Cheerful Valley Campground

Come Camping in New York’s Finger Lakes Region

1412 Route 14, Phelps, NY 14532, 315.781.1222    Email Us

Camping With Pets

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Pets at the campgroundCamping with Pets is an enjoyable experience and we are seeing more of it all the time. You little fur-kids make the whole trip a joy when you’ve planned ahead and for the unexpected.

Be sure to carry a copy of their vaccination records with you. If something comes up and you have to take them to a Vet while traveling, you won’t have to rely on your memory and your pet can get the care it needs in a hurry.

Bring plenty of their medications. Try to stock extra, just in case. You never know when that road less traveled will call you to take a side trip and you don’t want to run out of their meds in an unfamiliar place.

Some people find it helpful to put a sign on their RV that there is a pet in residence. Campgrounds are a friendly place and that can be intimidating for a shy pet. It’s helpful to warn others there is a pet inside your rig so they don’t accidentally open the door and let your little one escape.

We know you love your pets and we love that you bring them with you. We are looking forward to seeing you walking around the campground this year.

 

Dutch Oven Recipes for Easy Camping Meals

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Dutch Oven recipesDutch oven one-pot recipes are the perfect solution for all those who want to enjoy a good meal at home, but don’t have the time or the skills to cook it. When using one-pot recipes, you add all ingredients at once, so you don’t have to do anything else than peeling, chopping, dicing, and then setting the pot on the stove top or in the oven. If you don’t have an oven, the Dutch oven is exactly what you need to slow cook your one-pot meal.

You can find lots of Dutch oven one-pot recipes online, either on YouTube or on special cooking channels for websites like The New York Times. There are also many bloggers who publish tried and tested recipes. Nonetheless, you should make sure you use popular food blogs, in order to avoid spoiling your meal. There are many small bloggers who don’t have the means to cook all the recipes they publish, so they tend to take some photos from Flickr or Pinterest, and use random ingredients and quantities. This is why you have to stick with the popular ones, as they wouldn’t risk their fame by publishing fake recipes. For instance, The Pioneer Woman, Simply Recipes and David Lebovitz are all famous blogs you can trust. These modern bloggers don’t have a lot of time, so they’ve adjusted their cooking style and their recipes to the hectic life we all live these days. If they can put all ingredients in a pot, add water and spices, and cook it over low heat until all juices and flavors are released, they are surely going to do it. Even better, they are going to blog about it, so you won’t lack inspiration for your own kitchen. Just make sure you do have a Dutch oven, as this is one of the tools you’re going to use a lot.

Packing for a Family Camping Trip

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family campingIf you are taking your family camping then you need to know how to pack. There are a lot of items you do not want to forget when you are out and about in the woods or wherever you are camping. You can find out more about how to pack below.

You need to make sure that you pack fishing poles if you plan to go fishing with your family. You should also remember to bring anything else that you want to do while you are out camping, including board games or whatever else you want to do with your children. When you are packing you have to keep in mind that you may not be able to bring everything with you all at once so you may have to make multiple trips back and forth to your vehicle.

Make sure that you pack a first aid kit. If you have children then you know that they get hurt easily when you are not looking or even when you are. You need to have all that you can get in terms of safety gear so that nobody gets hurt and has to deal with an injury not being tended to. You may want to bring your cell phone even if this is a trip you want to take to get away from technology. You can turn the phone off while you are camping but if there is an emergency you can turn it on and get help right away.

These packing tips for family camping should get you started. Make sure you create a checklist and that you add every item that you are going to need. Then, go down the list and you should not run out of whatever you need when you are out camping.

Calming Your Dog During a Thunderstorm

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helping pets through a stormIn case you hadn’t noticed, thunderstorms can make the most calm canines become filled with anxiety. It is frustrating when this happens and you have no idea how to react. The next time a storm is headed your way, use all of the following tips.

Play some calming tunes. One of the most frightening parts of thunderstorms are the booming claps. You can stop this from taking control of your dog’s emotions if you drown them out. Head to a part of your home that does not have many windows and drown the sound out with soothing melodies. This will stop your pooch from being startled every time there is a loud sound.

