Die hard campers sometimes claim RVing isn’t really camping.

And then there are diehard campers that claim RVing is most certainly ‘really’ camping just real camping with amenities and without showering in community outhouses.

Maybe RVing should be considered real camping because it is basically old-school camping keeping up with the times.

Originally camping was done with tents only because that is all that had been invented and designed for camping trips. Then slowly came the camper that attached to the back of your pick-up or SUV and after that the full driving RV was designed.

Many people consider the love and art of camping to be spending so much time in the outdoors and these same people think camping with an RV takes away from spending time outside in nature.

Many of the people who do camp with RVs have asked themselves ‘are we really camping?’ Essentially camping with an RV gives the camper and family many more amenities and much more comfort.

Camping with a tent allows the camper and family to spend time together while working through things such as setting up camp and cooking over a campfire.

Sure you know that you are supposed to keep food containers tightly closed in case of bears in the area and you know you are supposed to be prepared for all types of weather including tornadoes and flash floods but we have come across some very random tips and ideas that we are willing to bet you have not thought of.

1. Take postage stamps in case you want to send postcards to friends or family members not accompanying you on the camping trip.
2. Did you know that 80% of heat loss occurs through the head? That’s right so if you are camping in an area or season that gets chilly at night pack a wool hat to sleep in. This will keep you warmer.
3. If you are camping with your family or a large group of people consider using a large trash can for your dirty laundry storage.
4. Take a plethora of Ziploc bags in a multitude of sizes. You will be surprised at how many things these will come in handy for you.
5. If you are traveling and camping with your family make sure you have a recent photo of your children with you. This photo will come in handy should your children disappear you can show other campers and even campground security the picture and the likelihood of them being found sooner than later is higher.
6. Always have with you the following items: snacks, matches, water and a flashlight. Have these items with you even when you are hiking or biking or fishing. These items can come in very handy in a sticky situation.
7. Never ever hike alone. Always hike with a friend.
8. Always have a roll of duct tape with you. Another odd item that you would be surprised at how many uses duct tape has and how many sticky situations it can help you in.
9. Did you know that baking soda can be used to deodorize many different things including your tents and sleeping bags? Baking soda can also be used to deodorize shoes and clothing items that got wet so they will not smell moldy or like mildew. Baking soda can also be used to remove stains and as an on-site cleaner.
10. Bring a door mat from home and use it just outside your tent. This will greatly decrease the amount of dirt and other grime that you track into your tent.

We Have researched amusement park camp grounds around the country to come up with the 3 best amusement park camp grounds for you and your family.

We have compiled a list of clean, easily accessible and affordable camp grounds at 3 different locations in the United States.

1. Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun Kansas City, Missouri.  There are two separate camp grounds on the campus of Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri. One camp ground is made exclusively for RVs with complete hook-ups and the other is for tents.
2. Holiday World and Splashin Safari and Lake Rudolph Camp ground and RV resort in Santa Claus, Indiana. This camp ground is overflowing with amenities from golf carts to get around the large campus to paddleboats, fishing and free wifi.
3. Hersheypark and Dutch Wonderland at Highmeadow Campground in Hershey Pennsylvania. This camp ground attached to the Dutch Wonderland and Hersheypark is complete with nearly 300 camp sites and 22 cabins. The park also offers free wifi and laundry services as well as a swimming pool and a recreation center for kids with a game and arcade room.

It’s difficult to imagine what could possibly make your dog happier than accompanying you on a camping trip.

To be with you all day every day for days on end, all those new sights and smells, and to be in their element is one of the best experiences you can take your dog on with you.

There are things to consider and remember when deciding to take your dog on a camping trip with you. We have outlined the 10 most important tips for taking your best friend and canine companion camping with you.

1. Take your dog to a pre-camping visit. Make sure your dog is up-to-date on all vaccines (Bordatella, Giardia, Rabies and DH2PP) and you may want to consider talking to your vet about a possible Lyme disease vaccine.
2. Make sure your dog has proper identification and consider identifying where you will be at the camp site.
3. Make sure your dog is micro-chipped.
4. Bring all prescriptions for your dog.
5. Take a crate with you for situations that may arise even if you don’t typically kennel your dog. It could come in very handy and as a safety measure.
6. Don’t forget to pack plenty of water for your dog as well as their normal food and possible treats. You will need to keep up with your normal everyday routine as much as you can.
7. Bring chew toys and a dog brush. There will be ‘down time’ when your dog would benefit from a chew toy for boredom and you never know what your dog could get into that would require brushing his coat out.
8. Along with their regular collar and leash take extras just in case.
9. Do some research and get the phone number and location of a vet in the area where you will be camping.
10. Choose a campsite with shade to better accommodate your furry friend.

Once you plan ahead and are cognizant of all these things, also be aware of a few ‘housekeeping’ issues and just plain considerate behaviors such as picking up after your dog, keeping him quiet and not allowing him to bark, never leave your dog unattended and closely supervise your dog while around other campers.

