Big Mac Bushcraft

Summary: Planning a summer camping trip with teenagers can be challenging but rewarding. This guide offers practical tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for both parents and teens. From selecting the right location to engaging activities and tech-free time, learn how to make your next outdoor adventure a success.

Choosing the Ideal Campsite

Selecting the right location is crucial for a successful camping trip with teens. Countries like France and Italy offer diverse camping options that cater to different interests. Whether your family prefers a beachside retreat or an activity-packed site, it's important to involve your teens in the decision-making process. This not only increases their interest but also ensures that the activities available are to everyone's liking. Tips for Picking the Perfect Spot: Activity Options: Look for campsites that offer a variety of activities. This could include water sports, hiking trails, or cycling paths. Accessibility: Choose a location that is easy to reach to avoid long, stressful travels. Good transport links are a bonus. Amenities: Ensure the campsite has essential facilities like showers, toilets, and possibly a store or café.

  Making the Campsite Fun

Transforming your campsite into a cozy and inviting space can significantly enhance the camping experience. Designate a communal area for everyone to gather, eat, and play games. Simple additions like fairy lights, comfortable seating, and a central fire pit can make a big difference. Creating a Comfortable Campsite: Lighting: String up some LED fairy lights to create a warm ambiance. Seating: Bring foldable chairs or inflatable sofas for comfortable seating. Central Fire Pit: If allowed, set up a fire pit for evening gatherings and cooking.

Engaging in Outdoor Activities

  Keeping teens engaged with outdoor activities can be the highlight of the trip. Utilize the natural surroundings and the facilities provided by the campsite to organize games and explorations. Activity Ideas: Sports: Bring equipment for soccer, frisbee, or volleyball. Nature Hunts: Organize a scavenger hunt to explore the local flora and fauna. Water Activities: If near water, consider kayaking, paddleboarding, or swimming.

Unplugging from Technology

Encouraging a tech-free environment helps everyone connect with nature and each other. Set specific times when gadgets are allowed and try to keep the focus on outdoor activities and interpersonal interactions. Benefits of Unplugging: Improved Relationships: More face-to-face interaction can strengthen family bonds. Increased Relaxation: Less screen time reduces stress and improves mental health. Enhanced Creativity: Teens often become more creative when they disconnect from technology.

Packing Essentials

Proper preparation is key to a stress-free camping trip. Pack strategically to cover all bases from basic hygiene to entertainment. Must-Have Items: Basic Supplies: Include sunscreen, insect repellent, first aid kit, and toiletries. Entertainment: Pack items like playing cards, musical instruments, and books. Cooking Gear: Bring necessary cooking equipment and a cooler for food storage.

The Benefits of Bringing a Friend

Consider allowing your teen to bring a friend. This can enhance their enjoyment and give you some breathing room. Ensure the friend is a positive influence and compatible with family plans.

Conclusion

A well-planned camping trip with teens can be a delightful experience. By involving them in the planning process, creating a comfortable campsite, and balancing activities with downtime, you can create lasting memories. Remember, the key is flexibility and open communication to ensure that everyone has a great time.

Winter is a truly magical time of year, which can reveal an already familiar place in a completely new look. And the best way to appreciate this charm and beauty of the winter season is to decide to go camping! Obviously, cold weather, which can also change dramatically, makes winter camping more demanding in terms of equipment and clothing. It is essential to have a reliable and well-protected shelter, such as a hot-tent, and to learn more about winter camping before you go.

It is the planning of your trip that you need to pay special attention to since the safety and success of your camping directly depend on it. Having set up a tent somewhere in a wonderful spot with stunning scenery full of snow-capped mountains and white treetops, it will be a shame if instead of enjoying this beauty and spending a good time with your friends, you solve some problems or get sick. Therefore, let's look at some of the main aspects that should be taken into account already at the planning stage of your camping. After all, the more you know, the better, as it will help you avoid issues and make your winter camping a great memory and experience!

