planning of course but that’s not what I am talking about either. A true love of nature breeds awe and respect for it. It also means that you strive to live a lifestyle where exploring nature and the great outdoors is synonymous with minimal impact camping. Minimal impact camping involves planning, respect and and care. Whether it’s the sound of raindrops on a tent’s canopy, the smell of a campfire, or the nightly serenade of wolves or coyotes, camping is nothing if not relaxing and memorable. I mean there’s always the setup and the packing and that part can be a lot of work. But, once you are there it is pretty blissful in my opinion. Being outside, sleeping under the stars is spiritual and magical. Perhaps it’s those early morning hikes along a spring trail, the lure of a lake or just family time away from the cell phone, business and the grind of day-to-day obligations that brings you back. It really doesn’t matter what the allure is, it’s the outdoors, a place where everyone owns a slice, regardless of economic challenges, age, race or religion. It’s ours if we’re willing to experience it. So be considerate enough to think about others who may pitch their tent on the same spot perhaps in future. Every camper knows the anguish of arriving at a trashed campsite. Bags are blowing in the breeze, cans and boxes litter about and garbage floats in the trout stream you were ready to fish. Litter can be picked up, but unknowingly poisoning the wildlife’s water, damaging trees and altering the ecosystem means future generations will never share the same experience. Why not leave your campsite in as good, or even better shape than you found it by adhering to a few simple rules that take very little effort? It’ll make the experience better for you because the area won’t become trashed before you leave and more pristine for the next group of campers as they pitch their tent. Someday you might be the person who gets to experience, firsthand, the benefits of a previous group’s minimum-impact camping. Here are 7 simple rules to obey. 1. Watch Your Trash If you pack it in, pack it out. Don’t leave any trash behind. Haul out anything you find that has been left by others. 2. Use the Existing Site If possible, camp in an existing campsite, which is often mandatory in many areas anyway. Locate your tent or trailer on durable surfaces, established pads or in areas with little or no vegetation so you minimize disturbance. Don’t forget your camping pad or tarp for under the tent. 3. Stay Back From Water Your campsite should always be at least 200 feet from any water and, out of respect, the same distance from other camps. 4. Follow Fire Safety Rules Observe all fire restrictions. Use any established fire pits or rings for campfires and cook on a camp stove when you can because it leaves less of an impact on the area. Firewood should only be composed of fallen branches or leaves if you are observing minimal impact camping. Never scrounge for fuel pulling bark off of live trees. Remember too, clear away all pine needles, branches or anything flammable from the fire ring’s immediate area. For more on fire safety when camping read this post – > Fire Safety 5. Clean Up Away from Waterways Brush your teeth, wash dishes and bathe at least 200 feet from any waterway. Even toothpaste can be toxic to wildlife or it can attract bears with its sweet smell. 6. Put Your Fire Out When putting out a campfire allow the embers to burn to a fine ash, then add water until it’s cold to the touch. Stir the campfire, add dirt if water is in short supply and make sure there’s no more smoke. Failure to do so means even a short gust of wind could pick up a spark that could have disastrous consequences. 7. Clean Up After Too After your camping trip, wash your vehicle and all of your gear. This reduces the chances of an invasive species being spread to the next area you visit. Sometimes the importance of this step is minimized, but if you consider the tumbleweed is an invasive species-actually called Russian thistle-then you’ll understand just how much of an impact a few errant seeds can make on an entire region, in this case America’s southwest. Plan for Minimal Impact Camping There’s not much effort involved and the principle is much the same as you employ at at home. Leave the space cleaner than you found it. Use some common sense and do your best not to damage the surroundings, including flora and fauna. You wouldn’t drive a stake into your backyard peach tree, so why would you do so in the forest to hang that lantern? The key is respect. If the outdoors are part of your life, the odds are good you already have a respect for nature and probably religiously adhere to trail and wetland restrictions. Minimal impact camping also means you respect the next camper to arrive, and more importantly, the generations of outdoorsmen we hope will follow.

