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What Coleman Camping Gear Should You Take on Your Next Camping Trip?

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There are many different Coleman camping gear essentials that you can take on your camping trip to make your camping experience one that you will enjoy.

However, you need to think about what type of camping you are doing and what Coleman camping gear you will be able to take on your camping trip. With some types of camping you will not be able to take all of the camping gear that you might want to take.

Really, when you think about it there are a couple different types of camping.

1. Hiking & Backpacking Camping:

With this type of camping you will need to rough it a bit, similar to if you were in the army and only allowed to take what you can fit in a backpack and carry on your back. This kind of camping is usually only done when you are going on a hike. You really need to think about what items you really need when you are hiking to your camping spot because you can’t carry a great deal with you. If you can only get to your camping spot by hiking there, you can only take the absolute essentials.

As well as all your personal needs, a first aid kit, water and food you will also need the following items for backpack camping:

A lightweight sleeping bag that can be stuffed into a compression sack so it’s small. There are many Coleman sleeping bag styles to choose from.
A blow up pillow or pillowcase which you can stuff clothes or a jacket into to make a comfortable pillow. Coleman make a back country pillowcase which is just perfect for a hiking camping trip.
A sleeping pad if you can fit it, such as the Coleman rest easy pad.
A small lightweight backpacking tent, something that is not too heavy and will weigh you down. There are lots of different Coleman camping tent styles which are suitable for backpacking and are available in 1, 2 or even 4 person tents.
A small one burner stove that is lightweight. There are many different Coleman camp stove styles that are suitable for hiking and backpacking. A small one burner stove is all you need and is great because they are very lightweight and easy to fit in a backpack.
A lightweight torch so you see what you are doing at night if you cannot light a fire where you will be camping.
2. National Park or Camp Grounds Camping:

With this type of camping, you can usually get to it by car. When you have a car to bring all your camping needs then you don’t have to worry about only bringing what you can fit in a backpack. If you’re camping in a national park or a camping ground where there is car access, then this type of camping allows you to bring a lot of other items.

There are many different types of Coleman camping gear items that will make your next camping trip to the national park an enjoyable one and they are:

A Coleman camping tent is essential for shelter when camping in the outdoors and they make many different styles of tents and come in all different shapes and sizes depending on how many people you need to accommodate. They also have tents that have many rooms so you can have more space inside for different uses.
Coleman sleeping bags are another essential item that is needed when you go camping. They have many types to choose from in their line up and it will depend on the type of weather you are camping in as to what sleeping bag is needed, because they make various grades of warmth.
A Coleman camp stove will also be needed to cook you meals if there are no cooking facilities or BBQs where you are camping and these are available in different styles, types and sizes depending on your needs.
Coleman Coolers or an esky will help to keep your perishable food items cold.
Coleman camping furniture such as folding tables, chairs and even stretcher beds are among the furniture items you may like to take on your next trip to make it more comfortable.
Coleman lanterns or some sort of lighting system will also help you to see at night when you are cooking if you don’t have a camp fire.
Coleman heaters may also come in handy to keep warm on a cold night especially if you don’t have a camp fire.
3. Camping in a camper trailer, caravan or motor home:

Having a camper trailer, caravan or motor home is the type of camping which a little more luxury. There’s no need for a camping tent, however there are still other Coleman camping gear items which are needed even if you have a camper trailer, caravan or motor home.

Coleman offer many camping items for the luxury camper; things such as portable refrigerators, the Coleman BBQ, camping showers and even a portable toilet are among some of the items that you may like to take on this type of camping adventure.

So when you plan your next camping trip think about what style of camping you will be doing and match is with the different types of Coleman camping gear that is available to make your camping trip one that you

What to Pack for Summer Camp

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What is a summer without going to a summer camp? Summer camps are great places for bonding, get-together, unwinding and getting to know people that you want to be friends with. This is why camping is an essential activity that families, schools and friends should always be looking about when summer days are about to come. There are no necessary expenses, no need to travel far and the nature will give everything you need and you go home relaxed with mind cleared off baggage.

However, for the first timers, there is always the lack of ideas on what to pack for summer camp. Especially for kids, who always depend from their parents for their necessary package, they are usually at lost what to bring for themselves once their teachers decide to spend their last days in school in a summer camp for kids. There are always a lot of camping activities that students and families can go to but it would be nice if you could find the best summer camp among the camps that are open in your area.

Qualities of a Good Summer Camp

If you want your kids or your families to enjoy their short vacation in a natural setting, look for the best summer camp in your area. If the place is too far from your home, check some camping sites that are near your home but can meet your requirements and can give you quality bonding and discovering time with your kids. Here are the features to look for when looking for an ideal camping site.

• Length of camping time the camp offers. There are camps that offer only half day camping just for children know what is camping all about and there are summer camps with programs that accept few days stay.

• Offered programs. Some camps run different programs that can enhance the skills and talents of your kids. There are also camps that have game activities for the families.

• Location of the camp. It would be better if you can find an ideal summer camp that is only few miles from your home. This is not to bore your kids with your travel time and feel safe being near your home. The location must also be accessible by vehicles or near the road.

