Be Prepared for Your Camping Trip With the Right Outdoor Equipment

Portable Heater

When you are planning your next camping trip, make sure you have the right outdoor equipment to make it a fun experience. With a little preparation, you can enjoy the beauty and simplicity of nature without sacrificing comfort and security.

Following are some key pieces of outdoor equipment you won't want to be without:

Tent

The kind of tent you choose should depend on where you are camping, how long you'll be camping, and how many people will be in the tent. Some of the instant, easy-to-assembly tents are fine for a couple of days in a state park. They come as small as 2-person and go up to 8 or 10-person sizes. If you want a more durable solution, look at the tents that are made specifically for camping trips. They are usually more durable and made with a sturdier fabric and frame. They are made to perform better under stormy conditions.

There are also tents that attach to a truck bed, and ones with front or back canopies for added shelter. If your tent doesn't have one of these, you may want to consider a separate canopy for eating or just as an additional shelter on your campsite.

Bedding

Cots - Maybe you would rather not sleep directly on the ground. If there is a chance of wet weather or you're camping in a rocky area, you may need a cot just to get a good night's sleep. They are easy to fold up and put away, so you just need to make sure they fit inside your tent when they're flat and opened up.

Air mattresses - If you want to sleep on an air mattress, make sure it is not made of a material that is easily punctured. They are available in single or double sizes, and they come in varying heights. Just be sure your tent capacity will allow for the air mattress you have in mind.

Sleeping Bags - You can find a sleeping bag in just about any size, shape, or material. If you're going to be in very cold conditions, you want to look for ones that are insulated and made for extreme temperatures.

Eating

Portable grills - If you're going to be camping for several days, you may want a small portable propane grill to do some cooking. If you don't want the hassle of a big grill, you can also purchase portable camp grills or stoves that work well on a campfire.

Cookware - Regardless of what you'll cook, you will likely need pots, pans, kettles and other equipment to cook the food in. Also, make sure you have the plates, cups, and utensils needed for the meals.

Coolers - Even if it's cold outside, a cooler is a good idea for item storage. This is a reliable way to protect your food from the elements and animals. Make sure it can be secured and is large enough to store all you need for the trip.

Hiking

Shoes/Boots - More than likely, regular athletic shoes won't be enough for hills and rugged terrain. Invest in some good hiking shoes or boots that are made for the conditions.

Backpacks - Besides transporting items to the camping site, you'll want a good backpack to take with you when you are exploring the area.

Lighting

Everyone on your trip should have access to a flashlight. In addition, you may want some additional portable lighting for the general campsite needs.

You may need other outdoor equipment specific to your trip, such as a portable heater for extremely cold areas or chairs for everyone. Take the time to ask questions about the campsite and weather conditions for your trip so you can make sure you have the things you need for a great experience.

When looking for quality outdoor equipment, Portage, MI residents visit Lee's Adventure Sports. Browse our selection at http://www.leesadventuresports.com.

Food Storage Recipe - Crockpot Brown Beans

Pinto beans are the most common bean in the USA and are often eaten whole or refried which makes them a great filling for burritos. Eating beans is a good source of fiber and protein and doesn't contain fat, sodium, or cholesterol. A half of a cup of beans is about 120 calories. They are filling and a great alternative to eating meat.

Dry beans will keep indefinitely as long as you store them in a cool dry place. The longer you keep them their nutritive value and flavor will decrease over time. It takes a long time to cook beans, and you should soak the beans first to shorten the cooking time.



NEED:

1 lb bag of pinto beans

6 cups chicken broth (water)

1 ham hock

1 onion

4 garlic cloves

Salt and pepper to taste

Beans out of a bag need sorting through for rocks or other debris that could come up. Basically, you look through the beans and pick out anything that doesn't look like a bean. Then you wash them well. If you want them to cook fast, presoak them first. I cook my beans in a Crockpot, so I never use the presoak method. Once sorted and cleaned I put in 6 cups of water or chicken broth in the Crockpot. Put in the beans then cut up the onion and mince the garlic and add to the Crockpot. Add in the ham hock or whatever meat you season the beans with. I sometimes use smoked turkey as a healthier alternative. Season the beans with salt and pepper. I let the beans cook several hours on low inside the Crockpot; about 4 to 6 hours since I like the meat to fall apart. While the beans are cooking, you can make some hot buttered cornbread to serve alongside the beans. The great thing about Crockpot's is you don't have to constantly watch your food. You add the ingredients and go watch TV, read or write a book. When the beans are ready grab a bowl full and enjoy the warm cornbread.

