Milk Jugs for Fishing FloatsThis is a good way to recycle your empty gallon milk jugs. They do not ever disintegrate so we all have to be creative in using them again and again.
Use Foam Swimming Noodles as BumpersA friend of ours made "bumpers" for a rowboat he had newly painted by cutting up a foam swimming noodle and stringing a pair on some nylon rope.
Saving Money on FishingWhat are your tips for saving money on fishing and all the necessary gear? Some areas have no license fishing at the beginning of the season or on certain specific days. There are also different types of licenses, depending on what you are looking for
Use Bacon Drippings for Starting CampfiresTo start a campfire or charcoal grill, use old bacon drippings. You can use a paintbrush and spread the bacon
Use Freezer Baskets In CoolersI bought some freezer baskets at a garage sale to use in my upright freezer. I had a couple left over and thought of a great idea for them. I cut the corners off and then I folded the ends up and I use them in my coolers for camping.
Use Shower Curtains To Protect Inside Of VehicleI use old shower curtains to put in the back floor of my explorer for my dogs for when we go to camp and they get very wet. To clean, I just take it out and put it a on clothes line and rinse with a hose.
Summer Dinner PicnicTake your dinner out to the park for a midweek picnic! My husband and I have a place where we can park, take a nice walk and then eat on a shady picnic table.
Camping Food SafetyThere are a few basic cardinal rules when it comes to food safety. These rules will keep you and your family on the right track and help avoid a trip to the emergency room for food poisoning.
Easy Potatoes for Camping or CookoutsThese are my favorite potatoes for the summer! My mom used to make them when we were little! I have found that when going camping or if I am going to be busy and will not have time later.
Use Dental Floss to Repair a SailLike an old-time sailor, I took needle and thread and mended a rip in the sail of our boat. The needle was a heavy-duty one from the drug store - and the THREAD was DENTAL FLOSS. It fit through the needle and because it was WAXED, it slid easily through the sail cloth!
Disposable Camping ToothpasteWhen I go backpacking and don't have one of those tiny travel tubes of toothpaste, I'll make my own so I don't have to cart the large tube of toothpaste with me.
Use a Bath Mat in Your Golf CartThis is a tip for all the golfers out there. Try using a bath mat to sit on when you are riding a golf power cart. The rubber backing will keep the mat in place and stop the mat from sliding around/off the seat. If you are playing in the rain, the bath mat stays drier than using a towel to sit on.
Vanilla for Fishy Smell in CoolerMy tip is how to get a fishy smell out of a cooler. I wash it out first with very hot soapy water and rinse well. Then I take a small lid and put about 2-3 teaspoons of vanilla in it.
Use Coffee Cans For Camping Food StorageInstead of throwing away plastic coffee cans, wash them out and store them. Then when you are going camping use them to fill up with: flour, sugar, noodles, rice, cereal and other dry goods.
Use Wine Corks For FishingWine corks are great for fishing. Tie the line around a cork or drill small hole and put line through in hole then put match wood stick or a toothpick in hole. Also great to make fly fishing lures out of corks too.
A Resting Place for Kids on a Camping TripIt's really nice is if you have a small extra tent you can put up on your site. If you have a child who needs some time to be alone or if they get bored, they can always go into the tent to play, color, read, whatever they need to do. This gives them some quiet time.
Tips for Campfire CookingI have a few camping tips for cooking. I also would love it if you will share some of your recipes you have. It is always nice to get tips on food they are hard to find for camping.
Clothespins for CampingWell I have a strange tip, but a good one. My husband and I camp. We had bags open with food in them and had forgotten to bring things to close them with so I grabbed a couple of clothes pins the kind with the spring you squeeze to open. They are fantastic, work great and the nice thing is that they are cheap.
Backyard Campsite AreaWhen my husband and I bought a new travel trailer, we constructed a site pad from old bricks we had collected for many years for the travel trailer to be parked on; we used fluorescent paint to mark the bricks that the back wheels of the trailer should be parked on...
String Nuts on Fishing Line for Target PracticeFor preparing for target practice for the upcoming deer season, my sister and her daughter picked up walnuts on the ground during a nature walk.
Frugal Bow Hunting PracticeFor bow hunting practices before deer season, a person doesn't need to have fancy bullseye targets. My Daddy always used a plain, cheap paper plate that he'd place onto a bale of hay. Easily replaced and inexpensive.
Keep Cooler Odor Free with Baking SodaAnother great way to keep camping cooler fresh and odor free between uses is to wash and dry, then sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of baking soda inside before closing the lid.
