Summer is the most popular time for camping vacations, family and friends gather at campgrounds throughout the USA for vacation camping experience.  Family campgrounds are usually great places to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends.  Whether your camping vacation is at a campground by one of our great lakes, in the mountains or at a beach, vacation camping can be a rewarding time for all.

Campgrounds in America are located everywhere, small towns, big cities, no matter where you’re located, surely you don’t have to travel far to find a great family campground.

Camping vacations are low cost and loaded with outdoor activities.  Hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, canoes, paddleboats, even horseback riding can be found at some of American’s campgrounds.   Just decide on the acitivites best suited for your group and decide how far you want to travel to your camping destination and you’re sure to find a place that will offer what you’re looking for.

 If you have several days available for vacation camping, you might be interested in taking a journey that will allow a couple of days at several camping destinations.  This is a good way to take your sweet time on a journey, camping a few days here and there along the way, relaxing and exploring different camping destinations.  Many people are interested in seeing different parts of the world and camping is a way to do this at low cost.  If you enjoy camping and desire to see different places, maybe a multi destination camping vacation is the answer for you.

 If you decide to take a camping vacation which takes a few days in different areas, just be sure to travel light and be sure that your gear is easy to set up and take down. You don’t want to spend the time setting up and packing up.  With these kind of camping trips it is best to be sure you can set up rather quickly so your time can be spend enjoying the campgrounds.

Of course, if you’re traveling with an RV you don’t have the set up time and it is easier to visit many camping destinations at campgrounds anywhere you decide to travel.

However you decide to travel and wherever your journey takes you, do take a camping vacation sometime and enjoy the campgrounds in American or throughout the world.  You’ll find campgrounds from one place to another to be widely varied in amenities and activities as well as local attractions in the areas you may be.  Do your homework, do a little research and seek the best places for your camping vacation.

 Go Camping!

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RV Fire Safety
By Mark J. Polk

Did you know that there are close to 20,000 reported RV fires each year?

A large percentage of these fires are transmission related fires on motor homes. Automatic transmission fluid leaking from the transmission can ignite, and quickly spread if it contacts any portion of the exhaust system. Before traveling in your RV inspect the underside for any signs of fluid leaking. Have any potential leaks checked out and repaired immediately.

Over 25 percent of RV fires are caused by shortages in the 12-volt electrical system.

Not only do you need a fire extinguisher, you need to inspect it before each trip to make sure it is charged. Look to see if the arrow is pointing in the green area in the sight gauge. If it reads empty or needs charging replace it or have it recharged immediately.

Fire Extinguishers 101

If it’s a dry powder type fire extinguisher the arrow pointing in the green doesn’t always guarantee that it will work. Every month you should turn dry powder extinguishers upside down, tap on the bottom of the extinguisher and shake it. It should sound hollow, sort of like a drum. If not, continue tapping on it until it sounds hollow and the powder that settled in the bottom is released.

There are four different types, or classes of fire extinguishers, A, B, C, and D, and each type is for a specific type of fire.

• Class A extinguishers are used for fires caused by ordinary combustibles like paper and wood.
• Class B extinguishers are used for fires caused by flammable liquids like grease, gasoline and oil.
• Class C extinguishers are used for fires caused by electrical equipment.
• Class D extinguishers are used for fires on flammable metals and often they are specific for the type of metal it is.

Some fire extinguishers have multi class ratings like, AB, BC or ABC which means one fire extinguisher can be used to put out different types of fires.

The National Fire Protection Agency rules that RV’s must have a “BC” rated fire extinguisher near the exit. “BC” rated fire extinguishers are used for flammable liquids and gasses like grease, gasoline and oil, and for electrical fires.

Many RV fires that happen inside an RV are type A fires caused by common combustibles like paper, and they require a type A fire extinguisher to put them out. This is why, in my opinion you need more than one fire extinguisher for your RV.

It’s a good idea to keep a BC type fire extinguisher in an outside storage compartment where it is easily accessible. You should also keep a BC type fire extinguisher inside the RV and keep an A type fire extinguisher inside the RV.

If you tow a trailer keep a BC type fire extinguisher in the tow vehicle too.

Having these fire extinguishers available is a great idea but they are worthless if you and the other people traveling in the RV don’t know what type of fire they are used for and how to properly use them. Get everybody who will be in the RV together, and make sure they understand the different types of fire extinguishers you have and where they are located in the event of an emergency.

