Summer Camp at Pioneer Camps #pioneercamp

Summer camp is the perfect way to teach your children the importance of getting outdoors and making new friendships. It’s a great experience for all children although some are ready earlier than others.

There are pioneer camps in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and British Columbia (Pacific). There are a bunch of different types of camps your child can sign up for. There is even a family camp if your children are not ready to camp alone yet.  There is special ones for high schoolers and an LIT program (Leadership in Training).

In addition, there is a contest going on that ends July 15 to win a week at either the Pioneer Camp or the Circle Square Ranch Camp. You also have a chance to win some smaller prizes or a really big one: Trip for Two to Punta Cana!

Check out this video about Ontario Pioneer Camp:

 

*Disclosure:  This post was compensated however all opinions and stories are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

#pioneercamp and #circlesquare Summer Camp MEGA #Giveaway #contest

I’ve mentioned this giveaway a few times now, did you enter?  Even if you have, you can share your link more to get more entries. If this is the first you are hearing about the contest, read more below!

About the Contest

Circle Square Ranch and Pioneer Camps across Canada are hosting a large Share & Win contest. The Grand Prize is a trip for two to Punta Cana plus a week of free camp and a Mabel’s Labels Kit. Other prizes include more free camp weeks, a crossroads prize pack and more Mabel’s Labels prize packs.

If you win the grand prize, you can send your child to camp and go on vacation with your significant other!

How to Enter

You can enter at BOTH camps as there will be TWO winners. You want to win free summer camp right? I’m talking Overnight Camp, for a week! Enter at those two previous links to double your chances of winning.

Contest Rules

The contest is open to Residents of Canada Only (Except Quebec) who are 13+. Those 13-18 must have parental consent to enter and to redeem prize. Full contest details including explanation of prizes and when they will be awarded are here and here. Contest ends on June 15, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

This Contest is Share & Win!

After you enter, share about the contest through social media and email. You will receive another entry into the contest for every person who enters via your link. When you enter the contest, you will be able to choose one of their coupons to download (20% off new campers, 25% off $20 or more in merchandise at the camp, $5 off $50 purchase at Mabels Labels or $15 off an e-store purchase at Crossroads.)

About the Camps

Depending on what camp you pick, your child may get to experience some of these exeperiences:

• horsemanship
• whale watching
• Canoe tripping
• rock wall
• photography
• hiking
• white water rafting
• archery
• high ropes
• mountain biking
• water sports
• swimming
• regular camp activities

There are camps that are accommodating for special needs, family camps and a work program to give teens and young adults job experience. Read more here.

*Disclosure:  This post was compensated however all opinions and stories are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Why Pioneer Summer Camp? Reasons & a Chance to Win Big #pioneercamp #contest

Last month I mentioned Circle Square Camp and how to enter to win a week of free overnight camp plus a chance at a trip for two to Punta Cana and some other fabulous prizes.

Today I want to share with you another option for summer camp for your children.. Pioneer Camp.

There are four Pioneer Camps in Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.  They are not all the same so you may not want to pick just based on location.

Alberta Pioneer – primarily focuses on horsemanship
Manitoba Pioneer – smallest of the pioneer camps, most extensive wilderness/tripping activities
Ontario Pioneer – Adventure Camp (ages 5-10, archery, mountain biking/wilderness, crafts) , Girl’s Camp/Boy’s Camp (Ages 7-16 – tripping/wilderness/weekly theme)
Pacific Pioneer (BC) -  ocean-driven, whale watching, water sports + regular camp activities

Ontario Pioneer Camp also has niche camps:

• FUEL (14+, high ropes, rock wall, photography, video, archery etc.)
• 252 (14-15, step before LIT, service based, can earn OSSD credits for volunteering
• Genesis Extreme Camping (every day is different – whitewater rafting, rockface repelling etc.)
• Woodland Challenge (no technology, out in woods, hiking, fires etc.)
• Family Camp (no age restriction, 4 and under free, all camp activities)
• Special Needs (does not seclude special needs kids, but helps them join other children)
• Work Program (18-late 20s with special needs, job experience for their resume)

Both Circle Square Ranch and Pioneer Camp are giving away free camp sessions, Mabels Labels packs, Giftcards for Crossroads and the grand prize, a trip for two to Punta Cana! You can enter on both as each camp will be picking a winner.

