Warning: Yeah, it’s cold. I mean, really cold. Of course, the best time to go is in the summer time, but you still need to take coats, gloves, and big warm sleeping bags.

Banff – Skiers’ Paradise

Banff is probably the most popular spot in the Canadian Rockies, and this is because of the variety. There’s not only camping and hiking, but great fishing and skiing. It’s a destination for lots of motor home travelers.

But, let me give you a better description. Imagine camping by a rushing river lined with pine trees. In the background is a giant mountain. Add to that the cleanest air you’ve ever breathed and a quiet stillness you never experience back home, and you’ve pretty much got Banff.

Unlike some places in the Canadian Rockies, Banff is fairly easy to get to, and pretty convenient. You can stock up on supplies, shop or eat out in town, and you’re not far from the pristine camping areas.

Lake Louise – Home Of The Grizzly

Lake Louise is just spitting distance from Banff, located actually in Banff National Park. This is another area full of wonderful views and pristine nature. Lake Louise boasts great skiing, and it’s the “hiking capital” of Canada, but the lake itself is the biggest draw. Because of the silt in the water, the lake changes colors slightly throughout the year and time of day.

Lake Louise has glaciers and waterfalls, and it’s far away enough from everything that you might run into some critters. I’m not talking about tiny critters like rabbits or squirrels, I’m talking about elk, deer… and grizzlies! Just keep in mind, they’re as afraid of people as we are of them. Just don’t get too close to try to take a picture or anything.

The area around Lake Louise is spectacular, because it is truly one of the last frontiers. When you head north from Louise, you are really going into no-man’s land. There’s not much up there until you get to Alaska!

North To Jasper

Well, there is something between Lake Louise and Alaska, and it’s Jasper National Park. Like Lake Louise, Jasper has stunning views, abundant wildlife, glaciers, and not many people or conveniences.

If you want to really do the Canadian Rockies, I suggest taking driving your RV from Lake Louise to Jasper. But, I recommend going slow. This is because there is scenery on that drive that you will never see again.

Just off the road you’ll see mountain vistas you’ve never dreamed could exist. Most people stop off at the Columbia Icefield, located about halfway to Jasper. This is a gigantic glacier, a leftover from the last ice age. It’s melting slowly but surely, but there’s still a lot of it to go.

Jasper is even more remote than Lake Louise, so if you want to head there I suggest stocking up before you leave; fill that motor home with supplies! Jasper is truly an adventure, and most people who go up there get a peek of a grizzly, wolf or mountain goat.

As long as you’re in the Canadian Rockies, you might as well check out Kootenay and Yoho, two other great National Parks. There’s also a variety of lodging options for those who don’t want to rough it.

Why not go north this summer and check out the Canadian Rockies? It will be a traveling experience you’ll never forget!

If it is your first time camping, you may not want to purchase equipment, as it may add up in the end. So by asking either your friends or relatives if you can use their camping equipment, it may be the cheaper option. However, if they have nice camping equipment they may be hesitant to allow you to use it, or they may not let you borrow it at all. You also may not want to borrow it if you know they have expensive equipment, because you don’t want to run the risk of damaging their tent or burning their stove. So purchasing cheap camping gear to begin with may become the better option.

Most first time campers purchase cheap camping gear at big department stores like K-Mart or Wal-Mart where you can purchase all the basic equipment and stay within your budget. Once you have experienced the outdoors and have decided that you enjoy camping, you can them start to invest in more expensive items that are more durable. Cheap camping gear has the benefit of being cheap, but not much else. Typically cheap camping gear usually falls apart quicker and is less dependable. It is not worth going out and buying cheap camping equipment time and again, because all though it may seem like the cheaper option at the time, it will add up after replacing it more than once. It is often best that you invest in the more expensive, durable equipment that you know will last longer and will cost you less in the long run.

If you are using cheap camping gear on your first camping trip, don’t let any faulty equipment keep you from enjoying your camping experience. Keep in mind that there is better equipment available that makes camping more enjoyable. Purchasing the right camping gear, such as a tent, sleeping bag, stove, or cookware, will make such a difference.

