Posts Tagged ‘Camping’
How to Camp – An Ultimate Beginner’s Guide
Now I know what you are telling yourself…..I would really like to camp, it looks fun but I have no idea how to camp, what to bring or what to expect. There are a few things that you really have to determine before you can figure out what you need to do to get ready for your camping trip. Answering the following basic questions will guide you to finding your footing.
1. What type of camping have you decided to do? Did you want to RV camp? Camper/Trailer camp? Tent camp? Backpack/Hike camp? Canoe/kayak camp?
Determining the type of camping you want to do can aid you in what sort of equipment and expertise is needed. For example, you would need a vastly different sort of equipment for RV camping versus hiking camping.
Camping descriptions:
RV Camping (or recreational vehicle camping) is most like living at home because you bring a furnished vehicle that you basically live in with you. You can make your RV just as comfy as you like. Everything that you need from home can most likely be brought with you in your RV. All you really need to think about are what foods and personal items you would like to stock it with. This type of camping is generally for the people who do not like to “rough it” but also might like to be social since many times RV are parked fairly near each other or in similar sections. Though there are some normal maintenance items with RVs, you basically park them and live in them.
Camper or Trailer camping is just a step more rugged than RV camping. Many times campers or trailers do not have showers or toilets, unlike most RVs. Depending on the camper or trailer, a refrigerator may not be included either. Generally, camper or trailer camping is more for people who do not like to sleep on the ground or worry about severe weather but still want to get out there.
Tent camping is generally more for people who would like to “rough it.” Tent camping requires you to think about all of your basic needs ahead of time (food, hygiene, restroom requirements, shelter, seeing at night, warmth). There are actually varying levels of tent camping as well. Some people like to bring a tent and shop for all of their needs while others like to camp in more remote areas away from people. Packing for a tent camping trip can be time consuming because you have to think of everything you might need.
A Guide To Camping For Beginners
If you have ever driven through a campground and seen families having great fun camping together and thought, “that looks that a great family activity”, you are right! Camping is one of the most wholesome, fun, affordable and bonding experiences a family can get into. But if you have driven along looking at all the equipment and skills needed to learn camp and thought, “I can never learn to do all of that”, you are wrong. It really isn’t that hard to learn to camp and every step along the way is lots of fun for everyone.
So how do you get started learning to camp? There is no question that there is some equipment involved and learning to set up a camp, use your gear to enjoy a night of eating and sleeping in the open spaces and then get home safe and sound requires a bit of a learning curve. For many parents that want to start camping to give their children those experiences, the idea of buying all that equipment is intimidating. And you don’t want to get the wrong equipment and then have to buy it all over again. Those kinds of mistakes can kill your enthusiasm for expanding your camping hobby into a passion for camping.
Cane Creek Dutch Oven Gathering
We had a great time at the Cane Creek Campground in Waxhaw, NC. The Dutch Oven Gathering turned out better than any of us could have expected. We had 4 cooks total, along with guest eager to see what was for dinner and to learn the Art of Dutch Oven Cooking. We had folks from both North and South Carolina. Some camped out with us for the weekend, while others came to spend the day. We’re sure everyone learned something new and walked away feeling good having made new friends.
The recipes that we put together were fantastic, Meat Loaf, Chicken Pot Pie, Enchilada Casserole, Beef Stew and much more. We had 9 dishes to sample and each and everyone was very good.
Mile High Dutch Oven Gathering July 31, 2010
This was my first Dutch Oven Gathering and I was not sure what to expect. I spent a few days before the DOG (Dutch Oven Gathering) getting my gear ready and was as excited as a kid going to Disneyland. My son came along as did an old high school friend and his son. I looked forward to spending the time with my friends and family.
The Mile High Campground has some great views and the owner was very friendly and a big part of the DOG. I’d guess their were 50 or more people including the 17 cooks. Some from the Cracker Trail Dutch Oven Group up from Florida and the Tennessee Dutch Oven Group too. I had a chance to put some faces with names and others I meet for the first time. I walked away feeling good having made new friends. 
The weather turned on us Friday night and most of the weekend, but it cleared out long enough for the gathering. The weather could’nt even dampen the high spirit of the group as we prepared our recipes for the big dinner.
Some of the dishes included Mongolian Beef, Cabbage Casserole, Spinach Stuffed Meat Loaf, Sour Orange Cake, Banana Nut Bread, Huckleberry Pie along with Gus’s Famous Dinner Rolls. There was something for everyone. The quality and quantity of food prepared was outstanding.
I think this was the only camping trip I’ve been on where I could gain weight. This turned out to be way more than I expected.
If you enjoy Dutch Oven and Outdoor Cooking, attending a Dutch Oven Gathering is a MUST. The folks at the Mile High DOG were warm and friendly and I look forward to see them again next year.
The event is always held on the last Saturday in July at the Mile High Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Maggie Valley, North Carolina. I hope to see you there.
Dan
“Camp Master”
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