Sean The Blogonaut

Camping with family, loved ones are all good, nice and straightforward but with your dog is a different ball game that requires the different approach.

Therefore to feed your curiosity on how you can camp with your dog, we have provided on this page tips that will make camping with your dog less stressful, fun-filled and worthwhile.

Tips on how to camp with your dog

Book a friendly camping site

Not all campsites are dog-friendly, therefore, doing a proper homework to pinpoint a dog-friendly campsite should be your number one priority.

You can consult the national park authority of your state for necessary information on places dogs are allowed for camping and therules that guide camping with your dog in that particular area. And you cannot assume the same rules for each state because the rules differ from each state.

You don’t really have many options in the backcountry because only a few of the national parks do accept dogs. On the flip side, developed areas at the front country allow dogs for camping. Also, a good number of states and local parks have trails for dogs to engage.

Furthermore, Consulting your country or state webpage for necessary information relating to camping with your dog will do you good. Also booking ahead a campsite is such a nice idea.

Bring along necessary documents on your dog

Ensure you have up to date document on your dog, update their license and Id tag if it needs updating. Also, go with necessary documents that authenticate the up to date vaccination of your dog.

Make provision for your dog

When leaving for camp, make provision for everything your dog will need just like homes such as dog bowl, ground meal, and water.

In case you will engage hiking having a dog pack will be a good idea and do some research on dog hiking before involving your dog.

Practice camping at home

Before you hit the campsite engage some preliminary camping activities so to prepare yourself and the dog for the journey ahead.

For example, familiarize your dog with sleeping in the tent with you, you can pitch your tent outside your home with your sleep bag just to make her familiar with the camp arrangement also to see if your dog find it comfortable to sleep with you under the tent because it is advisable to make your dog your companion always.

Even if you will be sleeping in the car, your dog has to sleep with you, and if your dog reacts unseemly, you will know you have a work to do and is good for you because you won’t have to fix the problem at the campsite. Also making your pet sleep with you will make them feel comfortable and safe.

Go with a leash

Don’t assume your dog will act well without a leash. Moreover, some campgrounds restrict dogs to a certain environment, which will warrant tying your dog to a particular spot.

Also going around with a leash when trailing will also be a great idea, a situation may occur that you will need to restrain her to a spot.

First aid kit

Remember to pack your dog first aid kit as you are packing yours.

Animals too can have injuries so is essential you go with the pet first aid kit and it can be purchased at the nearest pet store. Also, read on how to take care of pets during emergency situations.

Take along dog poop bag

As you engage the outdoors, environment sustainability should be your utmost concern. Leaving dog wastes behind could harm the environment- bacteria and parasites that arise from dog waste can pollute the soil and water sources, the dog waste also encourages the growth of noxious weeds.

Therefore taking along a dog poop bag is such a great idea to preserve our environment.

Camping offers refreshment, enjoyment, also a time to have a beautiful moment with loved ones. As a matter of fact, camping makes you happier, increases your intake of vitamin D, helps you sleep better and even aid children education but at the same time, it causes anxiety, fear, and discouragement when it comes to cooking while camping.

Obviously, you are now far away from your kitchen and even fast foods and that could cause little worry especially when faced with questions of this nature- ways to cook outdoor or ways to cook food while camping? What to cook? How to clean up after cooking? And many more questions like this.

Don’t be panic! Because all these questions will be answered right here on this website, even more, those questions, in order for you to have an excellent camping experience.

For any camping without the provision of food is no camping at all because less fun and less pleasure and what is camping know for? Camping is known for maximum enjoyment and pleasure.

So let’s get to answers these questions pressing upon your heart, which makes outdoor cooking looks worrisome for you in form of tips.

Tips on how to cook outdoor

Outdoor cooking is the same thing as cooking while camping, in case you are getting it twisted.

Cook over charcoal: cooking over charcoal is one of the exciting things about camping.

You don’t get to cook over charcoal in your kitchen, it has to be outside and cooking over charcoal comes with a special aroma or scent.

It cooks your food with little or no burning.

Cooking over charcoal is essential wood and charcoal itself but both gives the same treatment, however, it is advisable to keep your cooking stand a little bit away from where you are camping, whether you will be cooking on gas or coal for safety.

I will also suggest Dutch oven for your outdoor cooking. It is readily available at the store, is great for outdoor cooking.

What to cook

Pancakes: Pancakes can be prepared at home before hitting the road for camping. Pancakes will be okay for breakfast.