Your tent should be well-protected

The key item in any camping trip is the tent. And in winter, the issue of your shelter's protection becomes even more pressing. When planning winter camping, you need to pay attention not only to the shape and materials of the tent but also to its capacity, since it is obvious that you will need more warm clothes and equipment to make your camping comfortable. Therefore, you should give preference to tents with division into zones and a spacious interior. What's more, it is important to choose a tent made from water- and wind-resistant fabrics that additionally have good insulating properties to prevent quick heat loss. Another factor is the construction features. The poles of your tent should be made of metal and have sufficient strength. Same with stakes. A high-quality tent with good protection from low temperatures and stormy weather, which can arise at the most inopportune moment, is the key to your comfortable and safe camping. Before you head out, it is also worth visiting a camping supply store to get sleeping bags suitable for cold weather, as well as sleeping pads for extra insulation, warm clothing for extreme temperatures, portable heaters, etc. All of these will protect you from the harsh weather, which can be quite severe in winter.

Make a camping gear checklist

Once you have got your tent and are sure it is suitable for winter camping, the next step is to create a checklist. You can do this yourself or find a ready-made one on the Internet. Any trip planning is much more effective and organized if you know what you need to take first. Although comfort level is different for each person, the issue of necessary equipment for winter camping should be given attention. Among the items that you may most likely need and that should be included in your checklist are: - Portable heaters, gas stove, tent stove - Moisture-proof matches, lighters, fire starter fluid - Firewood or coal, as well as a supply of drinking water - Flashlights, headlamps, and other lighting elements - Power banks and batteries - Axe, hammer, shovel, knives - Kitchen utensils, thermos - First aid kit - Personal care products A good idea would be to divide the items from the checklist among group members. As everyone can take some of the gear, this will help save space and also money, since there is always a chance that your friends already have something from the list. When planning a winter camping trip for a couple of days, you don't need a very large number of things, but consider your habits and preferences. Imagine in advance how these few days at the campsite might go and what you may do there in order to better understand what you will definitely need.

Pay attention to choosing a spot

Another aspect to consider is where you plan to set up your tent. Choosing a spot is an important step because it directly affects your comfort and safety while camping. A good site is not only about beautiful scenery or easy access to the place by car. There are a number of factors that need to be taken into account, so it is recommended to study a map of the area in advance. It is crucial to note where lakes and other bodies of water are, as sometimes they can be completely covered in snow, causing you to accidentally fall through. Also, if you are in a mountainous area, learn about the risks of avalanches. In addition, it is worth finding out about the predators that live in the area and what is the likelihood of meeting them. Finally, check alternative routes to understand how you can get to or from the campsite in case of unforeseen circumstances and heavy snowfalls. Once you reach your destination, try not to set up your camp in the lowlands or on peaks without trees or other barriers, as empty areas are windy and can get snowed in, making your camping more problematic.

Always remember safety

Safety is a top priority during winter camping, especially when it comes to remote areas or regions with extreme temperatures.  If you are a beginner and this is your first experience of winter camping, spend some time studying information regarding safe stay in nature during the winter season, watch videos with survival tips and ways how to stay warm, insulate the tent from heat loss, etc. You can also chat with more experienced campers on forums or ask for advice from your friends who have already been on winter hikes. It is important to be careful about safety since ignoring possible dangers can not only ruin your trip but also pose a threat to health and life.

Sleeping bags have undergone a remarkable transformation since their inception as mere blankets. Today's sleeping bags are a testament to the advancements in material science and design innovation. They are not only lightweight and highly portable but also come with features like water resistance and the ability to retain warmth even when damp. This article delves into the evolution of sleeping bags, exploring the materials, designs, and technologies that have redefined outdoor sleeping comfort.

The Humble Beginnings

Originally, the concept of a sleeping bag was no more complex than a blanket wrapped around the body. The introduction of zippers was a significant leap forward, allowing for a blanket that could be sealed, thus retaining more warmth. However, the modern sleeping bag is much more than a zippered blanket. It's a sophisticated piece of outdoor gear designed to provide comfort and protection in various environments.

