family camping

Summertime and another month before school starts. I don’t know about your kids, but I’ve heard the “I’m bored” a dozen times already. It’s vacation time but in today’s economy who can afford to go anywhere. How about camping? Kids and camping seem to go together. The great outdoors is full of sights, sounds, smells, and great places to explore. In addition, camping vacations are a great way for the entire family to relax, have fun, and spend some quality time together.

The camping experts at KOA (Kampgrounds of America) compiled a worth while list of suggestions to help plan a successful family camping vacation. We thought we’d share a few of the tips with you here.  The advice given is almost certain to guarantee that you will have plenty of happy campers on your vacation.

1. Plan your schedule, then cut it in half. Too much to do in too little time can turn a vacation trip into a military maneuver. Allow plenty of free time and time for spontaneous activities and side-trips.
2. Slow down. You’ll see more by taking your time exploring. Visit attractions and the outdoor area surrounding your campground. Stop to investigate an odd road-side attraction. Hike at a leisurely pace with plenty of rest stops, or spend time just playing games and relaxing together.
3. When you pack, prepare a daypack or lunchbox filled with small toys, crayons, color books, small games, deck of cards and quiet-time diversions to help occupy youngsters during the drive and at the campsite in case of a rain storm.
4. Have a good time. By all means, take in a historical site or stop at a state or national park visitor center and enjoy what they have to offer.
5. Last, but not least, let yourself go. Run, play, laugh, and relax with your kids. Spend some time looking at things from your child’s perspective. You will be amazed at what you see.

It takes a little extra planning, but following these few tips can help assure a family outing that’s likely to be enjoyed and remembered for a long, long time. Oh and don’t forget to pack enough ingredients for plenty of smores around the campfire.

The key to successful packing is planning.  Think about the why, where, when and how of your trip such as the climate, your activities, lodgings and how you’re getting there. Also, who else is making the trip with you. Before packing make a list of everything you will need for each person. Remember less is best.

First lay out one outfit for each day of the trip and then see what you can eliminate by mix and matching outfits. Mix and matching makes for lighter suitcases.  If you’re traveling in the car, no one else will know that you have worn those shorts 3 times this week.  If you are traveling for more than a week, it is worth an hour of your time and a couple of dollars to visit a Laundromat.  You can wash your one week’s worth of clothing and wear it again.  Bring several big plastic bags with you on your trip for dirty/wet clothes and shoes.

Remember, when in doubt, leave it out.  If you are camping, odds are you will not need a coat and tie.  Do not pack something on the off chance you might need it.  Also, do not duplicate items.  One bottle of shampoo and one tube of toothpaste are plenty.  If you run out of something, you can always buy more.  Over-packing is one of the ways to suck the energy right out of a trip.

The best clothes to pack are wrinkle-resistant and wash and wear. They are the easiest clothes to care for by far.  Choose bright colors and patterns to hide stains.  Avoid black and white as they will show even the smallest specks of dirt.  Pack comfortable, all purpose shoes for everyone.  Your feet are the most important ones to keep happy when you have many days of walking and exploring.

Traveling with a baby will require some additional items.  Investigate what crib supplies are available at your destination so you don’t have to pack everything.  A stroller is a must for tooling around with a baby and accessories.  For toddlers, a baby backpack is a good idea, especially if you plan on doing a lot of walking.

Infants and toddlers need extra protection from the elements so always have a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent on hand for them.  Pack small amounts of food, formula, and diapers and buy more when you arrive.

Other handy items are: a battery powered travel alarm (with fresh batteries), sewing kit, nail clipper, pocketknife, flashlight, small pack of tissues, and pre-moistened towelettes or baby wipes.

If you will need special equipment for your recreation (bicycles, golf clubs, etc.), see if it is available for rent at your destination.  The cost of equipment rental varies greatly.  If rental costs are prohibitive, you might be better off bringing your own equipment.  You must weigh the cost of renting equipment against the hassle of trying to pack it. Now that most airlines charge extra for that extra bag it might be cheaper to rent golf clubs than taking your own.

When traveling by car you need only to keep your itinerary, maps, cooler, and entertainment items with you. You can pull over to get anything else you might need from your luggage. If you have to check your luggage on a plane or train, it is a good idea to keep some basic items with you.  You must have your tickets/ itinerary with you at all times.  It is also a good idea to carry deodorant, a toothbrush, medications, and clean underwear in a small travel on bag on the plane, just in case you are delayed or separated from your luggage.  Commercial carriers are usually good about retrieving lost luggage, but it is terrible to be stuck somewhere without a toothbrush or clean underwear.

