Approximately 10,000,000 (ten million) kids attend camp each summer. But but only a small percentage of them attend accredited camps. You wouldn’t send your child to attend an unaccredited school, so why send them to an non-accredited summer camp?

Summer camp accreditation is earned through the American Camp Assocation. By choosing an accredited camp, you can be assured the camp meets or exceeds up to 300 best-practice standards within the camp industry relative to child health and safety, food service, supervision, transportation, risk-management, facilities, staff training, program quality and more.

Does choosing a non-Accredited camp for your child mean the camp isn’t a “good” camp? Hardly. There are many wonderful summer camps that have not earned ACA accreditation.

But if you choose an accredited camp for your child, you'll be in exclusive company. Only 25% of camps in the United States have earned ACA accreditation.

It’s important to note that accreditation is not the same as a license to operate, and accreditation does not guarantee safety. Each state and/or county may have its own licensing and regulations which all camps must comply with in order to operate. However, according to the American Camp Association, “accreditation is the best evidence for parents that a camp is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for their children.”

How do you know if the camp you’re considering for your kids has achieved ACA accreditation? Just ask the camp director. If they answer “yes,” you know you’re on the right track. If the camp is not accredited, then you should ask the camp director why not. And if you aren't satisfied with the answer, perhaps it’s time to consider another camp.

By the way, asking the camp director whether his or her camp is accredited is not the only question you should ask. To ensure the most promising camp experience for your child, you should ask the director a series of questions and be satisfied with the answers. Here’s a link to the American Camp Association's website to help you know which questions to ask: http://www.campparents.org/safetytips.php#questions

There are many wonderful summer camp opportunities available for your child. Whichever and whatever kind you choose, please make sure it’s accredited. It's your best guarantee of a safe, fun summer!

Eric D. Naftulin is the owner/operator of Aloha Beach Camp, an ACA-accedited aquatic sports summer day camp for kids and teens ages 4 to 15 in Los Angeles, California. Try Aloha Beach Camp and learn to surf, boogie board, wakeboard, jet ski and more.
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Have you got everything you need to go on your camping tip or vacation? Have you prepared all you'll need including the camping gear or other camping supplies? If you haven't done so, this will be something you are going to want to do soon.

If you have never been camping before and still need the camping gear supplies, you could be hesitant about where you should buy all these things from. There are a number of choices/stores to choose from.

Do you know the difference between camping gear and camping supplies? There is a difference! Camping gear refers to items essential in camping...tents, sleeping bags, hot plates and so on. While camping supplies is used to describe food, toilet supplies and much more. So when you go searching for these items to purchase, you will know that there is indeed a difference between them.

1. Where can you buy camping gear? Camping gear can be bought at numerous locations that sell these items. They are sold offline and online as well. Yet, one of the best places to get your camping gear are stores specializing in sports. Sport stores are focused on products of the sport nature. These products range from baseballs to baseball bats, to basketball and the basketball gear and even camping gear like tents, sleeping bags to name a few. If you think you would like to go fishing while you camp out, then you can purchase a fishing pole too at the sports store.

Why are these stores so popular when searching for camping gear? They are popular because they have a wider selection of products to choose from. Although if you need a wider collection, then online sports retailers will do the trick.

2. Another place to buy camping gear are department stores. A large number of these types of stores will have tents, sleeping bags and other camping gear pieces you will need for sale. The selection in these stores is not as extensive as those sold in sports stores. However, the prices on these stores' camping gear will be quite a bit lower. You can also say that department stores are known as the one-stop shopping center because they sell numerous things. This means you can get the camping supplies, like food and whatnot, from these stores.

3. Camping supplies can also be bought at grocery stores. This is nice because these stores mainly focus on food. You will have a wider variety of food and drinks to choose from. Many of which are great for camping escapades. Some local stores, in the summer months you can find camping snack displays set up which makes it easier to find what kind of food you should bring. Don't forget that long with food and drinks, you will need to bring toiletry items that you will find useful on the trip.

