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A Dog's Eye-view camping at the beach
Nothing smells as good as our RV. It has just the right blend of hot dogs, sunshine, Joey's sleeping bad, and the M&Ms he dropped behind the seat last summer. For days this week, I helped Mom pack the RV's galley, supervising while she stowed away towels, cereal, silverware, andómost important of allómy dog food. I also helped Dad examine the engine, making serious-sounding thinking noises while he topped off fluids and tested the lights. I tried to help him with washing it, too. When the hose attacked the RV, I attacked the hose, and that was when Dad decided that I should go inside to help Joey pack.
It took an eternity for everyone to get ready. Why does it take them so long, I wondered, when I'm ready to go at any second, day or night? I'll never get it. But Dad's the driver, so I waited for him to tell me I could get in the RV before I let my tail fly with happiness. Joey said, "Buster's so excited, his tail's about to fly right off his butt!" And it was true.
I got in my spot between Mom and Dad on the floor, where I'm close enough to check on Joey, to see if he's bored during the drive. Sometimes we stop, and then it's my job to pop up and see what's going on. If we're at a tollbooth, or a gate, or especially a DRIVE THRU WINDOW, it's my job to show the person on the outside that my family is brilliant enough to have a dog traveling with them. A dog who likes double cheeseburgers. It brings the family respect and, hey, I'm happy to do my part. Especially since the time I got that doggie ice-cream cone at Dairy Queen.
This trip didn't involve many stops at windows, not until the very end when Dad rolled down his window to pass some papers back and forth with a woman in a little house. That was when I caught it - a rich flavor in the air. It was sharp and hot-smelling with hints of popcorn and wind and a great big mystery. The smell made me tingle all over, like the time Mom made barbecued shrimp, and before I knew it Joey was saying, "shh, boy, and that was how I knew I was whining. I couldn't wait to see what that smell was all about.
We pulled into a campsite, and Mom and Dad got busy making dinner. I thought Joey might get distracted too, so I pawed at the door to remind him what was important GOING OUT. Sometimes he needs me to help him with this stuff. He got it pretty quickly. "I'll take Buster down to the beach,î he said, hooking me onto my leash. He opened the door, and I pulled him down the steps, into the world.
I love campsites, and usually marking them is one of my favorite things, but this time I felt like there was something else, something more, waiting for us. I pulled Joey along, following my nose. He said, "This way, boy. We have to follow the trail.
Sure, sure, the trail, whatever. But Joey was right. Not thirty feet down that trail I hit a double jackpot. First, I caught the smell of another dog who'd just been by that exact same spot. Another dog! He smelled like a male, like me, and about my age. I left my mark there, too, for his benefit. Then Joey started whooping and racing off, galloping across piles of sand. I ran after him, barking, and had my first experience of THE BEACH. This was where the smells were coming from! Thousands of smells filled this place - crabs, clams, water, sunscreen, swimsuits, driftwood, barnacles.
Joey and I raced in and out of the waves, kicking up water as we tore down the beach. I was having the time of my lifeóonly dinner could pull me away. That and a promise from Joey that we'd be back at first light the next morning.
The next day brought even more surprises. Not only did we all go back to the beach, but Mom brought a huge basket that turned out to be full of toys. She and Dad spread out towels on the sand while Joey and I played Frisbee for about a million hours. I leaped and darted and twirled like a Frisbee god, and was always very careful to bring it back to Joey. Until, that is, I caught the scent of that dog again. He'd just been there, I was sure of it. But where was he now?
Joey caught my attention again by pulling out a new toy that he called a "boogie board." It was like a huge Frisbee. Joey took it into the water and skidded into shore on top of it, riding a wave. That called for some barking, of course. We spent all the time until lunch sliding and barking and splashing in the waves. Joey really knows how to have a good time..