It's the Insulation That Matters

The heart of a sleeping bag's effectiveness lies in its insulation. Manufacturers have developed double-layered fabrics filled with materials that create a cozy pocket of warmth. There are two primary types of insulation: down and synthetic. High loft European downs and synthetic fibers like DuPont Thermolite and Powerloft 3D are popular choices. Innovations continue to emerge, such as water-resistant down, which maintains its insulating properties even when wet—a significant breakthrough for outdoor enthusiasts.

Durable Exteriors

As the technology behind fabrics has advanced, so has the durability of sleeping bag exteriors. Materials like robust nylon and polyester are commonly used, evolving into breathable and tear-resistant fabrics that can withstand harsh conditions.

The Leap in Sleeping Bag Design

The progression in sleeping bag technology is evident in the variety of designs available. For instance, some sleeping bags can be worn like a full-body jumpsuit, offering unprecedented mobility and convenience. This design allows wearers to move freely, escape emergencies, and even stand up without leaving the warmth of their sleeping bag.

Tailored for the Weather

Sleeping bags come with different temperature ratings to accommodate individual body heat and the coldest environments one might encounter. The insulation's job is to create a barrier between the body's warm air and the cold outside air. The denser the insulation, the warmer the sleeping bag will be. Down Insulation Down is renowned for its excellent insulation-to-weight ratio and compressibility, making it ideal for hikers, trekkers, and travellers. However, its Achilles' heel has been its loss of thermal properties when wet, a problem that recent innovations are addressing. Synthetic Insulation Synthetic insulation is measured in grams per square meter, with higher fill weights indicating warmer bags. While synthetic bags tend to be heavier and bulkier than down, they retain warmth when wet and are generally less expensive.

Personal Factors in Staying Warm

While the sleeping bag is crucial, personal factors such as wind chill, climate, cold tolerance, and fitness levels also play a role in staying warm. It's essential to choose a sleeping bag that suits your specific needs and the conditions you'll face. Researching and selecting the right sleeping bag is key to ensuring a comfortable night's sleep in the great outdoors. With the right information and a well-chosen sleeping bag, adventurers can enjoy the wilderness in comfort and safety.

There are many reasons to go camping and the reasons are not the same for everyone. Some people crave the opportunity to connect with nature and get away from the constant presence of technology. For families it can be a great way to reconnect with each other and revitalize relationships. For young people it's a great way of learning new skills, independence and resilience.

  Here is a short list of some of the main benefits of going camping: Connecting with Nature Camping is a completely involved experience, whether you're sleeping in a tent in the wild or just parking up your RV at a camp ground. When you're camping you'll feel all the elements, and you will witness the best wildlife in natural settings. You'll have the opportunity to see everything: forests, mountains, rivers, beaches and sand dunes, and one of the best benefits of all is being able to see skies full of stars. Many constellations only become visible when you get away from inhabited areas and into the wild. You'll also hear all the wonderful sounds of nature, like the hooting of an owl at night or the beautiful birdsong of a fresh morning.

Health Benefits Camping is incredibly good for your mental and physical health. There's no doubt that there are plenty of physical demands that help you keep fit, like hiking and pitching a tent. On top of that, there are countless studies that have shown the positive effect that being outside has on mental health. It can even cure depression. Sleeping outside under the light of the stars helps to re-establish the body's natural rhythms which can drastically improve health.

A Break from Technology This is becoming increasingly relevant in modern times, and it has been called the 'Digital Detox.' Most places in the wild have little or no cell connectivity, and even many camp grounds are poorly connected. This presents the perfect opportunity to forget our devices and break our addictions to technology. This offers a great chance to enjoy other activities that we may have forgotten about, such as reading a nice book or writing a diary. Some people find that having the space to be with themselves in silence is immensely beneficial.

