August 10th, 2010 | 
Author: So, you are getting ready for an upcoming camping trip and are thinking about the “essentials” for your weekend in the woods. You probably have all of your gear for setting up a camp site including a tent, sleeping bag and other equipment. You are also probably thinking about cooking, bathing and even some “luxuries” like communication and any emergency needs.
This is a wise approach to an enjoyable weekend or camping trip because many people forget about some of the more difficult realities while they prepare for a vacation. For example, what will you do in the event of a medical emergency? While you may know that a hospital is about twenty miles from the camp site, the problem may be that you have no idea how to find the hospital! What kind of facilities are at the location? Will there be hot water? What kind of lighting will be available?
Luckily modern technology can provide solutions and answers to all of these questions through solar powered products, and a frequent camper would be wise to invest in some of the best solar powered camping essentials.
Beginning with communications; like millions of other consumers you probably have a cell phone, mobile device or GPS. Each of these remarkable gadgets can function in a wide number of ways, but each of them also requires a fully charged battery. The problem then is just how to charge a battery in the middle of the woods? The answer is a portable solar charger. These are lightweight and completely portable solar panels that are constructed of durable and flexible materials that will provide a small, personal electronic device with a full charge. Some backpackers will even drape the waterproof units over the exterior of their pack and use it to feed their GPS with a constant charge throughout the day! This is also great for emergency situations where a cellular phone or other device may be required to call for help. Often times, a good solar charger may be your only life line when out in the wilderness.
The next area where solar equipment can help out on a camping trip is lighting. There are an enormous range of solar powered lamps and lights that can provide up to twelve hours of service on a single charge. This saves campers from lugging the significantly heavier, battery powered units traditionally used in the woods, and it also eliminates any concerns about running out of light when batteries die.
Finally, one of the most enjoyable experiences provided by solar power on a camping trip is a hot shower. Specially treated bags can be filled with ice cold stream water and left in the sun for a few hours where the bag superheats the water and provides a steaming hot shower for a lucky camper!
Jonathan Gal
http://www.articlesbase.com/camping-articles/camping-made-safer-essential-supplies-to-keep-in-mind-732211.html
Once you have chosen the perfect location to go camping, there are also several things you have to think through to better enjoy the trip. Here are five tips when going camping:
1. Prepare your camping supplies.
There are various ways to purchase camping supplies. Be sure to make a checklist of all the camping supplies you will buy and have already bought. You may go online and canvass for low-priced supplies. Among the supplies you will need are tents, camping chairs, coolers, bed/sleeping bags, tent heaters, batteries, flashlights, grill, matches, first-aid kits, and lanterns. With the internet you will save time, and may also search for different brands, or further on with the brand you are familiar with. However, if you have time to go shopping for your supplies, you may opt heading to a local store. This will be more of a convenient option if you intend on checking on your supplies’ material, style, weight, dimensions, etc. If you are concerned with buying expensive variants, you may check out your neighbor’s auction for second-hand camping supplies. But remember that with good quality comes good comfort.
2. Bring games/fun paraphernalia.
Whether you are going to your campsite in a family car or a different mode of transportation, make sure you bring games. You will be having fun on the way already. You may bring board or card games, electronic gear, or even oral guessing games with the family. If you have little ones with you, include kids’ toys. This will keep you alive and set for the real camping adventure.
3. Bring a camera/video recorder.
Who wants to forget the moments of the outdoors? Make sure you bring a camera or a video recorder to capture the adventures you are about to take. Opt for a waterproof variant if you are to head for wet areas. Take turns with the gadgets so that nobody will feel left out. Note that you are going camping – electricity may be an issue, so do not forget to bring extra batteries!
4. Plan out outdoor activities.
It is always better to plan on an adventure with your family and friends. You want to ensure general enjoyment. There are many activities for your camping trip – a treasure hunt, a bug-catching event, a nightly campfire of story-telling, wood-chopping, plain fishing, rock-climbing, or even your own version of “The Amazing Race”! Include prizes such as food, drinks, merits and ribbons to culminate each activity. This way, even an ordinary camping chore will be transformed into a rewarding activity. Also consider setting up a base camp for all your outdoor activities. We do not want anyone to lose their way.
