3 Reasons for Camping in the Spring

As we all know the Summer is the most popular time for camping, this is when most vacations are taken, school is out, and the weather is usually nicer. However, there are some great perks for camping in the Spring time too, here are a few reasons in this article.

Lower Camping fees: Since spring camping is considered to be a low camping season, with that said some of the campgrounds will still offer lower campsite fees vs popular camping locations in the peak of summer season (June - August) the rates are typically higher. You can expect to find more crowds with limited site selection, unless you reserve a campsite site in advance through a campground or most often online through www.reserveamerica.com or by phone, it is highly recommended to contact them during non peak season Janruary-April for best results. CAMPER'S TIP Once you have camped on the site and you like it, reserve it for next time before you leave to assure availability. So instead of working harder (time & money), camp smarter and save all the way around!

Not Too Hot: Camping in the Spring offers the perfect temperature, warm & sunny during the day and night is perfect for sitting around the campfire sharing stories and eating your favorite dessert prepared over the campfire. Then when it's time for sleep simply crawl into your sleeping bag, TIP to ensure proper rating selection choose a bag 10-20 degrees lower than the forecasted overnight temps for a restful sleep. Camping over the summer can result in unpleasant feelings when having to deal with the heat overnight, and making sure your tent is well vented during the heat of the day to allow the hot air to escape and fresh air to circulate inside tent for a restful night sleep ahead. The key to a succssful camping trip is ease and comfort...

Fewer Bugs: By camping in the Spring you can iliminate close to 70% of the bug population which will arrive in the summer when temperatures rise making living conditions for bugs more ideal. I don't believe you will never completely avoid them but it will decrease the number of mosquitoes and other flying insects circling around your head. Just because your camping in the Spring doesn't mean not to take the precautions of applying bug spray, lighting citronella candles and wearing proper clothing to reduce the risk of finding an opportunity to feast on exposed skin. CAMPER'S TIP It is also a good idea not to camp near still water where many bugs including mosquitoes like to breed.

Discover Spring Scenery: There's something about getting outdoors, especially after a long, cold winter. Camping is a special time to take in the bright colors, wild life, soothing water fed creeks, the fresh auroma of flowers blooming, grass, warm sunshine and the birds singing. Take it all in, whether your at the campsite or hiking on the trails you'll find a new discovery at every turn. Spring is the perfect time for camping and enjoying the best of what nature has to offer!

Shop our selection for Spring gear www.FamilyTentCamping.com

New to Camping... A Camper's Perspective

Completely new to camping. Camping is something that I’ve wanted to learn how to do for a long time. Because I had no idea what to do, it’s something that I never ventured to. My FTC camping experience began at the North Carolina Overland Expo "East" in an Oztent RV2 Tent...
Noticed very quickly how knowledgeable Randy from Family Tent Camping is. I would recommend signing up for his camping tips on the FTC website.
Elements - One day at the Overland Expo East we had a whole lot of rain, there were 6 tents set up that are made by Oztent. No water got through any of the 6 tents. Another day was very windy and the same tents withstood the wind. Being a brand new camper, I appreciated the durability of the equipment.
Set up and take down of the tents were very simple and easy. This helped making camping a good experience. Having equipment that even a brand new camper can operate makes the experience much more enjoyable. It has been intimidating to camp in the past - not knowing how to set up a tent. Seeing how easy the Oztents are to set up took that fear away.

Jimmy

Find the right camping gear, from the beginner to the season camper, we gotcha covered! Visit www.FamilyTentCamping.com

10 Tips for Keeping Goods Cold in a Cooler

There is nothing worst (almost) than reaching for a "COLD" drink out of the ice chest on a hot sultry day or night and pulling out a borderline cool one... It's even worse when getting ready to prepare a meal over the campfire and finding out the ice in the cooler wasn't maintaining the proper temps. It's like running the air conditioner with the windows wide open and expecting the entire area to stay cool.

Engel 80 Deep Blue Cooler

1)Keep the ice chest out of the sun,you may need to move periodically to maintain ice condition

2)If possible cool down the inside of your ice chest 24 hours prior trip to avoid making the fresh ice work harder than needed by placing an ice pack inside to start the cooling process.

3)Wrap cooler with a blanket, tarp or a reflective material to deflect sun rays and provide proper insulation.

4)Freeze water in plastic 1/2 gal juice containers and add to your cooler. Since the large bottles take a couple of days to defrost, making a great source for cold drinking water..

5)Avoid using party ice purchased at convenient storesif possible,(tends to melt faster)

6)With your empty plastic bottle, add 1/4 cup of salt to it. Salt in water helps it freeze faster and makes it extra cold, make sure to label them to avoid drinking.

7)Pack your cooler with the frozen food, and raw meats at the bottom near the ice containers, then layer food such as eggs stored in a plastic egg holder to avoid breakage and keeping items needing less refrigeration such as fruit & vegetables are at the top.

8)Minimize opening of cooler hatch, if possible have a 2nd cooler for drinks and snacks to keep the campers happy and the cooler items chillin...Also, when getting inside cooler at night simply stick a cooler light on the inside of lid instead of using a flashlight to keep your hands free.

9)If you are able to find a place that carries "dry ice" it can be very effective when cooling is needed over long periods of time. Make sure to wrap the ice to avoid direct skin contact.

10)Thermal Ice Packs can be placed around food and along the inside of the cooler as well, also having on hand is great for use as a first aid treatment when needed.

What have you found to be an effective cooler tip?

