Columbus Lakes

Camping International

Camping for Dummies $19.98 Get out there! Author: Michael Hodgson. Softcover; 357 pages; black-and-white photographs and diagrams. Wiley Publishing Inc.; copyright 2000. Sections on planning, setting up camp, food, weather, health, safety and dressing prepare you for a successful outing. Fun cartoons and easily recognizable icons keep the tone light and informative.

Fred and Ted Go Camping $8.98 Even though they do things very differently, Fred and Ted enjoy going camping together in the woods. Author: Peter Eastman. Hardcover; 42 pages; color illustrations. The Beginner Book concept blends words and pictures that encourage children to read–all by themselves. Fun to read aloud, easy to read alone and hard to put down.

S is for S’mores: A Camping Alphabet $17.95 . Author: Helen Foster James with illustrations by Lita Judge. Hardcover; 40 pages; color illustrations. Sleeping Bear Press; copyright 2007. A is for Adventure! B is for our Beach camp! C is for Canyons! Each illustrated page calls out a letter topic and explains it. Beginning readers enjoy simple rhymes and older readers discover facts about each topic in the informative sidebar. Letter topics cover unique camping environments, equipment, famous conservationists and national parks and attractions.

Camping Colorado – A Falcon Guide $16.95 Comprehensive guidebook gives detailed descriptions of more than 400 campgrounds in colorful Colorado. Author: Melissa Crow. Softcover; 269 pages; 10 black-and-white photos, 36 maps. The Globe Pequot Press; copyright 2001. Listings include campsites managed by national, state, city and county parks; the Forest Service; the BLM; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Easy-to-use maps and charts will simplify your search for the perfect campground. Provides information on camp locations, fees, reservations, facilities, hookups, recreational activities, weather, geography and local attractions.

Curious George Goes Camping $3.95 For more than 60 years Curious George has found a lasting place in the hearts of millions of boys and girls–join him on another adventure. Author: H.A. and Margret Rey. Softcover; 24 pages; color illustrations. Houghton Mifflin Company; copyright 1999.

Babes in the Woods: Hiking, Camping, and Boating with Babies and Young Children $16.95 . Author: Jennifer Aist. Softcover; 192 pages black-and-white photographs. The Mountaineers Books; copyright 2010. Well-organized chapters offer practical tips for day hikes, car camping, base camping, backpacking and boating. Along the way, the author explores all the reasons why introducing children to the wilderness is healthy, rewarding and fun.

Dogs on the Trails: Hiking, Camping and Traveling With Your Dog $13.95 Updated and expanded, this new edition includes information on not only backpacking, but traveling, camping and day hiking with your pooch, as well. Author: Gary Hoffman. Softcover; 114 pages; black-and-white illustrations. InsightOut Publishing; copyright 2005. Features chapters on: dog selection, travel, equipment, first aid, critters big and small, basic training, pack training and trail etiquette 101. Includes information regarding dogs’ pooping in the woods, weather considerations, long trips with dogs and final thoughts from the author. Includes bonus skunk-deodorizer formula!

Desert Sense: Camping, Hiking and Biking in Hot, Dry Climates $16.95 Make your way in the desert by vehicle, by bike or on foot. Author: Bruce Grubbs. Softcover; 173 pages; black-and-white photographs. The Mountaineers Books; copyright 2004. Techniques for hiking and mountain biking in desert terrain. How to prepare your vehicle for desert roads (no getting stuck in the sand or blowing a tire). Tips for dealing with desert heat–and cold–and other challenges. Navigating in the desert, “dry camping” skills and techniques for minimum impact. Selecting gear and equipment for desert conditions. Troubleshooting worst-case scenarios. Knowledge and skills you need to move through this extreme landscape in comfort and safety. Throughout, you’ll get an understanding of the desert’s stark beauty and the unique plants and creatures who call it home.