At lunch I got a piece of egg salad sandwich that fell in the sand and a big drink of water out of the bowl Mom showed me. Then Joey and I took a rest under the beach umbrella. I got bored after a while and dug a hole in the sand, but Mom made me stop when I kicked too much sand on the towel. So I trotted off a little bit, to smell some more things and there, coming toward me down the sand, was The Dog. It was him, I was sure of it. I ran up to say hello, and sure enough, he smelled the same! Our tails wagged like crazy. He was black and white, not brown like me, and his man called him "Zeke.î
Before long, Zeke and I were racing along the sand. We sped in and out of the waves, running back and forth between Joey and Zeke's man. I barked, Zeke barked. Joey laughed and laughed. Then we all wound up in a big heap, half in, half out of the water. I've never had so much fun in my life.Looking for more information and other great articles about camping with pets? Visit PetCamping.com
- Category: Fur Kids
Poison to Your Pup - Human Food That's Bad for Dogs
It's hard to resist a wagging tail and a pair of big, brown, begging eyes. And while certain human foods are palatable for dogs, it's important to know which are not, because unfortunately, the bad ones can severely harm and even kill your dog. The following list of bad foods and their dangers may seem dire, but if you familiarize yourself with these harmful human foods, you'll be better equipped to keep your dog healthy and happy.
Enemy #1: poultry bones. Bones and dogs go hand-in-hand, so it can be easy to forget that only the bones from hoofed animals are right for dogs. Poultry bones - everything from chicken thighs to turkey drumsticks - splinter and can puncture your dog's gastrointestinal tract. These bones are dangerous to dogs of all sizes, and the decline and death that results can take several days. Instead of giving your dog bones from the table, buy specially marked dog bones at the store.
Enemy #2: chocolate. The general rule of thumb with chocolate is that the darker it is, the more dangerous it is. You also need to take into account the size of your dog and the amount of chocolate eaten. A small dog who eats a bar of baking chocolate (very dark chocolate) may be in serious trouble, call your veterinarian immediately in this case. On the other hand, if your 100-pound dog eats one milk-chocolate candy, it will probably be fine.
Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that's toxic to dogs. Combined with chocolate's caffeine, which speeds up the heart rate, this human delicacy can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures, and coma. Also, because dogs process chocolate more slowly than humans, your pup may seem fine after eating the bar, but could still become very ill over the course of the next twenty-four hours. Cocoa powder is also very dangerous. Milk chocolate and white chocolate, which contain less cacao, are less dangerous.
Enemy #3: onions. For you, onions are foods that spice up nearly any dish, but for your dog, they're deadly. Onion poisoning develops symptoms slowly. It can be caused by one large dose of onions or a small amount eaten steadily over the course of several days. All onions are dangerous -- fresh onions, dried onions, cooked onions, and even onions on pizza.
Onions (and garlic, to a lesser extent) contain a toxin that causes haemolytic anaemia, in which the dog's red blood cells burst while they're circulating through its body. Initial symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, followed by lethargy, dark urine, and trouble breathing. The full affect of the poisoning won't be felt until a few days after the dog consumes the onions. Again, both the size of the dog and the amount of onion eaten are important factors.
Enemy #4: fatty foods. A neighbor hosted a wedding at his home recently and was puzzled to find that his dog was weak and restless afterward. The veterinarian diagnosed pancreatitis caused by wedding guests giving the dog fatty treats. This dog had to spend a night in the animal hospital, receiving fluids to help her inflamed pancreas. Pancreatitis ñ and its sister condition gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach, can be caused by fatty foods of all types, whether they come from the table or from a garbage can. Both often require hospitalization.
Enemy #5: macadamia nuts. We think of them as tasty Hawaiian treats, but these nuts contain a toxic substance that causes paralysis, tremors, swollen limbs, and horrible joint pain.
Other dangerous human foods:
Raisins and grapes - can cause severe diarrhea and acute kidney failure.
Bread Dough (with yeast) the yeast continues to "rise" or expand within the dog's belly. This can be fatal in both dogs and cats.
Moldy Food - this can cause an array of nasty reactions including seizures, coma, and death. Even in very small amounts, it easily causes diarrhea, which isn't pleasant for anyone.Looking for more information and other great articles about camping with pets? Visit PetCamping.com
- Category: Fur Kids
Handling Pet Emergencies on the Road
You would never dream of hitting the road unprepared for emergencies. You have your personal protection ñ your wallet, health insurance, auto insurance, cell phone, roadside assistance. And you probably carry emergency car equipment like extra water, a jack and spare tire, tool kit, and snow chains. So why wouldn't you take the same care for your pet?