If your camping another use for those large trash bags is to put your entire suitcases and/or other items in till you get home so that unwanted guests can be removed outside before bringing everything into the house. Nothing worse than opening up your suitcase in your bedroom at home to find a creepy crawler found his way into your bags.

Road Trip

Summer is quickly approaching which means “road trips” with the kids,  which also means crumb-laden vehicles filled with squabbling kids. So why do we do it??? Memories of course! That’s what they’re all about, the private jokes no one else gets, the laughs, the stories from both the good moments and the bad.

To help get you where you’re going smiling, here’s my  Road Trip With the Kids Survival Guide:

1. COOLER - Stash one in the trunk with picnic fixings. It’s a lot healthier, cheaper and even more relaxing than restaurants or gas stations. Think sandwiches, fruit and healthy snacks.
2. SPORTS TO GO - Soccer ball, mitts, baseballs, Frisbee, jump rope, bubbles. — Let the kids run off some energy while you eat. Most rest areas have picnic tables and a great areas to let the kids release pent up energy.
3. JUNIOR LUGGAGE -Let each child pack their own bag, with a little parental supervision, of course.  Let them pack a small packback with their favorite activities for inside the car as well such as puzzle books, portable video games, ipod.
4. BEACH BAG - Keep towels and swim suits at the ready so you’ve got them handy when you need them. Saves time at the hotel.
5. PILLOWS, BLANKETS, “LOVEYS” - The kids can be cozy, as long as they keep their seat belts buckled.
6. MASKING TAPE & BAND AIDS -They can mark off their back-seat space and decorate with the tape. They can play doll with the band aids.
7. CD & TAPE PLAYERS - One per child, so you don’t have to endure the squabbles over what gets played. You won’t have to listen to Barney or the Spice Girls either.
8. MAPS GALORE - Laminate them and let the kids help navigate. They can mark the route.  What a great way for them to learn about America.
9. GRAB BAG TIME - A few inexpensive wrapped “surprises” you can dole out when the going gets rough.
10. ART BOX - One per art-inclined child, complete with stickers, scissors, travel journal, markers, crayons and pencils.
11. WATER BOTTLE - One for each person in the family.
12. PLENTY OF HEALTHY SNACKS - The kids will be hungry and thirsty as soon as you’ve finished lunch and 50 miles from your next stop.  Add them to your cooler.
13. FAVORITE ELECTRONIC GAMES & OLD-FASHIONED DECK OF CARDS - What more can we say.  Yes, you can play cards in the car. Another great idea is Travel Bingo, you can even make your own cards in advance.
14. BOOKS ON TAPE - Get them from your local library or video store. Cracker Barrell even rents them. You can all listen together.
15. TUNE IN TO THE KIDS - Turn off the music for a while. Get the kids to take off their earphones. Use the time to talk. Now’s the time to tell those stories about the time your dad took you on that never-ending car trip.

This article was taken from the company website for the packright car top carrier, but should hold true for most soft car carriers:

OK, you’re back from a fantastic vacation, rested and relaxed or maybe stressed out from the traffic.  In any event you’ve got to unpack and get settled into “regular” life again.  You may have noticed that your car top carrier has picked up some bug spots or road grime along the way.  To maximize the life of your car top carrier, we recommend cleaning it up a bit, letting it dry, and then folding it up for your next adventure.  To clean a PackRight car top carrier from LakelandGear.com, simply hose it off with fresh water.  You can use a soft bristle scrub brush with mild detergent like “Woolite” if you are having trouble cleaning some areas.  We do not recommend using any chemical products that are harsher than this type of product.

After cleaning, spray off all the soap and suds with fresh water.  Let the car top carrier dry in the sun or breeze.  Fold it and put it back into the stuff sack.  Put the straps inside the bag with the directions so you’ll have everything together for the next time. You will be thanking yourself  later that you took the time to complete this step.

For those of you living in areas with the possibility of severe weather disasters, like costal towns, you can keep your car top carrier packed with essential items you would need for a potential evacuation.  If the time comes you can quickly and easily put the cartop carrier on your car, strap it down, and go.

Infants, in many ways, are easy travelers.  As long as they are fed, changed, and comfortable, they will sleep much of the time and will allow you to do your own thing.  Many parents consider a reclining stroller indispensable on a trip.  Even if you do not use one at home, it will keep the weight of baby and supplies off your shoulders (literally).  In a pinch, it can also double as a bassinet.  Just schedule plenty of time for feeding and changing and do not feel guilty for taking a lot of breaks. I also found that if traveling with toddlers and young children sometimes it is better to travel at night so that they may sleep and this way it doesn’t effect their schedule as much.