The old style labeling for fire extinguishers, to designate what type of fire they are used for was with the letter A, B, C or D. Newer style labeling for fire extinguishers includes a picture designating the type of fire it is used for. If it can be used for multiple types of fires it will show the pictures for the types of fires it can be used for and it will have a red diagonal line through the picture of what it cannot be used for.

Once everybody understands the different types of fire extinguishers the next step is to teach everybody how to properly use a fire extinguisher.

There are different types and sizes of fire extinguishers, but for the most part they all work the same way. Teach everybody to remember the word PASS. This is an easy way to remember how to use a fire extinguisher, especially during an emergency. PASS stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep.

• P — Pull the pin located at the top of the fire extinguisher.
• A — Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
• S — Squeeze the handle, standing approximately 8 feet away from the fire. Release the handle if you want it to stop.
• S — Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire until it is out. Observe the fire to make sure it does not re-ignite.

Emergency Escapes

Last but certainly not least you need to have an emergency escape plan. The National Fire Protection agency requires that RV’s have emergency escape windows. Make sure everybody knows where the escape window is located and how to use it. It’s a good idea to practice using it so you are familiar with how to get out of the RV in case of an emergency. You should have an escape plan for the front of the RV and the rear of the RV.

Most important, do not risk your personal safety, or the safety of others, attempting to put a fire out. The first step is to get everybody out of the RV and away from the fire safely. Have somebody call 911 for help, and if you can’t extinguish the fire within the first minute or so let the professionals put it out.

Happy Camping,

Mark

“Hey what are we doing this summer vacation?”"I’ve been thinking, our dollar doesn’t go too far and neither will our car with today’s gasoline prices”

“I know, lets go camping on the lake, the kids will love it!”

Camping trips with you family are the perfect way to spend a week or an entire summer. Fresh air, quiet walks, fishing, climbing, what’s your pleasure? If you are looking for vacation ideas or weekend getaways, look into tent camping. With so many state and national parks, there is sure to be a place near you waiting to be discovered. Tent camping is an experience you and your family won’t forget.

When looking for a tent for your camping trip, look to TentsandMoreonline.com. Here, on this all inclusive web site, you will find the perfect tent to suit your tent camping needs. Canvas tents are the most popular as they provide air circulation. Canvas tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose a design to fit your particular outdoor needs. Family tents are a popular option. While they are heavier and require 2 people to set up, family size tents are ideal for a comfortable, spacious extended camping trip. Some actually have multi-room facilities. Can’t find the tent right for you–customize. Find the exact camping tent you need on TentsandMoreonline.com.

Pop-up tents are lighter weight for easy portability but are quite sturdy. Pop-up tents set-up instantly and great for beach camping.

Or, maybe you are considering a tent-trailer. At TentsandMoreonline.com, you may be surprised at the variety of tent trailers available. Chose the right tent trailer for your vehicle size. Folding tent trailers are compact, easy to maneuver in campgrounds, easy to set up, and can accommodate up to eight people. What’s more, you will find they can have kitchens with refrigerators and stoves, dining spaces, and sleeping spaces. As well, many have showers and toilets.

Want to throw a really big party but spare your home? The answer is TentsandMoreonline.com. They have a large selection of party tents. One choice is the pole tent or canopy tent. This type offers shade and a 360 degree view. Another choice is the frame tent. Suitable for formal events, frame tents can include dance floors, chandeliers, fans, and air-conditioners or heaters.

New or used, rent or buy, TantsandMoreonline.com is the place to find the tent to begin your camping adventure.

With summer quickly approaching, many of us are beginning to make plans. However, the economy is declining and some may be wondering if they will be able to take a family vacation this year. This summer could be a great opportunity for you to take your family camping, to experience the great outdoors and spend quality time together.
As with all trips, you must plan ahead to go camping. Call and make a reservation at the campgrounds you will visit if you are going in the summer. If you are going at another time of the year a reservation may not be necessary. Ask what extra things they offer, such as fishing or swimming, and if they have any restrictions. If you are camping in an RV, you need to find out if they have accommodations available at night, because not all campgrounds offer them.
When camping, it’s very important that you pack everything you need. Here’s a brief list of essential items you shouldn’t leave home without, but can easily be overlooked. Number one, any prescription medicine and a written copy of that prescription, as well as a first aid kit. Insect repellant and sun screen can greatly improve the quality of your trip. If you will be doing any hiking or may stay in a remote place, take a flare gun with you. Also, take a cell phone with an extra battery and a radio. If you will be using sleeping bags, pack them in a waterproof bag. I would also recommend your backpack to be waterproof, as well as your matches.
To store your camping equipment, keep it in large bins. Write down on a piece of paper all that is in each bin and tape it to the bin. This will allow you to know where everything is, both when you are camping and at home. This eliminates a great deal of the preparation for your camping trip, because your camping things are always ready. You just need to pack your clothes, food and whatever other items you wish to take with you, grab your bins and you are ready to go.
Camping can be a lot of work, or it can be a chance for you to relax, experience nature and spend quality time with those you care most about. Consider a camping trip this summer, whether you take another vacation somewhere else or not.