The contest is open to Residents of Canada Only (Except Quebec) who are 13+. Those 13-18 must have parental consent to enter and to redeem prize. Full contest details including explanation of prizes and when they will be awarded are here. Contest ends on June 15, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

After you enter, share about the contest through twitter, facebook and email. You will receive another entry into the contest for every person who enters via your link. When you enter the contest, you will be able to choose one of their coupons to download (20% off new campers, 25% off $20 or more in merchandise at the camp, $5 off $50 purchase at Mabels Labels or $15 off an e-store purchase at Crossroads.)

Good Luck!

*Disclosure:  This post was compensated however all opinions and stories are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Road Trip from Hell and Smart Phones to the Rescue

What did you do for labour day weekend? We went camping.  Sounds fun and relaxing right? It did NOT go as planned.

The warning signs we ignored:

• My brother mixed up what date we were going and for a while wasn't sure if he could go.
• My dad's work made a mistake when giving him vacation days and we didn't know till last minute if we could go Thursday or Friday and you can't reserve without knowing the days.
• It was calling for rain all weekend.
• We had a hard time deciding on which campground to go to because we wanted one that allowed the dog on the beach if possible and we wanted one close to Waterloo, ON. We were hoping for one that allowed alcohol but the ones close by didn't allow alcohol during Labour Day Weekend. 
• We had a lot of stress trying to figure all this out.

What Went Wrong:

• I woke up the day we left for camp with a migraine. 
• We were shocked to find a bag of wood cost $8! Ice was $2.75
• The Sobeys in Waterloo, ON we shopped at had higher prices than we are used to here.
• That bag of wood? Not dry. Wet wood doesn't burn. We couldn't cook on the campfire (thank goodness we brought a stove) We also didn't get to sit by the campfire.
• Not only did I have a migraine, but my migraines last 2-3 days so I had it Friday and Saturday and Sunday we left camp at 1:30 and we spent the whole time packing so I was pain free only a few hours at camp. Oh and I'm nursing so I couldn't take anything strong so the pain wouldn't ease up and it was horrible. I was nauseous and dizzy too. I spent a lot of time laying down or napping. 
• Remember that rain I mentioned? Friday was beautiful but Saturday we had torrential rain for about 20 minutes (instant flooding) and more thunderstorms later in the evening (which were luckily almost nothing, they were predicting severe storms.) We were lucky as St. Jacob's Market (very close by) was hit by an almost tornado.
• My husband almost got sprayed by a skunk. He was sitting by campfire when something brushed against his leg. He saw a flash of white and thought the dog had got out of the tent. He quickly realized it was NOT the dog. It lifted it's tail and my husband hissed at it and it ran away. Whew! 
• We went swimming in their little beach (an area roped off, only chest deep.) Fun right? It was alright till we got out and saw my youngest daughter had leeches on her!

Okay time to go home. Bad luck is over right?  WRONG!

• For those who don't know, Waterloo is approximately 3.5 hours away from me here in Windsor. I mentioned above we left at 1:30 pm. When did we get home? 9 HOURS LATER! Why did it take 9 hours for a 3 hour drive? Keep reading.
• 8 People including 2 children and a baby plus the family dog were piled into the minivan for the trip. So we were squished which was bad enough.