Visit our website for additional gear www.FamilyTentCamping.com
Join our FTC Newsletter for camping tips,product news,special offers & contests!

Tips for Camping in Spring

Spring is a great time to get out and enjoy the camping experience! Even though the spring weather & cooler temps can be unpredictable, making Spring camping a bit more challenging. Spring camping requires more planning to "be prepared" by choosing the right gear, date and location with the best weather possibilities. Despite the excess preparation, spring camping still has some great benefits! It is always best to plan for the best weather and be prepared for the worst.

It's been a long winter for most of us, many are feeling "cabin fever" set in and are ready to get out of the house and spend more time enjoying the great outdoors. Spring camping not only provides an escape for hanging out outdoors but to take notice the plants and flowers just starting to come out, trees starting to sprout there leafs, and the wildlife are showing signs of the end of winter.

Spring camping preperations may make some fair weather campers reconsider the idea of camping in the spring, but for those willing to step out, the benefits are fantastic. First, and foremost everyone on your camping trip needs to bring items for staying warm, here are a few key items to keep in mind, clothing is not to be taken likely, layering is a key component to keeping dry and maintaining body temperature.

A good quality, properly rated & fitted sleeping bag is key to a restful sleep. Choose a proper size sleeping bag that fits you and has a temperature rating of a few degrees below the lowest temperature you expect to encounter. It is better to have a sleeping bag that will keep you too warm rather than having one that is not warm enough. Tip#1, when choosing a temperature rating you may also consider purchasing a sleeping bag with a warmer temp rating and installing a sleeping bag liner or an OzTent Rivergum sleeping bag with a removable super soft fleece lining that can be either zipped in or out for easy washing & optimal temperature performance.


With your sleeping bag, you will want some sort of barrier to put between your sleeping bag and the bottom of the tent. An air mattress or a self inflating air mattress is recommended or a camping cot if space allows, this extra layer of insulation will keep the cold ground from seeping into your sleeping bag. You may also want to bring a camp heater that has a switch that will turn it off if it falls over.


Be sure to also bring along plenty of warm, lightweight, waterproof clothing. Layering is the best way to stay warm and dry during a Spring camping trip. Long underwear is also a great way to stay warm Tip#2, keep a few pieces of clothing inside your sleeping bag with you to avoid having to put them on cold to maintain your body temp... Also bring along waterproof footwear and a waterproof jacket to wear while hiking or participating in other outdoor related activities, another item to keep in mind is a dry bag for storing clothing when dealing with wet conditions. The most important single piece of clothing is a hat or head protection. An exposed head loses body heat rapidly,therefore wearing a stocking while in your sleeping bag is another way to keep warm while maintaining body temperature.

As for shelter, make sure you have seam sealed all tent joints and placing a floor saver underneath will not only protect your tent floor but is also a good way to keep dry.

On a closing note Spring weather can be unpredictable and being prepared is the key to spring camping,don't forget the small things, "big doors swing on little hinges", there's nothing worst than showing up on your campsite and forgetting... Download a FREE Gear Checklist to keep with your gear.

Visit our website for all your Spring camping needs www.FamilyTentCamping.com

Fall Camping Tip: Packing for your Trip

Packing Clothes: Pack layered clothing. The Fall season can be unpredictable,it may be cold and sometimes it may be warm enough to sweat. So, make clothing arrangements for both the seasons. Pack some t-shirts and light jackets & lightweight clothing.
T-shirts add comfort for the camper and make him feel cool if the atmosphere is hot. jackets provide warmth if temperatures drop and can be removed or added easily.
Each layer has a function. The base layer (against your skin) manages moisture; the insulating layer protects you from the cold; the shell layer (outer layer) shields you from wind and rain. You simply add or subtract layers as needed.

Different terrains: Be prepared for different terrains, the atmosphere can at once become dry and some times it may even shower. So, if you are camping in this season pack shoes suitable for both terrains. Tennis shoes and boots will be very useful in the fall camping.

Fluids: You cannot predict the climate, so carry a mixture of hot and cold water. The day is hotter and the nights are cold. So, pack water and cool drinks for the day climate and pack coffee, hot chocolate and tea for the night.

The combination of these liquids will help the camper to get along the unexpected changes in the climate.

Sleeping Gear: Make sure to bring a Sleeping Bag that will maintain your body heat, by sleeping on a camping cot or foam sleeping mat to provide a barrier of insulation between you and the cold ground.

Activities: Take both indoor and outdoor activities in fall camping. If its cold outside, you can play indoor games, if the climate is in normal conditions you can play outdoor games.

Camping in the Fall is a great time to enjoy the great outdoors in all it's beautiful surroundings, be prepared and capture the coolest season for camping. Visit our Camping Store for all your Fall Camping needs.

Free Camping Tips

Be Ready for the camping season ahead, receive our FREE monthly valuable resources, camping tips and new product updates. Sign up now and also receive a FREE trial subscription to the Woodall's campground directory resource for top rated campsites in your area.

Benefits of a ground sheet for your camping tent

* Adding a ground sheet to your camping gear will provide additional protection for your tent floor in the event there was a sharp object underneath that could possibly cut through the tent floor, it is cheaper to dispose of a ground sheet than to repair or replace your tent.
* The ground sheet provides a barrier between your tent and the ground to assist in easier & faster tent clean up when time to pack up, also by having the ground sheet properly fitted under tent allows for moisture & rain to remain under the ground sheet and not in your living space. The recommended fit should be approx 1” spacing around the outside perimeter of the tent and the ground sheet to allowing run off from the tent to travel under and not settle on top of the ground sheet.