Jackson County Parks campgrounds, well known around the nation, attract campers from all 48 continental states each year.With more than 250 camping sites, there’s almost always an available spot to set up camp. The popularity of these campgrounds is enhanced by all the attractions available to campers, including beaches, boating, full-service marinas, nature trails, golf and more are only minutes away from the campgrounds.

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Campingis a fun, family friendly affair. But the kids can get restless at times, especially when the weather is not cooperating.Here are some great activities that will keep the kids busy and engaged whether it is raining or a bright sunny day. Traditional Camp Activities  Playing shadow puppets on a dark tent wall using a flashlight is fun not just for kids, but for the grown-ups too. Each night you and your kids can stage a puppet show using your hands and the treasures you have gathered during the day. The kids will remember this fondly act for years to come and will make bedtime an occasion for which to look forward. Outside around the campfire, roasting marshmallows, hotdogs and preparing S’mores is another favorite. While sitting beneath the wide open sky, be sure you bring along a book explaining the constellations so that the kids can learn something about the natural world while they are munching on delicious treats and having fun at the same time. In the afternoon, you can lay in the cool grass or soft sand and gaze at the clouds as they float by and find familiar and odd shapes. Let the Games Begin Arranging a scavenger hunt for the kids is another way that they are learning without knowing they are doing so. Make a list containing items from nature and/or trash around the campsite. Whoever collects the most wins a prize of your choice. The fun continues as everyone examines the others finds and there will be real satisfaction that they have done something for the environment by picking up trash. I Spy is another favorite of both adults and children. Finding things around the campsite and having each other try and guess what the object is will wile away an hour or more. Storytelling in the round is another game that everyone will look forward to when sitting around the campfire. You can focus on stories involving nature, animals or everyone’s favorite, ghost stories. Rock painting, making leaf collages, frog hunting are all activities that will engage kids imaginations and spark their interest. You can bring along books to further expand on themes that you have played with during the day. Camping is not just about swimming, hiking and fishing. There are many more pleasurable pursuits for one and all if you just let your imagination and creativity flow.

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While part of the appeal of camping is the idea of “roughing it,” you shouldn’t charge into the wilderness without any gear. There are several items you should take to ensure that your adventure is fun and safe. For starters, you’ll want to bring along some type of shelter. This can come in the form of a tent, or if you really want to rough it, a tarp. Other camping equipment you’ll want is extra camping apparel and lighting. At least one set of dry clothes, particularly socks, is advisable as wearing wet or damp clothing can lead to illness. Flashlights and spare batteries are crucial for finding your way at night. Finally, a first aid kit with at least the basics – antibacterial cream, bandages, and wipes – is vital for minor scrapes and larger emergencies.

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It’s often not may years into a kids life before most parents have to buy a kids sleeping bag. Their kids might be going for a sleepover at a friend’s house, a night at granny’s place or even camping for the first time. There is now a bewildering array of kids sleeping bags available so how do you decide which one to buy? Should you buy a mummy shape or rectangular sleeping bag? Given the choice, most kids probably would pick a mummy shaped sleeping bag. Thankfully lots of manufacturers are creating good mummy shaped sleeping bags for kids. There’s something about the cocoon-like feeling that kids love. They’ll also be warmer in a mummy shaped bag that with an open topped rectangular sleeping bag. They are not only available in many unique designs but also they are made of different fabrics. You can choose the perfect fabric design that matches your child’s personality. Since the body of a child generally differs from that of the other child, the bag is sold in several types of interior fabric and can be upgraded interiorly. In an upgrade, you can choose between the flannel and cozy plush. A kids sleeping bag can be purchased in a variety of different colours, some with fancy patterns and pictures on them. Bear in mind they will probably be seen by their friends in it so try and avoid buying a pattern that will embarrass them in a couple of years time. Heat is blocked from escaping the body by draft tubes that are built into the kids sleeping bag which allows for supplementary warmth. Additionally, draft collars enhance the sleeping bags insulation properties even further by preventing the heat from radiating the shoulders and out of the sleeping bag. As you can see there are several factors that have been measured in the manufacturing of kids sleeping bags. Learn more about kids sleeping bags #1. Stop by Darcey McConnell’s site where you can find out all about kids sleeping bags #1 and what it can do for you.