If you have a problem on the road, you'll need to take care of more than just yourself and your car. Your pet will need consideration, too. And because emergencies are times of high stress, it's always wise to prepare for every situation in advance, so you can act quickly when the problem moment arises.
Pack a "doggie" bag
First, consider what you'll need if you and your pet have to leave your vehicle for a night or a few days. You might put together a small duffle bag that contains your pet's food, medications, a spare leash and collar, a food and water bowl, plastic bags, and a copy of your veterinarian's card or contact information. Include a copy of your pet's latest vaccination records ñ you may need to present this at a hotel or campground. Familiar items like a toy, blanket, or favorite treat can help your pet feel at home in new surroundings. And if your dog gets chilled easily, be sure to have a doggie sweater or jacket handy.
Fill Fido's First Aide Kit
Make some pet-related additions to your RV or car first-aid kit. For your pet, include a 50-foot rope, a can opener, leash, blood stopper, solar blanket, drinking water pouches, plastic bags, and extra food. Your veterinarian can suggest equipment like bandage tape, scissors, cotton bandage rolls, ointment, alcohol, saline, and a good pet first-aid reference book. You may also want to carry spare flea and tick medication. And you'll certainly want copies of all medical records and extra medication, if your pet takes any. If possible, keep a pet carrier in your vehicle. Small pets can use soft-sided, collapsible carriers that are easy to store.
Plan ahead
Be sure your pet always wears a collar with identification tags and (for dogs) a rabies tag. If you're traveling and don't have a permanent address, you might put your cell-phone number on the tag, and perhaps the address of a trusted friend who knows how to contact you in an emergency. Your veterinarian may also be willing to act as your pet's emergency "home base.î Every few months, it's smart to take pictures of your pets with you. This will not only help in the event that your pet gets lost and you need to post pictures, but it also provides proof of ownership in case the two of you become separated. And microchipping is an excellent back-up measure, since this form of identification works even if your pet loses its collar and tags.
Work out "what if" scenarios
Fourth, consider a variety of possibilities. Imagine some situations you and your pet might be in. A flat tire in the mountains? Out of gas in the desert? Broken down on the highway? Think through what you would do in these circumstances and what would be best for your pet. Then you can take steps to prepare in advance, so you'll be ready just in case.
Harness the power of your mobile phone
Your mobile phone can do amazing things these days. Get connected to the town vet if you have a pet medical emergency by dialing 411 for the nearest population center. Most phones now allow you connect to the internet making it easy to get directions to pet hospitals, pet supply stores, and locate hotels and campgrounds that take pets. Another nifty way to harness the power of your mobile phone is to outfit Fido with a collar or backpack with a GPS tracking device, that way if you are separated from your pet you will be able to track his location. Plus coming soon a pet cell phone collar.
Enjoy the special moments
Traveling together is a great joy for people and pets. With a little advance planning you can handle most emergencies that occur on the road.Looking for more information and other great articles about camping with pets? Visit PetCamping.com
- Category: Fur Kids
Grooming Tips
Keeping your pet's coat clean and mat-free is an important part of dog ownership, and a gift that you can give to your furry friend. Many dogs and cats love being brushed, in part because they seem to realize that this process is good for their health. In addition, the grooming period is a great time to give your pet an overall health check, looking for irritated skin patches, painful spots, lumps, or other problem spots. And last but not least, grooming is a fabulous way to bond with your pet and express your tender loving care.
BRUSHING AND COMBING
Before you begin brushing your dog, make sure you're using the right kind of brush. Brushes come in three basic types: the bristle brush, the wire pin brush, and the slicker brush. Bristle brushes are appropriate for all breeds of dogs, but they vary greatly in terms of bristle length and spacing. Depending on your dog's coat type, you may need a softer or firmer brush. Check the notes on the brush packaging or ask your vet, groomer, or local pet-store owner for suggestions.
Once you have the right brush, you're ready to begin combing. The most important thing at this point is to take your time and enjoy the process. Most dogs love being brushed, since the brush massages their skin. Let this be a gentle bonding time with your dog, rather than a hurried, rough experience. If you pull too hard, ripping through snags, your dog will quickly learn to associate the brush with pain and won't want to sit for brushing. If you're gentle, on the other hand, your dog will want to be brushed as often as you're willing to do it.