Finding a tent that is waterproof, lightweight and easy to assemble is very important. No one wants to assemble a tent that will take all day to put up, and definitely no one wants to sleep in a leaky tent. So be sure any tent you purchase is waterproof and easy to assemble. Your sleeping bag is also extremely important. You will want a sleeping bag that will keep you warm and be comfortable as well as easy to pack away. A good stove is important, especially in campsites where open fires are not allowed. So be sure to purchase a stove you know will last through many camping trips. You cookware is also important. Buying the cheapest cookware may seem like a good idea, but not when you find that it melts or find little flakes of metal in your food. So it is always worth investing in the basic camping gear.

Traditional camping sports, like horseshoes, volleyball, and shuffleboard are always fun, but here are a few creative camping games for adults and older teens that are sure to bring lots of enjoyment, as well as a few laughs. Coleman paintball gear is also a fun choice for adult outdoor entertainment.

Mr. B’s Shave
Give everyone a balloon and a marker. Blow up the balloons and instruct everyone to draw Mr. B a face. Apply shaving cream to each balloon and give everyone a plastic knife for their razor. The first person to shave Mr. B without popping him is winner.

Where’s the Grapes?
First, be sure you have plenty of table space for each participant. Put 5 grapes on a plate and heap whipped cream over the top until the grapes are hidden. Place a plate in front of each participant, have them put their hands behind their backs, and see who can uncover and eat their grapes first. Be prepared with lots of napkins for this adult camping game.

Popping Crazy
Before the game, write a selection of crazy actions on strips of paper, like “cluck like a chicken,” “do the twist,” or “imagine your Elvis and perform a song”. Put each action inside a separate balloon and blow them up. All participants should sit, facing one another, in a large circle. Play some upbeat music and start passing the balloons from person to person around the circle. After a few minutes, stop the music. Each time the music stops, everyone should put the balloon they are holding in their chair and sit on it with all their weight for about 5 seconds. Wait for those who popped their balloon to perform their crazy action, then start the music back and continue.

Things That Go Bump in the Night
This camping game for adults is so much fun that you may want to invite your neighboring campers to join in! You need at least 4 people, but the game is more fun the more people involved. You will need a flashlight and should play at night with all your camping lanterns off. Designate one person as the curator and another as the visitor, everyone else is a statue. Statues can move through the dark, but must be completely quiet. The curator should have the flashlight and he and the visitor will walk around trying to catch the statues moving. If a statue is seen moving, heard bumping into something, or talks he becomes a visitor as well and joins the curator in eliminating other statues.

Balloon Lift
This is another camping game for adults that promises hilarious fun! Divide everyone into teams of two and place a balloon on the ground in front of each pair. The object of the game is to pick the balloon up, then pop it between the two people, but without using any hands! The first team to pop their balloon wins. Teams that use their hands are eliminated.

Below I’ll show you my list. Granted, I’m not a thru-hiker, nor have I done 4-season backpacking, but I have done a couple 11-day treks and many shorter trips, and this is what works for me:

Shelter

Most backpackers use tents of some type. I have a Coleman Cobra small two-man tent that I use when the weather is really cold (I had dreams of being chased by a Polar Bear jumping from iceburg to iceburg one night when I tried sleeping in my hammock on night then the temperature was hovering around zero). I’ve found, however, that when the terrain, the rules, and the conditions allow, I prefer using a hammock. I bring the tarp for shelter over my hammock, and it has served at quick shelter for a group of nine during an intense sudden storm that came up while we were on the trail. Obviously, if you’re going to be camping in very rocky terrain, you’ll want a free-standing tent. If you’re going to be hiking in heavy snows, you’ll want a four-season tent. Here’s my shelter:

• Kelty Noah’s Tarp 12 (I considered a 9′ tarp, but to me the 9oz difference was worth it for storm protection. It’s very roomy for one person. I’ve also shared my tarp on occasion. There are lots of tie-outs, so I have plenty of options for set-up.)
• 40″x96″ polycryo groundcloth (very light and folds very small)

Sleeping

Ultralight fanatics would never be caught dead with anything but the absolute lightest down sleeping bags. More power to them. All of my bags are synthetic. I live in an extremely rainy area, and synthetic bags still provide loft and warmth when wet. Due to one unfortunate incident on a Scout trip, I spent a cold night in a bag after wringing it out and other than being a little clammy, was fine. Down, on the other hand, loses all loft when it’s wet. Granted, there are lots of ways to keep your bag dry, but I’d rather prepare for the worst, so I suffer with a few extra ounces and a slightly bulkier bag.