5. Make a “to-do” list.
Remember to have a list as your itinerary. Distribute this list to each and everyone in the camping trip. This way everyone is aware of what sort of fun is to come each day. It will also serve as a memento of the wonderful trip to share/shared.
Rachel Nunez
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/5-tips-for-a-successful-camping-trip-696943.html
Posted in Coleman Air Mattress | 
Tags: air mattress pump, camping sleeping mats, camping supplies | 
No Comments »
Frequent campers are well aware of the costs that can accumulate while purchasing camping supplies. Durable equipment is a must, because you want this purchase to last a long time. Food and other more expendable supplies, on the other hand, are a recurring hassle because they have to be bought over and over again. If you can save on the cost of supplies, it will earn you more money for more trips.
Make a list of the supplies you find yourself buying over and over. Then, during the off-season, look for ways to stock up and save money. Target, Wal-mart and other retail stores often have sales on camping equipment during the fall and winter, especially on stoves, tents, and sleeping bags. Even though you may not need them right now, you might be able to save money by buying items like ponchos and miscellaneous camping gear when they go on clearance in early fall as well.
Think about the food you normally bring along on your trips. Grocery stores will have specials on dried soups and drinks you like to take along even if you camp year round. Take advantage on any promotional offers on frozen vegetables and other ingredients you may need. You can cook them up before taking them along for the ride, and you can store it in the freezer if it is not yet needed.
You might also consider taking a trip to your local bulk supply store. Stuffs like paper plates and cups, dried fruit, trail mixes, snacks and dried soups or drinks can be split throughout the camping season even if bought in bulk. Good deals on grills and other supplies can be also found in some bulk supplies.
The most important way to save money on your camping supplies is to take excellent care of all of them. Simple maintenance on tents, sleeping bags and other gear can save money in the long run, and prevent having to make big purchases over and over again. Cans of waterproofing solutions are available at most department and hardware stores, and can be applied yearly to make sure that water damage is no longer a concern.
Careful planning and purchasing of camping supplies throughout the year, not just when you need them, can save you a lot of money in the long run. Some supplies like paper goods and dried foods are okay to buy in bulk. Be aware of any sales and clearance rack during the off season for cheaper supplies. The more money saved on supplies will result on more trips to your favorite destinations all year long.
Many long time camping enthusiasts do not believe that they can still enjoy their favorite pastime after they have kids. This is simply not true. Camping with kids can be even more enjoyable than before, especially when you introduce your love of nature to your children, and see their eyes light up with all the fun they will have.
The age of your child is a big factor when deciding whether it is time for you to take them camping with you. A thing you might want to consider if you will bring a baby is to look for a site which provides electricity, making it easier for you to heat up the baby’s milk whenever it’s feeding time. Also, keep the packing simple. It will come to mind that you need to bring the entire kid’s items with you, but the truth is that is actually a whole lot simpler. Plan out how many days you are going to be at the campsite, and pack accordingly with enough diapers, formula, bottles, wipes and clothing for the exact number of days only.
Since you have been camping before, it may be time to upgrade your equipment to include the kids. A two man tent is not going to cut it for much longer, especially if you have older kids. Younger children will need a big tent that for them to play safely inside at the same time keep too much sunlight out. It will also keep the children in if mom or dad is busy with other things. A family size tent offers all of this, with a bigger sleeping room, purchasable with all the extras you need, and is a whole lot better compared to what your old two man tent could ever provide.
Nature can be an exciting playground for your children to explore, for any age. Toddlers should be given more attention, of course, but making them aware of camping and hiking safety is a top priority. Remember to explain why it is important to stay near the campsite area, as well when and how to use their camping tools. Telling them all about where they will be going is also important, if for any reason to get them excited about what fun you all will be having on the trip.
Older kids should have plenty of activities available to them on the trip, more than just hiking with dad or sitting around the campsite with mom. The average teenager is a social creature, so camping with kids near a state park or theme park might not be a bad plan. Swimming areas and recreation zones which most big camping locations have are great for keeping kids lively and smilimg. Asking your kids inout in planning the trip is a great idea, it keeps them involved and map out any other activites they would want to engage in.
