Tag Archives: Camping

Buying a Sleeping Bag

April 18, 2012 9:54 am ⋅

Buying the right sleeping bag can be as crucial as where you go camping. Check out some of our tips on determining the right sleeping bag.

  • Determine the Purpose of the Sleeping Bag
  • If being used for family camping – consider comfort
  • If backcountry camping – consider weight and size
  • Determine the Shape
  • Rectangular type
    • Provides more space for movement
    • Can be zipped together to create a double sleeping bag
    • Can be fully opened and used as an extra blanket
  • Mummy type
    • Weighs less
    • Smaller size requires less energy to keep warm at night
    • Has a hood to pull tight around your head.

Determine the Size

  • Sizes vary – regular, youth, extra long, extra wide

Determine Temperature Rating

Depends on the conditions you plan to camp in

  • A bags temperature rating indicates the lowest temperature in which a person would be comfortable.
    1. “Comfortable” is a very subjective term – everyone is different
    2. Use of a ground pad is assumed, necessary and very important – this provides extra insulation and comfort. A foam and air core pad is the best.
    3. Other factors should be considered – quality of ground pad and tent, personal level of energy etc.
  • Basic ratings:
    1. Traditional sleeping bags are rated at 40 degrees F
    2. Three season bags are rated at 20 degrees F
    3. Cold weather bags are rated at 0 degrees F
    4. Winter camping bags are rated from -15 degrees F to -30 degrees F

Determine Insulation

  • Down
    1. Best natural insulator
    2. Light and compressible
    3. Must be kept dry or it losses its insulating abilities
  • Synthetic Fill
    1. Cost less then down bags
    2. Insulates even when wet
    3. Dries quickly

Determine the Lining

  • Nylon Taffeta
  • Polyester Cotton
  • Fleece

Consider Quality of Other Features

  • Seams and stitching
  • Zippers

Consider a storage bag

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Get Outdoors! Go Camping New York!

April 18, 2012 9:46 am ⋅

Want to get a quick start? Click on a region of the New York map to find campgrounds and RV parks in that area. Or, select FIND A PARK to narrow your search by services and amenities.

Campground Owners of New York (CONY), invites you to get outdoors, go camping New York! Our New York campgrounds and RV Parks provide some of the best and most memorable experiences you would expect on your adventure.

Camping in New York puts you in contact with someof the most diverse and interesting vacation regions in the world, from the majestic Niagara Falls, to the abundant Finger Lakes, to the rugged Catskills. The high peaks of the Adirondacks share its borders with the majesty that is the 1000 Islands of the St. Lawrence, and the history of the Capital region of Albany. Your Hudson Valley and Long Island experiences positions you close to day trips to New York City. And the gently rolling countryside and scenery of the Chautauqua Allegheny region and Central New York beckon you.

New York camping appeals to everyone’s interests – explore this website by clicking on a vacation region in the map above, or using our keyword search on the FIND A PARK page. CONY has thousands of campsites – as well as cabin rentals, cottage rentals and trailer rentals – for all levels of camping.

You may even find periodic camping deals, camping discounts, and outdoor recreation ideas here, so be sure to stop back often. Sign up to receive our camping e-newsletter, LIKE us on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Get outdoors, go camping NEW YORK!

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Camping First Aid Kits

April 18, 2012 9:34 am ⋅

If going on a camping trip either alone or with others, it is important to first ascertain the type of camping you will be doing. Will you be taking your vehicle, pulling up next to your tent site with electric availability, which many would consider your cushy type camping, or are you going to be trekking in a remote area such as the Rockies with a backpack and tent on your back for several days? Both require planning, obviously one more than the other, regarding the content and size of the first aid kit you will be carrying. First aid kits should be tailored to the type of trip you are taking, as well as to the amount of people that are going. Clearly when camping close to your vehicle, first aid can remain very basic as we have the available transportation to get to a clinic or hospital for care within a reasonable amount of time, vs. being miles away in the Rockies in a rustic type atmosphere which requires a little more preplanning.

In a wilderness atmosphere where medical care is not immediately available, creativity is important. For example, in terms of splinting, a variety of creative implements can be used such as ski poles, twigs and gun barrels. Please see our 7-day kit that we advise. All of those items should be brought along, as well as a metal match to start your fire in case of implement weather, along with matches, flashlights and a fluorescent orange tarp which can have many uses such as carrying water, signaling for help and keeping one dry.

As in all of our first aid kits, there will be some overlap. Please be advised and plan accordingly.

Tips: is always best to go on any trip on a buddy system and not alone.

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Camping Safety

April 18, 2012 9:14 am ⋅

Connecticut Campground Owners Association

Here are some helpful tips and information so that you will be well prepared for your camping trip.  Please print them out and keep them handy so that your next camping trip will be safe and a good time for all.