If you follow all these guidelines you are sure to have an extremely fun time while camping with your best buddy!

Have you ever camped at a camp ground outside an amusement park?

Amusement parks in the Midwest such as Adventureland in Des Moines, Iowa and Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri cater to campers with full hook up camp sites and easy access to the amusement park.

Many families are finding the best possible camping trip is one that can be split up from camping, roughing it and smores at night over the camp fire to a day full of games, food and fun at an amusement park.

Children will find joy and entertainment from the rides such as the roller coasters and drop-stops and will appreciate the change of pace from home-cooked camp fire meals to yummy, greasy and bad for you amusement park fried food.

The thing about amusement park camp grounds is that you can take either your tent and camp while roughing it or you can take your RV and hook it up to the amusement park camp ground’s full hook-up amenities.

One of the best benefits to camping at an amusement park is that you can take a break from the amusement park during the day and head back to the camp ground for a little rest and relaxation.

Camping used to be an activity that families did in the summer when school wasn’t in session.

Camping was usually done between the months of May and September and very often associated with Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Now, camping is an activity that is literally done throughout the year, in all four seasons.

Due to advancements in camping gear and technologies it is very possible to have a fun, successful and rewarding camping experience no matter what time of year.

We have compiled a list of camping tips from tips we have received, read and researched from all over the world.

We have taken the tips that were most prevalent and realized these are recommendations that people do not know; these tips are not common sense. So therefore we have put together this list of the top 5 best camping tips we ever gave.

1. Lightning Does Strike Twice. Literally. This is our advice. We have heard from so many campers where lightning struck in a spot near their camp ground or immediate camp site and they let their guard down thinking ‘surely it won’t strike twice in the same place’. It does. If you hear thunder you are in danger of being struck by lightning.
2. Be cognizant of tornado seasons in your camping area. For example in the southern mid-west states the prime tornado season is March through May (however this does not mean Kansas hasn’t seen a twister or two in many other months) and the prime tornado season in the northern states is actually the winter months.
3. Be cognizant that flash floods are a very real threat. Rain in large quantities can result in dangerous flash flooding. Have a plan. Have a plan B and have an escape plan. Make sure everyone in your party knows what to do in the case of a flash flood. Cars can be swept away at 10-12 inches of water and people will be swept away at 4-6 inches of water. Be safe.
4. Bring enough water and bug repellent as well as a first aid kit.
5. Facilitate a meeting spot in case of accidental separation. The woods all look the same and your camp site will look like many other camp sites. The threat of getting lost or a member of your party getting lost is a very real possibility.

On your next camping trip try something new: stop at your local grocery store and go to the deli and meat section.

Choose some tasty and good deli meats as well as some fresh-sliced cheeses of your choice.

You will quickly find that deli meats and freshly sliced cheeses from your local grocery deli section make for an extraordinary meal while still maintaining the ‘roughing it’ feel of the camp ground and nature.

Make sure to buy only premium quality meat. Buying premium quality meat is important both to your satisfaction and also because premium quality meats will stay fresher longer and will be more resilient to the refrigerator to the freezer to the cooler to the camp site routine it goes through.

Buying premium quality deli meats and cheeses will also ensure you have the least fillers and preservatives you can get in a deli meat or cheese.

With deli meats and cheeses you can experiment with the standard deli sandwich, an open faced sandwich, and you can even heat up the meat and cheeses for a melt.

You may go camping every other weekend or you may just be planning your first-ever camping trip.

Or, you have been camping before but never been in charge of the troops and this time you will be.

You know there are numerous things to remember, keep in mind, and write down yet you aren’t quite sure what those are and want to make sure you aren’t missing anything.

We have compiled 10 tips to make your camping and hiking trip safer and more enjoyable for your family and you. [hiking safety]

1. If you are going hiking make sure to study a guide of the area and terrain before you go. Also estimate the amount of time it will take to get from point A to point B then pad those times in case of delays.
2. Will you need any permits or reservations? Research this ahead of time and find out. If so, take care of this in advance to avoid hang ups the days of your vacation.
3. Always be prepared for the worst possible weather. Be prepared mentally as well as in regards to your supplies.
4. Remember how easy it is to sweat when you are setting up a tent, climbing a hill, etc. So pack appropriately for layers that allow you to change with the weather conditions.
5. Wear polypropylene, wool and other breathable materials. Wearing these sorts of materials will allow for decreased moisture and your clothes will dry more quickly.
6. Always pack your rain gear. It doesn’t matter if you are going to the desert; always pack your rain gear.
7. Become familiar with all your gear before you head out for your trip.
8. Seam seal your camping tents before heading out. Don’t put this off until you are at the camp site.
9. Become familiar with the stove (if applicable) to avoid being ‘caught in the rain’ while trying to figure it out.
10. Your camping gear should not weigh more than 25% or your total body weight.

If you keep these guidelines in mind when preparing for your camping and hiking trip you will be guaranteed to have a much less stressful trip than if you push these recommendations to the side. Do everything from the comfort of your own home before hitting the road too.