Did you ever think that you knew so much about camping that you could teach the world? Have you ever thought that you would like to share your own camping experiences with others? You just might be the person to do that. And, imagine having your own experiences and advice to be aired right on Time Warner and on Cablevision. Have you thought of that?
So many times I have thought of that yet, I have not really put together an in-depth camping show. Yet, that might be in the making for this coming season. But this article is not really about the shows or about seeing camping things on television. This article is just a helpful hints article, giving you a few more ideas about camping. By reading here, you just might find some extra insights, some extra ideas, and thoughtful helpful hints about the subject of camping.
These ideas or suggestions might make your camping experience more joyful and less work:
Two of the most important tenting helpful hints that I can share are these:
1. Never leave a tent unattended that has not been staked down. I've had the experience of leaving a large tent [seven feet high at the center] literally fly away after I moved about six inches from the tent to grab the stakes. The tent was completely put together-with the fly attached, and in one split second, on a day that had 'no' wind, a slight breeze came by and grabbed the tent up into the air.
I was surprised to see such a large tent fly away. If I hadn't seen it myself, I wouldn't have believed it possible. After all, how many of us have tried to get little kites up into the air with not much success? And here is this seven foot tent flying by.
I chased the tent [it flew OVER a fence] and brought it back to my campsite, and started all over. This time I kept a hold of the tent until I had put one stake in the ground and anchored it to the tent.
Now I know how some people get little holes in their tents [They've probably retrieved the tents over sharp fences while the tent was flying away].
So, number one, hold onto that tent until it's properly secured to the ground.
2. Never bring food inside your tent. Food attracts animals. You and your tent will be safe if you don't bring your food or snacks inside your tent.
If you are camping at Hecksher State Park, always bring some way to lock your tent. It has been my experience that while I was away from the tent, some little children, not related to me or my family, were experimenting and exploring inside of my tent while I was gone. How did I discover this? I came back and caught them coming out of my tent. Luckily, nothing of value was taken or broken. But what was broken was my seal against insects. While these children were inside the tent, they came in , left the tent door unsealed and thus let in some insects from the outside. So when camping at Hecksher or other somewhat more crowded campgrounds, bring something to lock your tent. This way when little ones are wandering around the campsite, they cannot enter your tent. You can lock the tent by using cable ties or by using luggage padlocks or by using string and knots. String and knots you say? Yes. A string, knotted might do the case where you have young toddlers or babies wandering around. Tie the knot at the top and the young ones cannot simply bend over and unzip the tent. Personally , I like the cable tie idea. This secures your tent and you will know for sure if anyone has been in your tent while you were away.
Why lock? The reasons are obvious. You are locking to secure your tent from insects, from spiders, and from all sorts of wild animals. Uninvited animals will wander into tents that are left open. And, uninvited children will wander in also. You do not leave any valuables inside your tent, so you are not locking valuables. That is why string or cable ties will work just as well as luggage locks. So that is just one more camping idea.
Where did you buy your tent or where will you buy your tent?
Some of the best places to buy good tents are close to you. Try these: Sports Authority Target Walmart or online at eBay.com Usually in the off-season, you can get great camping buys on tents and other items in a store called, Target. Just one note about that though. If you buy a sleeping bag at Target, open it up in parking lot just to check it. Once I bought a seventy dollar sleeping bag there and opened it up to find hair and a pretzel inside the bag. Yet the box looked as if it had not been opened and it was totally sealed with thick tape. So open your sleeping bag before you get home, just in case you need to exchange the item.
I'd steer clear of the children's pop-up tents. These seem harder to fold up than the larger regular tents. Sure, the tent pops open very quickly. But after that you can spend as much as thirty minutes trying to figure out how to pop it down and fold it up to put it back into its' carry bag. A regular child's or adult's tent can be just as cheap if you search around for the best buy or if you wait until 'off-season" to purchase your tents.
For serious campers, and those who will be camping out for the rest of their lives, I recommend EUREKA tents. These are wonderfully, beautifully-created tents that will make you smile. They are almost easily set up. And most of them will have that nice material floor instead of that hard crinkley floor that most other tents have.
Eureka tents are all material and no plastic. That makes a difference in your camping experience.Eureka tents can be expensive. But if you purchase off-season, you can get as much as fifty percent off the original price of a Eureka tent. And, the tents are brand new , not used.In my next article about camping, I will give you a list of some essential camping items and offer some other suggestions about camping.
Now, what about being a television star? How do you do that. You begin at the first stage of television. Have your program aired on Time Warner. Everyone has heard of Time Warner and once you are head on TW, your journey begins. Leave a note if you are interested in talking about camping in an audience.
I created this article on May 26, 2008.
Linda Perry, a published author, creator of genuine, unique television shows that air on Time Warner and on Cablevision in New York City. A warm-hearted individual who gives a voice to those who have been silent all along. This author produces television shows about almost all topics that help people in their lives. Many of the shows are entertainment; some are information and resources and still others are festivals, fiestas, and community events that bring all people together in one place in the city or in the country.