• Homemade hammock (I can’t always use it, but it’s nice when I can)
• 3/4 length Thermarest Guidelite (I can use this on the ground or in the hammock for bottom insulation if needed. I also use it for a “chair” on occasion.)
• Sleeping Bag (I have several and bring the one that’s suited to the weather)
• Sleepwear (ranges from underwear in warm weather to silk long underwear plus wool socks and a beanie in cold weather)

Pack

Some people prefer external frame packs, some prefer internal frame packs. Here are the key differences: an external frame pack is cooler on you back and you have options on how you attach gear to the outside of the pack, but it tends to ride a little further from your back than an internal; internal frame packs ride very close to your back which really reduces load swaying, but they’re hotter on your back and there are fewer options on how to carry your gear. I prefer internal frame packs, simply because I haven’t found an external frame that doesn’t hit the back of my head as I look up. I have a couple of packs, but my current pack is very light, since this is a good place to really trim the pounds.

• Gossamer Gear G5 Hyperlight pack (I wouldn’t recommend this if you are hard on gear, but I’ve found it to be fine for me.)
• Rain Cover

Water

I’ve heard of groups running out of water on the trail. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen to me or a group I’m hiking with.

• Depending on the water supply in the area I’m hiking in, I will bring two Nalgenes, a four-liter Platypus water bag, and if needed, two empty one-liter club soda bottles. Note that if you’re in bear country and your water bottles have ever held anything other than water (club soda is just carbonated water), they should go into the bear bag at night. The food smell permeates the plastic.
• Aquamira Water Treatment

Cooking/Eating

There are lots of options for lightweight high-tech stoves that are available today. I made the alcohol stove after reading an article online, and since it’s pretty cool and tends to be a conversation starter (not to mention being very, very lightweight), it’s what I use. Obviously if you’re going into an area where you have to rely on available fuels, stick with one of the more common white gas stove or even a dual fuel stove that can also use unleaded gas.

• Homemade soda can stove + windscreen
• Small bottle of methanol for fuel
• Aluminum pot (grease pot)
• Titanium mug
• Lexan spork (gotta have a spork)

Safety

Skimp on your tent, and you get wet. Skimp on your sleeping bag, and you’ll be cold. Skimp on your safety equipment, and you could die.

• Survival Kit (always in my pocket)
• First Aid Kit
• Lighter, “waterproof” matches, and a magnesium firestarter (there have been many cold, wet, windy nights where the magnesium turned frustration into fire)
• Headlamp
• Two Pulsar LED lights (one is always clipped to the outside of my pack)
• Topo map
• Compass (I don’t need no stinkin’ GPS – I will bring one, however, if there are any GeoCaches on the route I’m taking)

Accessories

Some people bring less, some bring more. I’ve found through experience that these are the items I use, and also those that I regret if I don’t have.

• Trekking Poles (they REALLY help when you’re loaded down with water in rugged terrain and they can be used to pitch the tarp on the ground)
• Journal + pen + 2 golf pencils (I lost my pen and my backup pencil once. The pencils are very light.)
• Bear Bag Cord
• Several homemade stuff sacks
• Camera (I’ve been bringing a small digital with lithium batteries. The lithium batteries last a LONG time.)
• Sunscreen
• Bug Repellant
• Bandanna
• Toilet Paper in a freezer ziplock
• Plastic trowel (sometimes the ground is just too hard to kick a hole with your boot)
• Crocs for camp shoes
• Bottle of Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap
• Lightweight wide-brimmed hat
• Lip Balm
• Baking soda (for toothpaste)
• Compact toothbrush
• Small bottle of hand sanitizer
• Sunglasses with neck cord
• Watch
• Rain Jacket and Pants
• Trash Bag(s) (I normally bring two in case one gets punctured. I also compact my trash very well, so small bags work fine for me.)
• Duct Tape – a couple of yards wrapped around one of the Nalgenes is enough for me.
• Multi-tool (the pliers double as a pot lifter)

Food

Please keep your food and trash completely separate from the rest of your pack items. Gallon Ziplocks will work OK for this. You don’t want your pack or gear to smell like food. Bears have excellent noses!