4. As stated in earlier articles, a large quantity of camping pieces are sold online. If you want the best deals or a greater product selection, using the Internet is your best bet. Even if you do not buy your products online, you can get an idea of what the product is like by reading the consumer reviews.

So as one can tell, there are numerous options when you are in the market for purchasing camping gear and supplies for the next time you want to go on a camping trip or vacation.

Most importantly, before you start spending money on unnecessary items, make a list so you know you will have everything you need while you are on your expedition.

Abhishek is an avid Camping enthusiast and he has got some great Camping Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 84 Pages Ebook, "How To Have An Unforgettable Camping Vacation!" from his website http://www.Camping-Guru.com/768/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
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Choosing camping gear is not about buying the latest, most popular or even the most expensive equipment. Camping equipment should be affordable and suitable for your needs.

The key to choosing the right gear is to know what you will encounter on your camping trip. How long you will be camping also influences what camping gear you would need.

Consider which gear is essential based on the terrain and weather conditions. You can still have many choices of gear which are still practical and functional even if you are on a tight budget.

It's easy to get distracted by all the gear you see in camping stores but you need to focus on the camping gear that you will definitely need and would later prove useful to your needs.

You also wouldn't want to carry too much gear and equipment if you can. The rule of thumb is to carry not more than a third of your body weight.

The strongest camping and hiking gear may be too heavy or lack the features you need so evaluate the conditions of the terrain and decide if you really need gear that may be overkill. Contact the local tourist office to find out about weather conditions and terrain before you start buying new equipment or before you pack what you have already.

Sometimes you will go through a variety of conditions and terrain in the same camping trip so make sure you take this into account when choosing camping gear. For example if you go on a mountain hike, the conditions and terrain would be different at the top of the climb than at the beginning.

If the weather is unpredictable bring rain gear and pack your gear in a waterproof enclosure so that it remains dry.

Making Your Own Camping Checklist

A camping checklist is something that evolves as you gain more experience camping. It not only makes sure that you carry everything that you might need but it also can be used to make sure that you don't carry too much camping equipment.

To make a dynamic camping checklist that you be useful for different occasions make a note of which camping gear you did or did not use and alter you list accordingly.

The camping list may change from each camping trip as you encounter different conditions. This is the trial and error method for choosing the right camping equipment for you.

As you take notes on which equipment works best for different situations and which gear you wish you had or how much of the camping supplies you had used up in your camping trip your list will become better, more useful and more customized to your individual needs.

Making your backpack lighter

While the camping gear checklist can possibly make your backpack lighter by reducing the number of camping, it may take a few camping trips to get it right.

With new technology camping equipment are increasingly lighter and smaller with new designs and materials. Choosing a lighter alternative to the same piece of gear can significantly reduce your overall load. It is not necessary to sacrifice certain essentials just to make your backpack lighter.

A lighter backpack will help you travel more quickly and cover more distances in a day and put less stress on your knees, shoulders, neck and back.

These 5 tips will help you reduce the weight of your backpack.

• Get rid excess - Don't bring extra changes of clothing more than one. Don't bring more than one cooking pot.

• If you are hiking in a group or someone else try to share some of the camping gear that can be conveniently shared like camping tent, camping stove, insect repellent etc.

• Replace camping equipments with lighter versions of it. Lightweight components and simple designs can almost maximize function while minimizing weight.

• Use camping gear that can perform different functions.

• Use travel size versions for consumables like soap and toothpaste and try to reduce packaging.

Traveling with a big load on your back is not fun and most times unnecessary. If that's what you've been doing you'll appreciate how easy it is to travel with a lighter load. Keeping your body in shape can help you carry your load better still.

Jonsky is an expert in camping gear and hiking equipment with over 20 years of experience hiking exotic places around the world. Especially loves hiking in the mountains. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonsky_Sicuna
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Camping is one of the recreational activities that help us get relief from our day-to-day stress and also regain our physical and mental strength. Any camping is done in remote areas, away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. Camping could be done on high mountains, river valleys, forests, natural parks, or other places closely related to Mother Nature. Even though camping is usually done with tents or other make-shift shelters, primitive structures like caves could also be used for camping. A few people prefer to spend their camping time in the open, without the help of any kind of shelter.