Toddlers can be a lot of work on the road, but if you plan according to their abilities everything will run smoothly.  Your toddler has a short attention span so do not expect him/her to hold up through the entire Museum of Natural History.  Try sightseeing in hour long spurts with breaks for playtime.  As with an infant, a stroller can be a godsend, even if you do not use one ordinarily.  Little legs tire quickly and your toddler will appreciate the ride.  Also, new surroundings can be stressful for a toddler so be gentle and reassuring when he/she is insecure.  Some regression is not uncommon in new environments, so pack diapers if your toddler has been recently potty trained. If there is something that you want to do that is more for the adults, hire a sitter for the children. Some hotels offer a sitting service.

Finally, a vacation is a tempting time for you to let go of the rules, especially with a tantrum-prone toddler.  Keeping the same rules and limits that you have at home is, however, the best thing that you can do for your child.  Your child needs the security of familiar rules, and often times leniency or inconsistency can do more harm than good. If they are not allowed to do it at home don’t let them do it when they are out!

You need to make extra preparations when traveling with and infant or toddler. Some extra items you will need to pack are:

1. Crib Sheet
2. Changing Sheet
3. Stroller
4. Baby Sling or Backpack
5. Car Seat
6. Bassinet
7. Infant Bed or Crib
8. Mosquito Netting & Sun Hat
9. Plastic Bags for Soiled Clothing
10. Diapers
11. Formula & Food (Bring only a small supply and plan to restock during your trip.)
12. Favorite toy or stuffed animal

With advance notice, many airlines and hotels provide some or all of these items for free or for a nominal charge. Be sure to ask when making your reservations to save yourself the hassle of packing and transporting large items.

Most airlines allow children under 2 to fly free in a parents lap.  This might be an, acceptable situation on short flights but is probably not a good idea on longer flights.  Consider two things before you jump on the free airfare: 1) Your child will not be secured and may be at risk during turbulence. 2) Do you really want a baby in your lap for the entire flight?  Your other option is to reserve a seat for the child and have them ride in their car seat.  When making reservations, ask if the airline will provide an infant travel seat.  Airlines will also provide baby food, formula, bottles, and diapers on request and generally stock them on long flights.  Another good idea is to nurse or bottle-feed your child during take-off and landing to ease the discomfort of changing air pressure.  If your child has a cold, give them a decongestant about an hour before take-off.

Hotels also provide many baby items at no additional cost.  Ask what is available for you and your baby before making reservations.  When you arrive at the hotel, tape down loose electrical cords and cover any exposed outlets. Remove matches and glass objects that might break and make sure windows are closed and locked.  Push the bed against the wall and line pillows along the other side to keep baby from falling out.  A big help is to give your baby a familiar toy or security item (blanket, stuffed animal, etc.) to ease the transition to the new environment.

When traveling abroad you will need a separate passport for each individual traveling, even infants.  Apply for these documents several months in advance. Also, check with the tourist office or consulate in your destination country to check the availability and safety of baby supplies and pack accordingly. For instance, you may not want to pack powdered formula if the water is questionable. If certain items are not available in your destination country check with your airline about shipping cases with you when you go.

Traveling with baby can be a pleasurable experience for both you and baby if you plan ahead.

We live in uncertainty where nature’s forces can be severe at any time and without warning. The best defense is to be prepared for anything. If you live in a coastal town, in the midwest, California or any major metropolitan area, you should be prepared for all types of emergencies such as: fire, hurricanes, tornados, nuclear accidents, terrorism, storms, electrical blackouts, earthquakes and toxic spills.

The Red Cross and FEMA have websites with information to prepare you for such disasters. Here is a list copied from FEMA:

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

The following items are recommended for inclusion in your basic disaster supplies kit:

• Three-day supply of non-perishable food.
• Three-day supply of water - one gallon of water per person, per day.
• Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• First aid kit and manual.
• Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper).
• Matches and waterproof container.
• Whistle.
• Extra clothing.
• Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener.
• Photocopies of credit and identification cards.
• Cash and coins.
• Special needs items, such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solutions, and hearing aid batteries.
• Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers.
• Other items to meet your unique family needs.

If you live in a cold climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that you will not have heat. Think about your clothing and bedding supplies. Be sure to include one complete change of clothing and shoes per person, including:

• Jacket or coat.
• Long pants.
• Long sleeve shirt.
• Sturdy shoes.
• Hat, mittens, and scarf.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket (per person).

Be sure to account for growing children and other family changes. See Appendix B for a detailed checklist of disaster supplies. You may want to add some of the items listed to your basic disaster supplies kit depending on the specific needs of your family.