About the Author

Gina Clark writes on travel and financial issues. Click here to learn additional vacation saving tips.

Twenty-five years ago weight-loss camp campers were mostly teenage girls who were at least 100 pounds or more overweight. The menu usually consisted of food such as beef liver, fish and alfalfa sprouts and the only form of exercise was running and doing sit-ups. The ultimate goal at these overnight summer camps is to lose as much weight as possible in as little time as possible. They were often considered special needs camps. There are also many teen and adult weight loss camps.Today things are a lot less extreme than they were in those days - approximately 39 percent of the campers are boys, the kids usually need to lose between 21 and 41 pounds, the menus offer a much broader range of food, and the exercise is a lot of fun, with activities that include fun sports like tennis and kayaking. The weight loss camps today emphasize very healthy lifestyles and long-lasting skills that the kids can take home with them and actually put into use.

To summarize, these so-called “fat camps” usually resemble regular overnight summer camps and just happen to specialize in teaching excellent decision-making techniques as they relates to food.

Now according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 16 percent or so of children from ages 6-19 are overweight or obese and this number that has tripled since 1981.

The number of overnight or sleepaway weight loss camps has remained about the same. There are about 16 to 20 of these camps out of 10,000 sleep away camps in the United States alone with some of these having offshoots in other locations. There are many other weight loss camps in other countries.

In most of the overnight summer camps the children will be between the ages of 7 and 12. This age group tends to be most successful because parents have more to say about the child’s eating and exercise habits. Usually bad eating habits are less instilled in the younger children.

All sleepaway fat loss camps work at building good habits, not just dealing out quick fixes. You will find these camps have classes on good nutrition, proper portion control, emotional eating, handling situations like pizza parties, birthday parties and ice cream parties.

You’ll find they teach by example. In the old days weight loss camps offered 1,250 to 1,350 calories each day. Today they’re more realistic, usually about 1,800 to 2,000 calories daily. On the menu along with healthier foods you’ll also find there are hamburgers, pita pizzas, baked potato chips and low-fat baked goods.

It’s long been a misconception that overnight weight loss camps don’t offer enough food and they overwork the kids. It’s actually the opposite. The right amount of food is served and they provide workouts for the kids at the right level. Campers never find they are hungry.

Changing the camper’s behavior is the key to sustaining weight loss. Many campers learn to cook, shop for groceries, order out at restaurants, and work with camp psychologists on managing stress, frustration tolerance, and identifying emotional eating.

Generally the campers want to be there. Years ago when their parents made them go they didn’t want to. Kids are happier that they’re making a change and develop confidence and independence as a result of the experience. They learn to make healthier choices also. Kids learn to feel better, breathe better, run faster and become more active as a result.

Some overnight weight loss camps can cost about $1,000 a week. Many of the camps offer scholarships and that’s worth exploring. Your health insurance may cover some of it because of the weight loss therapy. And some churches run free weight loss camps, but may be harder to find.

Choosing the right summer camp for your child may mean doing a lot of research and checking out reviews of weight loss camps. Talking to parents who have sent their kids to those camps would give you some idea as to the successful experience the child has had. Ask the director of the camp you’re considering if they will give you some names of previous campers’ parents so you can contact them. Cost may be a factor too. There is a wide range when it comes to cost and be sure to compare weight loss summer camp ratings online and offline. Check the public library for Consumer Reports magazine’s ratings.

Any overnight summer camp is great because it will force the child to have structured time in the summer and even traditional overnight camps focus on kid’s fitness and health, serve healthier food and encourage a lot of exercise. If you can’t find or afford a weight loss camp, you should choose a camp anyway even if it’s a special camp like arts or science that has some activity. The important thing is to keep overweight kids active in the summer.

by Helen Hecker

About the Author

For more information on choosing the best overnight summer camp or finding the best sleepaway or weight loss summer camp online and offline go to http://www.OvernightSummerCamp.biz a nurse’s website specializing in overnight summer camp tips, help, facts, free tuition resources, including information on overnight summer camp reviews

To Do Before Camping with a New Tent
Story and Photos Courtesy of the Fine Folks at Coleman

Just bought a new tent? make your first trip hassle free by following these handy tips:

• Set up the new tent at home first, to become familiar with it and avoid any problems that could arise at the campsite.
• Put airbeds, sleeping bags and other gear inside to make sure there is enough room for sleeping and storage.
• For extra protection, seam seal the tent’s interior before using it for the first time and at the beginning of each camping season.
• Purchase plastic sheeting or a tarp to place under the tent to protect the tent floor and prolong the life of the tent. It should be slightly smaller than the tent’s floor.
• Pack extra tent stakes and a mallet.

