Canvas Tents: Durable and Affordable

Canvas has been utilized as a durable outdoor material for hundreds of years. The fabric is made of cotton, though hemp was used through much of canvas tent history.

Besides being used to make tents, canvas is used for sails and other outdoor equipment. When wet, canvas swells and becomes exceptionally waterproof. It is able to withstand conditions that other materials would not tolerate, making it ideal for long-term use.

The fibers of canvas tents are tightly woven, making it the perfect shade from harmful sunrays and high temperatures. Canvas tents also protect inhabitants from strong winds and other inclement weather.

The natural fibers also make canvas a better choice for fabric that breathes. The flow of air keeps the tent more comfortable and should it get wet from rain, canvas dries quickly.

The durability of the material means that it won’t suffer from rips and tears as easily as other fabrics. Extra-tough construction makes canvas tents perfect for long-term use or semi-permanent shelters.

For campers who plan to remain in one location for a long time or who enjoy extended-stay camping trips, it may make more sense to choose a canvas tent that offers durability and longevity.

Staying Dry when Camping

Nothing can ruin a camping trip quicker than a rain storm. Part of the beauty of camping is being outside, in touch with nature. Unfortunately, rain tends to interrupt our enjoyment of nature. The good news is that there are some things you can do to keep dry when it rains.

First of all, make sure you bring emergency ponchos with you on your camping trip. Ponchos allow you to spend some time outside, even when it’s raining. You might not be able to roast marshmallows around the campfire, but you might be able to enjoy a hike in the rain.

There are disposable ponchos that are extremely inexpensive, and there are sturdier ponchos that cost quite a bit more. I personally prefer the disposable type as I don’t have to worry about drying them off or trying to repack them.

A good pair of rain boots is a worthwhile camping investment, too. Make sure these boots are comfortable, though, or you won’t want to bother wearing them. Wear a second pair of socks on top of the first to help keep your feet dry, as well.

A gazebo or screen tent is always a good investment for camping, as well. This type of shelter allows you to stay out of the sun when it’s too hot out, but it also can protect you from the rain when it’s raining. In addition, a screen tent keeps the bugs to a minimum.

Waterproofing spray is an important element of keeping dry when you’re camping. Use the waterproofing spray on your tent, your screen tent, your boots and on anything else you think might benefit. Be careful here, though. You’ll want to test the waterproofing spray on a small part of the fabric first to make certain it doesn’t hurt the fabric.

Seam sealer is another key tool for keeping dry. You apply seam sealer to the seams of your tent, and it keeps those seams from leaking when it rains.

With a little bit of preparation ahead of time, you can make sure your camping experience is a fun and dry experience.

Dress for Hiking

The best approach when camping or hiking is to wear multiple layers of clothing. By wearing multiple layers, you can help keep warm during the winter months and cool during the summer. Simply adding or removing a garment is a quick and easy way to adapt to changing temperatures or a change in activity level.

There are a number of layers of clothing you should consider when hiking, starting with undergarments. If you’re hiking during cold weather, you should consider using polyester performance or “long” underwear. Unlike cotton, polyester keeps moisture off your body.

When hiking in the fall, you’ll want to put on a layer of fleece on top of your long underwear. Fleece helps trap the warmth of your body and keep away moisture. If you’re hiking during moderate weather, you might consider packing a fleece shirt in your pack in case you become cold.

A wind resistant and water resistant outer layer is helpful, as well. You can usually wear these clothes over your regular clothes, and they’ll help keep you dry and keep the wind from chilling you to the bone.

While rainwear isn’t always necessary, it doesn’t hurt to have a disposable poncho in your pack in case it does rain.

You’ll also want to consider wearing a hat. During colder weather, a hat will help keep the heat from escaping from your body. During warmer weather, a hat can protect your face from the sun. If you’re hiking in moderate weather, you might consider bringing a warmer hat as well as a lighter hat, so that you can switch between them as necessary.

It doesn’t hurt to wear more than one layer of socks when you’re hiking. Many hikers prefer to wear a thin polyester sock underneath an outer sock. This again keeps the moisture away from the body while trapping the heat.

Obviously, if you’re hiking during the warm summer months you aren’t going to need long johns. Likewise, if you’re hiking during the winter months, you don’t want to wear shorts and a tank top. Dressing in layers helps you keep from becoming too cool or too hot during those seasons when the temperature changes quite frequently.

How to Care for Your Camping Equipment

Camping equipment, when it’s properly cared for, can last for years. Making your camping equipment last requires a certain amount of care, both during the camping season and after the camping season. Here are some tips to help make sure your camping gear stays in the best shape possible:

Use plastic tubs or storage bins with lids to store your camping items. You can put kitchen items, such as camp stoves, pots, pans, aluminum foil, dish soap, plates and bowls, eating utensils, and a tablecloth in one tub. Store non-kitchen items, such as flashlights, batteries, bug spray, sunblock, garbage bags, propane, a lighter, and your first aid kit in another tub. Use a third tub for gear that might be prone to getting dirty, or technical gear. This would include things like rock climbing gear or technical gear. Keeping your items in tubs keeps dirt and bugs away from your equipment, and makes packing much easier for the next time you camp.