Menasha Ridge Press The Best in Tent Camping: Pennsylvania $14.95 Find the best campsite—and the quietest—with this unique guide to over 50 of the most beautiful and scenic campgrounds in Pennsylvania! Author: Matt Willen. Softcover; 176 pages; black-and-white illustrated maps. Menasha Wood Press; copyright 2006. Features detailed campground maps, GPS coordinates, driving directions and other key campground information. Ratings for beauty, privacy, security, cleanliness, quiet and spaciousness.

Menasha Ridge Press The Best in Tent Camping: Kentucky $14.95 Go explore the beauty of the Bluegrass State and escape the crowds— this guide will help you find the best campsites in Kentucky! Author: Johnny Molloy. Softcover; 166 pages; black-and-white illustrated maps. Features detailed campground maps, GPS coordinates, driving directions and other key campground information. Ratings for beauty, privacy, security, cleanliness, quiet and spaciousness.

Dual Wattage International Converter Set $43.9 The Dual Wattage International Converter changes foreign voltage (220/240V) to North American (110/125V) current. For use in the low setting with: battery chargers, curling irons, shavers, tooth brushes, and other electronic or electric appliances between 0-25 watts. For use in the high setting with:hair dryers, clothes steamers, irons, heating pads, coffee makers, beverage heaters, and other electric appliances between 26-1875 watts.  

Canoe Country Camping – Wilderness Skills for the Boundary Waters and Quetico $16.95 This book tells you how to pick your gear, pack your portage, paddle efficiently, prepare a camp and plan your adventure. Author: Michael Furtman. Softcover; 199 pages, black-and-white illustrations. University of Minnesota Press; copyright 1992. Chapters on planning, gear, cooking, portages, wildlife and more present you with a comprehensive understanding of the trips to come.

RidgeRest Mattress $25.95 The Thermarest RidgeRest Pad is part of the Trek & Travel series. This mattress is perfect for climbing and mountaineering, as well as desert and 3-season camping.  Whether backpacking, globe-trotting or car camping, you will sleep easy with the Ridgerest in tow.

Coghlan's Camping Mirror $3.99 5&8217;” x 7”Stands or hangsStand it on a rock, clamp it to a tree or hang it from a branch; Coghlan&8217;s camp mirror has the versatility to handle all your outdoor situations. 5amp;8217;” x 7”Stands or hangsStand it on a rock, clamp it to a tree or hang it from a branch; Coghlanamp;8217;s camp mirror has the versatility to handle all your outdoor situations.

Halo Tent (4 Person) $398.95 The innovative Marmot Halo 4 person tent has a pole structure that provides terrific head room to create a uniquely livable tent for family car camping and outdoor living.

Limelight Tent (3 Person) $248.95 Marmot’s Limelight 3 Person Tent follows the “keep it simple” principle for quick set-up, weight-minimization and camping in style. A roomy side vestibule keeps gear dry in wet weather.

Limelight Tent (4 Person) $298.95 Marmot’s Limelight 4 Person Tent follows the “keep it simple” principle for quick set-up, weight-minimization and camping in style. A roomy side vestibule keeps gear dry in wet weather.

Eagle Creek Dual Wattage International Converter Set $44 Plug in your hair dryer anywhere in the world with this complete international converter set. Use this converter to operate battery chargers, shavers, irons, hair dryers, coffee makers and more. Dual circuit unit operates as a 0-25 watt transformer in the low setting and a 26-1875 watt converter in the high setting. Set includes 5 ungrounded adapters for use in almost any country in the world. Comes with a durable polyester zipped pouch. .

REI Travel Sack +55 Sleeping Bag $49.5 This lightweight travel sack is great for international hostelling, summer camping, RVs or simply to keep in your trunk for emergencies. Lofty hollow-core polyester fiber insulation is warm without a lot of bulk, compresses easily for packing and continues to insulate if wet. Unzip zipper and lay bag flat like a comforter or just unzip it partially at the foot for ventilation or to roam around camp without leaving your bag! Short zipper with snap tab closures creates armholes for ventilation. Both zippers have an anti-snag backing for easy entry and exit. Differentiated drawcords (one round, one flat) let you adjust hood and neck easily in the dark. Also works great as a sleeping bag liner for added warmth. Zippered chest pocket holds watch or other small items, alleviating late-night fumbling. Nylon stuff sack included.