Revitalize Relationships Following on from the digital detox, another benefit of being free from the usual routines and technology is that stagnant relationships can start to flourish again. Instead of being entertained and occupied by technology, people start to have conversations face-to-face and do real activities together. This enables authentic shared memories to be created, which is so valuable.

Camping in hot weather can not only be very uncomfortable, but can also be very risky to one's health. If you plan to go camping and the weather seems to be uncontrollably hot, you have to be extremely considerate towards many important aspects that can save your experience and make it more memorable. Check out these simple tips for camping in hot weather. 1. Make Shade Your Number One Priority When the weather is hot, shade should definitely be your number one priority. Setting up your tent near some big trees is ideal. But, if your camping site does not have many trees, you should always consider bringing some umbrellas with you, or hanging a large cloth/tarp above your tents. Once the sun will not be directly beating on them, the tents will remain significantly cooler, which will make you feel more comfortable than you'd normally feel in these conditions.

2. Keep the Air Circulating Beyond shadow, you need air - lots of air when it comes to hot weather. Bring along a battery-powered fan for each tent, so you can make sure that the air will be cool enough for you to breathe normally and avoid nausea, headaches, vomiting and similar side effects of excessive sun exposure. One of the best tips for camping in hot weather is removing your tent's rain fly, which will allow the night breeze to successfully enter the tent and cool the air. If you have some money to spare you can also opt to buy a small tent air conditioning unit which can be pricey and require electric. 3. Bring More Water Than Necessary When the weather is hot, you will find yourself drinking more water than usual. When the sun is beating down, even the lightest activity can lead to dehydration, which is why you should have plenty of water with you. It is important to drink water almost constantly to prevent dehydration, which can further damage your body's delicate balance. You should also be aware of signs of dehydration like dry mouth, headache, confusion and dizziness.

4. Dress Properly Dressing properly for excessive summer heat is critical to your well-being and also one of the best tips for camping in hot weather, so give up those long pants in favour of shorter ones. Choose breathable fabrics and light colours, and never forget that applying sunscreen every two or three hours will help prevent you from getting sun burnt. Wearing hats or sun visors are also recommended.

Ingredients: (Hint: to make for two just double the ingredients) - 3/4 Cup Plain Flour - 1/8 Teaspoon salt - 1/2 Teaspoon baking powder - Small knob of butter (approximately one tablespoon) - 2 tablespoons water

Directions: (Hint: Prepare the mix at home and store in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.) - Measure the flour, salt, and baking powder into a bowl and stir thoroughly to mix.* - Add water and butter to a small bowl, heat in microwave or in a pan to melt. - Pour the melted butter and water over the flour mixture and stir it in. - Sprinkle some flour on a flat surface and empty the dough onto it. - Knead the dough gently for a few minutes and shape it into a flat circle approximately 3/4 to 1 inch thick. (or however thick you like it) - Grease a frying pan with olive oil or butter, cook over medium heat for around 15 minutes for each side. - The Bannock can also be baked in the oven at home. Place it on a greased baking sheet for 25/30 minutes; 350 degrees F or 175 degrees C. - Allow to cool and enjoy :) (Hint: Goes great with camp stew's.) *You can also add a handful of nuts, raisins, berries or whole grains for extra taste. :) ** For a traditional Scottish Bannock you should add some Oatmeal. Click here for a printable PDF of this recipe.

Camping in hot weather can not only be very uncomfortable, but can also be very risky to one's health. If you plan to go camping and the weather seems to be uncontrollably hot, you have to be extremely considerate towards many important aspects that can save your experience and make it more memorable. Check out these simple tips for camping in hot weather. 1. Make Shade Your Number One Priority When the weather is hot, shade should definitely be your number one priority. Setting up your tent near some big trees is ideal. But, if your camping site does not have many trees, you should always consider bringing some umbrellas with you, or hanging a large cloth/tarp above your tents. Once the sun will not be directly beating on them, the tents will remain significantly cooler, which will make you feel more comfortable than you'd normally feel in these conditions.

