Tips for Successful Camping with Kids

3 Essential Tips for Successful Camping with Kids (Kids Sleeping Bags)
by: Debora Geary

Camping with happy kids is wonderful – camping with miserable kids could convince you to pick a new family hobby. There’s lots of ways to ensure a happy camping experience, but here are my picks for the three most important.

1. Keep the sleeping bag dry. Let’s face it, sleeping comfortably is pretty important to all of us, but a wet sleeping bag can make a kid totally miserable. This is especially true if your child’s sleeping bag is one of the big box store $20 variety. You know, the ones that weigh 15 pounds (dry!) and are made of cotton. Get one of those wet, and your camping trip is over, it will take until next year to dry. Even a good kids sleeping bag can get wet, however, and it’s not easy to convince a kid to climb into a soggy bag to sleep.

The key to keeping a sleeping bag dry is to keep its surroundings dry. If you’re going to be in wet conditions (rainy season, or paddling on a lake), prepare your gear. Put kids sleeping bags, and any other gear you treasure into dry bags, garbage bags, or some other water barrier. Put a tent cloth under your tent (properly!) so you keep water out of the tent. Teach your kids good tent etiquette so they don’t crawl all over the tent in their wet boots, or dump a mug of hot chocolate over their sleeping bag.

2. Avoid constipation. Think I’m kidding? I used to take city kids on month long canoe trips, and several of them showed insane talent for “poop in the woods” avoidance. Some made it as long as a week before they gave in and took Mr. Trowel off to dig a hole. Kids like routine and predictability, some kids a lot more than others. When that routine is turned upside down, even by fun activities like camping, it can cause system backup. That can lead to stomach troubles, cramps, and really stinky farts (amongst the 2-12 year old set, this is serious business, and might be for you too, if you’re sharing a tent).

Fortunately, there’s a really easy fix for camping constipation. Eat beans. I used to serve chili the first night out on trail. Vegetarian chili with 5 kinds of beans. Sometimes it took a day or two, but no kid could hold out a week against my 5 bean chili. Other forms of fiber help too – oatmeal for breakfast, dried fruit in your gorp. Also have your kids drink lots of water, especially if fiber isn’t a really common part of their diet.

3. Don’t take over. We spend most of our lives “organizing” our kids, making sure they get up, dressed, off to school, to weekly activities and play dates. It’s an easy trap to try to organize their camping experience too. This is especially easy to do when it looks like their first choices of activities involve sleeping in the tent all day or throwing rocks at one another across the firepit.

However, one of the most fundamental lessons camping can teach is that you are responsible for your own experience. Mother Nature is a great provider of natural consequences. Don’t put up your tent right, you’ll get wet. Don’t collect firewood, you won’t eat hot food. Do collect firewood, and discover the mesmerizing dance of a night campfire. Get up the energy to paddle to the middle of the lake in the middle of the night, and see stars like they were meant to be seen. Step back, and let your kids learn from their own experiences. You might just pick up a little something too.

About The Author
Debora Geary is owner of an online store carrying a wide selection of quality outdoor kids sleeping bags.

kid-sleeping-bag.com

Choosing Family Camping Tents

Choosing Family Camping Tents
by: Paula Radmall

Many adults will say one of the most memorable parts of their childhood was the family’s camping trips. Camping is near and dear to a lot of peoples’ hearts whether the sleep out took place in the backyard or involved a more in depth planning and execution process. It makes sense that as those children grew up and had families of their own that they would want to continue the family tradition and take their children on camping trips as well. To make this dream a reality, the most important piece of equipment is the family camping tents.

These tents have evolved over the years into virtual paradises of home like comfort. You can find family camping tents in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors. Almost any version can be found to accommodate the family’s size and needs. Family camping tents are better made than ever with the advancement of technology, and are constructed of the most durable and weatherproof materials. While it may not be the optimal experience to camp in inclement weather, with these tents it doesn’t have to be the worst thing ever either.

While deciding on the perfect tent for your family there is a certain criteria to keep in mind. Before style even becomes a consideration, it is important to find a well made family camping tent. When you find a tent that you really like, check online message boards for honest reactions to the products performance. There are several websites available that are designed to provide consumer opinions. Then visit the local sporting goods store to take a look at the tent up close and personal. You will want to pay careful attention to the zippers, fastenings, and how easy or difficult the tent is to put up. Be sure to also look into the type of material used and the quality of the poles and attachments. A good family camping tent should be made to last a long time and hold up to the rigors of the great outdoors.