When you encounter snags, try holding the snarled lump of hair tight with one hand while you comb it with the other, to keep the brush from pulling on your dog's skin. You might also work from the bottom of the snag upward, making slow headway through the snarl. Be sure to comb out the problem areas: behind the ears, around the collar, near the tail, between the back legs, and underneath the front legs. Unless your vet or groomer has instructed otherwise, always brush with the coat's grain. If your pet has long hair, long strokes work best; short strokes are better for shorter-haired dogs.
BATHING
Bathing is best done after brushing -- this helps the shampoo work better and it also keeps down the amount of wet hair. You can bathe your dog outside or indoors, in a bathtub, large sink, laundry tub, or portable pet tub. If you bathe your dog outside, be sure not to use cold water from the hose ñ the water should be lukewarm, both for the dog's comfort and to help the shampoo do its best work. Do not use human shampoo on your dog; use a dog shampoo
Get your dog thoroughly wet all over, taking care not to wet the eyes or ears. Apply the shampoo from neck to tail, working it gently down to the skin. Rinse and decide whether you need to shampoo a second time. Be sure to rinse well, washing the shampoo off the armpits, from between the legs, and from between the toes. For short-haired dogs, use a towel to rub your dog dry (many dogs love being dried with a towel). Long-haired dogs should be combed to avoid tangles (and not toweled dry). Be sure to keep your dog warm while the hair is drying, and don't let it outside until its coat is completely dry.Looking for more information and other great articles about camping with pets? Visit PetCamping.com
- Category: Fur Kids
Winter Family Fun
If your family has too much energy to be pent up indoors, then why not head out? There's no reason to let a little cold slow you down, especially with all the fun there is to be had outside in the winter. You'll keep your crew happy and busy building snow forts, crafting snowmen, and sliding down snow-covered hills. You might even try something new this year, like snow shoeing or snow painting. Don't miss the fun of a winter wonderland!
Experts agree that people who live in northern latitudes suffer from a lack of sunlight during the winter. With winter's short days and long periods of darkness, it's easy to go all day without stepping out into natural light. This lack of sunlight can lead to depression and lethargy that often culminates in seasonal affective disorder. However, the solution is easy to find! Just by spending half an hour outside every day, people dramatically cut their chances of being depressed in the winter. And since it's such a great way for families to blow off steam and burn some excess energy, winter activities are a natural fit for parents and kids.
Things To Do
There are plenty of old-fashioned winter activities that your family probably does already. Tubing and sledding are classic fun activities, as are snowball fights, building snowmen, and creating snow angels. But has your family ever constructed a snow fort? These can be simple or elaborate. In their simplest form, a snow fort is a wall of snow (that ideally blocks the prevailing wind). After the wall is built, the family can sit behind it and feel nice and snug.
A more complicated snow fort can be a cave, a box (four walls), or a wedge-shaped shield that's the perfect defense during a snowball fight. If you have a brick form, you can even try making igloo blocks and building your own snow hut. Just make sure you pack the snow well into the forms, or the block will crumble apart.
Cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and ice skating are also great family activities. If you have the gear, you can spend days exploring local trails, noting how different even familiar landmarks look when they're covered in snow. If your area is cold enough, your crew can go ice skating on local ponds or lakes. Just make sure the ice is 3-4 inches thick before you venture out.
Try Something New
Maybe this year your family will be ready to take up snow shoeing. Snow shoeing is fun and easy, and it's a great way to travel across the snow without worrying about sinking in to your waist. However, because of the wide stance it requires, snow shoeing can be tricky for smaller kids with short legs. If you want to try snow shoeing with little ones, be sure to find snow shoes that are the right size and that are made of light-weight aluminum. Adult snow shoes are more or less one-size-fits-all.
Snow painting is a fun family project. Take a few water bottles with squirt tops and fill them with a mixture of water and food coloring. Ideally you'll have a different color in each bottle. Then head out into the snow and use your imagination to make some fun pictures.
Make a snow sculpture. If your family is tired of the standard snowmen, then it's time to branch out into snow sculpting. You've probably seen some of the amazing sculptures that are built for winter carnivals and festivals around the country, so why not try replicating them in your own front yard? The key is to start small with a project that isn't too ambitious. Build a big mound of snow that's well packed-down. Then use spoons, ice scrapers, and small snow shovels to scrape away what you don't want. While you're building your small sculpture, you'll learn tricks that will serve you well if you go on to build something bigger and more dramatic.
