A Great Time Of Year For Camping!

Camping

 

When I was kid, I used to believe that when I grew and had a family, I would have plenty of time for camping and to just enjoy the great outdoors anytime I wanted.  However, that doesn't typically or whimsically happen in the real world with always being caught up in daily life, i.e., work, school, family needs. For the average full time hard-working person life rarely affords those moments. Time just gets away. Instead, those moments must be deliberated, anticipated (with much joy), and then strategically planned. 

Just before the kids go back to school, many families traditionally take an end of summer vacation.  Ours is no different. Camping trips typically offer a variety in rewarding getaways and can be cost-effective to fit any budget, including a family budget.  Whether you prefer mountains, outdoors or indoors, there are so many ways to enjoy camping.  Moreover, camping provides an opportunity to get away from it all and get in touch with and back to nature.

Luxury Camping

Whether you choose indoor camping or go old-fashioned outdoor camping, it is always best to make sure that your camping gear and equipment is in good condition.  Planning a camping trip can also be a good excuse to replace or invest in some new camping gear and/or hiking gear.

Here is a short sample of the things you'll need to make your camping experience easier and be on your way:  For example, sleeping bags, blankets, tent, tarp, duct tape, rope, fire-starter, a reliable knife, stakes & bolts, first-aid kit, insect repellent, compass, cooking items, games and toys for the kids, and miscellaneous items, just to name a few things.

A good checklist, which will vary depending on the type of camping, activities you're planning, and your destination, can be helpful in planning and gathering equipment

Here's a checklist

Whether you're headed for the Adirondacks, the Appalachian Trail, way out west for a California Adventure, or somewhere in between, the Army Navy Shop can help accommodate your clothing needs as well as gearing you up with all the essentials for a successful camping trip or just a weekend getaway!

Lastly, there are so many great places to go camping and hiking.  Not sure where you want to go camping?  Though not a complete or comprehensive list, we've scoped out a list of 26 best and most popular places for hiking and camping.

Here's a List of 26 Great Places To Camp

Go on and revel in the beauty of nature, the grandiosity of the outdoors, solitude and fun towards achieving the classic camping adventure and making some great memories along the way. Most of all, take time to enjoy your life!

Why Do People Like to Go Camping?

by Chris Vegvary

For the life of me, I can’t understand what people find so appealing about living off of nature. Sure, at some point after the zombie apocalypse, or whatever apocalypse is coming, we’re all going to have to fend for ourselves and not be able to rely on technology, but until that day comes, I enjoy the luxuries of living in a home. Those of you who like to be outside with nature more often than not, however, might have to carry around insect repellant to keep bugs from bothering you. Why put up with the hassle? And with no electricity, the only light source you might have is a kerosene lamp. Doesn’t sound like good times.

Maybe you carry an LED lantern, though, but how are you going to charge it in the wilderness? You’re not, that’s how, because there’s no outlets out there. Lucky for you, though, technology has come far enough to give us things like foldable solar chargers and other things of that nature. Do you realize that when camping, you run the risk of coming face-to-face with some of the worst creatures nature has to offer? I suppose it all depends on where you’re at. If you find yourself staring down a bear that’s decided it wants what you’ve got, maybe it would be a good idea to have yourself some bear mace to spray it with. While I would personally never get close enough to mace a bear, you might be the type of person who enjoys that sort of thing. If that’s the case, I’d like to see that someday. Just don’t go out there without the things you need to get by.

Military Technology and its Awesomeness

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of modern world are we living in, where 3D printers exist that can produce fish scales to improve armor, or hypersonic spy planes exist, or a drone the size of a dragonfly can see what you’re doing without you knowing? It’s all happening so fast, and yet, technology works that way. It moves fast. One year, you have the top-of-the-line computer system, and by the next year, it’s been obsolete for the last decade somehow.

Fish Scale Armor?

Robots carry weapons into battle. How much longer before we have an army of Robocop-type (or Terminator-style) androids to do all the ground work for us? Obviously that technology is nowhere near completion, if it’s being considered at all, but one can dream. Drones may also being considered as pets in the future. What’s up, technology? You keep getting better all the time, but I still have yet to see an actual flying car, or a hover-tank, or how about some of that cloaking technology that makes you invisible to the human eye? That’s ok, I believe that one day, all the good stuff us non-military folk want to see in the way of military technology will be provided to us through patience.

Tiny, tiny drones

Build us an android, guys. We want to see something like Bishop from the movie Aliens, something that can function on its own while seeming indistinguishable from another human being. I know it’s going to take time, but when our technology gets to that level, I can’t wait to see what good surprises are in store for the military. Flamethrower sentry units? If they don’t exist, let’s see it happen. I’m not going to pretend to dictate the course of military technology (although that would be awesome), but I do like to suggest things even if I know they’re not necessarily feasible. Who knows what the future will bring…

This android requires a mechanic

But enough about that. While we’re living in modern times, it might be nice to use all the gear you can in order to get the job (whatever that may be) done. Therefore, under this article there are some links to certain military items that you may need to get by in today’s world. Check them out, you just might find several things you like.

Camping supplies - Knives/Tools - Bags/Packs - Hunting supplies

Camping supplies for first time campers

When people are first time campers, they normally do not come prepared. If they do come prepared, they usually bring way too much! As a first time camper this summer, I think I brought all the necessary supplies. The camping supplies I brought consisted of a propane lantern, tons of bug repellant, instant sting treatment and quite a few other important items.

I have to say that the sting treatment helped immensely! I stepped on a nest of some kind of bees and I saw stars! The sting treatment and ice eased the burn and pain I was dealing with. Benadryl is very vital as well; just in case you are allergic to something you step on or brush up against. At night, even though you are at a campground; the grounds are not equipped with enough lighting. A lantern and flashlights made a world of a difference. Also, citronella candles gave off not only light but protected us from bug bites.

You do not want to over pack clothes! Just make sure you bring something light for the day and something warm for the night, and over course, plenty of underwear! Do not forget to bring towels and water shoes. If you are going to venture into the water and there are rocks, the water shoes will give you grip on slippery spots. Also, always wear a life vest in the water! Even if you are a great swimmer and decide to go tubing; there is always a change of hitting your head. A life vest will save your life! These are just a few tips to help you start a great camping trip!