• Safety status of the summer camp. You would not want to live in a camping site with lots of wild animals roaming the area or near a ravaging lake. Always think about your family’s safety so check this feature first before signing in.

• Restrictions. Some camps are lax with what the campers can bring while some camps provide restrictions on food, beverages or even with sound gadgets because summer camps are usually located near wildlife reserves or national parks.

• Check the accreditation. An accredited summer camp is following a health and safety standards and this is an assurance that people who go in there will be safe. Check with the American Camping Association to know if your choice of camp is a registered one.

Consider that you have found the best summer camp let’s see now what things you can pack for your summer camping with your kids.

Essential Things to Bring In a Summer Camp

1. Medicines. If you have kids with you, medicines or first aid kit are a necessity and don’t go without any kinds of medication you can use for emergency cases. Especially if your camping site is known to be visited by bugs and mosquitoes, don’t forget to bring anti-mosquito lotion or better bring along a mosquito net.

2. Proper clothes. You and your kids should bring along thin and comfortable clothes for summer tracking. However, you must also bring with you few jackets because weather can abruptly change in camps. Calculate the days of your stay so that you will know the amount of clothes you will need. Don’t forget the socks, pajamas and gloves.

3. Flashlights. Most camping sites have their own source of power so light is usually not a problem. However, you may need flashlights or camping lamps in case brownouts occur. Or if you want to discover nature during the evening with the kids, flashlights are needed. Some campers prefer flashlights that are not rechargeable when camping and you may also do so. In this case you must bring along extra batteries for emergency cases.

4. Pocket knives. These should be handled by adult or teens. Knives can save lives and can be so much functional during crisis.

5. Essential food. Don’t expect that there could be a store in your camping site so bringing your own food is a very sensible idea. You can also consider taking your own portable gas stove. Better, check with the camp management what you need to bring.

6. Tents. Some camps do have the cottages for lodging but not all camps have them and this you must check out. For kids, they can have their own small camps to make them enjoy camping in a real world.

In reality, what to pack for camping trip don’t need to be too complicated or too costly in a sense that you can only spend a day or two in a camp and don’t need to bring in so much stuff. But as they say, summer camps have unpredictable and surprising ambiance that we cannot actually fathom so taking along stuff that can provide our basic needs would be very significant. However, avoid overdoing it especially if the place has many amenities you can avail from.

Traditional Summer Camps – Frequently Asked Questions, Answered

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What are the benefits of sending a child to a traditional summer camp? Should you select a summer day camp or an overnight summer camp?

Positive summer day camp or overnight summer camp experiences can be of tremendous benefit to your child’s development. While at a traditional summer camp, either a summer day camp or overnight summer camp, children learn about themselves, learn to be more independent, are expected to live up to expectations and help out younger campers.

A good traditional summer camp program can help increase a child’s self-esteem, teach them respect for others, enable them to learn self-respect and also learn tolerance of others. Living in a group situation, as in an overnight summer camp, campers learn to accept differences such as race, religious beliefs and cultural differences. Both types of traditional summer camps offer benefits that will help your children grow and mature and broaden their horizons.

When you receive a traditional summer camp’s brochure, you will invariably have questions for the camp director about the camp philosophy as well as that of the director. From that first phone call and/or visit to the web site, you begin developing an impression of what a particular traditional summer camp is like and how it’s run.

A traditional summer camp may be described in nothing less than glowing terms in its brochures. The setting can be absolutely breathtaking. Activities offered by the camp may run the gamut from racquetball to modern dance. In the end, however, it’s the human equation of how those activities are operated and conducted that determines the quality of the summer day camp or overnight summer camp program. Remember the marketing materials for traditional summer camps are designed to make you want to send your child there!

Get to know the camp director as a person through telephone conversations, correspondence and if possible, a personal visit. Have the director describe the camp’s philosophy and how it is carried out by the staff. Find out if you have the option of sending your child for summer day camp or overnight summer camp. Ask how many years the director has been at that camp and also find out the total number of years he or she has worked as a traditional summer camp director.

How Much Is It Going To Cost?

One of the biggest questions facing parents when they consider sending a child to a traditional summer camp is the cost. The cost of a traditional summer camp, whether a summer day camp or overnight summer camp, can be substantial especially if there is more than camp-age child. American Camping Association accredited overnight summer camps and summer day camps offer price ranges to fit every budget. While not always the case, if a non-traditional summer camp is designed for a very specialized group of campers, it may be more expensive than traditional summer camps, which are also often called adventure camps.

The cost of a traditional summer camp per week will probably also figure into how many weeks of summer day camp or overnight summer camp your child(ren) will attend. The American Camping Association reports the among its accredited camps, both summer day camps and overnight summer camps, the prices for a week of summer day camp or overnight summer camp ranges from $75 per week to $650 per week.

There are some ways to save money, even if it is not obvious from reading the camp brochure or visiting the camp’s website.