Electrical Appliances For CampingIf you camp at camp sites with electric hookups and/or water, take 2 essential electrical appliances:
Look for Free Putting GreensWe are lucky to live very near to a lovely urban park. My husband is a golfer, and we can get out and use the putting green at the municipal golf course gratis.
Camp Cooking TipsBy using lids whenever possible, you will greatly reduce the cooking time required for many foods. Prepare soups, stews or chili etc. ahead of time. Freeze and keep in cooler. Reheat for a quick meal.
Fast and Easy Puddings for CampingThrow in an extra empty water or milk jug, a box of instant pudding and milk. Empty your pudding mix and milk in the jug and SHAKE it to mix.
Plastic Plates For CampingTo save money and the environment, I purchased "picnic" plates from the Dollar Tree. They are made of thin plastic, making them easy/light to pack.
Wind Up Flashlights For CampingI purchased a wind up flashlight to use, never have to worry about if I bought enough batteries or if they will last long enough. A minute of cranking will last about 20 minutes and that's usually enough time to get to the shower house/restrooms.
Spider Dogs For Campfire CookingDon't make plain old hotdogs over the fire when you are camping, make SPIDER-DOGS! Place hot dog on a flat surface. At one end, cut lengthwise all the way through to about 1/3 of the way up the hot dog.
Plan and Freeze Food for CampingI plan meals ahead of time for my camping trip, buying any food Items I can on sale and freezing meat. I also prepare and freeze some items to save on the amount of ice I'll need to buy and the room needed to put in ice while still keeping the food safe to eat.
Stay Dry When Tent CampingGoing on a camping Holiday? Great! But don't forget to bring a light-weight blue foam ground mattress to place under you when you sleep, and also a plastic sheet to place over your tent.
Easy Omlets For CampingThis tip is for use when camping outdoors. Get a ziplock bag, add a few eggs (w/o shell) into the bag, add shredded cheese, chopped onions, etc., whatever you like in your omelets.
Tips For A Great Camping AdventureBuild a good fire at night, it keeps the bugs away. Take all the ingredients for s'mores, a must have for camping. And don't forget the marshmallow sticks.
Keep Camp Pots From Boiling OverWhen cooking over an open camp fire, place a stick or one strand of spaghetti across the top of pot to keep it from boiling over.
Homemade Mosquito RepellentUse equal amounts of pure vanilla and water in a squirt bottle. Works great for children too!
Breaking in a Baseball GloveThe best way to break in a baseball glove is to use it, but here's a way to speed up the process. The goal of breaking it in is to create a nice pocket for the ball and soften the leather.
Wet Wipes for a Cookout Cool DownWet Wipes for a Cookout Cool Down. At a cookout, picnic, or other hot weather gathering, toss a package of wet wipes in the cooler with the ice and drinks (I bought a plastic pop-up dispenser for a dollar). . .
Using a Wok When CampingFor camping, my husband (who is Chinese) and I only took a small wok, camping stove and one pot for cooking equipment.
Egg Sandwiches When CampingUse canning rings to make round egg patties for egg sandwiches. Just put a canning jar ring on your skillet, add the egg contents inside the ring and cook until the egg has solidified. Apply a little cooking oil to the ring to prevent sticking.
Washing Hands at the CampsiteHere's a tip for washing your hands at a campsite when there is no faucet. Hang a one gallon milk jug to a low sturdy limb and make a hole in the bottom and plug the hole with a golf tee or a cork. Then fill the jug with water. Wash hands by removing the plug.
Cooler TipsIf you are bringing meat in a cooler that will not be cooked soon, freeze it before putting it in the cooler. Cans of concentrated juice can be brought along to help keep items cool as well, just be sure to put each can in its own ziplock bag in case it leaks.
Baby Wipe Clean Up When CampingAfter a day of camping, spraying bug spray, and using sunscreen give your self a quick bath using baby wipes before you hop into your sleeping bag. Save the baby wipes and they can be used to wipe up the tent floor before you pack it away.
Bringing Electronic Devices When CampingIf you are bringing electronic devices or flashlights, remove the batteries before packing and store them in a ziplock bag. That way if something accidentally gets flipped on, you won't run down your batteries.
Make a Master List for CampingThis tip is for your new recreation section. On one of our camping trips, I took the time to write down everything we had brought with us, tips about how we had packed that had worked or had not worked, and items we forgot.
Camping Cooking TipsTips for cooking when camping. Post your tips.