Quesadillas– You can also make some quesadillas full of cheese, beans, and salsa while at home for camping. This won’t consume much time all you have to do is heat it up at the camp and it will make your afternoon.

Cake: you can make some cakes and take it along with you. Moreover, children love cake.

Barbecue: you can explore the sweet experience of outdoor cooking by preparing a spiced barbecue at the camp.

Others include spaghetti, potatoes, baked bean, salad, and sandwiches. Experts suggest that is imperative one should stay away from frying and if you will do fry use a Dutch oven.

Tips on how to keep to your environment clean

• For easy clean up of cooking pots add liquid soap or ashes or better still palm oil or combination of the 3 to your pot before placing on fire.
• Go along with a waste bag to collect your waste products.
• Take care of the surrounding immediately after cooking like the immediate washing of plates, sweeping the surrounding. And since camping is engaged outdoor, you have to be conscious of maintaining a healthy environment

Others tip to imbibe when cooking while camping

• To ensure you do not leave your frozen meats or poultry on the table allowing it to cool off-that is not safe because at that state it could attract bacteria so the best is to transfer it from the cooler to the fire.
• Use Ziplock bag for storage.

Exploring the outside world with your family or loved ones brings you close to nature and also grants you the opportunity to have a quality moment with your loved ones. A quality time you may not get under the roof where everyone is busy with one or two things and no time for each other.

So camping will bring you together in unison and also allow you to spend some quality time together.  Moreover, camping comes with health benefits such as reduction in stress level- engaging nature brings total calmness to your being, it decreases depression, and it improves your cognitive abilities.

So Camping is great for everyone to engage, including beginners.  However, it can be challenging for beginners as well as causing anxiety and worry especially when you are not used to the outside world, well, that is why we are here, to help you with some tips that can make you start your camping with little or no stress and make it worthwhile as well.

Tips for camping for beginners

Choose a campsite near you

Don’t go too extreme, like camping in the woods when kick-starting your camping experience.

To begin, look for a high-quality campground near you, high-quality in the sense that the environment must be serene, friendly and contain good facilities such as good toilets and showers and also a nice store to meet your immediate needs such as food and other supplies.

To get a place to camp- you can contact your national park authority for updates on parks availability and private campgrounds can be found on the internet or through Google map search.

And in case you are interested in camping at a caravan park, inquire early for costs and availability and booking ahead is such a good idea. This not just apply to caravan park also other campgrounds –is good to book early so as to avoid stories that touch.

Practice setting up your tent

Don’t assume you can do it or you will do it when you get to the campsite. Try practice pitching your tent before hitting the campsite. This will make you perfect in it and at the same time help to combat any difficulty that may arise when setting up the tent immediately.

Also, ensure the tent is in proper shape before hitting the camp because if difficulty arises in pitching the tent you may not get the help you need at the camp so is very important you practice setting up your tent at home before going for camp.

Setting up your campsite

When setting up your campsite, you have to take cognizance of the ground and the debris- ensure your ground is flat also ensure you clear the debris before setting up the tent.

Set up the tent against the wind- this will offer more stability to the tent also set the pole at angle 45 to each other.

Make the essential list of camping equipment

So not to forget anything behind ensure you have a list of all camping equipment you will be taking to the camp and cross each after they have been taken care of.

Discuss with people about it

You can create a discussion forum for people in your neighborhood or family that has gone wide when it comes to camping in order to share with you their experience with camping.

However do not let anyone discourage you or confuse you, camping is fun. The idea of talking about it to others is just to get intimate with camping from their words.

Tips on meal planning for camping

It is necessary to plan your meal before hitting the camp, don’t say you will take care of it at the camp-plan your meal at home.

Your meal plan can go thus- dinner taking care of on the way to camp, prepare breakfast and take snacks for lunch depending on your personal preference. And do not take anything heavy throughout your camping exercise.

You can go with some fresh food (ensure you iced them), snacks and tea or coffee. Also, go along with dustbin to take care of your dirt.

Tips on wears for camping

Do not go camping with your nice attractive dress, go with your rugged dresses like jean and also rugged shoes. You might want to take along raincoat, warm jacket, long gown (for ladies) and socks to take care of night cold.

Essential camping gears

Tent

I guess you will need to shelter yourself in the outdoor so getting a good tent from one of the stores is essential. You will also need to get along the tent, poles: the pole will help hold the tent.