When you return from a camping trip, empty out your bags, backpacks and tubs right away. Get rid of any debris, food remnants, garbage or dirt that might be in or around your equipment. If possible, wash your backpacks and duffle bags, and wipe down suitcases or other carrying equipment that can’t be laundered.

Store your camping equipment somewhere dry and cool during the off season. Your goal is to prevent the equipment from growing mold or being exposed to rodents or other harmful critters.

If you have to pack up camp in the rain, make sure that you empty out all of your camping equipment when you get home. Dry it off, or lay it out in the sun to dry off. This helps prevent rust, mold, mildew and helps your camping equipment last longer.

Wash down your tent at the end of every season, and then let it dry before you store it. This keeps it clean and helps prevent your tend from becoming musty.

Other Uses for Tents

There are many reasons beyond camping that people use tents. Here is a look at a few common uses.

Semi-permanent military tents are used to house soldiers in combat areas. They are more sophisticated than camping tents. Some military tents have climate control systems and enough room for several people to move around comfortably.

Tents are also used often in emergency situations to shelter displaced people. As an inexpensive and lightweight housing solution, tents are sent to house refugees and victims of natural disasters.

The use of tents isn’t limited to structures that you can sleep inside. Some tents are used as a convenient temporary shelter for outdoor events. Circus tents are a great example of temporary structures that are used specifically for an event and taken down afterward.

Festivals and outdoor concerts often make good use of event tents as well, using them to shield participants from the sun or from inclement weather. Even private parties can use gazebo tents or other temporary structures. They are often used to cover the event’s food or to provide a separate seating or dancing area.

Car tents are a fun innovation in the camping world. These tents rest on the luggage rack on top of your car and fold out to create a unique and space-saving sleeping area on your car’s roof. This is a great way to conserve interior car space for luggage and save money on lodging when taking a long road trip.

Tents have enjoyed a long and varied history and will continue to be valuable accessories for camping and for life. As long as people have a need for easy outdoor shelters, tents will be there to provide shade and protection from the weather.

Wilderness Survival Essentials

You hope and pray that you never find yourself stranded or lost in the wilderness. Unfortunately, accidents do happen. If you find yourself in that sort of situation, there are some key things you need to keep in mind.

• Keep calm. To survive in the wilderness, you’ve got to have your wits about you. You need to be able to think rationally, so ignore your fears and anxieties so that you can solve the problem.
• Assess the situation, starting with your own physical well-being. Are you injured? Treat yourself first. Is anyone with you injured? Treat them next. Apply all of the basic principles of first aid, such as not moving someone with a potential neck or back injury.
• Examine your surroundings. Are there any immediate dangers, such as wild animals? Are there any dangers from impending weather? Figure out how to address these dangers, whether it is moving to another location or finding immediate temporary shelter.
• Take an inventory of your assets. What survival items do you have with you? If you’re wise, you’ve brought a variety of useful items.
• Identify or create a shelter. This could be a cave (make sure there aren’t any angry inhabitants first) or It could be a simple lean to that you fashion yourself.
• Identify a clean water source. You need to keep hydrated until help arrives. Don’t attempt to drink salt water or stagnate water.
• Find a way to signal for help. You might spell out the word “Help” using logs in a wooded clearing. You might build a fire in an open area. The main thing is finding a way for someone to find you from a rescue helicopter.

Ultimately, wilderness survival depends, to a large degree, on your patience and ability to keep a level head. In addition, keeping a variety of survival items with you, such as matches, a cellular or satellite phone, a flashlight, flares, energy bars, a first aid kit, water bottles and emergency blankets will exponentially increase your chances of survival.

Tents: The Ever-useful Temporary Structure

When you hear someone mention tents, you probably immediately think of the camping variety.

However, tents have been used around the world every day for numerous other purposes. Tents have been used in nearly every part of the world for nearly as long as recorded history.

Asian nomadic tribes lived in circular tents because this design helped the structures stand up to extreme conditions and harsh winds. The lightweight and easy deconstruction of the tents made it simple for the tribes to move on to new lands whenever necessary.

Even today, some people make permanent homes of tents. Many tent-dwellers enjoy the small ecological footprint left by tents.

Yurts, tepees and other types of tents are easy to build and rely on renewable resources for their materials. They can easily use alternative energy sources, such as solar power, which is more difficult with traditional framed homes.

Armies all around the world have made use of tents to house soldiers. They set up easily, come down quickly, and don’t require vast amounts of manpower to move to new locations.

Even camping tents aren’t the plain, boring structures they once were. There are plenty of new and interesting types of tents in use today.