2. Keep the Air Circulating Beyond shadow, you need air - lots of air when it comes to hot weather. Bring along a battery-powered fan for each tent, so you can make sure that the air will be cool enough for you to breathe normally and avoid nausea, headaches, vomiting and similar side effects of excessive sun exposure. One of the best tips for camping in hot weather is removing your tent's rain fly, which will allow the night breeze to successfully enter the tent and cool the air. If you have some money to spare you can also opt to buy a small tent air conditioning unit which can be pricey and require electric. 3. Bring More Water Than Necessary When the weather is hot, you will find yourself drinking more water than usual. When the sun is beating down, even the lightest activity can lead to dehydration, which is why you should have plenty of water with you. It is important to drink water almost constantly to prevent dehydration, which can further damage your body's delicate balance. You should also be aware of signs of dehydration like dry mouth, headache, confusion and dizziness.

4. Dress Properly Dressing properly for excessive summer heat is critical to your well-being and also one of the best tips for camping in hot weather, so give up those long pants in favour of shorter ones. Choose breathable fabrics and light colours, and never forget that applying sunscreen every two or three hours will help prevent you from getting sun burnt. Wearing hats or sun visors are also recommended.

Even the most seasoned of campers was once a beginner. Face it, we all have to learn sometime. So, we have put together these useful tips so that a beginner camper can come up the learning curve a little faster. Maybe this information will help you to avoid some painful experiences, and better enjoy your first few camping trips to the great outdoors.

Make, Use, and Maintain a Camping Checklist (see example above but create your own list) By making and using a camping checklist you have at least given some thought to your trip and done a little bit of upfront planning. By using the list you will be much less apt to forget something critical to your trip. Take the list along with you and add to it as you think of things that you wished you had brought. This way your list gets better with each trip, and it makes it that much easier to plan the next one. Be Familiar With Your Camping Gear If you have bought a new tent, lantern, cook stove, or some other gear its a good idea to try these out prior to your camping trip. There is nothing worse than trying to set up a new tent for the first time when its starting to get dark. This is also true for trailers or tent trailers. Become familiar with their set up prior to your trip, and get some experience backing them up, so that you do not have a tough time when you get to the camp ground. Set Up Camp Before Dark Arrive at your campsite early enough the first day so that you have plenty of daylight to get your tent and other equipment set up. This will get you off to a good start so that you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. Be aware that it gets dark much earlier when you are deep in the forest. Plan Your Meals Before the Trip Plan your meals before you leave on the trip. This way you will know what food to buy, and what you will need in order to prepare it. Try to avoid getting stuck stopping at a convenience store, far from the city, where items are limited and often very expensive. Bring the Right Clothing When packing your clothes make sure that you have enough clothing in case someone falls into the lake and gets all wet or something else unexpected happens. Be sure and bring a swimsuit and towels if swimming is in your plans. Make sure to have some sweatshirts, light coats, and rain gear in case it gets cold and wet. Pack enough, but do not overdo it. Remember you are probably space limited on what you can fit in your car, and to some extent you are roughing it so you really do not need near as much stuff as normal.

Is Your Tent Big Enough? There is nothing worse than having your family all packed into your tent like a can of sardines. Even though you are roughing it, you can still enjoy a little bit of comfort. If your tent is large enough and you even splurge for some air mattresses you can be sleeping nice and comfortable. We have a 9 ft x 15 ft dome tent that fits our family of four very comfortably. What I like best about having a bigger tent is that it gives us room to walk around the beds, and still have space to stack clothes or luggage. Even though this is a pretty large tent it folds down to a small size and hardly takes up any space, so unless you are backpacking, I would recommend going with a larger tent just to be on the safe side. Make Your First Trip Close to Home I would recommend going to a campsite pretty close to home (within 1-2 hours) for your first trip. That way if anything too terribly wrong happens, then you can just drive home. Its always good to get some recommendations on places to go from some of your friends that are experienced campers. They will probably know some good places to go for your first camping trip. Be Sure and Take Flashlights Make sure and take flashlights and check their batteries prior to the trip to make sure that they are good and strong. Flashlights will be helpful if you are changing in a dark tent or if you have to get up in the middle of the night and go to the bathroom. We do not want you stumbling around the woods in the dark do we? Lanterns are also very handy, especially if you want to light up your campsite and play some games around the picnic table. These now come with small screw-on propane tanks that are inexpensive and very easy to use.