The footprint is also essential in impeding waters from getting into the tent.

Sleeping bag

You have to do some selection preference in selecting sleeping bags because it comes in different sizes, weights, and also designed to handle different temperatures.

Sleeping Pad

For more comfortability, get a sleeping pad.  A Sleeping pad is placed between your sleeping bag and ground and it comes with thermal insulation to keep your body warm.

Cooler

I know you would want to ice some of the things like food, drinks you would be taking to camp so getting a nice thicker insulation cooler will do the magic because it makes ice last longer.

Lightning

You will need a source of light to lighten up the campsite.

Going along with a flashlight will be a good idea to navigate the campsite but a headlamp too will be nice.

Stove

You might want to prepare a meal or make tea or coffee for breakfast at the campsite and of course, you will need a stove, a two-burner propane camp stove can do the magic.

Nevertheless, if you are familiar with a making-of camping fire, you can as well make use of campfire to take care of your heating but ensure you go through the safety measures outlined for a campfire. Also, remember to go with a fire starter and fuel.

Eating utensils and plates

You will surely need your plates and eating utensils such as forks, knives, and spoons to take care of your cooking and consumption so consult your kitchen in time for necessary knives, spoons and forks that can journey with you to the camp and is not necessarily you go with your fine utensils.

Also remember to go with at least two washing bowl, scrubber, and liquid soap to take care of the cleaning of the utensils and plates.

Pots

All round bottom pots are good for camping but I will advise, you go for Dutch oven pots.

It is also good for frying in case you need to fry because is not advisable to fry on a pan at a campground and is also very okay on the campfire.

A pressure cooker will also be nice because of its accuracy and speed in getting food done in a jiffy.

And remember to add liquid soap or palm oil or ashes or the combination of the three to your pot so to ease washing of the pots.

For your next winter adventure, you might want to consider camping without tent moreover tent can be weighty, fragile and expensive also this talk about tent, how to get a good tent, how to be safe in a tent e.t.c.

Why not consider camping without tent in one of these winter days, it sounds crazy right? Well, not for people like me that are crazy about adventure and want to always try new things, there is actually no fun in the doing the same thing all the time and expect different experience.

Overcome your phobia and worry, for trying new things, even though is not conventional and thereby conquer your normal routine of camping with tent by adopting one or two of these alternative ways.

Alternative ways to camp without a tent in winter

Get a bivy sacks

Bivvy sack is a magnificent alternative to tent even in winter, in fact, is without doubt a quick and easy way to into the snow. It is light weight, has a durable floor, weather protection, suitable for breathing and allows the letting in of air as well as the release of moisture.

So get a bivvy snack suitable for weather and constitute these aforementioned qualities.

On the flip side, bivvy sack is primarily made for a single person and that means there is no really much fun with your partner, no playing of cards, no intimate gist or other pleasurable activities. It also cannot fight intense wind, however, with a snow cave, you are good to go.

Tarp

You can as well combine your bivvy with a winter tarp. It has the capability to cater for group or family, for maximum enjoyment and fun, before hitting the longer night of winter period. However, the tarp can be compromised due to the load of snow or strong wind, but do not fret, you are still pretty safe.  And that is the reason you should bury the sides of your tarp in the snow.

Dig a simple shelter walls

I believe you will be going with your shovel and related equipments- because, you will do some digging.

Dig yourself a dog house with the height above your height and the width, wider than yours, for easy accessibility and to prevent the wall from collapsing.

Cut blocks of snow with your snow saw, then arrange the blocks flat, side to side over a long pit, a little bit wider than your width and you can as well tilt the arrangement, the tilted arrangement will offer you not just a horizontal surface to lie or sleep but also a sitting position.

The construction shouldn’t take much time though; it depends on the structure of the snow. You can as well burrow a wind drift, in fact is faster this way.

You can also carve out a hollow in the size of your sleeping bag or bivvy, better still; dig a snow pit and covered it with a 5 by 10siltarp.

To keep warm while camping, especially, during the winter season is the top most priority of every camper, and we can’t forgo camping, because of the possibility of getting cold.

Although, cold in the camp can be difficult to manage, however, enough preparation (what to bring along and what to wear) before hitting the woods or parks will minimize the cold. Besides the preparation, it is also good to have the knowledge of some tips that can help you keep warm while camping.

Tips to keep warm while camping

Clothing

When leaving for camping remember to go along with the essential clothing; don’t assume the weather will be favorable. Go along with your pairs of socks and fleece.