Homemade Camping Picnic TableWe found a pattern for a picnic table constructed from 1 piece of 3/4 inch plywood. It will seat 4-6 people and is small enough to fit in the back of a SUV.
Can I Paddle a Canoe By Myself?The short answer is yes, you can paddle a canoe by yourself. It is infinitely easier to do with two people but with a few minor alterations, you should be able to have a pleasant journey.
How to Steer a CanoeSteering a canoe efficiently can cause quite a bit of frustration for the novice canoeist. The best advice is to do a little as possible and when you do need to correct the course, do it with the least amount of effort.
Leave No Trace HikingHiking is great way to get outside and enjoy nature. Day hiking costs practically nothing and it is easy to get started. All you need is some comfortable shoes, adequate clothing, and some water and you can go out and explore your surroundings.
Saving Money on Boating SuppliesBoating doesn't have to be a pricey business. You don't have to go to the high-priced marine stores for most of your needs. My husband gets everything at the regular hardware store when he can - it's cheaper.
Save Money on Boat CurtainsYou can even save dollars on boating - In a well known marine store I saw boat curtains for $22 for a panel. We used bargain valance ruffles from the dollar store and instead of $100+ for curtains, we got easily installed ones that are perfectly good for $5!
Finding Night Crawlers for FishingMy Fiance and I love to go fishing, and I usually use night crawlers as bait. But instead of buying them several times throughout the year, we catch them. . .
Making Ice Last LongerCover the ice in a picnic cooler with foil to help it last longer. Keep water in your canteen cooler by wrapping the canteen in foil.
Frisbee for Reinforcing Paper PlatesA Frisbee will add support to paper plates when the plate is place inside the Frisbee.
Camp Clothes Washing MachineMake a camp washing machine with a five gallon bucket and a toilet plunger. The plunger does a good job of agitating the water.
A Flag or Marker For Your TentWhen you are camping all the tents look alike to a kid. So that they always know where their tent is, attach a flag type identifier on the tent as high as you can.
Buying an Environmentally Friendly BoatI am moving down near the water and I would like to buy a boat, ideally a motor boat. I was wondering if there is an eco-friendly way to go about this. Are their eco-friendly boats with motors? Any info or tips would be appreciated.
Organized Pre-packed MealsIf you organize your meals by measuring ingredients ahead of time you can save yourself a lot of time. It makes meal preparation a snap and ensures that you don't pack a lot of extra ingredients.
Homemade Waterproof MatchesHere are a couple of ways to create your own waterproof stick matches for camping trips. Melt a small amount of paraffin wax in a double boiler and dip your the match head in the melted wax, then let dry. Or, coat the match head with clear nail polish.
Avoid High Marina Prices for FuelIf you have a boat, remember to gas up on the road before getting to your destination, as marina gas prices are much higher.
Soaping the Outside of Campfire PotsAlways take soap with you. Of course you can clean up with it, but it is also useful for protecting your pans from smoke and fire damage.
Softening Baseball GlovesDid you know that you can use Vaseline instead of oil to soften the leather of a baseball glove? Works just fine!
By Robin
Cleaning Sand off Wet SkinClean sand off wet skin. Sprinkle Baby Magic Baby Powder on skin to remove moisture, and the sand virtually falls off by itself.
Marking Pans, Dishes and Utensils For Group Picnics Or CampingWhen we go picnicking/camping with other families, we usually mix cooking and eating utensil together for eating and dishwashing. Saves on water and fuel.
Best Tips for Enjoying the BackCountry in the RainIf you spend any amount of time in the backcountry at all, it will rain on you. Remember this - rain is a good thing; without it there wouldn't be much backcountry to enjoy.
Carry a ThermosI never go anywhere without my thermos. I bought it for $1 at a thrift store, it holds a quart and has a handle. It's so much better than a plastic water bottle because it's so refreshing to have really COLD water in the summer's heat on errands, or working in the garden, and nice HOT tea on a cold winter's day.
Camping As A Frugal VacationFor a very cheap vacation when you've just married and young, why don't you go camping in your own state. Buy a tent when the season is over and borrow fishing poles or buy them at flea markets.
Getting Sand Off Your FeetWith the summer coming I thought this would be good to share, to remove any dry or wet sand, put baby powder on sandy feet or legs and wipe with towel.
Campfire TipWhen building a campfire, dampen the ground around the perimeter of (but not in) the fire pit to reduce the possibility of sparks and flying embers catching ground cover on fire. And, never line your fire with wet or damp rocks or stones as they can heat up and explode.