Check on Fire Restrictions or Burn Bans Check ahead of time and make sure that there are not any fire restrictions or burn bans at your camp ground. If you are looking forward to a good old campfire (and what camper is not?) than you could be greatly disappointed if a burn ban is in effect. However, if a campfire is a go, then make sure that you bring some firewood, and some kindling or newspaper to get your fire going, along with some type of lighter. Some parks have firewood available for sale, but not all do, and most parks will not allow you to pick up twigs and branches off the ground to burn.

Beginner vegetable gardening can seem like a daunting task. Some simple, common sense tips from Chuck Davis.

Where do you start?

First you need to decide where to plant a vegetable garden. If you have property to grow on, no problem and even if all you have is a deck or a patio, this is not really a problem either.

By far one of the best methods for beginner vegetable gardening is raised bed gardening. Raised beds are above ground level and therefore can be easily adapted to the deck or patio to grow some wonderful vegetable crops. Choose an area that gets a good amount of sun, but even if you don't get a lot of sun, don't worry, as you can still be successful. Mark out where you are going to put your vegetable beds. A square area works better than a long rectangular one. You can make your beds but using 2" by 12" boards of the desired length to meet with your garden bed size. Screw them together and you have your bed. Do not use treated wood to make a vegetable garden as the chemicals used to treat the wood will leach into your food. If you haven't already, you will need to begin to compost. Composting will produce nutrient rich soil which is essential for your plants. You can get plans online to build a composter bin, purchase a couple of readymade ones and there is even a compact composter you can buy to put under your kitchen sink in an apartment. Until you produce your own composted soil, your beginner vegetable garden will need to use a good composted soil mix. Steer manure based soils are great as they are not too alkaline and are safe. Try to look for and use organic mixes. Also, before you put your soil in, it is a good idea to cover the bottom of the boxes with straw, hay or even better, alfalfa. This will give your soil good drainage as well as give it a proper base with which to start. Once you begin to fill your beds, make sure you leave a path where you can get to the vegetables if you walk down the middle of the garden. Try to make the plants no further than 3 feet away from where you can safely walk so you will be able to reach them. Now you are ready to take an exciting step in beginner vegetable gardening, planting. A good choice is starting with seedlings. Seedlings have a head start in life and will quickly spread their roots and take hold. Plant fairly close together but not so close they will be choking each other out. Also, plant the various vegetables right next to each other. The less room between the plants, the less space for weeds to take hold and grow. This can greatly reduce your work and makes beginner vegetable gardening more enjoyable.

Water your garden well throughout the season and watch as the miracle of growth happens before your eyes. Nothing is more exciting as when you feel the satisfaction and reward of harvesting food you grew yourself.

Canadian Canoe DIY Painter Mod - How to fit an excellent and inexpensive Painter/Grab Loop system.* You will need: - The obvious item on the list; a Canadian Canoe ;) - Hand Drill with 3/4" wood drill bit. You will be much more in control using a hand drill and stand less of a chance to damage your canoe. - 4 x White Plastic Boats Through Hull Skin Fitting Thread 3/4'' BSP. I bought mine here: https://www.seascrew.com/browse.cfm?s=1732202 - Waterproof Marine Spec Silicone Sealant or Epoxy. Whichever is your preferred option. - Acetone (for cleaning) and some old cloths. You could use methylated spirits or white spirit if that is what you have available. - Approx 1 foot of 3/4" or 19mm internal diameter good quality rubber hose. (Garden Hose will normally fit the bill). - Some fine emery cloth or sandpaper. WARNING!!! You will also need to be able to purposely drill holes in a perfectly good boat, a step too far for some folk I know :)

