The Camping Outfitter

The real joy of a camping outing is in sitting under the open sky with a cracking fire at your feet to keep you warm. However, this is also the part that most people find difficult since it is not easy to start a fire in the wild, though my Australian friends would differ on that! Preparing cotton balls which are soaked in petroleum jelly is a great option as this keeps the fire burning for a few minutes.

Coating a stiff cardboard with wax from a candle or any other source is a pretty useful tool to start a fire. An alternate option to the petroleum jelly balls is to extend the same concept to wax. Soaking a cotton ball in molten wax, allows its absorb the wax and expand. Store these in a plastic bag and when you need to use them, you can just pull a few strands of the cotton to light the fire.

Trust me, there are more things you can do on a camping trip than you will ever have time for.  And that’s a good thing!  But which ones should you do?  What are some ideas for outdoor activities when hiking, hunting, or at a picnic?  Read our latest article for some excellent suggestions:

Fun Things To Do On A Camping Trip

Yes, you can take that awesome camping tent of yours and have a blast when you go out on your next outdoor trip.  It’s not just for hunting or hiking excursions.  Check out this new article to get you going:

When Did Camping Tents Become Toys For Kids?

Children have always loved flashlights.  There is something magical about A starry night with nothing but a flashlight to guide the way.  The next time you take the kids camping or go on a nature walk in your local park at dusk grab some flashlights and try this fun game.  Kids and adults alike will have a blast.

Give each participating person his own flashlight. Slowly walk along a trail or campsite.  Have walkers look for cool stuff in nature by shining their flashlight on objects they pass such as rocks, spider webs, tree leaves, etc.  Stay quiet and listen for cool sounds.  Try to identify where the noises are coming from and what is making them.

Once you have walked for awhile stop for a break.  Discuss what you see and how, even at night, the forest is still alive with animals, insects and nature. This game helps children focus on things they may not even notice during daylight.  This teaches children to love the outdoors.  It also helps children to become comfortable with the dark.

Especially if you live in the north, you realize what a frigid winter this has been and will continue to be.  However, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the outdoors.  Read our new article to find out some tips on picking out the right camping gear for the winter months:

Choosing The Right Camping Gear For Winter

Finding time to spend with your family can be a difficult task, but very important.  One of the best choices for bringing the family together is camping and hiking.  Read our latest article to find out more:

The Lost Vacation: Family Hiking In The Woods

When camping it’s important to have the right camping gear for your trip.  Having too little gear can make the experience a little more difficult.  For example, if you’re planning starting a fire and cooking out, not having a match or lighter to light your fire can make it more difficult than it needs to be.  Forgetting the stakes for your tent can render your tent almost useless.

Before you set out, make sure you thoroughly think your trip through from start to finish.  Make a note of everything you’ll need for each part of your camping experience.  Planning ahead like this will make your camping trip so much more relaxed as you can feel confident you’ve got everything you need.

You want to be sure you plan for any issues that might come up, beyond your typical camping activities. For example, it’s always a good idea to have a well stocked first-aid kit. So long as you’re careful and pay attention to what you’re doing, it’s unlikely you’ll need it but you can never be too prepared.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  Camping is one of those endevours that is excellent for any time of the year and almost under any conditions and locations…which makes it so great.  It can be done as an individual, as a family, or as friends.  But if ever there was one particular season or time of year to camp outdoors, it’s beyond a shadow of a doubt autumn.  Read our new article to discover why:

Outdoor Camping In Autumn

It’s not just about slicing and dicing when it comes to the many ways you can benefit from your powerful hunting knife.  Take a quick look at our latest article to find out that there’s more to your knives than what you thought:

Many Uses Of Hunting Knives

Flashlights are not all one and the same.  Some are more efficient than others in different situations and circumstances when out hunting or hiking.  Read TheCampingOutfitter.com’s latest article to find out why this is so:

Why You Need A Dependable Flashlight

….or at least close to it!  Check out TheCampingOutfitter.com’s latest article to discover a couple of things you need to do in order to make sure you extend the life of your camping flashlight:

Extending The Life Of Your Flashlight

Here are some tips that are helpful to campers that are bringing a flashlight. One tip would be to put the batteries, if your flashlight is battery operated, in the flashlight upside down for the ride to the campsite. This will ensure you that the batteries won’t run out by the switch accidentally flicking the light on. Another tip is to check the bulb to make sure it shines bright before you leave. You wouldn’t want the bulb to burn out on you during your camping trip. It may be a good idea to bring extra batteries and bulbs just to be on the safe side.

Next, you may want to check to see if the lens is cracked or damaged. If so you would want to fix this before you leave for your trip. Another thing to look for is any type of damage on the flashlight that may cause it to stop working. After you leave for your trip make sure you continue to take care of your flashlight while camping. If the flashlight gets wet make sure you wipe it off that way it does not begin to corrode or rust. Just remember to be safe on your trip and take good care of your flashlight.

A buck knife can prove to be your best friend when outdoors camping, hiking, hunting, picnicing, or anything else in between.  Read our latest article to catch up on why a buck knife is so important and some tips behing their use:

Use Buck Knife For Your Wilderness Trip