Never leave your dog alone when you know that a storm is coming. This might seem like an inconvenience, but it is your responsibility as a pet owner. If you have to head out, place them in a carrier or crate and cover it with a thick blanket. This will prevent them from seeing all of the things they find so startling and it will provide a bit of a buffer from the noise.

Attempt to desensitize them to the sounds. Head to a site like YouTube and play videos that depict thunderstorms. Put them on at a fairly low volume for short spurts of time. As your dog listens, offer them treats and praise. Gradually lengthen the time you play the video and the volume until they seem to be unfazed.

There are people who are frightened at the mere thought of thunder, so it should not be surprising that this is something that can affect canines. Preparing yourself and adhering to the guidelines here should help you keep your dog calm the next time a storm rolls your way.

Fun Road Trip Games to Play With the Kids

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There are a couple of road trip games that can be fun to take part in. You can find small versions of board games, for instance, to take with you. Or, you can play games like looking for different colored cars and more.

Eye spy is a game where you say that you see something with certain features. For instance, you can say “eye spy with my little eye, something blue” if there is a blue car around the vehicle you’re in. You can also play this when the vehicle is stopped because that allows you to pick from more things in the landscape. You can’t expect to pick something on the side of the road if the vehicle will be going by it fast, but if there is a large landmark in the distance that may just work out.

You can find small versions of games that you can bring with you on a road trip. Even if you don’t want to go with that because your kids don’t know what to do to play the game, you can bring tablets or other devices that have games on them. You could also bring paper and pens and let the kids play tic-tac-toe. If you’re going to bring anything in the vehicle, make sure you store it properly when it’s not in use. You don’t want to have, for instance, your tablet sitting out in the sun while you go somewhere for a while.

What you take with you as your road trip games will depend on what your family is into. The more you can prepare to have a good time on a trip, the better. You’ll know you made the right choice when everyone is having a lot of fun on the road.

How to be a Good Camping Neighbor

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good camping neighborThere’s nothing like spending time with family and friends, camping and enjoying each others’ company. You get the chance to catch up with each other, spend quality time together, and reconnect for awhile.Your experience will be a good one and so will your camping neighbors’ when each of us follows a few simple rules of camping etiquette.

Arrive early. Try to arrive before dark, if you can. Setting up in daylight will be much easier for you and you won’t risk waking those campers around you who have already gone to bed.

Keep it clean. Run a sweep of your campsite at least once a day to pick up any paper or food wrappers that may have fallen on the ground. Put all food away each evening before going to bed for the night.

Be friendly. You’ll be surprised how willing campers are to talk to you if you strike up a conversation with them. You all have one big thing in common, you love camping and sharing stories is half of the fun.

Leash your pet. It’s better for everyone when you keep you pet on a leash at all times. Campgrounds are known for having a lot of running kids, bicycles, and new smells that can tempt your pet to run. They will be safer in your care, safely leashed. Be sure, also, to clean up after your pet. Bring bags with you as you walk the campground so you can remove their waste as it happens.

Watch for boundaries. Your neighbor’s campsite is their home for the duration of their stay so be careful of walking across their lawn. Make an effort to keep to the roads and everyone will be fine.

These are just a few things to enhance your camping experience and that of your camping neighbors. We look forward to meeting you so be sure to say hello if you see us in the campground.

Tips for Your Camping First Aid Kit

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First Aid kit for campingAccidents will happen when you are camping and hopefully they are all small and easily remedied. It is wise to keep a first aid kit on hand to fix a cut or pluck a sliver quickly, getting everyone back outside playing again soon.

Some of the basics to carry in your kit:

For bumps, bruises, rashes, bug bites, cuts, burns, slivers, and scratches you should pack plenty of salves and bandages. Bring antibiotic cream, calamine lotion, something for sunburn such as an aloe based lotion, bandages, gauze squares, ace bandages, eye wash cups, saline solution, tweezers, small scissors, and a magnifying glass.

For pain, tummy troubles, sniffles,and allergies you should carry Pepto Bismol, Benadryl, Tums, a pain reliever of your choice, throat lozenges, cough syrup, and cold medicine.