All of these preparations - as well as arriving before dark so there is time to locate a favorable campsite — including a level area for the tent - will contribute to a successful camping experience.

Specialty summer camp programs have continued to grow in popularity each of the past several years. In fact, they’re the fastest growing segment of the entire summer camp industry. A specialty camp generally focuses on one or more related camp activities (just beach and surfing activities, for example), versus a traditional summer camp which typically offers a more generalized activity program with activities such as arts & crafts, horseback riding, nature study, sports and games, archery, and dance and drama, among others.Specialty camps have historically appealed to “older” kids (generally 10 or 12) because their lifestyle interests begin to take shape and they become more interested in specialized fields of study or play as they grow. But in recent years specialty camps are seeing more enrollment from children as young as preschool age whose parents may want them exposed to more specific camp activities than they’d get at a traditional camp.

Like traditional camps, specialty camps offer day or resident/sleepaway camp experiences. (At day camps, children are generally brought to the camp each morning in a bus or van, spend their day at camp, and then returned home in the late afternoon. At resident camps, children “live” at the camp — typically in bunks, tents or cabins — for up to several weeks at a time during the summer.)

There seems to be no limit as to the types of specialty camps available. If your child is interested in a specific area of interest, you can be sure there’s a specialty camp designed for them. For example, a recent internet search revealed the following types of specialty camps:beach and surf camps, cooking camps, boating camps, camps for children with special needs, weight loss camps, boot camps, football camps, general sports camps, ski and snowboard camps, camps for children with cancer, baking camps, tennis camps, acting camps, academic camps, entrepreneurial camps, family camps and camps for twins, among others.

Where’s the best place to start your search for a specialty camp? We always suggest picking an American Camp Association (ACA) Accredited camp, regardless of the type of camp you choose. By choosing an accredited camp, you can be sure the camp meets or exceeds up to 300 best-practice industry standards relating to child safety and supervision, transportation, program and activity scheduling, food service, and more. The ACA maintains a free Website where you can search for a specialty camp among any criteria that’s important to you such as by type of camp, location, gender, price, and ages served.

Whether you’re looking for a beach and surf camp in Los Angeles or cooking camp in Wisconsin, you’ll find them all at acacamps.com. Good luck in your specialty camp search and have a great summer!

Copyright Eric D. Naftulin. All rights reserved.

by Eric D. Naftulin

About the Author

Eric. D Naftulin is the owner/director of Aloha Beach Camp, a Los Angeles, CA beach and surf specialty camp for kids and teens ages 5 to 15. Visit http://alohabeachcamp.com for more information about Mr. Naftulin and the camp.

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The Grand Canyon is known for its breathtaking scenery, attractive sightseeing and use of hiking trails. Travelers come from all over the world to camp at the Grand Canyon, seeking an unforgettable experience. An experience of a lifetime is, definitely, something you will receive with a Grand Canyon camping trip.Several aspects of the trip should be considered prior to leaving. Generally, it is important to learn everything you can about the Grand Canyon. Read some informative reviews online of other campers’ experiences, for instance. Or, get some travel books about the Grand Canyon. There is a lot of useful, informative information available today which you can take advantage of before arriving.

You should then decide if camping is really what you want to do. Campgrounds can be a great experience, but it isn’t for everyone. Think about everything camping entails and decide if you want the simple, outdoor living you get with camping or if you want nearby lodging. If you choose the latter, you can always visit the beautiful Grand Canyon during the day.

If camping is what you choose, you should be made aware of the weather in the area. The weather around the Grand Canyon is usually cooler near the bottom and extremely hot in the higher areas. Knowing this beforehand can help you gauge where you will want to spend your time.

If you adjust well to temperature changes, you will do fine with Grand Canyon camping. On the other hand, if you do not adjust well camping at the Grand Canyon may not be a good fit for you as far as vacationing and accommodations. However, if you tend to be okay with extreme cold or hot weather, Grand Canyon camping may be a great choice for you.