Most of the time, camping is combined with another recreational activity like hill climbing, trekking, canoeing, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, whitewater rafting, etc. Here are a few ideas to enjoy camping as a great hobby and also have terrific fun at the same time.

Camping Amenities

Before setting out on a camping trip, decide on the level of the amenities that you wish to have. This would normally depend on the people who participate in the camp, if others are also involved. If the camping area is a rugged one, then all the participants should be healthy enough to withstand the rigors of the camp. However, certain basic amenities are available to all backpackers nowadays, like comfortable beds or mattresses, folding chairs, solar powered heater, lanterns, and satellite phones, etc.

If you wish to have more amenities, then recreational vehicles that are provided with bathrooms, showers, kitchen, air conditioning, television and home theatre, etc. are also available. The camping gear also comes in several ranges that suit all kinds of budgets and amenities. These could be ascertained from the various websites of camping gear suppliers on the Internet.

Mobile Camping

Bicycle camping trips, motorcycle camping tours, canoe camping, recreational vehicles, etc. offer easier mobility, compared to backpacking. Backpacking generally involves trekking and hiking, while the other mobile camping arrangements help in moving around without any difficulty. On the other hand, the amount of materials that could be carried in a bicycle or a motorcycle is somewhat limited, compared to canoes or recreational vehicles. Still, the technological advancements in camping materials do allow present day campers to carry adequate stuff even on bicycles and motorcycles.

Camping Equipment

The normal camping equipment consists of the following items.

? Tent material for making a proper tent or a lean-to shelter, according to taste and the area of camping
? Hammer and tent stakes, along with ropes for securing the tent material and also for clothesline
? Sleeping bags with air mattresses or pads, along with blankets
? First aid kits
? Flashlights or lanterns or solar lamps
? Axe or hatchet for cutting firewood, if you plan to have campfire
? Hiking boots, insect repellants, sunscreens, sun tan lotions, raincoats, etc., to protect from the vagaries of nature
? Folding chairs, trash bags, towels, solar heaters, etc. as per your personal preferences and tastes
? Sustainable food items like dried fruits, nuts, etc. that last for a longer period

Apart from the above ideas, there are several more that you could think of on your own and implement easily with less cost. The fundamental rule is to enjoy camping as a great hobby and terrific fun.

Find useful information about Camping and Camping Gear at Talkingcamping
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Are you planning to take a camping adventure?  If you are, have you ever been camping before? If this is yours first time taking an extended camping vacation, you may be unsure as to what you should bring along.  If that is the case, you are definitely not alone. Although a camping vacation can be fun and exciting, it can sometimes be stressful to plan.  If you would like assistance with planning your next camping vacation, you will want to continue reading on.

When it comes to camping, you will find that you need to bring multiple items with you. These items often include items that are referred to as camping supplies and then items that are referred to as camping gear. In most cases, you will find that camping gear is used to describe pieces of equipment, whereas camping supplies are often used to describe food, health and beauty products, and so forth.

When it comes to camping supplies, like clothing and food, there are many individuals who automatically know what they need to bring. On the other hand, when it comes to camping gear or camping equipment, there are many individuals who are unsure as to what they really need to bring with them.  Just a few of the many pieces of camping gear or camping equipment that you may want to bring with you on your next camping adventure are outlined below. 

One of the most common pieces of camping gear that you will need to bring with you on your next camping vacation is a tent. Depending on who you are going camping with, you may even need to bring multiple camping tents with you. If you have yet to purchase a camping tent, you will want try and make sure that you purchase a tent or tents that are strong, sturdy, dependable, and waterproof. Even if you are planning on camping in a motor home, you may want to think about bringing a tent, just in case.  Many motor home campers prefer spending at least one night in the open wilderness and you may too.

A sleeping bagis another piece of camping gear that you will want to make sure that you bring along with you. If you are camping with your family or your romantic partner, you will want to make sure that you have enough sleeping bags to go around.  Although you may assume that a light sleeping bag is good in the summertime, you may still want to think about bringing along a heavy style sleeping bag. These types of sleeping bags are good in case the weather suddenly turns cold.