(c) Flickr user Highways Agency

• About 20 minutes after leaving camp, we blew a tire on the trailer. We pulled over to the side of the road.  The guys changed the tire (we had a spare) and we got back on the road. Not even 5 minutes later, the replacement tire blew. We rode the rims to the next exit where we determined the other tire on the trailer wouldn't last much longer either. Out came the smart phones.
• We searched for the nearest Canadian Tire stores to find replacement tires. My mother didn't even have to enter the city we were in. With a touch of a button, it knew where we were with GPS and located the nearest stores. With just one more touch of a button she was able to call the store, without entering the phone number. Unfortunately they weren't very helpful. We called Uhaul to see about renting a trailer but they didn't have the kind we needed. It took over an hour just to figure out what to do. The guys finally drove back to Waterloo to look around. The rest of us stayed at the restaurant. Luckily the guys had some luck at Princess Auto and found new tires and rims for the trailer and were able to come back and replace both tires. We were off!
• Between all that and a few pit stops because of the kids, it had been a long evening already. We were just outside Windsor on the 401 when... wait for it... a tire blew on the van!
• Out the guys got again. It took them over 30 minutes to get the spare tire out of the van as it was stuck. Smart phone to the rescue again. The flashlight app on my husband's phone came in real handy as it was dark by this time. It provided light for them to change the tire. Another hour had gone by, by the time we got back on the road. Have you kept count? That's 3 tires in one day!
• And so 9 hours later, at 10:30 at night, we arrived back home. Thank goodness for smart phones. Now I just need to get one!

Campfire Post Roundup - Great Camping Event - Day 12

Well it's Day 12, the last day. Whew this event was a lot of work, I hope you enjoyed it. I have a giveaway and some links to check out today.

You can expect a few days break before I post anything else on this blog, I need a break.

Here are some posts and articles around the net I found that might be of interest.

FOOD
Campfire Cooking @ Everything Mom
How to Cook in a Dutch Oven @ Family Foodies
Fire Roasted Chicken Pockets Recipe @ Family Foodies
Smores @ Family Foodies
Walking Tacos @ Family Foodies (direct link isn't working, so go to page 4 and scroll to almost bottom)
Marshmallow roasting @ One in 36 Million

STORIES
Back-country hike-in camping (with a 2.5 year old) @ One in 36 Million 
Less-back-country short hike-in @ One in 36 Million

And now the Giveaway!

Yesterday I reviewed Mabel's Labels. Today I have a giveaway.

I've got The Ultimate Back-to-School Combo just like I reviewed to give away in either Classic or Colourful.

Classic Colors are simple colors while Colourful has a fancy font (but completely readable) with swirly backgrounds.

To enter, fill out the form below. Since you have to decide on colours and names, if you win you will receive a congratulations email from me that will be CCed to a contact a Mabels Labels. They will contact you after that to arrange the rest and get your address.

CLOSED

Thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoyed The Great Camping Event!

Mabel's Labels - The Great Camping Event - Day 11

Yes it's a double dose today since we missed a day this week (remember the technical difficulties?.)

Mabel's Labels is a Canadian company (Yay Canada!) run by women (Yay! Women.) It was started by four family members in Hamilton, Ontario and has since grown to 34 employees. Mabel's Labels has been featured on The View, The Early Show, Canada AM and Breakfast Television.

Mabel's Labels creates labels for clothing, shoes, containers, backpacks and more. Anything you want to label with a name. They've also expanded and make allergy bracelets and My 411 bracelets (contact info on a bracelet.)

I was going to review the Camp Pack but the Ultimate Back-to-School Combo showed up instead. My guess is because it wasn't going to make it here in time for camp. It works anyways because my eldest daughter is going to school for the first time this September.

The Ultimate Back-to-School Combo comes with 50 Tag Mates, 40 Skinny-Minis, 16 Shoe Labels and 2 Teeny Tags.

The Skinny-Minis are dishwasher safe for small school supplies such as pencils and erasers. Tag mates are laundry-safe labels for clothing that stick to the clothing labels.

Shoe Labels are waterproof and extra sticky so they won't get caught on socks and move around.

Teeny Tags are small metal tags for backpacks, pencil cases and lunch bags.