The first question you should ask is whether or not financial assistance is available to help subsidize the tuition costs. It’s not uncommon for all kinds of summer day camps and overnight summer camps to set aside a certain number of spots for families who might not otherwise be able to afford to send their child to traditional summer camp. If they don’t offer to subsidize the full cost of the camp session, they may pay part of it.

Although scholarships for traditional summer camp programs are usually available on the basis of need, there may be extra unclaimed subsidized spots which the camp will allow your child to fill. You won’t know, though, unless you ask. If you are hoping to receive a scholarship or other type of financial assistance, it’s a good idea to apply early before all the slots are taken.

Another way to save on the cost of traditional summer camp is to find out if special discounts are available. Often summer day camps or overnight summer camps will offer a discounted tuition price for early registration, for siblings attending the same camp, or for signing your child up for a particular session of the summer camp program. Again, if you don’t ask, you won’t know what your options are.

What is included in the tuition cost?

Typically, transportation is included as part of the cost for summer day camps. Resident or overnight summer camps may offer transportation from a central location or may require the campers to be delivered to the campground. If the overnight summer camp program includes trips, movies, laundry service, snack bar, special equipment or other costs, find out if they are included in the cost, if your need to pay a separate additional fee, or if you should send extra money with your child to camp.

What is the refund policy?

Refund policies vary greatly from camp to camp. Some refunds cover only illness of the child, while some will give a total refund if it is requested prior to a certain date. Some camps may return all but a registration or administrative fee and some may not offer refunds at all.

What is the camp’s philosophy and program emphasis?

Each traditional summer camp has its own method of constructing programs based on its philosophy. Does it complement your own parenting philosophy? Are the activities at the summer day camp or overnight summer camp of interest to your child? Many traditional summer camps actively promote competition and healthy rivalry among camp teams, as reflected in team sports. For many campers this is pure fun. Some parents feel that learning to be competitive at an early age teaches essential survival skills. However, other parents and educators are in favor of cooperative learning. Research has shown that noncompetitive methods encourage young people to learn more, retain it longer, and develop greater self-esteem and appreciation for others. Knowing your child’s personality and style of learning is valuable in selecting the right summer day camp or overnight summer camp.

What is the camp director’s background?

American Camping Association (ACA) minimum standards recommend directors possess a bachelor’s degree, have completed in-service training within the past three years, and have at least 16 weeks of camp administrative experience before assuming the responsibilities of director.

What training do counselors receive?

At a minimum, camp staff should be trained in safety regulations, emergency procedures and communication, behavior management techniques, child abuse prevention, appropriate staff and camper behavior, and specific procedures for supervision. Often traditional summer camp counselors are college students working toward degrees in various sports-related and human services fields.

What is the counselor-to-camper ratio?

ACA standards require different ratios for varying ages and special needs. Generally, the ratios at overnight summer camps range from one staff for every six campers ages 7 and 8; one staff for every eight campers ages 9 to 14; and one staff for every 10 campers ages 15 to 17. At day camps the ratios range from one staff for every eight campers ages 6 to 8; one staff for every 10 campers ages 9 to 14; and one staff for every 12 campers ages 15 to 17.

What are the ages of the counselors?

ACA standards recommend that 80 percent or more of the counseling/program staff be at least 18 years old. Staff must be at least 16 years old and be at least two years older than the campers with whom they work.

The number and types of programs a particular traditional summer camp offers may also impact the ages of the counselors. Academic camps and other specialty camps may require camp counselors to have a particular level of education or number of years of experience or training.

What percentage of the counselors returned from last year?

Most traditional summer camps have from 40-60 percent returning staff. If the rate is lower, find out the reasons why there isn’t a higher number of staff who return to work at the camp each year.

How are behavioral and disciplinary problems handled?

Are the behavioral expectations clearly laid out and available to campers in advance? They should also be reviewed with the campers on the first day of camp. It’s also important to know the disciplinary steps that will be taken for violation of the rules.

What is the style and personality of the camp director? How much authority do the camp counselors have? These are all important questions to ask because you want to be sure the camp behavior standards and disciplinary policies are a good fit for your child and your family.

What if a child becomes ill, is injured or has a special need?

Find out if trained medical personnel are resident in the camp at all times, especially overnight summer camps. A nurse or other medical professional will be able to tell if an injury is serious and requires more intensive medical attention. You’ll want a professional available if a child becomes ill or needs medical attention in the middle of the night.

If your child has allergies or is insulin-dependent, there should be a designated place for the medication to be stored in a locked container. It should be administered only by trained staff. If your child requires a special diet, find out if the camp is able or willing to accommodate their dietary needs. The wrong answer to any of these considerations can be potentially life-threatening.

Even a child who has slept away from home in the past may become homesick, or simply have trouble adjusting to the overnight summer camp during the first few days. Find out from the director how homesickness is handled by the staff and let your child know what their recourse is if they feel lonely or have trouble adjusting.

Is the camp American Camp Association accredited? Why or why not?

American Camp Association accredited camps undergo extensive scrutiny and must meet very high standards to be accredited. Accreditation reviewers ask over 300 questions about the camp and staff including essential health and safety issues, program quality and the camp’s overall operation and functioning.

What about camp references?