Another option for camping with kids to double the fun by camping out with close friends or other family members. It will give you the option of having somebody else look after your kids for your alone time, and also is more fun if you go with more people. Also bring toys and recreational games for your children to engage in will make this a very enjoyable and unforgettable camping trip which may become the start of your very own annual family tradition.
Going out camping is a big deal. Getting organized and just trying to remember what gear to bring is one of the most difficult things about getting ready for camping. There are camping supplies here and there and you are not sure if you have indeed packed everything, as in everything you need.
You seem to always forget something. It may be helpful to keep a checklist of your needed camping supplies inside your pocket. Having a checklist in preparation for your trip would have to be the most important thing to do before going camping. This keeps everything organized and helps you make sure that nothing important is left behind. You can involve everyone in the making a checklist. Listing camping supplies could be fun and anticipative of the excitement you will get on your trip.
There may be a difficulty in making your list of necessary camping supplies. There are different kinds of camping. Survivalist camping is a challenge not to bring almost anything than the clothes you are on, and recreational camping is in contracts with the idea of getting the most comfort and luxury as having electricity while camping.
Other types of camping can also incorporate lots of other extra activities that need added camping supplies – swimming, rafting, grilling, or fishing. Since there are different types of camping, your needs of what to bring could also vary a great deal depending on your camping plans. To keep things easy, it may be beneficial to keep two lists of camping supplies, one for the basics and another one for the extras. The basics list would be invariable, while the extras list would be the flexible list.
Here, we are going to tackle about the basics list. Make sure you have at least the items mentioned below before packing the truck full of beer.
1. Tent. Even if you have a cabin to stay on, you probably still want to experience sleeping outdoors. Hence, a tent is a necessity. Determine your budget and needs first before picking one as there are an array of tents with various features and styles in the market. Just make sure that the tent is waterproof, lightweight, and easy to assemble. And make sure that your tent sleeps the number of people in your camp. You should also list down all the things you will be needing in setting up your tent, like stakes and hammer.
2. Sleeping bags. Don’t let yourself be folded in a ton of blankets inside your tent. And remember that some campers don’t get to bring tents with them, for instance those confined not to having enough camping space. Hence, a good sleeping bag is always a necessity for comfort.
3. Rainwear. Always anticipate the weather will be rainy. Having a good rainwear saves you from future discomfort.
4. Tarps. Tarps are good especially if you are eating outdoors and it is raining. Bring some rope too to tie them up.
5. Cooking utensils and portable grill or stove and fuel for a homier camping.
6. Bottled drinking water and high-carbohydrate food for nourishment.
7. Insect repellent, sunscreen, basic medicine, and first aid kit for safety.
8. Batteries, flashlight, waterproof matches, whistle, pocketknife.
9. Cleaning items like plastic bags, dishwashing soap, sponge, paper towels.
10. Personal necessities like soap, toothbrush, and towel.
Efficient, comfortable, safe. Have a ready bin of all these items even if you are not immediately camping. When the time comes it will be handy. You are sure of that.
Rachel Nunez
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/a-list-of-necessary-camping-supplies-699546.html
In Alice in Wonderland, Alice asks the Cheshire Cat which road to take. The cat said it depends on where she is going. That pretty much answers a question that one could ask about what portable bed to buy. It depends on where you are going, what you are doing, or what you are. Are you going camping, to college, or vacationing? Are you a backpacker, a student, a mother, someone who travels a lot?
For Campers, Hikers and Backpackers. If you are frequently going on trips to the mountains, up steep trails and camping grounds, you have the choice of sleeping pad, inflatable mattress or sleeping cot. Each has its own advantage and disadvantage. A sleeping pad is easy to use, but it is generally less comfortable as it would put you more directly over rocks and tree rots than an inflatable mattress or cot would. An inflatable mattress, being cushioned, is more comfortable than a sleeping pad while being comparable in size, ease of use and weight. But it is prone to puncture and is more complex to use as it would need inflation and deflation. A sleeping cot has the advantage of height over a mattress and a sleeping pad. But it is more complicated to set up than a sleeping pad and could take up tent space. With these considerations, it’s for you, the buyer, to balance these factors when choosing a bed.