Making your own snow cones is another fun winter activity. All you need is a bowl, some clean snow, and maple syrup or some other flavored syrup. If you want to use vanilla extract or another baking flavoring, be sure to dilute it with water first and dissolve in some sugar. Drizzle your syrup over the snow and take a bite!
- Category: Camp Kids
Campfire Safety
If a fire gets out of control, it can be dangerous both for people and for wild animals. With these easy tips from Smokey the Bear, you can make sure that never happens!
Use a Campfire Pit
If your campground has a fire pit, be sure to build your fire there. If there isn't one, pick an area that isn't under any tree branches and dig a small pit. Make sure there aren't any twigs, branches, or grasses nearby that could catch fire. The ground should be clear down to the dirt for five feet all the way around your pit.
Your campground fire pit might have stones circling it or a metal ring. That's the best kind!
Keep a Fire Bucket and Shovel Nearby
Whenever you build a campfire, you should have a pail of water and a shovel nearby. The water is to put on the fire to put out the flames. The shovel is to scoop up dirt to throw on the fire, in case it gets out of control. In kindness to the little animals living in your campground, place a stick in the water bucket, so any critter that falls in can climb back out again.
Keep Extra Wood Far Away
Your woodpile should be at least five feet away from the fire, and upwind.
Put Your Match in the Fire
After lighting your fire, put the match in it. Never toss away a match that's still hot or warm.
Never Leave a Fire Unattended
This is the most important rule of all. Never leave your fire unwatched, even for a minute. If everyone else has to go to the bathroom, have one person stay with the fire and wait until the others are back.
When it's time for bed, use the bucket and shovel to put your fire out with water and dirt. Make sure it's all the way out before you turn in for the night. It's better to put a lot of water on than not enough. Your fire pit will have all night to dry out and be ready for the next day's campfire.
- Category: Camp Kids
Wildlife Watching Tips
Nothing's more exciting than spotting a wild animal when you're out in the wilderness. No matter how big or small the animal is, it's fun to watch it living its life‚ hunting for food, building its home, or exploring its territory. If you're patient and observant, you can catch wild animals doing some fascinating things. You might see chipmunks chase each other up and down trees, watch rabbits eating, or see a deer strolling through a field. These tips will help you have a great wildlife-watching experience.
Most wildlife encounters end because the animals scurries away. That almost always happens because it's spotted you and is afraid of what you might do. If you want to animal to stay, so you can watch it longer, you'll need to do two things: keep very quiet, and don't get too close. How close is too close, you ask? If you see the animal looking at you or adjusting its behavior because of you, then you're too close. Take very slow steps backward and you just might convince the animal that it's safe enough to stay.
Strange as it sounds, most animals of the world assume that you're a hunter who wants to eat them. If you want to see animals in the wild, it's your job to convince the animals that you're safe to be around. Quick movements seem dangerous to animals, so hold very still‚ it's handy to pretend that you're a rock. If you have to move, to scratch your nose for instance, move your hand very slowly.
Quiet is very important to wild animals. In the animal world, everything is either a hunter or prey. If it's a prey animal‚Äîan animal that gets eaten by other animals‚Äîthen it has to stay quiet to keep from being heard and caught. If it's a hunting animal, it needs to keep quiet so it can sneak up on its prey. In other words, nothing in the animal world is noisy. Being noisy would ruin its chances of finding a good meal or living another day, so of course animals are quiet! (Birds, which are less likely to be caught, can risk singing loudly. Especially when singing comes with another benefit‚ attracting a female bird.)
If you want to see animals, it's important that you be quiet, too. Animals will never come near somebody who's shouting or singing or laughing loudly. To them, that sounds like trouble. If you're having a hard time spotting any animals, try sitting down in one place and seeing how long you can keep quiet. Odds are that, before you're done, you'll have spotted a wild creature of some kind.
Animals are most active in the early morning and at dusk. If you want to see wildlife, you need to be out at that time of day, too. Compromise on this with your family. If they don't want to get up early, see if you can take a walk at dusk. If dusk is when your family's busy making dinner, ask if an early-morning hike is something everyone would enjoy.