This is just one of the combos available, plus you can order a bunch of one kind of tag.

I must say I was skeptical when they first came. They look just like normal stickers and I didn't see how they would stay stuck to anything, especially while being washed. But they are a lot thicker than they look and were hard to peel off the sheet which shows how strong they are. They feel like they are made of a rubbery plastic and stick really well. They don't come off at ALL.

Would you like to try them out? I'll have a giveaway for you tomorrow!

Sleeping Bag Review - The Great Camping Event - Day 11

It's Day 11 and I have a review of a children's sleeping bag I got from CSN Stores today.

Most of the blogosphere must have heard of CSN Stores by now as there are reviews and giveaways all over the place.

If by chance you are out of the loop, CSN Stores is a group of over 200 stores that sell just about everything from housewares to baby and kids to furniture.

Since this is a camping event, I decided to get a sleeping bag for one of my daughters. Unfortunately, it didn't come in time to try it out at camp but my eldest daughter tried it out a few nights in a row when we came home.

It's very warm and soft and comes with a little matching pillow.  The zipper is pretty easy to open and close and my daughter LOVES it.

The one she picked out has fairies on it but there are other themes too. Specifically we chose the Wildkin Fairies Sleeping Bag but Wildkin also has ballerinas and butterflies plus there are other brands with ponies and princesses and other themes.

It's technically a slumber bag which means it's more for indoor use and not really for camping but would still work for summer camp or spring and fall with an extra blanket. When my daughter is ready for sleeping over a friend's house, she'll be all set.

Camping Security - The Great Campng Event - Day 10

It's Day 10, only two more days left! I've got another guest post for you today about staying safe while camping.

Security Concerns While Camping

Camping in the woods often feels relatively safe. You're away from people, in the peace and quiet of nature. Nothing could disrupt the sense of calm, right? Actually, whether you are camping in an RV or in a tent, you may be subjected to a range of personal security threats, both from people and from animals. Camping is an 'out of the ordinary' experience, but this doesn't mean you can let your guard down. Although a camping trip is definitely not the riskiest vacation option, there are risks presented by the environment, the wildlife, and other people.

When you arrive at the campground, ask the host or ranger about recent animal sightings so that you are aware of any potential threats. You may also want to ask them about other security problems or safety issues that you should be aware of during your vacation.

Many people love to camp because of the chance to spot wildlife. However, you should never approach wild animals for any reason, especially to feed or touch them. No matter how cute they look, approaching them may startle or upset them. Plus, some wild animals may carry diseases such as rabies.

When camping, it's also important to keep your food secured. Don't leave food out on picnic tables; instead, store them in secure plastic containers inside your car or RV. Food attracts a wide range of insects and animals that will make your vacation unpleasant, at best.

If you do come face-to-face with a wild animal during your camping adventure, your first instinct should be to walk slowly away, if you can. If the animal starts to follow you, an excellent option is to use bear repellent spray. With a formulation very similar to that of the pepper spray designed for use against human attackers, this spray will take down almost any animal threat confronting you, not just bears, but without causing permanent harm.

It's also a good idea to equip children and adults alike with a personal alarm. This is particularly true if you plan to go hiking away from your campsite. With a 120db audio alarm, personal alarms will be able to summon help whether you're confronted by an angry animal, have fallen over a tree root, or have gotten lost on the trail. Though it may seem like taking a hike while camping is a safe adventure, it's always best to be prepared to deal with any danger that might arise.

Avoid bringing valuable items, such as jewelry and electronics, with you while you're camping. You could lose or break them, or they could be stolen from your RV or tent. If you must bring them with you, keep them stored in a diversion safe, such as a safe designed to look like a rock or a can of soda, so that anyone walking by won't realize what you have.

Going on a camping trip is a great way to spend time with family and friends away from the distractions of modern life. This relaxing, enjoyable, and economical vacation option does come with its own security concerns, however. Certain precautions must always be taken to ensure that your camping trip goes smoothly.