For Mothers. Running a home would most likely mean having to accommodate relatives, the kids’ friends or other visitors in the house. Portable beds will be a good thing to have when there’s no more room space in the house. An air bed or inflatable mattress would always come in handy when unexpected guests arrive or when going over with the kids to the house of relatives or on hotels during vacation. Inflatable beds offer the advantage of being light to carry and easy to keep without the need for large spaces. They can also be rolled and folded to variable dimensions.
For Babies. Portable air beds for infants and toddlers could help a lot in making the child comfortable whether at home or somewhere else. With the baby comfy, Mommy could enjoy and relax herself. Kids’ travel beds usually have raised edges to keep the child from rolling off and falling. They’re great to carry when visiting grandma and grandpa, when traveling or napping at a visit to the park.
For Students. Going off to your first year in college and living on your own in your first apartment? Just like Mom in your home, an inflatable mattress, air bed or sleeping pad would come in handy around your dorm. You can bring it when sleeping over to friends’ place, or going on camping trips. You can also have use for portable beds if you have guests coming over and they need a place to sleep. Or perhaps an opportunity will come to you when you need to travel to another city or state to do summer jobs, volunteer works, trainings and the accommodation is such that you need to bring your own bed.
Rachel Nunez
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/portable-beds-what-type-is-for-you-734119.html
My sister advised me to buy a toddler travel bed because it is becoming an increasingly popular child sleep aid for parents who need to travel frequently. I purchased the travel bed, as I need to go for official tours frequently and my daughter always feel at home because she stays in her familiar travel bed
Toddler travel bed is not only helpful outside your home but also allows children to sleep safely while in a transitional bedding phase. These portable beds provide a safe alternative to a large, unknown sleeping area that a child may come across when staying in a hotel room during a vacation or spending the night at grandmas house or during camping.
Child’s travel bed is also a great way to accommodate a child who has outgrown the space of their crib, but is not yet big enough to spend their nights in a regular-sized bed. In this case, parent can save money by bringing a travel bed into their home for a lower price rather than buying an “in-between” bed
All new parents should purchase a good quality childs portable travel bed. Toddler travel bed should provide ample airy comfort that will send your little one soaring into dreamland. Inflatable air mattress beds are very popular because it allows children to drift quietly off to sleep.
Sometimes a simple cot selection will also do for your toddler, while lightweight play yards have been known to serve as a safe and fun opportunity for sleep. Here is some helpful information on different types of portable beds available for toddlers
Portable Travel Bed and Bedding is Must for Parents
A portable travel bed with rail is preferred choice because it makes sure a safe night of slumber awaits your little one. When portable bed is filled with air, a helpful sleep aid is created for children who are traveling on vacation, visiting a friends house, or would like to sleep in different parts of their own home.
Many air mattress models come with an air pump and can be inflated in less than a minute. This option is so handy that it can even accompany toddlers on a camping trip and make taking a nap at their daycare center much more comfortable.
Peapod Travel Bed
Peapod Travel Bed is an inflatable mattress that offers a little extra security in its design. Surrounded by a zipper pocket, the mattress is covered by a fold-down design that pops up and twists into a comforting shelter for your toddler. When placed into its compact position, the Peapod is easy to transport, as well as clean. The sleeping pad is washable and the entire unit can be used for both indoor and outdoor adventures. You can buy Peapod Travel Bed from toysrus
Additional information on childs portable bed
There are also different items on the market that allow parents to transform various bed sizes into a safe environment for a toddler to sleep in. Some travel beds of toddlers
are easy to pack and are often fashioned to fit any twin bed. Parent should buy a travel bed, which can be packed in a suitcase.
Alta
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/single-mother-and-toddler-travel-beds-128615.html
The opportunity for a restful night is appealing to campers today, as people realize their need for a good night’s sleep. Camping beds come in a wide range of sizes and comfort levels. Now campers can choose from an ultra-light backpacker to the creature comfort car camper. Models of camping equipment, with exciting new features, emerge daily. With the right choices, spending the night in the woods can include the same comforts enjoyed at home. Thanks to the increased development of quality camping beds, campers have dismissed the fear of a possible sore back with each camping venture. They are free to concentrate on their enjoyable camping experiences.