• Two hot meals a day – oatmeal for breakfasts and variety for dinners
• Cold trail-type food for lunches/snacks. (Make sure you plan for plenty of calories or you’re really start feeling it in the middle of your trek.)

Clothing

I’m not going to list all of the clothing I bring, because it changes significantly season-to-season. However, I think it’s important to list the clothing items I pack (i.e. duplicate items):

• One extra wicking t-shirt
• Two extra wicking underwear
• Two extra pairs of Smartwool socks (I know I wasn’t going to get into clothing specifics, but I have to mention these. I’ve found the Smartwool Trekker socks to be the best for backpacking. I bring three total pairs so that I always (hopefully) have a dry pair to change into.)

Optional Items to Consider

You may think of other items you want to bring, but please remember that an ounce on your back is a pound on your feet!

• Sock liners (I hate them, but some people love them. With Smartwool socks, I have no need.)
• Gaiters (I’ve never used them, but I’m sure they help keep your socks dry in foul weather. They’re on my “should try” list.)
• Extra Ziplock/trash bags
• Feminine Products (Backpacking can make your cycle go wacko, so be prepared)
• Reading Glasses, if needed (how else are you going to read your map?)
• A Sharpie marker
• Extra glasses, especially for contact lens wearers; extra contacts; contact solution
• Deodorant (not recommended in bear country – you really don’t want to smell interesting to bears)

If you use the above camping list as a guideline as you prepare for your next backpacking trip, you can insure that you bring what you need without carrying a lot of stuff you’ll never use.

There are absolutely thousands of camping sites all over France, in fact over 11,000!

They all offer different service and facilities and you will find that these camp sites are rated in a similar way to that of hotels, so the more stars a site has, the better it will be, although more expensive.

Apart from the typical camping sites available, you can also find places to pitch such as camping on farms, but lots of these do not have a wide range of facilities available, but please be aware that it is only in authorised locations that you are able to camp and not in places such as woods.

Apart from the touring sites where you can pitch your own tent, caravan, RV or mobile, there are many self catering holiday campsites that offer camping tents, mobile homes chalets already on site with all facilities.

It is at these types of camping site that you can normally find facilities that include swimming pools, shops, clubs, bars, entertainment, playgrounds, etc.

They are ideal camp sites for a family camping holiday and some even offer other activities such as tennis, fishing, French boules, cycles for hire, and even games rooms with pool, snooker, etc. And all this can make for an ideal self-catering holiday at very little expense.

When touring with your caravan or motor home, you will find that there are many camp sites who welcome touring holiday makers and not only do they have electric hook up points, but also waste disposal points and some do cater for the disabled as well.

France can therefore offer you freedom and flexibility, whether you choose to stay in one place for the duration of your holiday, or indeed if you wish to hop from camping site to camp site, it can offer you everything from excitement and family holiday fun by the coast, through to staying in the grounds of chateaux in rolling countryside.

So for a self-catering holiday where you have no restrictions, France is the best choice for good value and a memorable holiday for all the family.

Get paid to take a vacation.

Of the many different types of camping, two of them come to mind immediately. Driving to a camp site and setting up camp near your car or recreational vehicle. This is called car camping and is especially a favorite pastime for families with children and senior citizens. Car camping sites will usually include an area for a tent, a fire pit, and restrooms. One thing you don’t want to do and that is to use your vehicle’s headlights to illuminate your camping site at night. This is a good way to get a dead battery and to annoy fellow campers in the surrounding areas. If you are looking for remote or solitary locations, then this is not your type of camping.

Secondly, we have campers that enjoy hiking to their wilderness camp site carrying all of their essential supplies such as a tent, sleeping bag, clothing, and food in a backpack. I would say that backpacking would definitely be for folks who are in good physical condition because you might just end up walking several miles. You may find that you have to cross small streams, and climb steep paths to reach a quiet and secluded campsite. The reward for backpacking to find that special camp site way out there can be beautiful views of surrounding mountains, wilderness and wildlife.

Now that we have talked about two different types of camping, how about some ideas on getting ready for that camping trip. Have you made up a list of items you want to bring? Spend some time on this so that you will not forget your important items like what kind of meals you may want to prepare. Have you made a list of your food items? Make sure all of your camping equipment is in working order. There is nothing as frustrating as setting up your campsite only to find a lantern that is not working or all of your tent components are not there. Be sure to bring plenty of clothing, layering your clothing is not a bad idea, always be prepared for unexpected changes in the weather.