In addition to brining a traditional sleeping bag with you, you may also want to think about bringing along a sleeping pad or an air mattress. If you will be camping in a traditional tent, you may find it somewhat uncomfortable. While many campsites have level ground, not all do.  If you are concerned with how you will be able to sleep on your next camping adventure, you may want to buy a sleeping pad or an air mattress along with you, just to be on the safe side.  With these items being relatively affordable, you really have nothing to lose by doing so.

The above mentioned camping gear pieces are just a few of the many camping gearpieces that you may want to think about bringing along with you on your next camping adventure.  For a full list click here.

Remember for all your travel needs visit us at myroadtotravel.com

myroadtotravel was created in late 2007 as way for my wife and I to do what we love most...Travel. We love to share our experiences with others and have recently created our first blog myroadtotravelblog.com to help us do just that. Through this blog, we offer travel tips, our own personal experiences/adventures and photos from our vacations. Please stop by and give us your feedback and remember, for all your travel booking needs please visit us at myroadtotravel.com
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If you’ve got a date circled on your calendar, then you have already begun your camping vacation plan. Planning ahead of time for all the things you want to do, and remember to bring, does take a little time, but it time very well spent. Just ask anyone who gets to the camping destination only to realize they left out some important details from their camping vacation plan checklist. Perhaps you don’t need to ask anyone that question because you experienced something similar yourself.

When you take the time to Plan your camping vacation well in advance, for the most part, the camping adventure will go just as planned. When the camping season gets in full swing, many people start their plans and away they go. What does this mean for you? It means that you could be left out when trying to reserve your preferred camping destination. So your camping vacation plan should include making your camping vacation reservation as soon as possible.

Here is a cool tip that you may, or may not know, you can do after confirming your camping reservation. It’s to reserve a premium camping site at your favorite camping hot spot. You see many campgrounds allow their campers to choose which specific locations they would like to camp at. If it’s your first time camping at this particular campground, simply ask which campsites are still open. Specifically ask the person if there are any premium campsites open. Usually you’ll find that their more than happy to give you the campgrounds best available sites. If you don’t ask, you won’t get it. So don’t wait on this because not only will the campground fill to capacity, but the prime camp sites will be scooped up my those who execute their camping vacation plan the fastest.

By taking the time to plan ahead for your next camping adventure you’ll be able to cover all the important things you’ll want to have with you. For instance, what type of foods will you bring or what type of games would you like to play? These are questions that you should ask yourself and those you will accompany you. This will make it easier for you to prepare for your camping vacation. By making your camping vacation reservations in advance, you’ll find out whether or not the campground has a lake, hiking trails, or electricity. This can make it much easier to prepare for your next camping vacation, as well as ensure that you have all needed camping supplies and camping equipment pieces.

It is also important to mention having a memorable experience. By creating a camping vacation plan in advance, you’re likely to experience a more memorable and fun camping vacation. As it was previously mentioned, you are better able to ensure that you have all of the needed camping supplies and you may possibly even be able to even handpick your camping spot. This is likely to improve your camping trip.

R.S. Leger is the author and owner of TentsNgear where you find interesting articles on camping and other outdoor activities. See our most popular conversion tent, the Car Tent, it will turn the most inexperienced camper into a camping enthusiast. We also carried the very popular Pickup Tent for those when open boxes on their trucks.

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Considering the lots of options for summer camps available today, it can be a discouraging task to find out a summer camp. More specifically, it is difficult task for finding out an overnight summer camp that is suitable to your child’s age, personality, tastes, and needs.

A fine private overnight summer camp that offers the best amenities will cost you something around $4000 to $7000 for an eight-week-long camp while those of shorter time will cost you something around $3000. Overnight camps are also called as sleep-away camps and are generally organized in scenic locales.

When it comes to selecting any camp for your child, ensure that you know what kind of viewpoint it has. Every camp is special in its own way and differs in the philosophy and program emphasis. While well-managed group activities may be the chief focus of some camps, others may tend to give freedom to campers and let them to select the type of programs they want to do at the camp. Some camps may provide learning sessions in a competitive environment while others may provide a self-paced learning program to suit individual speed and grasping power.