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Ten Camping Apps to Make Camping Go Smoothly

Paula — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 13:44:14 +0000

Camping apps? Yes, there are even apps to make you camping experience run a little smoother, if that’s your mission this year. Camper, glamper or weekend warrior – no matter what your camping style there’s a camping app to help. Most of my readers know by now that I am more of a glamper than a camper. I enjoy the outdoors and I love a good road trip. But I don’t do tents. Luckily there are a million and one different ways to get away in the summer. And whether you are camping, glamping, cottaging, or heading out of town to a resort with some friends and family the important thing is typically how you spend your time and who you are with while there. I love staying in a cottage and enjoying all of the comforts of that lifestyle, while doing some fun camping activities too. Like sharing campfire stories, roasting marshmallows and smores and enjoying a good song or two. So a space like Parkbridge Resorts or Sherkston Shores works beautifully for me. In fact many years I have rented a cottage with a relative too. Many of my readers are travellers and some are hardcore campers. Several also have their own RVs. No matter what style of camper you are there’s a reason camping or heading to the cottage is a favourite with families everywhere. It’s a great chance to unplug and spend time together in the great outdoors! When it comes to camping or any travel at all really, packing the right tools and necessities can be the difference between a bad or a good experience. Did you know that there are camping apps out there to make your camping trick run smoother? I know we’re supposed to be unplugged here, but these apps are definitely worth it! Ten Camping Apps: Camp Finder Compare and find camping and RV sites. Camping List Never forget another item on your camping trip again. Super simple to use. Must have iOS 8.0 or higher. Check off all the items you need and then mark them as packed when they are in fact ready to take with you. This may help keep you organized. Coleman Campfire Tale – a fun little app with some campfire stories for those times that you are stuck. Spyglass – available in multiple languages this is a GPS camping app and it is hardcore. MotionX GPS – Excellent and highly rated GPS app that will record your hikes, treks and bike rides with accuracy. Requires iOS 9.0 or later. Great for biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, running, paddle boarding, sailing, rowing, flying, geocaching, and more. Has free downloadable worldwide maps and NOAA marine charts. Over 5 million users worldwide. Star Walk Of course this camping app is a stargazing app in case you couldn’t tell by the name. Very educational. This is the kind of app my daughter loves when she’s outdoors. If you have to take the tech then it better be educational and helping. What Knot to Do – by outdoor sports clothiers – Columbia Sportswear this app details how to make over 70 different types of knots! Did you have any clue there were that many knots? This app requires iOS 9.0 or later. Dutch Oven Helper This is kind of a quirky little app. If you identify what kind of dutch oven you are cooking with and your cooking method then it will tell you how many briquettes you need to use. St. John Ambulance First Aid – Be warned this is only to be downloaded by those over age 17 and is based on UK St. John Ambulance protocols. But this is still a useful first aid and safety app for camping. The app doesn’t replace the benefits of learning first aid, nor is it as in depth as a full first aid manual. When there is an emergency, it may help you in the first crucial moments when time is important. BackCountry Navigator – the best selling outdoor navigational app for ANDROID. Best TOPO maps that are downloadable too. Camping Apps Can Add Value to the Outdoor Experience Have you heard of any of these camping apps before? Are you a camper? If so what’s your favourite app and do you even use them when camping?

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Glam Camping For Those Who Love Camping In Comfort