Ensure you have a separate dress for sleeping because you can tell, what the day will look like and sleeping with a wet clothing is never a good idea, in fact do not wear the cloth you wore during the day, a little sweat could mean so much to attract cold in the night.

An extra sock is not a bad idea, and when dress to kill the cold, start with wool underwear, it will adjust based on the temperature-retains heat when cold and release cool air when hot, and you can crown it with fleece and pants as middle layer.

Don’t let the clothing be too tight, not to reduce the insulation thereby making it difficult to stay warm. You can as well go with thermal clothing, extra blankets, hand warmer and head gear.

Get a tent

To curb the menace of cold, purchase a 4-season type of tent– it does not only shelters you, it also helps keep you warm.

Eat and drink something hot

Before sleeping try keep your body by warm by taking a hot hearty meal with hot coffee or tea.

Campfire

Campfire will keep you warm however, stick to the campfire rules, do not make campfire near your tent and ensure you put out the campfire completely before sleeping.

Pee when necessary

There is no point in holding your pee when in actual fact it needs to be release, little did you know that peeing while cold is very good, in fact you need to do it more frequently, because, it keeps your body at stable temperature for, waste product keep your bladder warm.

So head straight out of the tent to do the needful when nature come begging. However, if it will be hard for you to go outside to pee, you can use a pee bottle, if you are a male. Ladies can also use it, but there is a technique to it- use stand up or SaniGirl as a funnel to direct your urine into the bottle. You can as well purchase a disposable urinal bags.

Get a good Sleeping bag

Don’t be modest when purchasing a sleeping bag, if possible break the bank and acquire an excellent sleeping bag, is all for the sake of keeping you warm while camping. You can as well purchase sleeping bag liner for extra comfort and insulation.  However, is not the end of the world if you do not have a sleeping bag, you can take cognizance of other tips to keep you warm while camping.

For maximum enjoyment and pleasure at the camp, you must go with the necessary camping gears and you have sought the nook and cranny of the internet enough for what to bring to camp because you are the right place.

You will be served with essential camping equipment. We divide them into sections from shelter to health for easy comprehension.

Camping equipment to bring to camp

Shelter

Tent: You will need to shelter yourself in the outdoor so getting a good tent from one of the stores is essential. You will also need to get poles: the pole will help hold the tent.

The footprint is also essential to bring along, it aids the stoppage of waters from getting into the tent.

Others that fall into this category include tarp, hammer, stakes or poles and tent mat for entrance.

Bedding

Sleeping bag: You have to select sleeping bags based on preference because it comes in different sizes, weights, and it is also designed to handle different temperatures.

However, we will tip you on how to select a sleeping bag that best suits you; a 3-season type of sleeping bag would give you an opportunity of adjusting to any weather type.

Sleeping pad: For more comfortability, I will suggest you get a sleeping pad.  A Sleeping pad is placed between your sleeping bag and ground, and it comes with thermal insulation to keep your body warm.

When choosing a sleeping pad, go for an air-filled pad. The air filled pad is relatively light. Also when purchasing a sleeping pad, go for a higher R-value sleeping pad. And coupled with thicker and wider sleeping pad- you are a guarantee of more comfortability as well as warmth.

Others include blankets, pillow, and air pump.

Kitchen

Stove: A need to prepare a meal or make tea or coffee for breakfast at the campsite can be achieved on a two-burner propane camp stove.

However, you can also make use of campfire to take care of your heating but ensure you go through the safety measures outlined for campfire.

Also, go with a fire starter and fuel.

Eating utensils and plates: you will surely need your plates and eating utensils such as forks, knives and spoons to take care of your cooking and consumption so consult your kitchen in time for necessaryknives, spoons and forks that can journey with you to the camp and is not necessarily you go with your fine utensils.

Also go with at least two washing bowl, scrubber, and liquid soap to take care of the cleaning of the utensils and plates.

Pots: All round bottom pots are good for camping but I will advise you go for Dutch oven pots.

A Dutch oven is made of a thick surface covered with a close-fitting lid and it slow things down to preserve the flavor and integrity of your ingredients and with a Dutch oven, your recipes will thrive well also with that deep bowl and a domed lid that retains moisture into the dish.

It is also good for frying in case you need to fry because is not advisable to fry on a pan at campground especially if you will be using a campfire.

Taking along Pressure cooker will also be nice because of its accuracy and speed in getting food done in a moment.