So, let’s sum this up. If you have a weekend coming up with nothing planned, why not pack up your vehicle and head for the great outdoors. Unwind by sitting around the campfire at night, looking up at natures very own light show, going to sleep and waking up to the sounds and smells of nature. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

If your going camping on your own make sure you tell people where you are going and give them the exact location of where you are staying, also think about taking a map and compass with you if your out in the wild.

Sometimes the reason for people going camping is to get away from the rat race for some peace and quiet but make sure you take some kind of communication device you with like a mobile phone, it would also be a good idea to take some two-way radios with you so you can communicate with friends or loved ones if you or they happen to get lost. Packing a GPS device with you is a great idea as well, but don’t forget the good old map and compass as a back up solution.

If you plan on hiking your way to a campsite then make sure everyone is in good health, if you have young children then arrange to get them to your camping area before you go, the same goes for older people as taking long walks over rugged terrain may make them tired or aggravate health problems.Muggings and sexual assaults can happen and have no doubt happened in the past when people have been camping so make sure you stick together, safety in numbers. If you have been the victim of a crime then make sure you report it to the police and/or campsite warden right away.

Be aware of your surroundings. If your camping out in a woodland area make sure you tell the kids not to go off on their own, look out for any potentially dangerous areas like lakes, ridges and marshes, and never approach wild animals. Also never eat anything you find on the plants and trees unless you are absolutely 110% sure you know what it is you are eating, and never drink water from lakes or rivers.

Remember to check the weather forecast before you set off so you know roughly what kind of clothes to pack, if it’s cold and rainy you want to wrap up warm so you don’t become ill.

If you or anyone you are camping with smokes then make sure the cigarette is put out properly and never throw it down still lit, you could put water on it or stub out it in sand (as long as it’s not part of a kids play area).

Take a first aid kit with you, if you are unsure what to take in this then visit your local outdoors shop and tell them where you are going, most first aid packs contain the basics. If your still in doubt visit your local GP and ask there.

If you need to see in the dark make sure you use a torch and never use a candle because hot wax may drip on you or it may catch fire, your tent is highly flammable a long with your clothes, sleeping bag and other material. In case of a fire get everyone out quickly but calmly and call the fire service as quick as you can. Try to give an exact location to the fire rescue crew so they can get to you quickly, if you do not know your exact location then tell them of any landmarks, pubs, farms, or nearby roads. You should also alert any campers near you in case the fire spreads, and remember, never smoke in a tent.

When setting up your tent make sure you keep it at least 6 meters away from your neighbours because you do not want to stumble over guy ropes in the night and hurt yourself.

Never have a campfire near your tent or inside your tent, fire can easily spread and get out of control.

Make sure you keep any valuable items on you and do not leave them in the tent, slash and grab theft can occur where the thief will cut through your tent with a sharp object such as a knife and steal anything they see as worth taking.

You may want to put a padlock on your zip to stop anyone looking inside your tent but just beware that to a thief having a lock on your tent might make them think you have something worth taking inside.

If you find a stranger inside your tent do not attempt to drag the person out by force and do not start arguing, alert a campsite warden or tell someone near by.

If your travelling in a caravan make sure you install a fire alarm and check that it works and never block any air vents. When you cook never leave fat pans unattended and keep matches and lighters away from children, have a fire extinguisher next to the main exit.

If there is a smoker in the caravan make sure they put the cigarette out in a metal ashtray and never use any paper cups or paper plates.

Remember to never leave any gas bottles in side the caravan and if you suspect a gas leak never smoke or use a lighter/matches, open up all doors and windows and make sure you turn off all appliances and the main cylinder valve. Never fit any gas appliances yourself, make sure you get a Corgi Registered installer to do it for you. To find a registered installer visit the Trust Corgi website.

Make sure that when you tow your caravan it doesn’t present any danger on the road. For more information check the NTTA Guide To Safe & Legal Towing.

When you leave your caravan unattended make sure you close all the windows and lock the doors. If you have any bikes and toys makes sure you chain them up before leaving or even put them in the caravan before you go out.

Get paid to take a vacation.