Prepare Your Family for The Great Outdoors

(NewsUSA) - According to the Travel Industry Association, one-third of American adults take camping trips, making camping the nation's number one outdoor vacation activity.

Camping provides a budget-friendly chance to enjoy nature. Campers can pitch their tents anywhere, from backyards to national parks.

For families, camping should be a healthy way to enjoy nature -- not a stressful trip. With some careful planning, families can arm themselves against any unexpected mishaps.

Save on basic supplies at extreme-value retailers, which stock plenty of essentials for any outside excursion. Here are some of the must-haves found at discount retailers such as Dollar General:

• Sun protection. Sunscreen, hats and glasses complete any outdoor ensemble.
• Insect repellent. Nothing ruins the great outdoors like a close encounter with mosquitoes, gnats and ticks.
• Clothing. Getting dirty while camping is part of the fun, so dress children accordingly. Pack extra socks, T-shirts and underwear, and bring portable stain remover.
• Snacks. It's raining too hard to start a fire? Bring crackers, snack bars, cereal, nuts and dried fruit as emergency rations. Canned soups, vegetables and spaghetti also make for quick meals.
• Cooking basics. Nothing compares to campfire cooking. Rustle up vittles in inexpensive cookware available at discounters such as Dollar General. They can be used over an open fire, like skillets, pots and pans.
• Grilling supplies. A portable grill, charcoal, starter fluid and matches make for a better dinner than cold refried beans.
• Dinnerware. Stick with the basics at dinner. Use plastic or paper plates and utensils for easy clean-up.
• Drinks. Avoid dehydration with bottled water and juice boxes. Bring a cooler to keep drinks cold.
• Flashlights. Supplement starlight with flashlights, lanterns and plenty of batteries. For emergencies, bring along a wind-up lantern that doesn't need batteries.
• S'mores. S'mores are easy to make and are the perfect fireside treat. All you need are marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers -; and napkins.

Camping outdoors can produce the memories that become family legends. A little planning and a trip to Dollar General will keep campers happy to re-tell these stories around campfires for years to come.

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Camping? Make Sure to Travel a Well-Lit Path

(NewsUSA) - Whether your escape to nature involves a day of hiking, tenting overnight or RVing, a little planning will go a long way in making your experience enjoyable.

You know, of course, to bring graham crackers and marshmallows, but your light source can make or break your trip.

Most of us are used to seeing streetlights and headlights at night -- it's easy to forget how dark it gets in the woods. Every camper should carry a flashlight. You will also need a larger light that provides enough illumination to work by. Most people associate propane lanterns with the great outdoors, but these lanterns aren't necessarily the best option. Propane lanterns can be noisy and cannot be used in tents or campers, and you will need to pack and carry fuel.
Because propane lanterns produce heat, they are a burn hazard.

LED worklights provide a safer and easier option. One light, the Might-D-Light (www.might-d-light.com), proves especially useful, as its hinge can be moved to create either a large spray of light or directional lighting for close work.

The Might-D-Light, which can attach to most metal surfaces with its rare earth magnets, hang from a hook or stand upright, is hands-free, so you can use it while performing tasks that require both hands, such as setting up a tent after dark or striking matches. The Might-D-Light can be recharged with an AC/DC adapter, so as long as you drive to your campsite, you won't have to carry batteries or fuel.

How can the Might-D-Light make your trip more enjoyable? It lends itself to a variety of
situations, including:

• Any activity that takes place in your tent or camper. Need to grab a sweater from your pack? With the Might-D-Lite, you won't have to fumble with a flashlight or create a potential fire hazard by taking your propane lamp indoors.

• Playing games. Unless you plan on going to bed as soon as the sun sets, you'll want to bring games to play after dark. With a hands-free folding light, you'll have no trouble dealing cards or besting everyone at slapjack.

• Keeping cool. LED lights don't emit heat, so using the Might-D-Lite won't create a sweltering campsite.

• Hiking. The Might-D-Light folds for compact storage and is far more durable than a propane lantern, making it ideal for backcountry trips.

• Around pets and children. With an LED light, you don't have to worry about spilled fuel or burns.

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Outdoor gear that performs year-round

(BPT) - Rugged camping gear is no longer just for adventurers and niche outdoor sports. High-tech or activity-specific outdoor products are gaining popularity because they also come in handy every day and around the house.

"As it turns out, the durability and dependability of gear needed on remote hikes or climbs has many outdoor lovers reaching for those same items around the home," says gifts.com editor Dan Tower, who specializes in sharing gift ideas catered to specific occasions and recipients.

Tower identified the following durable gear, as camping season approaches, for its versatility across a variety of settings.

Water, water everywhere

It wasn't long ago that water bottles were strictly for camping. Now people enjoy having water within arm's reach at all times. Whether it's a need to stay hydrated or just the eco-sensible peace of mind gained by avoiding single use containers, a go-to water bottle has become a ubiquitous personal accessory.

Liberty Bottleworks make gorgeous, 100 percent BPA-free water bottles showcasing artwork sourced from emerging graphic artists. Arguably though, the best part is the bottles are the only American-made metal water bottles available, with production in Yakima, Wash. Plus, they're made from 100 percent recycled aluminum that's tough enough to pack for the jungle or urban jungle.

Let there be light

A headlamp may seem exclusive to adrenaline-pumping activities like rock climbing, caving and hiking at night, but this hands-free lighting source can be incredibly beneficial in a power outage, when changing a tire at night or more common activities like an evening bike ride.

The Energizer Micro Sport Headlight from Energizer is a new headlamp that offers a helpful, hands-free lighting source. While biking and running enthusiasts will especially appreciate its lightweight and slim profile, the headlight is similarly tailored for everyday activities like taking the dog for an evening walk. With a white spot light in the front and a red flashing light in the back, streets and sidewalks will be clearly illuminated, but more importantly, others will be able to see you.

Be my guest

The Pakmat Airbed is another great outdoor must-have that comes in handy all year. One of its most attractive attributes is that, when not in use, it is stored in a small canister. This benefit is obvious when backpacking and camping, but is also an advantage for apartment dwellers who don't have ample storage space or a guest room, and want to easily accommodate an overnight guest.

Part sleeping pad and part inflatable bed, the Pakmat is a self-contained air mattress that needs no electricity to inflate. Its container also doubles as the pump that inflates it and makes it sleep-ready. When the the slumber party is over, the Pakmat rolls back up into its canister, ready for the next adventure.

Just in case

There's a smartphone case that's tough enough to weather nature's nastiest elements, which will also assure parents their phones will be safer in the hands of young kids. The LifeProof Case takes gadget protection to an exciting new level. In addition to making your iPhone shockproof, the LifeProof case is also waterproof (and dirtproof and snowproof). Taking your iPhone up to 6 feet under water opens up a whole new world of picture- and video-taking possibilities - whether that's on your next kayaking adventure or at a backyard pool. Outdoor gear has numerous uses outside of campgrounds and state parks. As spring starts to do its thing, many outdoor enthusiasts on the lookout for the latest gear should also consider the year-round benefits of their purchases.

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