Camping and Outdoors Blog

Going to the Gore Experience More Blogger Summit

By Justin

Posted on October 27, 2009
Filed Under General | 2 Comments

Going to the Gore Experience More Blogger Summit

Gore-tex logo

Gore-tex logo

Exciting news! Thanks to the power of the Internet and this site tomorrow I’m heading out to the Gore-Tex headquarters! Have questions for them? Post your comments here. I’ll be touring the Gore facilities, checking out their outdoor store (I don’t think we have those around here), and going on a scavenger hunt! Sounds like great fun! I’m going to try to get some pictures and video and I’ll post them here. Please feel free to add your questions below. Thanks!
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Camping With Kids

By Kirsten

Posted on October 20, 2009
Filed Under Camping | 8 Comments

Camping With Kids
A nice looking campfire

A nice looking campfire

I recently went on a camping trip with my niece and nephew (6 and 8), their Nan and my husband. When the kids first got to the camp site their reaction was of utter misery! First comments were ‘there’s nothing to do!’. Nan was thinking we were going to have to drive them into town every day and find kids activity centers to keep them busy. A half hour later the kids were off with the daughter of the camp sites owner. There were forts others had built that got the kids imaginations. There was even an area where there were deer bones all over, the kids found several antlers. Mom and dad must have been so happy with those souvenirs!

In our plans for this camping trip we decided to get the kids emergency whistles. We sat the kids down and explained that if they wanted to go exploring the woods without a grownup they must bring their whistles. The whistles for if they got lost or turned around in the woods and needed someone to come find them. My niece actually did need to use the whistle once, she got a bit turned around and was not sure how to find her way back to camp, when my husband heard that whistle he was able to go find her within a few minutes. I am sure it gave her confidence knowing that she could blow that whistle if she got lost or even hurt and someone would be able to find her.
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Popup Camper Camping

By Justin

Posted on September 17, 2009
Filed Under Camping | 5 Comments

Popup Camper Camping

Popup camper

Popup camper


The following post is a guest post from the writers at Camper Trailer Titan. They specialize in reviewing folding campers, travel trailers, and camper trailers of all shapes and sizes.

If you are like many other outdoor enthusiasts out there today, the thoughts of going camping for a weekend or even the entire Summer may seem quite enticing. If you have ever gone camping with a tent, then you know how much of a pain it can be. Finding a comfortable spot is difficult to locate because most of the good spots are subject to inclement weather. Then if it rains, you end up getting wet because no matter how hard you try to waterproof the tent, you always get wet; especially if you roll over into one of the sides as the dew sets in for the night.

There is a way around having to deal with all of these issues and that is to go camper trailer camping. A camper trailer can easily be pulled behind almost any vehicle and because of it being elevated, you will not get wet if it rains. With the solid, hard roof found on most models, the rain and moisture will not get to you from the sky either.

Camper trailer camping is the best way to go about getting away for the weekend or even for the summer. You have no sticks, stakes or anchor ropes to deal with and you can even camp in the middle of a parking lot if you wish. Matter of fact; with a trailer you can go camping more often then you do now. If you feel like camping simply set up the camper in the back or front yard and do so.
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OBS Challenge – Cancer Sucks!

By Justin

Posted on August 22, 2009
Filed Under Camping | 3 Comments

OBS Challenge – Cancer Sucks!

isc_logo_rh_2

I’m up for the challenge! This OBS Challenge is to write about an organization that is helping those with cancer. I chose a camp for boys and girls who are 6 to 18 years old and either have cancer or had cancer. It is called Indian Summer Camp. Their quotes are inspiring and they already have the days setup for next years camp. I love camping and I enjoy kids so I thought I kids camp that is local (kind of, 90 minutes or so away) would be great to spotlight for the OBS Challenge.

On twitter? Check out @OBSKristine

I Won a Dick’s Sporting Goods Gift Certificate!

By Justin

Posted on August 21, 2009
Filed Under General | 2 Comments

I Won a Dick’s Sporting Goods Gift Certificate!

Contest link – Post announcing the winner

Dicks Sporting Goods logo

I thought this was pretty awesome as Dick’s is one of my favorite places to go. I don’t go there often though because I spend too much :) I’ll definitely be picking up some new camping gear when I get my gift certificate in the mail. Now I have to figure out what to get. Maybe a nice camping chair. A gas fire pit might be nice. Don’t have to worry about keeping wood and can use it at home or on the road. What are your favorite camping or outdoor items I might check out?

Speaking of places I can go (and did on vacation) every day Bass Pro Shops is another favorite to just walk around. So many guns there, huge selection of bows, ATVs. Their kids area with the laser guns are also fun to do (with my son, I’d never do that by myself :) ) If you are in the Cincinnati area check out Gear Up Camping & Emergency Outfitters located in Florence, KY.

Coghlan’s Cooler Light

By Justin

Posted on July 13, 2009
Filed Under Camping | 14 Comments

Coghlan’s Cooler Light

Have you ever been outside at night and want to grab a soft drink from the cooler? Great! Just reach in and get one. Go back and sit down next to the fire. Oh no! You grabbed a V8! (Not that V8′s are bad, you just did not want that). Now you have to go back and get your soda in the dark. Not anymore! With the Cooler Light your cooler will be lit up brightly from this single LED light. If you leave the lid open the light will turn off after 20 seconds. Put the lid down and the light immediately turns off. This light is great for camping no need to fumble with trying to find a flashlight just lift the lid.

Features/Specs:


What do you think? Have you tried Coghlan’s Cooler Light? Would you? At only a little over $8.00 at Amazon.com it’s quite a buy.

These images on flickr with creative commons licensing.

Pick Up After Yourself When Enjoying the Outdoors

By Justin

Posted on June 19, 2009
Filed Under Outdoors | 15 Comments

Pick Up After Yourself When Enjoying the Outdoors

Too many times I have been out at my Grandpa’s in the woods and I see wrappers or shells left by careless hunters or other people enjoying his land. I try to carry a bag with me just in case I see someone else’s garbage out there while I’m out. In Cub Scouts my son learned about the Leave No Trace program. Maybe that program would be good for some of the people who use my Grandpa’s woods and three ponds :) (that link is not to my Grandpa but to a cool post I wanted to share, check it out) We always make sure that when we leave everything is the same as when we arrived and I think that is an important part of preserve and respecting the outdoors. I know if my son watches me pick up after myself he will in turn pick up his garbage (most of the time on his own). The main reason for this post is this: think about your actions when you’re enjoying the outdoors. Even if it’s playing ladder golf with the neighbors or the Great American Backyard Campout. No one likes to come along after you and pick up your mess. (Not even your Mom :) )

I’ll cut it off here. Just remember whatever you are doing outdoors, pick up after yourself and enjoy the outdoors!

This post is part of the OBS Challenge. Are you up to the challenge?

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