You also need to make sure that the camp is accredited by the American Camp Association, as such sorts of camps receive accreditation only after complying with best-practice industry standards regarding health and safety of campers.

A crucial feature of any camp is the camper-to-trainer ratio it follows. This is important to make use that your kid gets special care and supervision that is necessary for his/her age. Whereas ratios may differ depending on the age group, there are camps that maintain a 6:1 ratio to make sure that every kid receives the best of coaching and supervision at the camp.

Your child’s camp experience would entirely depend on the staff a camp recruits. Camp leaders need to serve as role models to the campers and have to be trustworthy and responsible. Camps generally observe a background check prior to recruiting camp staff to make sure that campers are in safe hands. Camps may also hire proficient staff to care for kids with special needs. And don’t forget to find out what type of disciplinary motif a camp follows. Rules have to be fair and clearly communicated to the parents during admission.

The easiest way to find out a good overnight camp in your locality is to demand for references, as they give you a peep into the experiences other children have had at the camp.

Spend this summer at iD Tech Camps which is number one summer learning organizer. Choose Northern California Summer Camps from different programs like day camp, overnight camp or girl’s camps at your city.
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Camping:

Camping is an outdoor activity for those who are nature loving. Visitors who want to enjoy the natural outdoors utmost, camping is best option. So the perfect place for camping is mountains, desert areas etc. Camping can be a family camping, weekend camping, wild camping, winter camping. The different camping vehicles include touring bicycle, pack animals, and boats. The most popular vehicle is backpacking. The purpose of camping is to exhilarate the life. Camping not only brings you closer to the nature but it also rejuvenates your dull life. Camping also offer activities like nature walks, fishing, trekking and bonfire which is really enjoyable. Although it is enjoyable but there are some safety measures which need to be taken like do not take wet or damps tent in the bags as they are inclined to rot. The tents should be capable to handle the strong blows of wind. Another important point is taking first aid kit and knows how to use it if required.  In camping one can set up their own tents and enjoy that life where they get full relaxation, peace of mind. People do camping to run away for sometime from their hassle life. Camping is done for one or more nights, away from their busy schedule to enjoy nature.

Camping in India:

India has many mountains, jungles and plains which offer tourists to stay for sometime away from their hectic schedule. After spending sometime here they get some relief from their busy schedule. Camping is done in lap of nature for relaxation. The best place through out the world where one can procure healthy atmosphere for camping is India. It has pleasant climate, green environment and peaceful atmosphere. The necessary equipments for camping include first aid kit, Lantern, folding chairs, ropes, raincoat and tents etc. Campers have to use their own tents and other necessary things like sleeping bed, pillows for living, they also manage their food either by purchasing ready made food or making of their own or there are lots of companies who arrange camping for tourists. These companies offer well equipped services to their visitors. One can enjoy the view of the mountains outside the tent and feel relax. The wild camping experience is just amazing and provides so much fun. India has many exciting camping grounds and recreational parks where one can set up own tents and enjoy the camping adventure in India. Camping also offers tourist to explore the new lands on earth especially in lands in India.

Camping spots in India:

A camping is done in many places like on mountains, hill stations, religious places, countryside or historical places. In India there are marvelous places for camping. In these places one can enjoy at it’s fullest. Some of the suitable places for camping are Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Rajasthan, Ladakh, and Kerala. These areas are so wonderful that one can feel unwind and restful after visiting here for one or couple of days. Camping in India means full enjoyment and fun under beautiful nature.

www.luxurycamping.in please visit for more information about exotic holidays india and luxury family holidays india.
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When it comes to selecting the right sleeping bag for your camping needs where does one start?  Since there are so many different sleeping bags to choose from, finding the right one for your needs seems daunting.

Besides your budget, comfort is the main factor in selecting sleeping bags for tent camping (also known as car camping), while weight is the most important aspect for hiking (backpacking). This is what to consider when looking for sleeping bags.

