Your Travel Notes

Archive for April, 2009

Exciting Benefits Of Joining Hiking Clubs

Hiking clubs are quite popular among fitness buffs and it is likely you have heard about them before. In the unlikely event that you have not here are a few words of introduction for you. Hiking clubs can mean many things but mostly they refer to groups of persons who share a common interest in hiking. They are hikers. They hike on a regular basis say twice or thrice a week. Hikers who belong to a hiking club often hike together as a group.

Hiking together as a group has many advantages. First having as company the one who shares the passion of hiking with you makes the hike doubly exciting and satisfying. Second hiking in groups especially with experienced hikers means added security. The combined knowledge and experience of the group can be useful to prevent accidents from happening or for the group to avoid harmful situations.

There is also the socalled longdistance hiking adventure. These hiking trips take you farther from your usual hiking parks or trails. These trips often entail camping or even checking in at hotels. Due to the relative complexity of ensuring that hiking trips of this kind will become rewarding organizing them are best undertaken by hiking clubs. This also helps lessen the cost by spreading them equitably among those who wish to make it to these trips. In this sense joining hiking clubs becomes important if not necessary. You can also draw fraternal support from fellow hiking club members in case any of your family members or friends are unable to join you in these trips.

And when you get to the point of weighing the benefits of membership in hiking clubs keep in mind that hiking clubs are not of exactly the same makeup. For example they may differ in terms of how they intend to attain their objectives. There are hiking clubs whose members come together only for hiking trips or adventures. There are also hiking clubs that go beyond these activities like holding meetings as frequently as once a week or once a month. Their agenda in these meetings ranges from exchanging ideas on hiking equipment or accessories to planning for hiking trips to fundraising and many other things. Enterprising hiking clubs have for instance went into car washing and vending chicken barbeques to generate funds for their hiking trips. What all this means is that the benefits you may want to derive from joining a hiking club will depend on what mold of hiking clubs attracts you.

There are other considerations you need to remember when you do decide to join a hiking club. Hiking clubs charge membership fees at rates that vary from one club to the other. Be prudent enough to pick the one that suits your budget. Another point is the structure of your daily activities. For example is it possible for you to make yourself available for weekly or monthly meetings? If this is not it might work better for you if you join hiking clubs that demand less of your time for activities like meetings. It will not be good for your reputation if you join a hiking club that requires regular meetings among members only to shun them later on. The point of all this is that hiking club members need to develop trust and camaraderie among themselves so that when they eventually go out hiking all of them will find the activity fulfilling.

Once you decide to become a hiking club member it will often be to your advantage if you first consider joining hiking clubs located near your place before you search for them farther afield. It is likely that there are a number of them to choose from in your area. You can access information on hiking clubs near you from the internet or from people you know who are familiar with hiking. Offices of local hiking parks are likewise good sources of information on existing hiking clubs in your area.

People who may share with your ardor for hiking converge in hiking clubs. It is just natural for you to associate with them through membership in the hiking club of your choice. If by chance no hiking club exist in your area it may help fill your passion for hiking if you start organizing one yourself.

About the writer:  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.CampingGuru.com/768/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Choosing From The Many Family Summer Camps

Whenever most of us think about summer camps we usually think about the children being shuffled off to their own location while the parents spend a little bit of time on their own without the kids around. When it comes to family summer camps however nothing could be further from that reality. As a matter of fact these camps are one of the best places for you to grow together as a family and to really spend some quality time away from all of the distractions at home.

Of course you’re going to have a lot of decisions to make when it comes time to choose from all of the family summer camps that are available. Here are just some of the things you will have to consider.

Select a setting: Some people enjoy a rather rustic setting and there certainly are plenty of camps that give you that option. There are also family summer camps that are near mountains or beaches and others that give you a few more luxuries. Regardless of location you will be able to spend plenty of family time together.

Pick a religious or secular camp: Some family camps are operated by church groups and emphasize the beliefs of that denomination. Others like the many YMCA family camps do not promote or require a particular religious stance.

Consider the costs: Most family camps are surprisingly affordable but they charge by the head. Some offer free or reduced rates to tiny tots; many others offer financial aid so that more families can enjoy camping together.

Choose a time: You can pick weekend or longer family camps. Keep in mind that weeklong camps may be too much for first time campers or very small children. There are lots of weekend family camps including some themed camps around holidays like Mother’s Day Memorial Day or even Halloween.

What can you expect once you reach camp?
First of all there are going to be plenty of activities to keep you and the kids busy but most will be optional. From arts and crafts to outdoorsy type of activities you will be able to test your skills and even to gain some new ones along the way. Best of all you will be able to spend quality time as parents and children learning a little bit more about each other and growing together as family should.

About the writer:  If you want to know more about how family summer camps can bring your family together visit the Best Summer Camps website.

Camping With Dogs – 5 Tips To Keep Rover Happy At Camp

Are you planning to take your dog on your next camping trip? I have a dog who mindreads. She knows long before the camping bags come out. She paces and worries and gets all anxious about being left behind. And the guilt that stabs me as I push my dogs struggling body back into the house before pulling the door shut can only be matched by the pain of unlatching my wailing toddler off my legs the first day I went back to work.

If you are planning to take your dog camping prior planning and preparation can make the trip much smoother for everyone.

1. Find a dogfriendly campground do your research. Make sure pets are allowed. Are there any restrictions? Are there big open spaces for Rover to run around? Are the campgrounds sprayed regularly against mosquitoes and ticks? Are you required to bring and show your dogs rabies certification?

2. Doggie Bag what is unsettling to a dog is the myriad of unfamiliar scents people objects and spaces he suddenly finds himself in at camp. Comfort him by packing a doggie bag of all his favorite things: sleeping pad/blanket snacks and toys.

3. Scoop the poop bring lots of plastic bags and scoop it up just as you would at home. Its the great outdoors not the great outhouse. Some campgrounds have banned dogs because of the negligence of a few dog owners.

4. Dog etiquette your dog should at least have acquired basic etiquette such as not jumping on people coming when called and not barking at strangers even weird strangers which you are bound to encounter in a campground.

5. Last but not least dog safety

Dont leave her alone in the tent. Keep her in sight at all times.

Keep him hydrated. Dog and heat dont get along. Water him often.

Leashed. Just because a campground doesnt require you to keep her leashed you may want to in certain situations if she is apt to chase after rabbits or unfamiliar scents.

He should have his id tag on his collar at all times. In case he does chase after that rabbit and get lost.

Be familiar with basic animal firstaid for ticks scrapes or poison ivy.

Campgrounds are one of the last few vacation places that still allow dogs. So why not bring her along let her frolic under the sun swim in the pond roll in the grass…

About the writer:  For more camping videos: howto tips shortcuts camping recipes and camping gear guides go to JoyOfCamping.TV. Or request our 28page Easy Camping Recipes book by sending an email to camping_recipesaweber.com