Mavericks 40° Semi Rec $74.95 With the Mavericks 40° Semi Rectagular Sleeping Bag by Marmot you can ignore the dew point readings: Just get out and go with this warm-weather camping essential—replete with synthetic high-loft insulation, ultra-comfortable linings, and a durably water-resistant finish.

Mavericks 40° Semi Rec Long $84.95 With the Mavericks 40° Semi Rectagular Sleeping Bag by Marmot you can ignore the dew point readings: Just get out and go with this warm-weather camping essential—replete with synthetic high-loft insulation, ultra-comfortable linings, and a durably water-resistant finish.

Mavericks 50° Semi Rec $69.95 Mavericks 50° Semi Rectangular Sleeping Bag by Marmot is an ideal solution for quick-and-easy summer trail rigs and comfy car camping. Hoodless, blanket construction makes this as easy to sleep in as your own bed, and the whole thing packs down into a surprisingly lightweight and compact stuff sack.

Mavericks 50° Semi Rec Long $79.95 Mavericks 50° Semi Rectangular Sleeping Bag by Marmot is an ideal solution for quick-and-easy summer trail rigs and comfy car camping. Hoodless, blanket construction makes this as easy to sleep in as your own bed, and the whole thing packs down into a surprisingly lightweight and compact stuff sack.

Pinnacle 15°Sleeping Bag – Reg. (Women’s) $348.95 Marmot’s Pinnacle 15° Sleeping Bag is made with the highest-quality 800+ fill down arranged to insulate areas where women lose more heat. This fact alone makes the Women’s Pinnacle the ultimate all-purpose bag for everything from summer camping to lightweight alpine to style accents.

Emma Short (Women’s) $49.95 The Emma Short by Marmot is a natural choice for warm-weather hikes, coastal camping, or just romps in the park—nylon Supplex fabric has the easy feel of cotton and is supremely breathable to keep you cool and comfortable all day long.

ROM Jacket (Women’s) $174.95 The women’s ROM Jacket by Marmot can take anything Mother Nature throws at it. Outstanding wind and water resistance meets gymnastic mobility in this versatile, hooded solution for multi-season trekking, camping, cycling, or just getting around town.

Give-N-Go Boxer (Men’s) $23.95 The Ex Officio Boxer is for born travelers. They are made of a Travel-friendly Give-N-Go Stretch — 94% Nylon/6% Spandex, and they air-dry within hours so you can wash as you go and pack fewer pairs. These boxers are extremely breathable and moisture-wicking. The feature an antimicrobial finish keeps you comfortable. Ex Officio added a terry elastic back and functional fly to these Boxers for your convenience. Ideal uses for the Ex Officio Boxers are camping, resort travel, urban travel, backpacking, and hiking/camping.

UCO Candle Lantern $19.9 The UCO Candle Lantern is an incredibly lightweight lantern that is designed for camping, backpacking, mountaineering, snow camping, and really anytime you are outdoors or the lights are out.  Constructed to hold one candle to burn evenly and without drips for at least 9 hours.  The lantern is a spring loaded candle tube that keeps a constant flame height and minmal wax spillage.  Easy to light with its chimney that quickly slides down inside the lantern to give you instant access to the candle area. Once its lit, the candle goes right back to its original position keeping wind from blowing it out. The lantern comes with 1 candle.

Alpha Light Cutlery $7.95   The AlphaLite Cutlery by Sea to Summit are durable, hard anodized aircraft grade aluminum utensils combined with a sleek yet strong shape to create an amazingly lightweight utensil for camping and backpacking.   By hard anodizing the aluminum it forms a kind of ‘exoskeleton’, so the shape of the utensils can be slimmer and lighter. This hardened "shell" also encapsulates the aluminum, so there is NO risk of the alloy "leaching" onto food. Each peice is a unique addition to your camping and backpacking stovesets. The long handled spoon design is perfect for eating out of individual camp food packets or for using tall pots now popular with Jetboil shape stove/pot kits. The Short Spoon is ultra light and perfect for backpacking.  

