Fishing, Hunting and Camping
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Ways to Beat The Sun While Camping
Well, summer is in full swing and it is already hot! No one likes to be stuck in the camper while camping, it defeats the purpose. We will be back out camping this weekend and it’s going to be in the 90’s. Being that our campsite is in full sun after 1:00pm (hottest part of the day), we have tried many ways to beat it and try to stay cool.
Tent campers usually don’t have this issue, but us camper campers do.
So let’s go over some ways to beat that sun and find some ways to make being outside all day bearable.
Making Shade
If you have full shade, consider yourself lucky! I get envious when I see other campers relaxing in full shade all weekend. We picked our spot because of the water access, so we need to create our own.
Here are a couple ideas
Pop Up/Canopy Tents
We will start with what you probably already have. If you camp, have kids with sports or spend a lot of time outside, you may already have a pop up tent. These can make for some cheap free shade. If you do not already have a pop up tent, you can check out the best pop up canopy comparisons by doing a quick search online.
What we do when conditions are right is use the pop up tent next to our awning. Depending on the time of day and sun locations, you may need to adjust at times.
Tip: If you drop one side of the tent lower than the other, it will give you more control over your shade and create a larger area.
Pros
- You may already have
- Other uses
- Easy to travel with for other outdoor events/games
- Can get different types/colors/sport teams
Cons
- May need to adjust with sun location
- Shade area may be small depending on angle
Camper Awning Shade
They actually made awning shades for campers. They connect to your awning and tie down to the ground on the bottom. Like anything else camper related, you will pay dearly for this shade. They can be found at most local camping stores or online at Amazon.
Pros
- Easy to install/Remove
- Always shade
- Doesn’t block view
- Looks like it belongs
Cons
- Cost
- Has an indoor feel
- Creates a small area
Hitch Umbrella
Photo: Pinterest (sorry we did not take a photo but will)
We found a new gadget while visiting a Walmart a few weeks ago. It was more of a pulse buy when we seen it heading to the checkout. They call it the Tailbrella. My thoughts on this are mixed. We find it to be better used at the kids baseball games or tailgating but it can be used for added shade if needed while camping.
We found ourselves using it when we needed that extra shade when we had guests. We would not recommend using this as your main source of shade but as an add on if needed. We do recommend for sporting events and tailgating.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Adjustable/Tilt
- Portable
- People will ask about it
- Gets the job done
- If you fish while camping, you can use as well
Cons
- Best used when sun is high (middle of day)
- Vehicle needs to there
- Shade will be offset if sun is at a large angle
Ideas For The Kids
So, mom and dad are good with sitting back and relaxing but the kids are not. The idea behind camping is making memories and that’s not going to happen if the kids are either miserable from the heat or just hanging out inside the camper.
The Pool
Okay, so this is pretty obvious but I have to mention it. Most camp grounds have pools. Use them! Load up on sun block and hit the pool for a few hours. Let them find friends and have some fun for a few hours each day.
We find that hitting the pool mid afternoon is best for us. This is when our site is in full sun. It is also the hottest part of the day. By the time they get back from swimming, the sun is settling down for the night and they are cool and worn out. Have a good dinner and they will want to relax in the evening.
Water Games
There are many different types of water games you can play with the kids. It’s not only fun, but also refreshing.
Here are a couple things you can do.
- Water balloons of course are always fun. Though they can be a pain to fill a bunch of them just to go through all the balloons in 10 minutes. One tip is to buy the quick fill water balloons that can be found here.
- They make a football that holds a water balloon. You swing it back and forth to each other and if it hits too hard, it will pop getting someone wet. My kids love this though they all want it to pop on them! I can’t find it online but I believe we got it from Dick’s Sporting Goods.
- Lastly, you can unhook your water hose from the camper for a bit and let the kids use a sprinkler. Some camp sites do not allow this so make sure to check. We are able to do it and love it. We actually installed a two way water connection to make it easy.
Go To The Shade
If you don’t have water options where you are staying, go find the shade on hot sunny days. A hike through the woods are not only cool, but fun! It is a teachable time with your kids. Take long walks through the woods, look for wildlife, signs animals have left and take in the beauty of nature. You can teach your children how to be quiet to respect the area and to always be alert of their surroundings.
Conclusion
No matter how you stay cool on hot days while camping, the most important thing is to make sure everyone is having fun. Like I mentioned earlier, you are making memories. Those memories don’t need to be of being miserable!
So how do you beat the sun while camping?
Don’t Let Pests Ruin Your Camping Adventure: Use These Top 7 Tips
Going camping is all about being at one with nature, but that doesn’t mean you want to spend your camping adventure swarmed by pests. Pests are a common occurrence on any campsite. And most of these pests can bite, leaving you in discomfort and pain.
Catch-it Pest Control, the London based insect and rodent specialist, recommend these precautions when you next go camping.
1. Dress appropriately – There is one simple rule of thumb to follow when camping – cover all exposed skin. Long sleeves and trousers are a must, and try to stick to light-coloured clothing. Exposed skin attracts insect bites, so it’s best to keep covered.
2. Use insect repellent – Wearing covering clothing may not fully effective against preventing pest bites. You can use insect repellents to make sure pests stay far away. Make sure that you follow all directions when you use these though.
3. Avoid insects habitats – Standing water and tall grass should be avoided when you want to go camping. These places are breeding grounds for pests like mosquitoes, and ticks live in long grass. Steer clear of them to avoid pests.
4. Take a look around – Keeping your eyes peeled will go a long way in helping you to avoid pests when camping. Look around for ants nests, beehives and spider webs. These are great indicators of a pest problem in the area.
5. Keep your tent secure – You can’t fully stop pests from getting into your tent when you’re camping. A bug or two will surely get in. But if you take the proper steps you can stop a whole swarm from invading your tent. Don’t keep food in your tent, turn off the lights when you’re not inside and zip it up when you enter and exit the tent.
6. Take a first aid kit – Pests should definitely be kept in mind when you’re packing a first aid kit for camping. Taking anti-itch cream for bites and stings and making sure you take an epi pen if you are allergic to pests stings is essential.
7. Store food properly – Food that you bring on a camping trip will attract all kinds of pests, from rodents to insects. Make sure you keep all of your food in containers that are sealed, and throw all rubbish away in designated receptacles.