About the Author:
Resist Attack has a full range of Animal Repellents to keep you and your family safe while camping. Check out our best in class Bear Pepper Spray.

Camp Chairs - The Great Camping Event - Day 9

It's Day 9 and I'd like to talk about camp chairs. Do you have a camp chair? They are good for sitting around the backyard too!

The most common is the basic style. A place to sit with a back rest. Some have arm rests, some with cup holders, some without. Some have little side or back pockets to hold small things and some come with a foot rest.




There is also the double camping chair for two. It's not quite like a couch because there is still a spot for two separate bottoms. You couldn't really move over to cuddle.

The camping stool is much smaller and better for say backpacking where you have to carry light. It's pretty comfortable but not if you need a back rest. There's no leaning back and relaxing on a stool!

The director type chair only folds in half and so is big and bulky but is MUCH more comfortable and better for those who are too big for traditional camping chairs. Camp chairs list maximum weight on them and they usually say 250+  but if you are over 200lbs, I'd recommend this type of chair. If you are car camping or it's for your backyard, being bulky shouldn't matter too much. The one pictured comes with side table and pocket but there are cheaper ones without them and they don't all look exactly the same. The seat is flat and solid, not formed to the bottom like the basic camping chair.

This is called a stadium seat and is really a sit-upon with a backrest. It's not good for the ground as much but great for sitting at a picnic table or on a rock or log with more comfort. When you are sitting on it, you can lean back and you will not fall over. It folds up perfectly flat.

Finally I want to share the camp dog bed! What a cute idea. I've never seen it in real life but it looks good!

Break - The Great Camping Event - Day 8

© Flickr User It's Marie the Bee

Camping Posts will resume tomorrow!

Camp Chef Expedition 3X Review - The Great Camping Event - Day 7

It's Day 7 and I have a great review for you. 

Camp Chef Expedition 3x

My mother owns the Camp Chef - Expedition 3X camp stove which we use for ourselves and for our Girl Guide Camps.


This is the ultimate camp stove. Forget your two burner coleman. I'm going to do my review in point format.

PROS

• Easy to put together
• Cooks food more quickly than others
• very sturdy, will stand in wind
• has hooks on side to hang utensils or pot holders
• has paper towel holder
• runs on large propane tank
• 3 burners - room for dishwater and two cooking burners
• easy to light - has holes to stick in a long matches or barbeque lighter
• legs are adjustable for uneven ground
• 31" height for easier cooking. 
• you can buy accessories for it like dutch ovens, griddles, skillets and barbeque grill box.
•  it comes in a cloth bag which can be put over it when not in use as a cover so you don't have to take it down

CONS

• comes with clip on light - difficult to figure out how to use
• wish grate came off to clean underneath it
• a different version comes with a shelf, ours doesn't

It's a GREAT stove and one I highly recommend, especially for family car camping.

Bugs - The Great Camping Event - Day 6

It's Day 6 of 12, we're halfway through! There are more reviews coming next week but for now, I'd like to talk about bugs. This post was inspired by Beth of Create Your Traditions.

Bugs live outside. If you go camping, you are going to encounter bugs, there's no doubt about that. Bugs is a big reason I think why some people are not interested in camping. But I love bugs! Sure there are some that I don't like and run away from. Earwigs and centipedes and June bugs mostly. I used to be more scared. I'd scream at spiders. When I was about 5 I had to have an x-ray and there was a small spider on the wall in the x-ray room. It was up so high it was near the ceiling and was nowhere near me but I refused to have that x-ray until it was gone. They had to send for someone to bring in a ladder and go up there and dispose of it before I would cooperate. Now I catch most spiders and set them free.

So how did I get desensitized? I did lots of outdoor things and got used to them. Also as a Girl Guide leader I had to teach the girls how to be respectful of nature and to not scream every time they saw a bug. So I had to stop myself from freaking out in front of them.

Just keep reminding yourself... they were here FIRST!!!