Hubba Tent (1 Person) $249.95 The Hubba Tent is MSR’s lightest and best-selling freestanding solo tent weighs less than 3 lbs. (1.4 kg), yet it’s expertly designed to the deal with the vagaries of 3-season camping. Compact and eminently packable—for everything from trekking to ultralight backcountry adventures—this sturdy shelter still boasts ample living space.

Trail Lite (Women’s) $64.95 The Trail Lite mattress offers an outstanding combination of comfort and compactness, making it one of the best all-around camping mattresses available. Lighter fabric and a new streamlined shape trim trail weight and make it a great, go-to option for those seeking to balance comfort, versatility and value. The women’s version features added warmth in the hips, torso and feet for cold sleepers.

Trail Lite $69.95 The Trail Lite mattress offers an outstanding combination of comfort and compactness, making it one of the best all-around camping mattresses available. Lighter fabric and a new streamlined shape trim trail weight and make it a great, go-to option for those seeking to balance comfort, versatility and value. The women’s version features added warmth in the hips, torso and feet for cold sleepers.

ProLite Sleeping Pad $59.95 The ProLite Sleeping Pad by ThermARest is engineered for three season travel in the backcountry, bike camping or boat touring.  Either way you get to your destination, one thing is true, a good night’s sleep is the most important thing you can do.  The ProLite offers just that, but with half the weight of its previous ProLite.  Reliable performance every time you use it and creates an incredibly comfortable place for you to rest. 

Valve Kit $7.95 Did your dog chew the valve off your brand-new Therm-a-Rest mattress? Or maybe you’re just tired of your lips freezing to the metal valve of your vintage Therm-a-Rest every time you go cold-weather camping. Either way, the Therm-a-rest Valve Kit makes replacement quick and easy. It includes HotBond™ adhesive and a high-flow replacement valve that installs in a snap.

Grid Plus Tent $478.95 Built with the rigors of soggy, four-season UK camping in mind—the Grid Plus Tent by Marmot is hardy yet lightweight tent is equally suited to high-altitude alpine exploration. Designed to be pitched instantly during sudden cloudbursts, the fly and canopy are attached to keep moisture on the outside at all times. A generous vestibule is perfect for whipping up hot meals, and innovative door closures and twin vents keep you from getting steamed.

Fresh Bath Wipes $4.95 The Fresh Bath Body Wipes gives you that clean-all-over feeling even when youﾒre miles from the nearest shower. Ideal for car camping and car travel. With just one Fresh Bath body wipe you can clean and refresh your whole body!

Kitchen Sink $19.95 At last, a portable camp sink that really works! Sea to Summit’s sinks are great for collection and carrying of water for purification, cooking, washing dishes or personal bathing. They’re ideal for backpacking or group camping and they make a great gift for the outdoors person who has everything. Now available in a compact 5 Liter size and for large groups a 20 Liter size.

Trek and Travel Pocket Soaps $3.95 The new Sea To Summit Pocket Soaps contain 50 leaves of pure, dry soap so there’s no risk of leakage in your luggage or pack and no risk of having it confiscated by airport security. The easy-to-ration leaves means you’ll have plenty of soap to last your entire trip. Handy for travel or camping because they’re lightweight and compact. They’re also biodegradable so they won’t harm the environment.

Fundamentals First Aid Kit $87.25 The Fundamentalsﾙ First Aid Kit is Adventure Medical Kits most popular first-aid kit for backpackers. Its popularity stems from its powerful component package, lightweight, organized design, and affordable price.Ideal uses for the Fundamental First Aid Kit are backpacking, camping, climbing, guiding, and family trips.

