camping

The WILDest Bushcraft Camping Survival Kit Ideas

January 29, 2020 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

Are you into camping? I love it! How about bushcraft? If you’re unsure what it is, know that bushcraft is the art of wilderness survival. Bushcraft camping basically takes regular camping up a notch. Bushcraft camping is also the best way to learn and brush up on your wilderness survival skills. You never know when you might need them, especially if you enjoy spending a lot of time in the wilderness. Let’s talk about bushcraft camping survival kit ideas so you can set up a survival kit that is ready for anything!

Bushcraft Basics

Bushcraft is using the resources that exist in nature to survive in the wilderness. If you gain the skills necessary for bushcraft survival, it means you know how to use plants, animals and other resources found in your surrounding environment to help you survive. You only need some basic tools to help you do it. Bushcraft skills include things like:

Knowing where to find food
Hunting and trapping wild game
Finding a water source and making it safe to drink
Building yourself a shelter for protection
Knowing how to build a fire with what’s available in nature

Bushcraft Camping

Camping is a great time to practice and learn those bushcrafting skills you need. You may need to brush up on starting a fire from scratch, tying knots, finding safe plants to eat, or carving simple tools from wood you forage.

Bushcraft Survival Kit Ideas

Knife

The most common bushcraft tool is a knife, and not just a pocket knife. We’re talking a sturdy knife with a fixed blade that is going to help you perform a lot of varied wilderness jobs. You need a bushcraft knife that is perfect for tasks such as these:

Skinning wild game
Preparing food
Wood carving
Making a variety of things such as snares, traps, and shelter

Hatchet

The hatchet in your bushcraft camping survival kit is there to do the jobs that your knife can’t do. A good hatchet helps you chop wood, split logs, butcher larger size game, and cut down small trees.

Saw

If your bushcraft skills include cutting lots of wood, a saw is a tool you could include in your survival kit.

Backpack

You’ll need a sturdy outdoor pack to carry all your survival tools in. As you look for the perfect backpack, check it for comfort level since you’ll carry it on your back a lot–especially if you enjoy backpacking into your camping sites. A good survival kit backpack also needs to be waterproof. For easy organization of all your tools, invest in one with lots of handy compartments for storage of your gear.

If bushcraft camping sounds a little too primitive for you, that’s okay. It’s not for everyone. Vanping might be your thing!

Camping In A Van: Vanping!

April 17, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

If you’re a camper, have you ever considered the perks of camping in a van? Camping in a van is its own version of glamping–it is more comfortable than a tent, but not as involved as towing a trailer or fifth wheel behind you. Here is all you need to know about “Vanping!”

Camping in a van

The first and best thing about camping in a van is that wherever you go, your van goes, and you can get away with camping in a lot of places where you couldn’t if you had to haul out a tent or set up a trailer. Furthermore, in the United States there are nearly 2 million acres of National Forest land where it is FREE to car-camp {that includes vanping!}. It is also legal to sleep in your vehicle inside of any federal lands, including BLM land, National Grasslands, and Wildlife Management Areas. There won’t be a camping fee, but there may be a permit needed. Be sure to check with the local ranger’s office.

Keep in mind, if you choose to camp in free areas, there are no amenities such as bathrooms with showers or electrical hookups. If you need or prefer those things, reserve a spot in a paying campground. There’s no shame in it! Camping in a van will still be just as fun.

Rules for camping in a van on federal lands

Secure any needed permits from the local ranger
Whatever you bring in, you take back out. That includes ALL your trash. Leave it better than you found it!
Your van must be parked no closer than 100 feet from all streams and lakes.
The rules for bears still apply–keep all food locked away, especially at night.
Stay on a paved or gravel road.

Camping in a van during overnight stops on the road

If you take your van on a road trip, there are places you can park overnight to sleep for free. One of those is Wal-Mart parking lots. The only caveat is you should notify the store manager when you arrive to be sure that particular store allows overnight camping in the lot. Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops are two other stores that allow free overnight parking in their lots.

Other free spots for camping in your van overnight include rest stops and truck stops. Keep in mind it might be a little noisy–truckers sometimes leave their engines running for warmth while they sleep.

Benefits of camping in a van

Camping in a van costs less than hauling a camper or trailer. It gets better gas mileage, and you can save money on campground fees if you camp for free.
You have the comfort and security of sleeping in a locked van.
Set up your van for camping once, and then leave it. You’re ready to go at a moment’s notice!
A van is easier to drive in and out of all kinds of places.

Are you ready to go camping in a van yet? If you aren’t sure, consider renting one to try it out for yourself. If you already own an outdated RV, here are some tips to help you update it!

Spring Break Destinations That Avoid College Students

March 6, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

So you’re thinking about spring break destinations, but you don’t want to share your relaxation time with a slew of college students. I can relate! A bunch of partying college students isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. If this is you, stick around for today’s post. I’ve got a list of wonderful spring break destinations that avoid college students. You’re gonna love it!

Campground spring break destinations

First off, by not going to a beach, you have a better chance at avoiding college students. If you’ve got kids who are going on spring break with you, camping might be just the perfect getaway for all of you to enjoy. Camping has a lot to offer during spring break. If you choose the right area, the weather will be nice without being hot. Depending on what’s nearby, you can engage in hiking and fishing activities as a family. And nothing compares to hanging out in the peacefulness of nature! Consider these campground spring break destinations:

Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
Point Mugu State Park in California
Bahia Honda State Park in Florida
Gulf State Park in Alabama
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Utah

Warm spring break destinations to avoid

You might want a beach vacation for your spring break, and there are some where you are less likely to encounter college students. However, it’s probably easier to list the spring break destinations that you should definitely avoid. Some of these you may already be aware of, but these are spots that historically attract large numbers of college students. Avoid these destinations:

South Padre Island in Texas
Key West, Florida
Panama City, Florida
Las Vegas, Nevada
New Orleans, Louisiana
Miami, Florida
Lake Havasu, Nevada
Places in Mexico, including Mazatlan, Cabo, and Cancun
Nassau, Bahamas

There are also numerous cruises that depart from some of the ports in these areas, and they also attract college students. Carnival tends to be a cruise line known for the young people who cruise during spring break. Your travel agent is a good resource to locate cruises that avoid college students.

Check out our helpful post with beach hacks for the best summer {or spring break} ever!