Read more at www.camping-sleepingbags.net

As everyone here is well aware of, camping is a great way to take in all that nature has to offer. Popup campers are a cost effective, simple way to enjoy comfort while out in the wilderness. A great alternative to tents, pop up campers can be rented or purchased for a price that won’t hit too hard on the wallet. Brand new popups can be found from around $4,000 all the way up to $12,000. There is also a huge used market out there for such campers. Used popups can be found for very fair prices. A big plus to popups, being a trailer, have the ability to be towed behind nearly any vehicle with a hitch. A small car can even handle the load with ease. Of course, a hitch will likely need to be purchased as well. Popups have a nice, low profile, which is good for two main reasons: Minimal vision obstruction and minimal wind resistance (which hurts fuel economy significantly, as seen with traditional pull behind campers). Popups are surprisingly roomy when expanded, and one who hasn’t taken the time to check out the inside of a set up unit would be pleasantly surprised. Families with children can fit comfortably with their own separate areas.Also it is thought that popups are difficult to set up, but this is most definitely not the case, not even in older used models. They simply crank up and secure to their position, and you pull out slide out areas , if applicable, and you’ll be ready to go. Never forget to put down the stabilizers on each end of the camper to ensure it can’t tip when somebody is in it. Popups can be set up very easily, from the most ignorant beginner to the most experienced expert. Remember- popups have had years and years of time to perfect the design and the easiest, quickest setup method has been optimized. Setup time total ranges from 30 minutes to an hour, which is longer than an RV, but the difference in cost more than makes up for this pitfall. Also, most big tents can easily take this much time to get properly set up while providing far inferior protection to the elements. A popup camper should be considered by anyone interested in a cost effective “home away from home” in the great outdoors. You’ll have the security and comfort that your old popup tent never could. Popup campers are a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

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I’m sitting outside our pop-top camper under a clear blue sky in the Whitsundays, Queensland Australia. This is the place Oprah Winfrey visited a short time ago for one of her popular TV shows. We are located at the Adventure Whitsunday Resort – a caravan park that is just unbelievable. You know, some caravan parks you drive into you just want to do a U turn and drive straight out again. Not this baby! The minute you drive through the entrance and walk into the reception area you know this is going to be something special – and it is, but where to start? The sites are spacious and shady and fully equipped with power, water and grey water facilities. A nice feature is the grassy area between rows of some sites. This not only provides a drive through facility when entering your site but also gives you a feeling of space without being isolated. Campers are also invited to use this area when washing down their vehicles. The sites are level too; the one we pulled into we had no issue with leveling our rig – it was perfect from the time we turned the engine off. You do not want for anything here. There is a large lagoon style pool with water-slides and heaps of activities for the kids; wonderfully clean and modern amenities with separate family and disabled bathrooms; wireless Internet at very reasonable rates and a separate Internet kiosk at reception; and reception will hold incoming mail and phone messages for you. There is a tennis court; mini golf; basket ball; volley ball; bocce; badminton and table tennis facilities, and equipment can be hired from reception. You will never lack of something to do. And if you want a break from the kids you can enrol them into the Kermit Kids club or take advantage of baby sitting services. I didn’t mention the camp kitchen did I? Well it goes without saying that it is wonderfully equipped, even boasting a Real Bean Coffee Machine! But that’s not all. The location of this resort puts you in easy access of Airlie Beach with its many restaurants and award winning lagoon pool; and best of all you can book on the many tours on offer of the Whitsunday Islands right here at reception and be picked up and dropped off by courtesy bus at the gate. There are many other sights to visit and things to do. For more information see their web site at www.adventurewhitsunday.com.au

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Trek Light Gear’s lightweight, portable products are especially suitable for modern, active, environmentally conscious individuals who realize that healthy living includes both outdoor activity and ample relaxation. More comfortable than a camping chair, and far lighter than a tent, a Trek Light portable camping hammock is the perfect addition to your outdoor gear collection. It slips into its own tiny, compact pouch, so you can bring it along on any trip no matter how much gear you?ve packed. Setting it up is a breeze, and you will have the most comfortable seat around once you set up camp. If you like to camp from the car, you can put your travel camping hammock up in minutes and leave it there for your whole trip. If you?re a backpacker, you can shave pounds off your pack by replacing your tent with a Trek Light camping hammock. No matter what you do during the day, your campsite is your reward – the place you picked to unwind, have dinner, enjoy the stars, and sleep outdoors. Why deal with hard, uneven ground when you can relax, suspended in a hammock, looking up at the stars? Our Eco Tote and Eco Shopper bags are not just for the grocery store. With the Eco Tote weighing in at just over an ounce, you’ve got the perfect reusable bag to bring with your for packing out your trash at the end of a trip without the need to use plastic. Expecting rain or going for a swim on your hike? Thanks to its quick dry, anti-mildew parachute nylon material, Trek Light Gear’s reusable eco bags are the perfect solution for carrying wet clothes, towels or gear. Since Trek Light Gear was founded by a backpacker, we know the importance of keeping your pack as light as possible and one of the ways to do that is to bring along items that have multiple uses. A Trek Light camping hammock is a piece of gear that does just that. If you?re backpacking in bear country, Trek Light camping hammocks can double as a bear pouch for hoisting your food and supplies out of a bear?s reach. Just wrap your food supplies in the hammock, pull both ends together and use a piece of cord or rope to hoist it up into the air like you would any bear pouch. If you?re into ultralight backpacking, you can actually replace your tent with a hammock ? it weighs less, is low impact, and can even be setup on the ground as a bivy shelter when there are no trees. Do you usually take along carabiners with you to clip items to your pack? Upgrade to our ultralight, backpacking carabiners and at the end of the day you can quickly use them to hang your hammock so you haven?t doubled up on any equipment. Trek Light portable camping hammocks can be used for everything from a picnic blanket to a makeshift stretcher if someone gets hurt on the trail.