Oh and you can only complain if you see the Rhinoceros Beetle or something equally huge and menacing.

*Photo Credits: 
Spider - Flickr User Annieta under Flickr Creative Commons License.
Beetle - Flickr User Leslie Kirkland under Flickr Creative Commons License

Camping Guest Post - The Great Camping Event - Day 5

It's Day 5! I've got another guest post for you today. All photos belong to the guest poster.

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Every summer, my family has a Great Camping Trip and I've been going since I was about six.  My father is a huge outdoors fan and is basically the heart and soul of our planning, hiking, and camping.  Perhaps it's because of I was raised on minimalist camping, but I didn't even understand what "car camping" or "cabin camping" was for many years.  Camping, to me, meant carrying everything you need on your back, which encourages you to give up a lot of things you don't need.  (Mind you, I always managed to bring at least one small paperback with me.  No need to be without reading material.) I learned to pack my clothes for a week into a single gallon-sized ziplock bag.  Our food was light, our tents were small, our extras comforts were minimal.  The night before a GCT, we would all be cramming things into my dad's collection of ancient external frame and highly uncomfortable backpacks (we've since updated, but not that recently).  Each pack would be weighed and each person would try it on to see just how much they thought they could carry.  It was a time for bragging, but also a time for admitting to being a wimp.  I still remember the year we went when I figured out that my dad was approximately three times my age (20 or so) and was still carrying twice as much weight (my pack was near 30 lbs). 

Back when I was six, I didn't go on the long trips.  I only started those when I got to be about 11 or 12.  I remember the first time I got to go on the Big One.  This trip entailed traveling across a basin surrounded by mountains (Uinta Mountains in Eastern Utah) about 7-10 miles a day.  We would hike from early morning until afternoon, until we got to a new lake, make camp, fish, eat, and then fall into our sleeping bags, exhausted.  Usually the next day we would pack up and move another 7-10 miles to the next spot.  Occasionally, we would rest for a day between hikes, but not always.  It was hard, but it was so rewarding.  Despite living for a week with aches and blisters and very poor sleep (we don't carry much in the way of padding to sleep on), it was so thrilling to be out in such a remote location.  I think that is the best part about camping where we went.  Very rarely we would run into other hikers and campers.  It was a time to escape from the craziness of modern living and your regular life to be in a peaceful and beautiful place.  Even if hauling my butt up the almost-70-degree-incline 50-foot unnamed (because no on should be crazy enough to climb it) pass led to utter exhaustion, there was still a sense of accomplishment and the thrill of being on top of the world looking down.  I imagine that is how extreme mountain climbers feel. 

Of course, camping like this has its drawbacks.  The food is anything but gourmet.  The sleeping arrangements, as I mentioned, are uncomfortable.  And there is the latrine.  We have a special little shovel and always nominate a strong and unlucky individual to find a place close enough to

camp to find at night without getting lost, but also offering some privacy.  And then they dig.  The deeper the hole, the more time before you have to dig another (assuming you stay in one place for a few days).  It certainly makes the trips to do your business shorter.  Most of us will wait as long as possible before giving in.  All these things are small prices to pay, I think, for the privilege of being surrounded by such beauty and serenity.  I'll be the first to admit, I like car camping.  You can bring lots of things you can't when you are carrying it all on your back. 

But even if you're a car-camper-only kind of person, everyone should try this kind of camping at least once.  If only to say you've dug a latrine :)

Author Bio:
Melissa is a reluctant academic librarian longing for a public library job (preferably in the children or teen area).  Her secret love, aside from reading of course, is minimalist camping.  She blogs about books and bookish experiences (and very occasionally about camping trips) at One Librarians Book Reviews.

Keeping the Tent Clean - The Great Camping Event - Day 4

Welcome to Day Four! I have a short one for you today.