Of course, some wild animals can be very dangerous‚ too dangerous to watch unless you're in a zoo or special wildlife sanctuary. Bears, alligators, moose, bison, wolves, and all types of wild cats (lynx, bobcat, mountain lion, jaguars) are all animals you should only watch when there are grown-ups with you. If you're out on your own and you see one of these animals, leave right away and go tell a grown up. There are safe ways to watch these animals, so if you're really desperate to see one, tell your parents and they can help you see a bear or a wolf in a safe place, where nothing bad can happen.
In the springtime, you might come across baby animals and bird that look like they've been abandoned. It's very important that you leave these babies alone. Wild animals are excellent parents who know what they're doing‚ they might be hiding nearby, waiting for you to go away so they can return and take care of their babies. Other parents hide their babies on purpose. Deer fawns, for instance, spend every day sitting very quietly, waiting for their mothers return in the evening. Sometimes baby birds that are learning to fly fall out of the nest and land on the ground. If you find a bird like this, don't worry! The parents will keep feeding the baby until it learns to fly.
- Category: Camp Kids
Home Schooling on the Road
One of the benefits of homeschooling is the way you can take the classroom with you wherever you go. Because the teaching parent is always plugged in to what their kids are learning, school can keep on going at the museum, or on the trail, or even on the highway. Whether it's history, geology, biology, or learning to read maps, a homeschooled family can get real-world experience using and practicing these skills.
Life in the RV gives you a natural blend of hands-on experience and book learning. When you're traveling the country, you can bring history to life in museums and on battlefields, explore nature at wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, and tour great works of art at the nation's great galleries. Your curriculum can be arranged in a unique way, possibly by region. Imagine studying the Louisiana Purchase by actually seeing what President Jefferson bought! From the Revolutionary and Civil Wars to the California and Alaskan Gold Rushes, you'll give your kids a first-hand look at the events that changed our nation.
Spacial Geometry
Of course, RV homeschooling has its challenges. Space is a major consideration, both in terms of space for schoolwork and space for text book storage. As a result, a number of parents have discovered the incredible array of curriculum materials available online. With a computer and wi-fi access, you can tap into a program like Switched-On Schoolhouse, view CD-ROMS, and possibly even connect to the charter school program back in your hometown.
Keeping a Schedule
One of the most important things to create when you're homeschooling on the road is a steady schedule. Because you'll probably spend some days driving and others sitting in one place, your schedule will have to be flexible, of course. But as much as you can, establish a daily timeframe with morning classes and afternoon free time.
On traveling days, see if you can work learning into the drive. You might ask your child to read out loud to you for short spans of time, such as one chapter every hour. Ask older children to be in charge of the map and quiz them by asking the name of mountain ranges and rivers. Have them calculate distances and estimate a time of arrival based on your rate of travel. Older kids can also figure out your gas mileage and do informal tests to see if highways with different speed limits yield different results. Don't forget about books on tape and informative radio shows. And be creative!
Learning Through Living
When you arrive at your destination, set a schedule that lets your kids explore the historic sites, parks, museums, and galleries on a comfortable time frame. If you can, check the attraction's website to see if there are quizzes or scavenger hunts your kids can do while they're there. And be sure to plan for downtime and the chance for your kids to follow their own interests.
Be sure to follow good hiking ethics when you’re out. Always stay on the trail, and don’t take anything away with you—no flowers, rocks, or sticks. Don’t let your child run on the trail or shout, since this would disturb other hikers and wildlife. And most important of all, no littering. Pack out all of your trash, and your child will learn from your good example.
Ideally, let your child set a part of the schedule. For instance, if you decide the Museum of Natural History and Industry should be on Friday's menu, you might let your child pick what happens Thursday afternoon. If you're worried that they'll pick something non-educational, just give them a list of five or six things to choose from. They might surprise you!
Looking for more information and other great articles about camping with kids? KidsCamping.com has a wide variety of articles, activities, games and learning tools to inspire kids of all ages to love camping and the outdoors
- Category: Camp Kids
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Hit the Road and Camp America!
Hit the Road -
Camp America!