The hiking tents used by serious hikers are amazing pieces of technology. The materials used in hiking tents are among the most lightweight and waterproof materials used in any consumer item, and many years of research have gone into developing them.

What Type of Tent Do You Need?

Where, how and how often you camp also can help you decide how much to spend on a tent. Use this short assessment to get started.

If you camp:

Infrequently (once or twice per year): Occasional campers probably won’t need to invest in a heavy canvas tent. Choose a tent that is lightweight, easily erected and well constructed.

Often (several times per year): The more you camp, the more your tent will be exposed to weather. The more exposure it gets, the faster it will wear out.

In this case, consider a tent that is weather-treated. You also should make sure that all of its components are made of sturdy materials. Nothing is more frustrating than having to buy a whole new tent because one tent pole snaps in the wind.

Mainly in campgrounds: Generally speaking, campgrounds are sheltered from weather extremes. In addition, the terrain usually isn’t rugged and you aren’t as likely to encounter bugs and wild animals.

Camping in moderate conditions like these means that a moderately priced tent will likely be suitable.

In the backwoods: Hunters and those who prefer to camp off the beaten path might consider stronger materials in a camping tent. The terrain is typically more rugged than one might find at the average campground. There may be rocky ground or high winds to contend with. Wild animals also can be a problem.

Look for heavy-duty materials that will withstand wind and rain and that won’t tear or snag easily.

Via backpack: A major concern for backpackers is space and weight. Campers who travel on foot should look for a small tent with lightweight components.

How To Teach Your Child Fishing Safety

There’s nothing quite like taking your child on a fishing trip, whether you’re camping or just going for the day. Passing on a hobby like this from one generation to the next is not only fun, it’s also an excellent opportunity to spend time with and bond with your child.

Still, there are some safety issues you’ll want to keep in mind when you’re fishing with your child. Here are some tips on how to keep fishing safe and fun for everyone:

• Start with life jackets or personal flotation devices. Whether you’re on shore, a boat or a dock, a life jacket can keep your child from drowning.
• Discuss the safety rules with your child ahead of time. Explain to her that there can be no horseplay. Tell her to look around before she casts, and to keep her shoes on at all times.
• Make sure you’ve got certain equipment with you. For example, a first aid kit is an absolute necessity. In addition, you’ll want to bring a fish net with a long handle, which you can use to reach out to someone who is in the water.
• Keep cool and hydrated. Make sure that both you and your child drink a plentiful amount of cold water or sports drinks. This helps stave off dehydration and heat stroke.
• Keep protected from the sun. Use sunscreen lotion. Wear hats to keep the sun off your brow. Reapply the sunscreen lotion regularly. Consider using a high SPF sunscreen for your child, especially if she sunburns easily.
• Use insect repellant. Insect repellant keeps Mosquitoes, bees and other insects at bay.
• Think safety at all times. If an activity seems like it might be even a little bit dangerous, don’t do it.
• Keep an eye on your child. Never let your child out of your site, and be constantly watching for danger.
• Demonstrate how to use fishhooks, how to tie them to a line, and how to put bait on them. Show your child that you are handling the fishhook carefully, so that he will handle his fishhook carefully when the time comes.

Camping Essentials Checklist

Preparation is the key to a successful camping trip. When we first started camping, we would constantly discover that we’d forgotten certain things, or that there were things we wound up having to go out and buy. Here are a few of the essential items you need to have when you go camping:

A Tent

Select a tent that is most suitable for your family size. The tent provides protection from weather and insects. It should be simple to rig up and dismantle. Choose a tent that has the particular features you want, such as a screened-in porch or air vents to keep the tent from becoming stuffy.

Air Mattresses

An air mattress provides you with some padding underneath you while you sleep, so that you aren’t stuck on the hard, cold ground. While a sleeping bag offers some padding, an air mattress provides much more in the way of comfort. Make sure you remember to pack the pump for the air mattress as well, or you’ll likely spend your first night blowing up your air mattress.

Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bags come in a number of varieties. Depending on when you intend to camp, you might want to use a heavy sleeping back to keep you warmer at night. You can often zip two sleeping bags together if you want to have a larger sleeping bag big enough for two people to sleep in.

Lighting

You’ll want to make sure and bring plenty of flashlights and extra batteries so that you can see once the sun goes down. You can also us an oil, propane, or battery powered lantern to help you see at night.

Campfire Materials

Make sure you’ve got a lighter, dry matches, fire starters and access to firewood. Make sure to check your state and local regulations, though, as moving firewood can sometimes cause the migration of harmful insects such as the Emerald Ash Borer.

Cooking Tools

A set of used pots and pans and some grill tools means that you don’t have to have hot dogs for every meal. In addition, you might consider using plastic plates and silverware, and bringing a tub to wash the dishes in.

Personal protection

Finally, you need protection from the elements. Bring sunscreen and insect repellant to ward off sunburn and mosquito bites.

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