Oriental Style Chicken with Vegetable (2 Servings) $6.05 The Oriental Style Spicy Chicken with Vegetables by Mountain House is a gourmet meal made with a freeze dried technique that keeps food fresh and delicious.  Great for backpacking, climbing, mountaineering or car camping with its easy to make process. Just add water to the freestanding bag and wait for 10 minutes and enjoy. No clean ups or sticky rice pots.

Delta Insulated Mug $15.95 The Sea to Summit Delta Insulated Mug is lightweight, yet its remarkable and ground-breaking thermal insulation, will wow you around the camp fire. By incorporating molded non-absorbing closed-cell EVA skin, the Delta Insulated Mug keeps you drink warm while it’s still chilly outside. With a leak proof sipper lid, the Delta Insulated Mug is perfect for camping trips or commuting. BPA free. Sold individually.

The Outhouse $14.95 The Outhouse by Sea to Summit is yet another product to make your camping experience a little easier and accomodating.  The Outhouse is designed to keep a roll of toilet paper clean and dry through the duration of your trip.  Hang it around your neck, a tree, or wherever you choose to stop and the paper dispenses from the bottom of a modified, waterproof dry sack.  Great for trips with kids, large groups, rafting trips, or just by yourself. 

Rescue Junior Knife (79 mm) $89.9 The Rescue Junior Knife by Spyderco is the perfect knife for smaller tasks. It is a 4″ closed lockback. The Rescue Junior Knife features a VG-10 stainless serrated Mariner style blade with thumb hole pull. Spyderco added a reversible stainless pocket clip to the reinforced nylon resin handles for your convenience. In addition, the Rescue Junior Knife has a lanyard hole, so you can keep it close and convenient while camping, backpacking, climbing, or just enjoying a day of hiking.

Delta Bowl $6.95 The Delta Bowl by Sea to Summit is a lightweight bowl that is great for all sorts of camping or traveling.  Built with a food grade Nylon 66 that is cool to touch even when steaming hot food has just been added.  A cool thumb grip also doubles as a carabiner hang loop so it is easy to attach to your pack or hang up to dry after eating.  A unique hex pattern base reduces weight and keeps it cool.

Century Type 1 Adapter – Hand Tighten $14.95 This Type-1 adapter converts your bulk propane cylinder’s valve to a threaded nipple compatible with small camping appliances.

Aleutian Bx 20° Sleeping Bag – Long (Women’s) $98.95 The women’s Aleutian Bx Sleeping Bag by The North Face is a synthetic bag just for women  that offers incredible warmth for your camping, or backpacking experience.  Constructed with a Heatshield Optimal Technology (H.O.T. SL) synthetic insulation that was created by The North Face themselves.  Built with 100% polyester hollow core fibers, the Aleutian Bx offers powerful thermal efficiency, because the fibers are of variable thickness, they compress easily without breaking down, giving you a bag that’s convenient to pack, yet doesn’t lose its softness, warmth or high loft.

Never Summer 0° F Sleeping Bag (Reg.) $288.95 The Never Summer 0° Sleeping Bag by Marmot is a feature filled down bag that can sleep to some of the colder weather of the winter. made with 600+ fill goose down, the Never Summer can offer warm sleeping wiht its nautilus 6-baffle hood that creates better down control and fit, and locking zippers that keep the bag from opening up in the middle of the night. The Never Summer offers stretch tricot baffles that offers the ultimate in strength, durability and bag life, while giving you room to move. A great bag for winter camping and backpacking.

Never Summer 0° F Sleeping Bag (Long) $308.95 The Never Summer 0° Sleeping Bag by Marmot is a feature filled down bag that can sleep to some of the colder weather of the winter.  Made with 600+ fill goose down, the Never Summer can offer warm sleeping with its nautilus 6-baffle hood that creates better down control and fit, and locking zippers that keep the bag from opening up in the middle of the night.  The Never Summer offers stretch tricot baffles that offers the ultimate in strength, durability and bag life, while giving you room to move.  A great bag for winter camping and backpacking.