Ready to answer the call of the open road? Then you've come to the right place. Here you'll find great ideas for finding the best camping and RVing road trips. We'll show you which routes to take, which exits have a "don't miss attraction and profile great campgrounds along the way. So grab your gear, pack the car or the RV and get ready to hit the road.
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Camp Cuisine
Camp Cuisine - Camping Recipes
Inspire your inner camp chef with recipes for camping trips. It doesn’t matter if it’s shared around a campfire, cooked in your RV's gourmet kitchen, or take-out from the local deli, food just tastes better on a camping vacation!
Find and share more great camping recipes at CampingCafe.com -
Road Trip
RV Road Trips
Join Steve and Sally as they pack their bags and hit the open road to live their camping dreams. They’ve chosen their top 100 camping destinations and have set out to make their camping dreams a reality. Come along as they camp across the country. Share the journey.
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Hot Spots
Camping Hot SpotsFind great places to camp and gain insights into activities to make the most of the top camping hot spots. Get the scoop on where to go next. Discover destinations that offer unique opportunities for you to experience the great outdoors through recreation activities, wildlife viewing, and unforgettable vistas.
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Camping Gems
Camping GemsFind those fun and funky “special” places across the country. Hit the road and discover all the odd roadside attractions that make getting there more than half the fun. Road tripping gives you an excuse to search out hidden gems along your route. Look inside for suggested trips and inspiration to plan your own camping gem journey.
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Fur Kids
Fur Kids - Camping with Pets
Hiking the Appalachian Trail with your mastiff, Max, or RV'ing across the country with your poodle, Polly - we all love our pets and want to find ways to share our passion for camping with them. We'll share stories of camping pets and tips for keeping your pets safe, comfortable, and happy - on the road and in the outdoors.
Find more great information about camping and RVing with pets at PetCamping.com
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Sport Spotlight
Outdoor Sport SpotlightWild or mild outdoor sports and recreation are a passion of the camping.com editors. Here we profile different sports and outdoor recreation activities. We'll give you tips on getting started, tell you about the great places for outdoor sports and show you what gear you need to be comfortable in all conditions. So whether you're a seasoned outdoor sports enthusiast or a enthusiastic beginner we have tips and advice to make the most of your outdoor recreation passion.
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Camp Kids
Camp KidsCamping with kids can be very rewarding. Find ideas about teaching children to love and respect the outdoors and camping. Find ways to keep the kids busy on the way to cam, plus games and other fun ideas to keep kids stimulated and engaged while at camp. Keep kids safe outdoors and teach them wilderness skills.
Find more great ideas for camping with kids of all ages. Visit KidsCamping.com -
New To Do
New To Do
Try something different. As the saying goes, Ïf you're not learning you're not living. Get out there and try something new! Never been fond of mud season? Learn to love it! Never took the time to learn your constellations? Well, now is the time! Get ideas for expanding your camping horizons.
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Camping Gear
Checklist:
You can never be too prepared for your camping trip. Look through and use our checklists to ensure that you have a safe and happy camping vacation! You never know what you might forget - that tool that you needed, or the proper gear to go on the most beautiful hike of your life - be prepared by planning ahead!
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Camp Styles
Camp Styles
Every camper has his or her own style. For some, the perfect camping trip means strapping on a backpack and heading for the backcountry. For others, it’s a way to spend time with family and friends in a natural surrounding away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. For others, it is a way of life – camping full time in an RV. Many people camp to be close to recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, water sports, and ATVing. Find your camp style.
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Fitness Forum
Fitness Forum
Get in shape for your camping adventure. Whether your camping vacation involves a wilderness hike, a month on the road in your RV, or just a family camping road trip, get fitness advice to get and stay in shape. Being fit and healthy makes camping and outdoor activities more enjoyable. Get tips for making fitness fun.
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Gear Guides
Camping Gear Guides
Confused about wicking? Baffled by sleeping bag ratings? We’ll help you wade through the techno speak of high performance camping and outdoor gear. Having the perfect camp clothes makes camping and participating in outdoor sports fun and comfortable no matter what Mother Nature dishes out.
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Snap Shots
Snap Shots - Outdoor Photography Tips
Find tips for taking great camping and travel photos. Capture your precious camping memories and learn to take perfect family portraits, amazing wildlife photos, and awesome landscape pictures. You'll be transported back to your favorite camping trip ever time you share your photos.
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