How to install: (see images below) - There are so many opinions on where Painters should be placed that I'm not even going there. Mark your canoe wherever 'you' would like your painter holes to be. Make sure it is in the same place all round. If you are not sure search around online to see where others place them. - Using the 3/4" (19mm) Wood bit and the hand drill drill out the holes all round (4 of them). Please measure twice (at least) and cut/drill once. - Clean up the edges of the holes with a little fine sandpaper or emery cloth. - Check the fitting goes through your holes and the washer and nut fit nice and snuggly. If you have to force it use the emery/sandpaper to make the hole a little larger. Best to check often to prevent you making it too big. - Once you have snug fits all round you can prepare your canoe for glueing/sealing around the holes. - Clean the inside and outside surfaces around the holes with acetone. - Using acetone the areas should air dry themselves. You can now run some sealant/glue around the rim of your fitting and around the flat of the internal washer. - Push the fitting through the hull and put the washer and nut on. (glued/seal side of the washer towards the canoe of course) - Tighten the fitting until the fitting and washer/nut are flush with the hull then wipe away excess glue/sealant using an old cloth. Clean the surface with acetone if necessary. - Cut a small length of hose that will fit over and between the bow painter fittings. The length will vary depending upon the make/model and size of your canoe. - Apply some glue/sealant to the hose and push onto fitting. (see images below) - Clean off excess glue/sealant with an old cloth. Before the glue/sealant dries, make sure the holes and tube are not obstructed and are clear. - Install your own preference of painter/grab loops.  - Make yourself a nice cuppa then step back and admire your work and the fact that you now have a very secure/waterproof setup for adding painters/grab loops and you have saved yourself quite a few quid.

Disclaimer*: You may follow this guide and drill holes/ make mods to your canoe at your own risk. Please be aware that Big Mac Bushcraft accepts absolutely no liability for any mistakes or errors you may make or any injuries you incur. As always, be safe out there :) " order_by="sortorder" order_direction="ASC" returns="included" maximum_entity_count="500"] 

- Canvas Bushcraft Messenger Bag - 100% heavyweight cotton canvas - 16" W x 11 1/2" H x 4 3/4" D - Adjustable shoulder strap - Enzyme-washed for a cool retro look - Antique brass slider & D-ring - Large flap with magnetic snap - Side & zipped exterior and interior pockets - THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED FOR SALE TO, OR USE BY, CHILDREN 12 YEARS OLD AND YOUNGER Bushcraft Long Sleeve T-Shirt:

Summer is more popular than winter when it comes to camping seasons. It is mainly because of its warm and nice weather. Also, it is the time where families get to spend time with their children being out from school. And because of this, camp grounds and campsites are usually flooded by campers during the summer. If you don't make reservations in advance you may not have a place to pitch your tent. Meanwhile, although not as popular as summer camping, winter camping can still be quite exciting and enjoyable. Because it is more challenging, more and more people seem to enjoy the thrill. Those who have tried it say that nothing is more rewarding than to be able to experience camping in the cold and enjoy its own advantages over summer camping. Here are some advantages of winter camping: - No bugs and mosquito bites. This is the season where you will be able to camp bug free. Because during cooler weather, insects starts to hibernate thus you will no longer have to worry about ants crawling into the contents of your food or blood sucking mosquitoes. - Food Storage. Using your shovel you can make a storage cabinet for your food out of snow. This will help make your food last longer and keep it frozen. - No crowds. Because not all people enjoy camping in the cold it is the best time to experience solitude and tranquillity with nature. You will no longer have to worry being rammed in like sardines. You also won't be bothered by inconsiderate fellow campers. - Cheaper campsite rates. Prices for camp grounds usually drop at certain non-peak months of the year especially during winter season. (redundant) - Gorgeous scenery. Winter camping offers a different kind of scenery and is quite alluring. Trees have already shed their leaves which make a great view to the starry skies. Frozen rivers and lakes offer ice-skating or ice-fishing - always check camp ground office for safety precautions., - More choices for campsites. Unlike during summer season where you have to book in advance to be able to get a spot in camping sites and rely on the description on a brochure, in winter camping that is no longer required. Often time, you can just turn up on the camping site right there and pick the best spot. Because the camp ground is relatively empty, there may even be enough space for you to do all your activities such as sledding and skiing.