  • Plan your trip so that you arrive at your actual campsite with enough daylight left to check over the entire campsite and to set-up camp.
  • Be sure to check the site thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches that could fall or are hung low.
  • Check the contour of the land and look for potential trouble due to rain.  Check for areas that could flood or become extremely muddy and cause problems.
  • Look for level with enough room to spread out all your camping gear.
  • Look for a site that has trees or shrubs on the side of the prevailing winds.  This will help block the wind if it should gust or get quite strong.
  • Check for potential hazards at the campsite such as: poison ivy, bees, ants, sharp objects and other dangerous areas.
  • Fire is of prime concern at the campsite.  Be sure you have an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally or vertically.  When ever a fire is lit at the campsite be sure that someone is assigned to watch it at all times.  Keep water nearby for emergencies.  Be sure that when you put the fire out you use water and soil and be certain that the fire is completely out, cool to the touch.  Embers buried within the pile of ashes have a tendency to reignite later.
  • Keep your campsite fires to an absolute minimum at all times.
  • Dispose of all trash properly in the proper recycling bins if available.
  • Return the campsite to its original condition for the next camper if you disturb it in any way.
  • Don’t forget your good recycling habits on vacation.  They are just as important camping as they are at home.
  •  RV campers should be extremely careful to travel on proper roads within the site so as not to get stuck.  Not all roads within the site are made for an R.V.
  • Check your R.V. before leaving home, on route, at the campsite upon arrival and before departure for any damage, repairs or maintenance problems.
  •  Make sure everyone in the R.V. is using seat belts whenever possible.   That includes passengers as well.
  • Your holding tanks should be using non-toxic chemicals at all times.
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Camping with Your Kids

April 18, 2012 9:06 am ⋅

Hey everyone, Camping with children can bring you back to the simplicity of nature. It increases your awareness of your surroundings and can refresh your appreciation for the many things that so often go unnoticed. Many things are learned and experienced for the first time during each day in the life of a child. Patience is almost unavoidable. It is so important to take the time to enjoy the journey of these new experiences with your child. In nature there are so many amazing things to discover. Camping can be a wonderful adventure. Just think – the birds and animals, the plants and trees, the rocks, the streams and ponds, the insects, the sounds, the weather, the wildflowers, and the many activities that can provide so much excitement. The possibilities are endless! By planning successful, enjoyable camping trips when your children are young, you will set them on the path to a lifetime of outdoor adventures.

**Get the kids interested in the trip by getting them involved. Build their excitement and anticipation.

  • Plan the camping trip together
    • Decide on places to go – consider interests, outdoor experience and children’s ages.
    • Pick activities to do
    • Plan and shop for your meals
    • Prepare and pack the equipment and supplies
  • Try a backyard campout before you go for the first time
    • Teach the kids how to set up a tent
    • Try some outdoor cooking
    • Experience a night outdoors in sleeping bags
    • Show them how to use some camping equipment
    • Plan a few activities
    • Search the sky for constellations
    • Listen to the many night sounds
    • Don’t forget the special nighttime snacks
  • Try to experience outdoor activities with your kids
    • Get them familiar with the outdoors in order to eliminate their fears
    • Teach them about safety and to respect nature
    • Teach outdoor skills and outdoor ethics
    • Camp chores are actually fun for kids. They love collecting firewood, filling water containers, hammering in tent stacks, camp cooking etc.
    • Make the camp chores extra fun – have contests for gathering the most kindling, best camp cooking, most organized gear
    • Take a small day hike in the woods at a local park
    • Visit a nature center
    • Go fishing at a local pond or stream
    • Take an evening walk
    • Go on a picnic
    • Read related books
    • Have a scavenger hunt
    • Go on a flashlight walk

**Take the necessary gear and supplies

  • Extra clothing and shoes – the kids will get wet and extremely dirty
  • Warm clothing – it may get chilly especially in the evening/dress in layers
  • Insect repellent – consider time-release formulas
  • Sunscreen – they’ll be outside all day
  • First aid kit – for those little accidents
  • Rain gear – keep them dry and warm
  • Toys, games, activities – you want to keep them busy
  • Check out Want to Play a Game?
  • Familiar bedtime items – pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, dolls etc
  • Flashlight/glow sticks – to help relieve nighttime fears
  • Snacks – all this activity is going to make them hungry
  • Drinks – avoid dehydration due to heat and activity level

**Create memories

  • Bring a camera with plenty of film/flash/extra batteries
  • Disposable type are excellent for outdoor activities
  • Give each child their own disposable camera
  • Capture your memories with video
  • Keep a journal
  • Describe details about your trip and the activities you did
  • Document special moments
  • Include photos
  • Have each family member write about their experience
  • Save crafts etc.
  • Personalized Jigsaw Puzzles
  • Keeping an Outdoor Adventure Photo Journal

**Plan alternative activities

  • For bad weather
  • To avoid boredom during down times
  • If they dislike a certain planned activity

**Respect campground quiet hours

**Make your travel fun

  • Don’t travel a great distance – stop frequently
  • Make your trips short – maybe two or three nights
  • Take toys and activities to keep them busy
  • Play car games – license plates, sign abc’s, singing etc
  • Take plenty of snacks
  • Build their excitement and anticipation

**A few tips on camping with an infant – Submitted by K. Molina

  • Use jar baby food. It’s easy to pack. Be sure to buy the smaller jars to cut down on leftovers or waste.
  • Buy a brand of baby cereal that has the formula or whole milk already in it…just add a little bottled water.
  • Portion out the cereal in small plastic ziplock bags…just add water.
  • Buy formula ready-to-drink in cans… you don’t have to add water.
  • Buy 2% milk in tetra packs that don’t need to be refrigerated until they’re open
  • Buy toys at the dollar store. They will keep your kids occupied in the car and at the campsite…simply throw them away if they get too dirty to take home.
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