For those of you who tent camp, what does your tent look like during the day? In Girl Guides we learn to roll up our beds in the morning to keep them warm and dry and we keep our stuff in our bags so we can find what we need. Also everything is kept away from the sides of the tent in case it rains (see Day 2)

We teach this to our Guides and we had two Guides last year who were better at keeping their tent clean than we are!

See for yourself!

What does the inside of your tent look like?

Choosing a Campground - The Great Camping Event - Day 3

Well it's Day Three. I hope you've been enjoying it. Don't forget to check out what's happening at SMS Book Reviews as well.

Today I have a guest post for you. Enjoy!

Choosing the Right Campground for Your Upcoming Trip

As the weather gets warmer, you are probably itching to grab a tent and head out into the wilderness! Of course, much of the success of your camping trip has to do with the campground that you choose, which should be your number one priority.

Safety First!

It is important to practice safety by setting up in a designated camping site, which will keep you protected from wildlife or any other dangers. If you are camping in a group or family, it is also best to choose a camp site that has bathroom facilities to make the whole process much easier.

Location, Location

Deciding where you want to go should be at the top of your list. Many people choose to camp in their surrounding area, while others may travel several states or cross-country to an ideal destination. However, it may be difficult to check out the quality of campground based on the website alone, so make sure to ask for brochures from the campground or referrals from friends.

Activities Galore

Another thing to keep in mind is the access available to adult activities on your camping trip. You may want to take out a boat, go fishing, or go hiking, which are all important activities to take into consideration when choosing a camp site. Many people choose to leave the city to go camping for rest and relaxation, and if that is the case, you do need to choose a camp site that will not be full of younger people partying all night long.

Proximity to Civilization

You may want to camp near a city so that you can go shopping or eat in the daytime, or you may want to be as far away from civilization as possible. How close you are to a city will dictate what type of supplies you need to take with you, yet it is often helpful to be close to a nearby town if you happen to forget a loaf of bread or pegs for your tent.

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For a great selection of the Bunn home coffee maker, check out Bethany North's website, The Coffee Bump.

The Great Camping Event - Day 2:

This is Day 2 of The Great Camping Event. Check back all week for reviews, giveaways, guest posts and more.


Tent Camping Tips

• Pick the right size tent.
  A two-man tent fits two average sized people with NO gear. You want at LEAST one size up from what you need, two for extra room for a lot of gear or larger people. If you want it to be more like a house, go even bigger. We use an 11-man tent for 2 adults and 2 kids. We have a room for kids, a room for us and room for our stuff PLUS an entry room for shoes, camp chairs, rain coats etc.
• Prep the tent.
  Before you even use it, read the instructions carefully and practice putting it up and taking it down. If it's confusing, add some colored electrical tape to remind you what pole goes where. Pay attention to how the tent was folded as you unfold it so you know how to fold it back up. Some tents are folded in thirds and some in quarters. The instructions don't always say. Basically it should be the width of the pole bag when you roll it. You should also put seam sealer on all the seams before use.
• Setting It Up
  Before you put it up you need to clear the ground of twigs, rocks and other debris and make sure you aren't setting it up in a valley or you'll be underwater if it rains. Put a tarp down so that it covers the entire area the tent will be in but does NOT stick out from underneath it. This will provide extra warmth and padding but if it sticks out, water will pool underneath you if it rains.
• Use and Care
  When you get in and out of the tent, make sure you open the vertical zipper as tall as you are and the bottom zipper at least halfway over. If you try to squeeze through the opening, you can wreck the zipper and catch your hair.
• Rain
  The tent has a fly to help keep rain out of your tent. Sealing it before use helps too. Also make sure your guy lines (the ropes from the fly to the ground.) are kept tight. Check them everyday. If they are loose, the fly will touch the tent and rain will get in. Your gear and yourself should NEVER touch the sides of the tent or that will cause leaks. If you do get a leak, use your finger to touch where it's leaking and run your finger slowly down the wall to the bottom. This should make the water run down instead of in your tent.
• Putting It Away
  If it is raining or did rain before you put the tent away, you will have to put it up again at home, as soon as it's done raining so it can properly dry. NEVER put away a wet tent for good.