Once you have found several family camping tents you like, then you can narrow down your selection according to your personal preferences. Some family camping tents are a large one room design, while others have a tunnel between two “rooms” that children find a lot of fun. Also consider the size and space available in the vehicle that will be used for camping trips. Many models are made to be compact and space saving for smaller vans and cars. Family camping trips are worthwhile. Be sure to be properly prepared with one of the high quality family camping tents available for a more enjoyable vacation.

About The Author
Paula Radmall is an outdoor enthusiast as well as an author and editor for http://www.greatcampinghome.com/ . Paula enjoys camping and hiking.

Activity Gear Guides - What do we need?

Upside Over Families have compiled lists of what to bring when participating in the sports above as a family. We have some gear lists for you as a guide. We also have some fun pictures of our totally outfitted Upside Over Kids!

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the products we carry or other products we may suggest.
service@upsideover.com

Snowshoeing Gear

• Properly sized snowshoes in a style needed for your terrain and level of difficulty
• Baselayer made of wicking polyester knit or fleece
• Midlayer, such as fleece, microfleece or wool
• Outerlayer that is waterproof/breathable coated nylon for pants and a jacket
• Waterproof boots, either non-insulated hiking boots or insulated winter boots
• Warm hat and gloves
• Gaiters to keep snow out of footwear
• Daypack with first aid, water, snacks, extra clothes, maps, guides, compass, whistle, headlamp etc.
• Trekking poles or ski poles for balance in deep snow or while climbing
• A reasonable goal in terms of distance and terrain
• Sunglasses to protect eyes from glare

Paddling Gear for Kayaking or Canoeing

• A properly sized boat and paddle
• A properly sized PFD (personal flotation device)
• Hat with visor and sunglasses to protect eyes from glare
• Safety whistle, bilge pump or sponge in case of capsizing, safety rope
• Dry sack for valuables (not a waterproof stuff sack)
• Insul Seat for a child in a canoe or kayak
• Synthetic quick drying clothing
• Bug repellant, sunscreen
• Sandals that will stay on and have good traction when wet
• Lots of fresh water and snacks
• Maps, guides, compass and a reasonable goal

Rock Climbing- Indoor or Outdoor

• Properly sized harness, either full body or a sit harness
• Tight fitting rock climbing shoes
• Chalk bag with a carabiner to hook it to the harness and some chalk
• Comfy pants or knickers and wicking clothing
• Enough warm clothing to stay warm after climbing
• Approach shoes to change into when leaving the cliffs
• Top roping or trad climbing gear (as suggested by a professional
• Food, snacks and water

Dayhiking

• Daypack or lumbar pack
• Boots or trail shoes with support
• Two pairs of midweight merino wool socks
• Quick drying and abrasion resistant nylon pants or zipoffs
• Wicking polyester baselayer in a tee and long sleeve
• Midlayer of fleece or a wool sweater
• Rain gear which also provides wind protection
• Brimmed hat or visor and sunglasses
• Water in a bladder system or bottles, about 1 liter per 4 miles
• Zip lock baggies to keep things dry
• Maps, guides, compass, GPS, bug repellent, sunscreen, first aid kit, pocket knife, lighter, candles, headlamp, emergency blanket, bug net
• High energy and easy to eat foods such as cheese, chocolate, granola bars, fruit, nuts and gorp
• Reasonable goals in terms of distance and terrain

Cycling

• Properly sized bike
• Tight fitting helmet
• Cycling shoes
• Padded shorts or tights
• Baselayer and jersey with back pockets
• Lightweight rain gear for wind and rain
• Water in a bottle cage or a hydration backpack
• Sunglasses
• Knowledge of local road surfaces, shoulders and routes

Camping - See Day hiking

• Add to that a larger pack, usually 3,000-5,000 cubic inches
• Lightweight backpacking tent or tarp for the number of people involved
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad and or air mattress to insulate and cushion you from the ground
• Stove and cookset
• Water filter or treatment tablets
• More water capacity
• Preplanned and easy to prepare foods for each meal you will have
• Headlamps
• Shovel, toilet paper, and toiletries
• Warm sleeping clothing
• Bearbag with rope or appropriate Bear Cannister where regulated
• Camp shoes such as sandals