During your camping trip, you will see many beautiful sights and enjoy the sights and sounds of fascinating wildlife. With the abundance of hiking trails, breathtaking waterfalls, birds and wildlife, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience at the Grand Canyon.

Especially at night, you will hear many fascinating sounds from birds chirping to wildlife howling to rushing water from nearby lakes, streams and waterfalls. Some find these noises to be a disturbance, but either way you should prepare for a lot of activity and motion while staying at the Grand Canyon.

If this is your first trip to the Grand Canyon, you will soon realize that there is far too much to do and see in just a few short days. You may find that an annual camping trip to the Grand Canyon is a highlight of your year. You may want to pick up some information during your first trip so you can camp at a new campground or site each time you visit.

About the Author

Focusing on news and information about bavarian alps, he publishes especially for http://www.munich-to-vienna-via-salzburg.com . You might come across his work on alp mountains and bavarian alps at http://www.munich-to-vienna-via-salzburg.com .

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To Consider Before Buying a Tent
Story and Photos Courtesy of the Fine Folks at Coleman

Are you in the market for a new camping tent?

Wait!

Before you buy, consider all these factors to help you get the right tent for your needs:

• Number of people in the camping party.
• Length of the camping trip and time spent inside the tent.
• Amount and size of gear, including items such as cots, airbeds and backpacks
• Distance to campsite where tent will have to be carried.
• Sleeping space desired per person.
• Headroom needed inside tent.
• Terrain, climate and expected temperatures.

Knowing these things will help with selecting a tent with the appropriate square footage, ceiling height, weight, fly coverage and more. Knowing what is needed or desired will ensure that the tent meets minimum requirements while also preventing “overbuying” or spending more for a tent than is necessary.

We have our own little taste of the Caribbean here in Florida known as the Florida Keys. The Keys stretch over 110 miles from Key Largo, considered the first ‘Key’, down to Key West. The gateway to the Keys is Key Largo, it is only an hours drive from the two major airports in South Florida and is considered by the locals to be the “diving capital of the World”. While that may be a little biased, Key Largo is known as both an excellent place to dive and also to go Sport Fishing.Islamorada is actually made up of six different islands and is also a great place to dive and go sportfishing. While you’re there be sure to check out the newly opened History of Diving Museum or the Theater of the Sea Aquarium where you can swim with dolphins and other sea creatures.

Next is Marathon, the midpoint of the Keys, it is a ten mile long city and called ” the heart of the Keys” by the locals, it’s also where you’ll find one of the only two airports in the Keys, the other is in Key West. Just a few miles offshore here is North America’s only living coral reef, so again fill up those diving tanks and have some fun.

Big Pine Key is the start of the “Lower Keys” and home of the endangered and adorable Key Deer. The Lower Keys are known for their many RV Parks, campgrounds, licensed vacation homes and smaller quaint resorts. Bahia Honda State Park and Recreation Area is here too, stop in and enjoy the wildlife or relax on their white sand beach.

A mere 90 miles from Cuba lies Key West, the Southern most point in the U.S.. Lummas Beach is one of the best beaches in Florida much less the Keys. You can snorkel, sail, and fish here, and that’s only a beginning. Land lovers can shop until they drop, then watch the sunset at Mallory Square and party all night on Duval Street.

With no shortage of restaurants and cafes, Key West offers plentiful options for indoor or outdoor dining. The bars on Duval Street in Key West are as famous as Bourbon street in New Orleans there is even a term they use when you’ve partied a little to much and are stumbling into a cab it’s called the ‘Duval Crawl’. If you end up doing it you’re in good company Ernest Hemingway was a regular at Sloppy Joe’s and his picture is up on the wall there. You can also go to Captain Tony’s, yes the one referred to in Jimmy Buffet’s song. Other popular watering holes include the Hog’s Breath Saloon, Crabby Dick’s and a host of other places to wet your whistle. Key West is definitely the perfect place to play all day and party all night.

So, can you feel it? You get to Key Largo and you start to relax, Islamorada comes along and you freely trade your blackberry and briefcase for some sunglasses and flip flops. You find yourself in Marathon yearning for a leafy tropical shirt and a fruity frozen drink. Big Pine Key makes you want to pitch a tent to stay forever and by the time you cross seven mile bridge to Key West the transformation is complete. With so many things to do in Key West, the Florida Keys have worked their magic once again and like one of the many game fish caught offshore, now you’re hooked.

by Kirby Collins

About the Author

PlacesAroundFlorida.com is a Florida Travel web site. Find out more about Key West and the Florida Keys.