Food Storage Recipe - Cereal Candy

This is something to make to take to holiday parties. Everyone loves it and it goes super fast , so make a lot of it.

NEED:

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of Karo light corn syrup

1 1/2 cup of peanut butter

2 tablespoons of pure vanilla extract

9 cups of corn cereal squares (corn chex)

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper and set it aside.

In a large cooking pot or dutch oven combine sugar and corn syrup.

Bring it to a boil.

Remove from heat and add the peanut butter and vanilla.

Stir in the cereal.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the cookie sheet.

Let it set up.

Enjoy.

Food Storage Recipe - Tuna-Mac Salad

I love any type of salad. This one is a recipe that my grandma gave me a while ago and I make it a lot. I always make a lot , but it is easy to half this recipe so it only makes 8 servings.

NEED:

2 16 ounce packages of macaroni

1 8 ounce of sour cream

1 pack of ranch salad dressing mix

salt and pepper to taste, just a pinch

2 cans of italian flavored diced tomatoes

1 medium cucumber, chopped

1 small green pepper, chopped

1/4 cup of chopped onion

2 6 ounce cans of well drained tuna

Cook the macaroni. Rinse it in cold water.

In a large bowl combine the sour cream, dry salad mix, salt and pepper.

Stir in the undrained tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, and onion.

Gently fold in the tuna.

Add the macaroni and toss together until well coated.

Cover and chill a few hours.

Educational Gifts That Should Be On Your Holiday Shopping List

Tegu Blocks - Give your kiddos the opportunity to defy gravity! These wooden blocks are embed ded with magnets so that kids can build structures they have only dreamed of! Magformers Challenger Set</ a> - With this 112-Piece magnetic building set, kids ages 6 to 12 imagin ations are guaranteed to run wild! This is a great gift to give to siblings to share . It can also be a generous addition to a classroom or after-school program! Frozen Puzzle Pack - Winter is the time of year to celebrate the very popular Disney movie, Frozen! Keep the Frozen fun going after the movie is over with these four Frozen puzzles. Veggie Tales Floor Puzzle - Little ones can put together this fun floor puzzle with their favorite Ve ggie Tales characters! This 3-foot puzzle will keep your little learners thinking and laug hing as the faces of Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber begin to appear piece b y piece. Coloring Bo oks for Everyone - Coloring is not just for kids anymore, it's for everyon e - making this a great gift for an entire family! These six coloring books are filled with mesmerizing designs. Gift these coloring books to a family, classroom, or split up the bo oks to give to six artists who you love! Frozen Etch a Sketch Jr. - The classic and creative tool we all grew up with has been updated with your ch ild's favorite characters from Disney's Frozen. Elsa and Olaf can watch your little one draw on the Etch a Sketch as they are inspired by their favorite Disney movie. Then Elsa 's magical snow will wipe the canvas clean, ready for another masterpiece. Holiday Coloring Boo k Freebie - If you’re looking for a low-cost way to say “thinking of you, ” this coloring book is as easy to give as 1-2-3. Just download it for free, print it, an d add a nice card to your envelope. Slimy Squishy Polymer Set - Give the gift of science exploration! This fun, hands-on ex periment only requires water, adult supervision, and creativity! What a fun way for kids and parents or older siblings to learn together! Science Experiment Subscripti on - Science experiments require a lot of planning. Let the scienti fic FUN come to you with a 1-year subscription to the award-winning Young Scientist Club! Human Body Puzzle< /a> - This classic puzzle from Melissa & Doug stretches four feet long after your little one assembles it!