Aleutian Bx 20° Sleeping Bag $98.95 The Aleutian Bx 20° Sleeping Bag by The North Face is a synthetic bag that offers incredible warmth for your camping, or backpacking experience.  Constructed with a Heatshield Optimal Technology (H.O.T. SL) synthetic insulation that was created by The North Face themselves.  Built with 100% polyester hollow core fibers, the Aleutian Bx offers powerful thermal efficiency, because the fibers are of variable thickness, they compress easily without breaking down, giving you a bag that’s convenient to pack, yet doesn’t lose its softness, warmth or high loft.

Aleutian Bx 20° Sleeping Bag – Reg. (Women’s) $88.95 The Women’s Aleutian Bx Sleeping Bag by The North Face is a synthetic bag just for women  that offers incredible warmth for your camping, or backpacking experience.  Constructed with a Heatshield Optimal Technology (H.O.T. SL) synthetic insulation that was created by The North Face themselves.  Built with 100% polyester hollow core fibers, the Aleutian Bx offers powerful thermal efficiency, because the fibers are of variable thickness, they compress easily without breaking down, giving you a bag that’s convenient to pack, yet doesn’t lose its softness, warmth or high loft.

Enjoy Family Camping Holidays

Have You Considered Family Camping Holidays?

If you haven’t thought of camping holidays as a vacation option, perhaps you should. It’s a great way to spend the holidays with your family and very affordable too!  Our family has been camping for years, taking us to some fabulous places in North America. From starting in a tent, to the back of our pickup, tent trailers, 5th Wheels and now owning a Class C motorhome, we have camped out in pretty much everything! With some careful planning, it can be done on a limited budget that will suit most everyone.

Family Camping Holidays – Affordable Family Vacation Alternative

 Even with the economy as it is, believe it or not, RV sales continue to be on the rise! Certainly, largely in part because of the increasing number of baby boomers retiring and who are making a large number of the RV purchases today. But also because of the diversity camping offers in travel, especially for those people with families. The places to see and visit are endless.  Want to get away from it all and camp in the backwoods or stay in a beautiful RV park at Disneyland in California?  Take your camping holidays to the lake or take a scenic camping trip through the Red Wood Forest in California? Well, there’s no better way to enjoy it then camping. Whether you take your family camping in a tent packed in the trunk of your car or pack up that beautiful motorhome, it’s still a great way to travel! Stop and smell the roses, take your time and enjoy quality time with your family.

 Family Camping Holidays – A Great Way to Spend Quality Time Together

From rustic camping to exclusive recreational vehicle parks, sightseeing travel to family camping at a nascar race event, you can go whenever or wherever you wish!  Go RVing formed in 1994 and now a leading coalition consisting of Recreational Vehicle manufacturers, parts suppliers, dealers and campgrounds, have stated, that since the 1980′s, a typical family RV vacation costs less than any other normal forms of holidays. After having seven complete vacation costs analysis completed by an international travel and tourism research firm, Go RVing insists camping is still the leader in low cost family vacation travel!

Not sure where to start?

If you’re new to rving and camping, there are many options available to get you started. Renting an RV is a great alternative and there are many reputable companies that rent on a daily basis. There are so many different types of RV’s to choose from, taking the time to select and purchase one that suits your plans and budget is important. Start with a family outing on a long weekend to the lake or a special event taking place near you. We love taking our Motorhome to Arizona for vacation to attend Phoenix International Raceway for a Nascar Race, just as an example of things to do camping with your family.

 There are so many things you can do and places to go while enjoying camping. Just plan something you would like to do as a family and get going! Beware … once you get started taking camping holidays, it’s hard to stop!

Start planning your family camping holidays and see what you’re missing!

Happy Travels!

 Robert Tellier

About the Author

A passion for travel and with over 35 years work experience in the Travel Industry, I now enjoy writing and sharing with readers,special tips, travel information, destinations and much more, helping to make your family travel stress-free and enjoyable.Be sure to visit: Holidays for Family.

Your feedback is always greatly appreciated!