- Camp fires. A camping trip isn't complete without gazing into the stars around the camp fire while holding a mug of a hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows. If you think winter camping means no campfires, you are wrong. Many camp ground have campfire pits. Clear the snow out of the campfire pit, put some dried campfire wood, and you'll be enjoying a blazing fire on a crisp winter night. In fact, during peak season or summer season, some camp sites actually don't allow camp fires because of the risk of starting forest fire. But because crowds tend to disappear during winter season, rules are relaxed a bit. - Cosy nights. Keeping warm during the night is not really a problem in winter camping. As long as you have the right sleeping bag and gears, your nights would be shiver free and absolutely cozy. If you're the kind of person who finds it easier to bundle up in the cold, then cooling yourself in the hot humid summer, winter camping might be just for you.

Finding the right camping stove for your style of camping is critical for a great family camping trip. There are several choices you need to consider before you purchase a camping stove.

First consider the performance or boil time of a stove. Typically camping stoves are rated on boil time, or the time it takes to boil a quart of water using the proper fuel at the highest stove level. The boil time can range from two and a half minutes for a camping stove to ten minutes. You must also take into account the outside temperature as cooler temps can and will reduce the camping stove's performance. If you have a large family or cooking for a group, you may want to purchase a higher performing stove as large quantities of food cooked on say a 10 minute stove may not heat large portions of food to acceptable levels. Next rate the efficiency of the stove. Efficiency of a camping stove is measured on how long it can run at full heat on a gas or fuel cartridge. The best barometer for a camping stove is about ten minutes for every ounce of fuel. You will want to estimate about four ounces of fuel per day per person.

The Differences Between Cartridge Stoves And Liquid Gas Camping Stoves Cartridge Camping Stoves are best suited for backpacking and small family cooking (2-3 persons) as they are lightweight and less bulky than liquid gas stoves. They are relatively low maintenance and a very reliable cooking stove. Most cartridge camping stoves are connected to the fuel canister through a tube to a single burner, while some burners attach directly on top of the canister. Although very dependable, cartridge stoves don't work well in cold weather as the fuel typically has trouble igniting. So the use of liquid gas camping stoves are preferable for cold weather camping. You can overcome this by purchasing a heat exchanger or carrying the gas canister inside your coat. The fuel cartridges contain pressurized fuel and come in a variety of convenient sizes. They are very handy as they are manufactured to be discarded after use, yet in this day we prefer the canisters that can be recycled! The canisters contain either butane, propane or a mixture of both. Liquid Camping Stoves are stoves that are fuelled by a refillable tank and typically use kerosene, white gas, automobile gas or alcohol. A big plus in our book is the fact that liquid camping stoves are more environmentally acceptable as the fuel tanks are reused and recycled, plus the fuel burns hotter or more efficiently than cartridge fuel stoves. Typically larger, heavier and bulkier, liquid camping stoves tend to be more difficult to operate but allow for several pots of food to be cooked at the same time at higher temps- a great advantage for family cooking! One must consider the type of fuel and its availability too. Alcohol is very safe, stable and clean burning, yet as it burns with a cool flame so the effectiveness for cooking is diminished. Automotive gas and kerosene although they can be used it is highly NOT recommended, but it may be your only options when camping outside the US - expect lots of smoke and fumes and use in a well ventilated area. White gas is the most recommended fuel for camping stoves, as it burns at high temps in virtually any weather and altitude. Another plus, it's widely available in the US.