Check your own prescriptions to be sure you have enough to get you through while camping. It is easier to fill one these days as you travel but still could be inconvenient. Be sure your pets’ medications are full as well. It doesn’t hurt to carry their vaccination records with you, too, in case you have to visit a vet while you are away from home.

Some other things to consider are sunscreen with a high SPF – and be sure to apply it often, and bug spray or repellent bracelets to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

Check yourself and the kids over each night to see that there aren’t any scrapes or bites that need attention. They will heal much more quickly if you catch them early and remedies applied at night will have time to work before they wake up and go off playing again.

This should help make your stay a pleasant one. Some bumps and bruises may appear but they can be kissed and fixed quickly when you have the supplies on hand.

Tips for Fall Camping

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Fall Camping at its FinestIt’s a wonderful time of the year and we hope you’ll make the most of it. Fall can become your favorite time to camp once you’ve tried it. It does require a different approach so there are some things to keep in mind.

It gets dark a lot earlier than it did in the summer. Days can shorten by several hours alltogether so, when Fall camping, it is advisable to arrive earlier than usual. No one like setting up in the dark so arriving by at least mid-afternoon should have you unpacked and enjoying a toasty campfire by early evening.

Pack clothes that can be layered. Afternoon temperatures will be warm and inviting but evenings will really cool down. Be sure to bring along your favorite hoodies and cozy pjs. You will put them to good use.

Think about your favorite soups and stews when packing food for your trip. Fall is a time for watching the steam roll up out of your cup or bowl while sitting all snuggled in around the campfire. Your tummy will appreciate the warm feeling of a nice, hot bowl of chowder.

We love Fall, here at the campground, and we think you will, too. Give us a call to make a reservation and then prepare to fall in love with this particular camping season. We look forward to seeing you.

Pets Love Fall Camping

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Pets love Fall CampingPets usually like camping, no matter the time of year, but Fall camping is especially nice for them. The park is less populated and everything seems to go a little slower. The cool air feels great and there is more room to go for walks and explore. There is less noise distraction during the Fall and it’s a better time to meet the other pet friendly neighbors.

It’s always a good idea to carry your pet’s shot records with you and the contact information of your pets regular Veterinarian. Bringing your pet’s favorite bed and toys to play with will make the trip all the better for him or her.

Pets naturally love being outdoors but they don’t necessarily appreciate a lot of noise. Fall camping is a much quieter time all around the campground and the surrounding areas. Your pet will be less distracted by loud laughter, kids running, and bicycles rolling by your rig. And, of course, when your pet is happy – you are happy so the whole trip gets better for everyone.

We know you love your pet and we want your camping experience to be a good one. You should try Fall camping, if you haven’t already. Give us a call to make a reservation. We look forward to meeting you and your furbaby, too.

Crockpot Recipes for Camping

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crockpots-for-campingThe crockpot is one of the most useful small appliances you can bring along when you are camping. We’ve always enjoyed being able to put dinner on in the morning, go to work, and come home to a fully cooked meal. This advantage is also the reason to bring one with you when you are camping. There are multiple meals that are perfect around the campfire and you won’t have to spend time preparing. It’s a great answer for those who want to spend more time with family and less time with meal prep.

The traditional meals such as Chili, Stew, Goulash, Soup, and even Pot Roast work very well as meals when you are camping. But there are lots of unexpected meals you can try for a little variety.

Crockpot Lasagna Soup
You’ll be adding ground beef, uncooked shell pasta, some tomatoes and seasonings. Mix it all together and go play some mini-golf. Dinner will be ready when you are.

Crockpot Stuffed Peppers
These are as pretty to look at as they are delicious to eat. Use the traditional stuffed pepper ingredients but then you’ll be dropping them in the crockpot to finish. It’s easy, fast, and a big hit with the family.

Crockpot Sesame Chicken
You won’t miss take-out when you can make this for the crew. It really is simple and will feed quite a few people. Be careful, the neighbors may start dropping in to find out what smells so good.

These are just a few possibilities you can create with your trusty crockpot when camping. You can find more recipes to try at 30 Easy Crockpot Meals. We look forward to seeing you around the campground and finding out what you like to cook when you are here.