Find the right temperature rating:

A sleeping bag's temperature rating identifies the lowest temperature that will keep the average person warm. A bag described as a "20 degree bag," means that most people should remain comfortable if the air temperature drops no lower than 20°F. These ratings factor in that the sleeper is wearing a layer of long underwear and using a sleeping pad with the bag. Temperature ratings vary from one manufacturer to the next. Use these ratings as a guide only.

What other factors affect how warm you are inside the sleeping bag?

The sleeping pad or air mattress adds warmth, since you're not lying directly on the ground. Your tent also warms you up by approximately 10 degrees.

What you wear inside the sleeping bag also makes a difference. Sleeping in long underwear and clean socks will help insulate your body. A stocking cap will help you retain body heat as well.

The general rule on temperature ratings:

Summer Season bag has a temperature rating of +35 degrees and higher

3-Season Bag has a temperature rating of +10 to +35 degrees

Cold Weather Bag has a temperature rating of -10 to +10 degrees

Winter/Extreme Bag has a temperature rating of -10 degrees and lower

Most family tent sleeping bags are rectangular for maximum comfort. You can usually zip two together if they have compatible zippers and create a double bed. This configuration fits well on a queen size air mattress for maximum sleeping comfort.

The mummy-shaped bags are normally used for backpack camping. They are lightweight and more efficient at keeping the body warm. Some people find the mummy sleeping bag too constrictive.

Semi-rectangular bag is a good compromise between the rectangular and mummy shapes. This type of bag offers more room than a mummy bag and less bulk and weight than a rectangular bag.

Sleeping bags are available in three standard sizes: the junior (or child size), standard, and extra long. Although small children fit well in the junior bags, a standard sized bag will accommodate them as they grow without the need to buy a larger bag later on. It's good to have some extra room at the bottom of the bag to allow you to put items you want to keep warm like clothes or water bottles if it's freezing outside, as well as an extra blanket to keep your feet warm.

Insulation choices for sleeping bags include goose down and synthetic fibers. Goose down is mainly used to insulate top of the line mountaineering bags for extremely cold conditions, while the synthetic materials are just right for most camping conditions.

I've been tent camping for over 30 years and as a retired Airborne Ranger, have experience in wilderness survival. For more information on camping tents and camping hiking gear, please visit us at http://mycampingtentsandmore.com. We carry a nice selection of camping gear from tents to flashlights at reasonable prices. Check us out. 
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If you plan on backpacking into a campsite you'll need to carry your water with you.  If you carry enough water with you to last the length of time you'll be on your adventure, you won't be able to carry other items you may need.  A solution to this problem is to have a camping water filter.  A portable water filter will provide you with clean water as long as you have a source of water.  If you're not prepared when you're in the wilderness, you may be forced to drink water from a stream or river.  If that water is not clean, you may get major stomach problems, diarrhea, and sickness.  If this occurs you may find yourself in a desperate situation.

Searching the internet is a good way to see what's available, how they work, and what other people are saying about it.  This will help you determine the best brands and what the range of prices is.  Look for ones that are small enough to carry in your backpack.

Make sure the portable filter you're planning on buying is easy to clean and replacement filters are readily available.  Do your homework by reading reviews to find the water filter that will meet your needs.  You don't want to find yourself out in the boonies with a water filter that's not equipped to handle the type of water you're trying to purify.

It's important to have the right equipment when you're camping, so do your research before buying.  If you have a local camping store where you can rent equipment, it may be best to try a couple water filters out before buying.  Staying hydrated when you're hiking and camping is so important.  You'll be able to cover a lot more distance and feel much better if you're drinking water on a regular basis than if you're trying to conserve the water you're carrying.  If you become dehydrated you're much more susceptible to heat stroke and accidents from being sluggish both mentally and physically.  If you're prepared, your camping experience will be much more enjoyable

I've been tent camping for over 30 years and as a retired Airborne Ranger, have experience in wilderness survival. For more information on camping tents and camping hiking gear, please visit us at http://mycampingtentsandmore.com. We carry a nice selection of camping gear from tents to flashlights at reasonable prices. Check us out. 
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