Paula — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 16:22:02 +0000

Glam camping, better known as glamping, has become a big thing. It’s a type of camping for people who want to get out and enjoy nature but who do not want to be uncomfortable in any way. Glam camping can be anything from taking along a few extra creature comforts with you to actually booking a glamping “tent” at a resort. Glam Camping – 5 Way to Help Anyone Enjoy the Great Outdoors So you want to go camping, but you don’t want to be uncomfortable. Fear not! The days of hearing the phrase, “Suck it up, buttercup” are over! These days, glamping is a totally acceptable thing. Here are some ways that even the less-than-great outdoorsman (or woman, as the case may be) can enjoy the beauty of nature without sacrificing their creature comforts. Air Mattress One of the first things anyone in a glamping mindset is going to need is an air mattress. An air mattress ensures that you’ll be able to get a good night’s sleep on a nice, cushiony mattress instead of just a sleeping bag on the tent floor like more hard core campers. Big Tent A nice big tent is a must. Are you and your significant other taking a camping trip? Well, then bring along a 6 person tent. It will provide plenty of room for moving around and the air mattress I just mentioned. Generator One of the things that should be on any glam camping list is a generator. A small generator can provide you with enough power to plug in small appliances like televisions and radios as well as portable fans and other cooling devices to help keep you comfy and blow bugs away. Heck, you can even plug your coffee maker into it. Propane Cook Top A propane cook top may not sound like glamping, but hear me out. Rather than only roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over a fire, you can actually cook. In fact, you can cook almost anything. So you’ll be able to have your nice bacon and egg breakfast in the morning along with the coffee you made with your generator. 😉 RV The ultimate in non-resort glam camping. An RV is THE way to glamp if you want to enjoy nature and be totally 100% comfortable. Most campground areas have RV parks where you can park. That means you can do all your resting and relaxing in a fully contained house on wheels, complete with electricity, ac/heat, and shower. When you’re not kicking back, you can get out and explore nature, secure in the knowledge that you can retreat to your wheeled abode at any moment. Glam Camping – Because Not Being Hard Core Isn’t a Bad Thing If you love the outdoors, but you also love to be nice and comfy, then glam camping is for you. You can go for “rustic” glam camping and just bring an extra roomy tent and an air mattress, or you can go whole hog and take an RV. Whatever you choose, glam camping is the absolute best way to enjoy mother nature while still retaining all the creature comforts that some people just don’t want to lose.

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Camping With Toddlers 101- Keeping Your Sanity and Keeping Them Safe

Paula — Mon, 11 May 2015 22:06:36 +0000

Camping with toddlers is a wonderful way to show them all kinds of new and exciting things. It’s a way for the family to bond over every leaf and bug and critter you come across. It’s also a great way to lose your mind if you don’t come prepared. Camping with Toddlers 101 When camping with toddlers, you have two main concerns: keeping them safe, and keeping your sanity intact. Toddlers can be tons of fun, but they can also be little devils if they aren’t properly occupied and stimulated. Tiny, screaming, red-eyed devils. You know it’s true. So what are we to do? I’m so glad you asked! Keep Them Safe First and foremost is ensuring that your little ones survive the trip. Never ever let your toddlers out of your sight. We all know how much trouble an unattended toddler can get into when we aren’t looking, and that’s just in the house. Now imagine taking your eyes off of your toddler for a minute out in the wilderness. Yikes. Holding hands is a big one as well when camping with toddlers. Toddlers are impulsive and not very coordinated, generally speaking. Holding hands ensures that they don’t dash off to pet the cute creature they see in the distance, and it also ensures that they won’t take a tumble. Teach Them Safety When camping with toddlers, teaching them about safety is another great way to keep them safe. Use every opportunity to teach them the dos and do nots of camping. When little Susie wants to pet the deer, explain to her that it’s wild, and it doesn’t want to be touched. Simple things like that can help keep the tots from getting into dangerous situations. We used a lot of phrases like look don’t touch when our kids were little. Sometimes they even listened. LOL. Keep Your Sanity Keeping the kids safe is almost a no-brainer when camping with toddlers. It’s basically practicing all of the same safeguards we do while we’re in the house. Keeping our sanity is a different matter, though. All it takes is one ultra-bored moment, and tykes are in full-on meltdown. Feed Their Curiosity One of the best ways to occupy the kiddos is by going on a camping treasure hunt. When you’re on your walks with the little ones, keep them engaged by cataloging everything. Ask them to study everything from the bugs on the ground to the rocks to the leaves. Children are naturally curious, so engaging them in a game like this is a great way to keep them interested in the world around them. Fishing is also a great activity to do when camping with toddlers. Think about it. You’ve got everything from “EWW! Worms!” to “You got a fish!” to “I got one, too!”. It’s exciting and engaging, and it’s so much fun to watch the kids’ faces when they catch their very own fish. Here’s my biggest tip of all when you’re camping with toddlers. If all else fails, bring out the coloring books. Of course, we want our camping adventure to be all about getting the kids in touch with the world around them, but their attention spans are only so long. Colouring books are the ultimate toddler soother. Camping with Toddlers is Great Fun You just need to be prepared. It’s not as daunting as it sounds either. Just remember these few things: Practice common sense safety. Keep the kiddos engaged. Last but not least, never leave home without the colouring books. If you do that, your camping trip is sure to be a success. Have you ever camped with toddlers. or children younger than 6? How did you manage?

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