Do you have any Tent Tips?

The Great Camping Event - Day 1

Well it's officially begun! The Great Camping Event is running starting today for 2 weeks on this blog and SMS Book Reviews. Each blog will have reviews, giveaways, guest posts and general camping posts from me. If you put the blog button on your sidebar before Aug 2 and comment here you'll get 5 extra entries for every giveaway you enter.

So why do I like camping?

• Getting close to nature
• Eating fire cooked food
• Sitting around the campfire
• Smores!
• Seeing the stars (unobstructed by the city buildings and trees)
• The peace and quiet (generally, unless you're beside a group of young drinkers.)

I prefer car camping although some day I'd like to try backpacking. I live in South Western Ontario (the southernmost city actually) so there are no bears where I camp. I don't camp anywhere near as often as I'd like to because of funds (or lack thereof.)

So enjoy the next two weeks on both blogs! They won't have the same content (except for the intro post.)

If any PR or companies still want to have me review their product or book and can get it to me before Aug 2 I'll include it. I'm also still accepting guest posts from bloggers about camping. Just shoot me an email (callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca)

I'm off camping!

I'm off to camp today. The younger girls and me will be sleeping in a cabin (it's easier with my three and four year old although they can and have slept in tents.) and the older kids sleep in tents.

I have at least one post set to go up this week while I'm gone. If I get a chance to set up another one I will, if not, I won't.

Don't forget when I get back it's the start of The Great Camping Event.

Camping Week Preview: Sleeping Bag from CSN Stores!

If you frequent blogs, especially women bloggers, I'm sure you've seen CSN Stores all over the place. CSN Stores sells all kinds of products and has over 200 different stores.

The newest is Dining Rooms Direct which sells dining room tables. There's also toys and games, furniture, home decor, pet, health and fitness and tons more.

I decided I'd like to review a sleeping bag for one of my daughters for The Great Camping Event!

This is the Wildkin Princess Sleeping Bag with pillow. It's more of a slumber bag and is not intended for outdoor use but should work well for my purposes. She'll be in a cabin or tent, not directly on the ground.

You'll see the review sometime during the two week event.

The Great Camping Event - July 26 - Aug 6, 2010

I'm pleased to announce a great cross-blog event I'm holding called The Great Camping Event. On BOTH of my blogs Callista's Ramblings and SMS Book Reviews, I'll be featuring product reviews and giveaways (on Callista's Ramblings), book reviews and giveaways (on SMS Book Reviews) and camping posts and guest posts (on Callista's Ramblings and SMS Book Reviews.)

Stop by my two blogs during the two week period for everything camping. Okay well maybe not everything. I won't be camping with bears or wolves, I won't be camping in a handmade teepee or digging my own latrine. (outdoor toilet) So most of what I feature or talk about will be related to tenting or cabins in an area with mostly squirrels, bunnies and birds. We do cook outside, hike, put up tents, build gadgets, light campfires and learn basic tracking, exploring, animal and nature skills.

I would however love some guest posts from people who do a different kind of camping (see below.)

ATTN: Companies, PR and Bloggers
I'm looking for companies, publishers and PR groups who wish to donate products for review and/or giveaways and bloggers who are interested in guest posting about camping or camping books or reading books while camping. I will be testing out any products or book knowledge July 18-25 at Girl Guide Camp. I am a leader and can have the girls and adults help me test everything out. So you'll get many opinions for the "price" of one. I will also be featuring a list of sponsors during the entire event on Callista's Ramblings and SMS Book Reviews. You may want to check out my PR page and Review Policies on each blog for more information.

Spread the Word and Get Extra Giveaway Entries
Please help me get the word out. If you put the following button in your sidebar of your blog and come back and let me know in the comments here, I will add 5 entries into EVERY giveaway you enter during the event on either blog.

You can scoop the code from the sidebar or you can save it and upload it yourself.