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Every year, millions of Americans flock to national parks and wilderness areas to enjoy the great outdoors. Unfortunately, many campers still don’t understand the best methods to minimize their ecological impact while camping. I recently came across an impassioned letter to the editor about how to leave no trace while on a camping trip.  The piece was written by a sixth-grader in El Dorado, California and has some great tips.  Here a few ways to minimize your footprint while in the great outdoors. Plan Where You’re Going Many campers head into the woods without a clear plan of where they’re going.  Aimlessness doesn’t damage the environment, but straying from designated trails can cause erosion along with damage to flora and fauna. Before you set off on a journey in the woods, plan your route on a trail map. Pick a Good Campsite If you’re heading off the trail, it’s important not to pitch your tent in a sensitive area.  Stay at least 200 feet away from water sources like lakes and rivers, as soil there can be moist and sensitive and take longer to repair. Also, try not trample any plants or shrubbery that may provide food for animals. Pick Up After Your Self This seems like common sense, yet there are still numerous campers who litter every year. Remember that a can, bottle or plastic wrapper that you toss into the wild may sit there for centuries. Consider minimizing your trash by condensing your camping supplies into one Ziplock bag to avoid having wrappers that could blow away in the wind.  Also, if you come across someone else’s litter while camping, do your fellow campers and the environment a favor and pick it up. Don’t Have a Campfire While a campfire may be one of the most traditional images we associate with a camping trip, it can also have negative effects on the environment. Stripping trees of their wood can deprive the forest of many of its nutrients. One popular option, which is much more environmentally-friendly, is to bring along a portable camping stove.  This way you can cook food without doing environmental damage. If you do have a campfire, try to use only dead wood.  Also, keep an eye on your fire at all times and always drench the coals in hot water before putting it out.  There is nothing worse than a forest fire. When Nature Calls, Respect Nature Just because the woods are expansive doesn’t mean you can do your business wherever you want.  If you’re spending more than a night or two in one spot, you may want to consider building a latrine.  If you defecate in the woods, dig a hole beforehand and cover up your feces after you’re finished. The Bottom Line You’re going camping because you enjoy the outdoors, so you should always do your best to preserve it.  If you follow these tips, you can ensure that future campers will be able to experience the joy of camping for years to come.

Read more at www.camping-gear-outlet.com

Travel & Tourism Camping as a recreational activity entered into popular society over 100 years ago and through the effects of the current economic climate there are currently over 1.2 million people who use camping as their main holiday within the UK and according to surveys is set to grow even more. Camping under canvas has been enjoyed since the 1800s and Thomas Hiram Holding was one of the first proponents of the activity. Holding went on to write the first Camper’s Handbook in 1908, drawing from his experience traveling with a wagon train across the prairies of America, this journey was taken with his family in 1853 at the age of 9. Thomas Holding was also a keen cyclist and wrote a book about his experience which led to the formation of the Association of Cycle Campers in 1901. This group, originally formed of 13 members, led to the beginnings of the Camping and Caravanning Club whose members have grown to a third of a million as more and more people take up the activity of camping. This membership has been headed up by some very famous and influential people, the first of whom being Captain Robert Falcon-Scot who later became knows as ‘Scott of the Antarctic. The next notable member was Sir Robert Baden-Powell who went on to form the Scouting movement. This trend has continued over the years with the current incumbent being Dr David Bellamy OBE the famous Naturalist. The growth of recreational camping continued over the following years, but did see a slight decline during the First World War. The next major shift in recreational camping came with people wanting a more formidable shell between them and the elements, thus caravans were starting to become popular by the end of the 1930s. During the 1960s there was a change in the way people went on holiday in the UK, people started to notice the benefits of camping rather than staying in a boarding house which had in the past always been very popular. Campers all over the UK have always been in tune with the counties of Devon and Cornwall, thus this has become the most popular location for camping and the discerning holiday maker whether choosing camping in Cornwall, or camping in Devon have recognized both have much to offer. Campsites in Cornwall are set in some of the most beautiful locations and it does not matter whether you pack a tent on your back or in the boot of your car, or choose to tow your own touring caravan, or even take up residence in a comfortable luxury static caravan for your holiday you will find these sites have everything to make the perfect holiday. You may also choose a campsite Devon, either way you will find there is plenty on offer. A spokesman for Wooda Farm Holiday Park in Bude North Cornwall on the border with Devon said “these days camping does not paint a picture of life under canvas in muddy fields as things have moved on since those early days. We at Wooda Farm offer the best facilities whether you want to pitch a tent or rent one of our luxury caravans”. Camping is good for us all no matter what age, it is the number one recreational activity and long may it reign. For further information visit: www.wooda.co.uk or you can check them out on Facebook to see what other campers have enjoyed during their recent visits, or follow them on Twitter.

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Eastern Pyrenees to the Alps Maritime, the Mediterranean coast offers 1700 meters of coastline (including Corsica) against the big blue. On the shores of the Mediterranean, the landscape is varied and the world, incomparable white sandy beaches and coves, creeks or channels, hiking or swimming, or Pastis de Provence Rose … It’s hard to choose. For seaside resorts, ibid. Collioure, Sète, Cassis, Hyeres, St Tropez or Cannes … The stations are all exceptional.

Read more at www.campingfrance.com