Foam Camping Beds
For years backpackers have used rolled foam camping beds. These beds are durable enough to be used for cooking in camp. They double for a table when needed to keep cookware free from dirt and sand. These reasonably beds are light and warm, a gentle comfort for backpackers.
Self-Inflating Camping Beds
Thermarest, a line of self-inflating camping beds, provides more warmth than foam mats, and they are of comparable weight. A layer of air, held between two layers of insulation, keeps a camper warm. Self-inflating beds give extra cushion, sorely needed when rocks and sticks lie beneath the tent.
Full Inflating Beds
Full inflating beds offer even more warmth and protection, but their weight and bulk restricts usage to groups who are car camping. These inflatable beds are a luxury for campers, who bear the burden to transport them to their campsite. Nevertheless, sleeping in these beds out under the stars is as comfortable as any bed in your home. When inflated, these beds occupy as much space as a standard mattress. It takes a lot of air to fill them and they are susceptible to punctures. A night on the cold, hard ground could be a possibility.
The Classic Cot
Another alternative to the inflatable camping bed is the classic cot. It is appreciated by car campers and base camps, as well, for it is comfortable, sets up quickly, and maintains the camper at a high level, well above the cold. These cots are much too heavy for backpackers. They are perfect for family-sized or wall tents. They take up too much space for smaller tents.
Hammocks
Hammocks are light and make a small bundle. With the right rain fly, a good hammock might even replace a tent. A hammock is great for a backpacker, who can easily assemble a rain fly using a tarp and a few pieces of rope. It is not wise to use a hammock during cold weather, as hammocks do not store heat. Heat escapes from hammocks and is absorbed by the surrounding air. Summer is the time for using hammocks.
Gregg Hall
http://www.articlesbase.com/rvs-articles/how-to-find-camping-beds-for-all-occasions-51431.html
I have the tent, sleeping bags and Airbeds. There are 2 adults and 2 kids going. What else do I need? Could you also recommend brands etc. Dont want to buy anything that turns out to be useless!!!
Thanks in advance.
Lantern
Flashlights
Tarp for over the tent just in case it rains
Cooler
Food
Water/drinks
Cooking Grill
Pots & Pans
Cooking Utensils
Silverware
Paper Plates
Paper cups
Napkins
Dish Soap
Trash Bags
Pot Holder
Pillows
Hot Dog Roasters
Mountain Pie Makers
Table Cloth
First Aid Kit
Nowadays there are some good quality, heavy duty Airbeds available, but nobody I know uses them as their regular bed, instead they use them as a spare or extra bed or for traveling. Meanwhile, a lot of people can’t sleep on their regular mattresses because the traditional spring mattresses are very uncomfortable for them, so they buy those memory foam mattresses. Why don’t they get a good air mattress for 1/20 the price of a Swedish memory foam mattress? Is there some reason I don’t know of why people wouldn’t use air beds for their everyday bed? Like a foam mattress there are no pressure points from springs.
My mattress is getting old and I was thinking of getting a memory foam mattress but now I’m thinking of trying an air mattress instead. Should I?
The reason that memory foam mattresses are so supportive is their pressure point reduction. The mattress is able to conform to your body and provide support where it is needed. While air mattresses have become significantly better over the last couple of years, they are still not pressure relieving. An air mattress is unable to compress to conform to your body. It is a bladder that is filled with air. When you lay on it, your body puts pressure on the bladder and displaces the air which allows it to conform to your body to an extent. How much it is able to conform depends on how full the air mattress is. Fill it too much, and the mattress cannot completely conform to you. Fill it too little and the mattress will “swallow” you up and provide less support. While some air mattresses, such as Select Comfort alleviate some of this issue with their adjustable fill features, your inexpensive air mattresses will not provide anywhere near the support you are going to get from a memory foam bed.
There is also the issue of holes and wear and tear. Should you accidentally puncture your air mattress you will need to go purchase another one, or spend time and effort finding and patching the hole. These are all issues that need to be weighed when selecting a new sleeping surface.