You can also take along liquid soap, palm oil or ashes or the combination of the three to ease washing of your pots especially if you prefer campfire as your source of heat.

Cooler:  getting a nice thicker insulation will make your icing lasts longer.

Light

Flashlight: You will need a source of light to lighten up the campsite.

Going along with a flashlight will be a good idea to navigate the campsite but a headlamp too will be nice, at least it doesn’t have to follow you everywhere you go, it can be fixed in one position and yet brighten the whole campsite.

Others include lanterns and extra bulb or battery.

Health

First aid kit: Apart from the conventional materials such as bandages, plaster that make up your first aid kit, include these followings: insect repellant, Aspirin, antibiotics, Imodium, tissues, razor blades, hydrogen peroxide, thermometer, gloves, anti-bacterial soap, scissors, eye drops, sun screen and first aid handbook.

Others also worthy of taking to camp are: sun glasses, maps, whistle, military or pocket knife, camp chairs, umbrella, shovel, fire extinguisher, magazine, watch, tea bags or coffeeand travel alarm clock

One of those things that makes camping a detestable activity for some folks is the possibility of having to camp in an area void of the toilet and I agreed that it could be challenging and worrisome especially for women, men have a high rate of survival than women and women are quite different from men.

Some men can go three days without needing to take bath or toilet and their concerns vary from each other, male concern is just what to do to clean their-selves but ladies, these questions are always running through their mind when it comes to camping in areas without toilet – do I have to forsake shower, forsake sanitizer or hand soap or forsake washing my hair too or will I leave my but on washed, relax!

Especially if you fall into this category because you are at the right place that all of your worries concerning camping without toilet will dissipate.

However, this does not hinder the fun in any way because we will give you some tips on this platform that will make you gain the mastery on how to navigate such condition and you don’t have to restrict yourself to areas with good toilet facilities.

Although that can be your preference when you just begin camping moreover, it is advisable to restrict yourself to well comfortable areas such as the caravan park when you just start camping. Nevertheless, you have to grow up and start engaging camping areas without the toilet.

General Tips on camping without toilet

If you don’t get access to toilet or shower where you camp, and you really do not have any option of toilet or shower, if you will be camping in the bush or woods, nevertheless, there are various tips lay down to help you out:

Purchase roll of toilet papers: Since there is the possibility of no toilet where you will be camping, add to your bag roll of toilet papers, at least this will help clean the body after defecating or urinating and ensure you bury it immediately after use, don’t just throw it away.

Toiletries: Also going with toiletries is not a bad idea at all. You can make use of soap or hand sanitizer after urinating or defecating to clean your hands. And if you want to smell nice after doing the needful, get a deodorant.

Get a shovel: You can do the needful in a dug hole, dig to about 30 cm with the aid of a shovel.  And make sure you bury it immediately with the toilet papers you would use to wipe your butt.

Do not dig one hole for several defecating, and ensure you do not defecate or urinate along the streams, rivers or creeks all for the sake of preserving our natural resources. And Urinating does not need a hole, you can hide behind the mountain and do what you have to do.

Water: Water is important but how do I get water while camping in a place void of good facilities? You can look for nearby river or stream to get water perhaps, fill your jerry cans and water bottles with enough water and take it along with you so to be on the safer side.

Moreover, you cannot trust the stream or river, to the extent of drinking it, it is only meant for the washing of the body, therefore you are doing yourself a great favor by going with enough water from home and of course drinkable.

And if you are capacitated you can get a “well to do” water tank.

Potty: In case you can’t defecate directly into the hole, you can make use of potty and empty the potty into the hole. It is important you empty it immediately, and if you can’t, close the lid and keep it somewhere till you have the time to empty and bury it.

Tips for women on camping without toilet

Though the general tips feed the majority of the curiosity there are also few tips that could help women when camping without toilet:

Getting anti-bacteria soap, dry shampoo, a face cloth (to wash the face and hands) and a small towel will do a very good job.

You also have to gain mastery on how to use little soap and shampoo because the excess will require excess water. And you can also bring some Imodium especially if you are prone to diarrhea.

Showering is not that a big idea when you can warm your water on a campfire or stove and take a sponge bath.  If you are near a river or creek just bathe there.

You can also purchase baby wipes, yes baby wipes. It is good for adults too, such as getting rid of hair dye stains, helps in taming flyaway hairs and great for refreshing after the bath.