Maintaining Your Disaster Supplies Kit

Just as important as putting your supplies together is maintaining them so they are safe to use when needed. Here are some tips to keep your supplies ready and in good condition:

• Keep canned foods in a dry place where the temperature is cool.
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect from pests and to extend its shelf life.
• Throw out any canned good that becomes swollen, dented, or corroded.
• Use foods before they go bad, and replace them with fresh supplies.
• Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in the front.
• Change stored food and water supplies every six months. Be sure to write the date you store it on all containers.
• Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family needs change.
• Keep items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as an unused trashcan, camping backpack, or duffel bag.

One good option is to pack your supplies safely in a car top carrier that is ready to put on your vehicle in a moments notice. The addition of a car top carrier to your disaster plan has the following advantages:

1. Added vehicle capacity allows you to take valuable belongings or survival gear that you would have otherwise left behind.
2. Pre-paced gear allows for faster evacuation and getting a jump on the traffic.
3. A quality car top carrier makes a good device to store evacuation supplies.
4. Car carriers with the special liner have been tested in rainstorms on top of cars traveling 70mph for hours and miles on end and found to keep gear protected.
5. You don’t need a big SUV or a luggage rack.

You can purchase a car carrier at AZ Cargo Accessories.

Photograph: Peter Cade/Getty Images

Camping in the rain is pretty much a given, even if it is just one day, it’s going to happen. So, now what? The best thing to do is to make the most of it by bringing the right tool box. That’s how I handled it.

When I knew the kids were old enough to enjoy camping trips I started putting together a special tool box with them in mind. First I went shopping for a plastic tool box that was big enough to hold a game board. From there I started going to yard sales, flea markets and the local goodwill store for games. The game pieces went into plastic ziptop bags and the boards fit neatly in the bottom.

Some of the games I found that everyone enjoyed were:

• checkers
• chess
• chutes and ladders
• sorry
• yahtzee
• boggle

I also packed a couple of decks of cards, a notepad, pencils, a coloring book and crayons. Some other ideas might be a  crossword puzzle and word search book.

A couple of extra blankets on the floor of the tent will help keep the chill off while the family has a great game day waiting for the rain to stop. Don’t let the rain spoil your camping trip, instead use it for a time to be close.

First time camping and not sure where to start? I found this ebook that is a great start for beginners, called Camping 101.

Check it out: Click Here!

The possibility to run your car on water with a HHO generator couldn’t have came at a better time. The gas prices are reaching an all time high so one person decided to change things. He came up with a way to power his car using water.

The process is very simple, you take electricity from your car’s battery, you separate it into a gas known as HHO. This burns effectively and supplies significant energy. HHO has the atomic power of hydrogen but maintains the stability of water, this means it’s very safe and effective at the same time.

Click Here for your copy of Run Your Car On Water.

So how does a system like this help us? Well it’s pretty obvious that you will get massive fuel savings, it has been researched and has been proven to increase mileage by up to 60%, which is a lot by any standards, if you install more systems into your car you could gain an even bigger increase. Running your car on water also increases horsepower, reduces emissions, and increases your car’s life and you can get IRS refunds owed to you by the law for using green technology in your vehicle.

Ok, so how to build a HHO generator and run your car on water? Well as this may seem like a very daunting task for many, in reality it’s not that hard. The internet is filled with quality do it yourself guides that will teach you everything from step one to completion with illustrations and videos and most are designed for complete car novices.

One last note, in case you would want to sell your car, and you do not want to sell it with the HHO generator, it can be removed in a matter of minutes without leaving a trace. Also a system like this will not void your warranty in any way.

Convert your car to Run On Water it’s easy to do, effective, and it will help you save tons of money on those ever rising gas prices.

Click Here for your copy of Run Your Car On Water.

• Follow the same water safety rules you use at home where ever you go.
• Never allow children to swim unsupervised and never assume that someone else is watching them.
• Check the pool for safety equipment and that the water is clear.
• When boating, be sure to wear an approved life-jacket at all times. In many states, children are required by law to wear their life-jackets at all times while in the boat.
• If swimming and boats are sharing the same waters, be visible by wearing brightly colored swimsuits, stay close to the shore and only swim in designated areas.
• Know where you are swimming. Take the time to learn about local currents, drop-offs, anything that can be a hazard.
• Know the rules and follow them.
• Keep pool gates closed at all times.
• Do not drink alcohol while watching children, driving boats or other crafts or participating in water sports.

Enjoy your vacation and keep it free of any tragedies by keeping yourself aware of the potential risks.