Cheerful Valley Campground

Come Camping in New York’s Finger Lakes Region

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

Camping Tips for RV Beginners

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Camping season will be back before you know it and you can enjoy an amazing camping experience with the following RV camping tips. Unlike many years ago, now you can drive your RV to a beautiful camping ground like Cheerful Valley Campground and enjoy the convenience of fresh water, sewer hookups, electricity and much more. Here’s what you need to know about RV camping as a beginner.

• For easy storage, you should use plastic containers to load your belongings and gear into the RV. Most rented RVs will not come with these containers so you should be prepared. It is one of the best ways to de-clutter your RV and improve your camping trip.

• Most RVs come equipped with a fridge, freezer, and microwave. You can prepare food at home and bring it with you or make it right here at the campground. Most people do a combination of both. They cut up the veggies and place the meat in a marinade while still at home. Later, at the campground, they finish the other items needed for their meals.

• Bring trash bags for collecting waste and disposing of it properly. They are also useful for wet bathing suits and towels when you’re headed to the laundry.

• You’ll want to have games and rainy day activities for the kids, just in case. Bring books and puzzles for quiet times inside the RV when you’re getting settled down for the night.

Most of all, relax and enjoy yourself. You’ve waited a long time for this vacation and we want you to be able to enjoy yourself and your family.

With these RV camping tips, your next trip should be memorable.

Clothing to Protect You From the Sun

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sun protection clothing at campClothing is the very “first line” of defense against harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun that protects our bodies from blocking or absorbing this radiation. When outdoors on a camping trip the more you are able to cover your skin the better.

What Is UPF?

UPF is short for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and is an indication of the fraction of the UV rays is able to penetrate a fabric. For example, a shirt that has a UPF of 50 will allow only 1/50th of UV radiation from the sun to absorb into the skin.

Fabric Factors

Even when you wear clothing that covers every inch of the body, if the sun is able to get through, the clothing is not very useful. The fabrics are designed with many tiny fibers that are knitted or woven together. When looking through a microscope there are spaces between these fiber and this is where the UV rays can pass through the holes and reach your skin. The tighter weaves and knits mean smaller holes which mean less UV is able to pass through. The twill used in making denim or tweeds is examples of tightly woven fabrics.

When thinking about the clothes to wear for a camping trip keep in mind that synthetic fibers like acrylic, nylon, lycra and polyester are more protective options than lustrous or shiny semi-synthetic fabrics such as rayon or bleached cotton that reflect more of the UV rays than matte fabrics such as linen that absorb. Finally consider the density and weight of the fabric. Sheer and light silk gauze provides a lot less protection when compared to a cotton, heavier denim. Look out for the clothing items that have a minimum of UPF 30 and rather choose items of clothing that cover more of your skin.

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.

Delight Your Camping Family With Dutch Oven Bread

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Dutch Oven Bread Some of the best camping memories we have come from the smells of our favorite food cooking over the campfire. That morning coffee that wafts around the campsite as we wake up, fresh corn roasting on the grill, and fresh-baked bread can be one of those memories as well. It’s really not hard to make fresh bread when you’re camping and Dutch ovens make it so much easier to do. The family will love sitting down to a meal with fresh, warm, toasty bread all ready for them to slather in real butter and sink their teeth into.

Photo Source: Keyingredient.com

All you need is flour, yeast, salt, water, and a Dutch oven. You combine the ingredients just like you do with bread at home and let it rise. You can punch it down once and form it into a ball, then slash it two or three times on top with a sharp knife. You’ll drop it into an oiled Dutch oven or some people like to use parchment paper. It can take a while to cook using this method. You may leave it in the Dutch oven for up to an hour and a half, depending on the heat of your coals.

It’s a good opportunity to add things to the bread for a variety of flavor. You might like to try adding shredded cheese, garlic, rosemary, or even try new types of flour such as pumpernickel or rye. Another option is to flatten the dough and layer it with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon then roll it into a loaf. The results will be a tasty cinnamon bread that will disappear in a single meal. You can also make the dough ahead of time at home and pop it in the freezer. Then simply let it thaw when you’re ready to cook at the campsite.

You can find this recipe and details for cooking the bread in your Dutch oven at Campfire Dutch Oven Bread.

Camping meals provide time for families to catch up and enjoy time with each other. We hope all your camping meals are delicious and accompanied by the friendly faces of the people you love most. Give this bread to try it really is easy to do and very rewarding.

Useful Camping Checklists

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camping checklistsThere is a lot to remember when you are packing for your camping trip. You have to make sure you have everything you need for making meals, clothes to wear, activities for the kids, and tools for potential repairs. Then there is the process of setting up the tent or RV and breaking camp as well. Add to that the things you have to do when it’s time to winterize your RV or get it ready for the road in the spring.

This all adds up to a lot of things to remember and that’s why camping checklists come in so handy. There are a wide variety of lists you can refer to.

Basic First Aid Check List – This list will details items you’ll need for managing cuts, skin rashes, allergies, sunburn, splinters, bee stings, fever, pain, and burns.

Cooking Checklist – This list will assist you in making sure you have everything you need to make all your meals while you’re RVing or tent camping. It lists everything from dinnerware, pot holders, dish soap, aluminum foil, and water jugs, to mixing bowls, paper towels, and pie irons.

RV Camp Set-Up Checklist – You’ll be reminded of everything you need to know once you arrive and begin setting up the RV from hooking up utilities, leveling the rig, to extending the trailer steps.

RV Troubleshooting Tools – You’ll be amazed at the number of items on this list, and most of them are small but mighty – especially when you need them. They range from duct tape (of course), wire crimpers, cotter pins, and cleaning rags, to a socket set, extra fuses, and electrical tape.

These lists and others can be found at Good Sam’s RV Travel Checklist. We hope they help you in your camping adventures and we cannot wait to see you at the campground this summer.

 

 

Packing For Your Camping Family

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camping kidsThe more people you bring with you when camping, the more packing and planning you are going to have to do. It is worth it though and can be organized in a way that it isn’t too hard and you don’t forget things you’ll need the most.

1. Pack Light

It’s easy to get carried away and take too much with you when you go camping. Pack light. It’s best to plan on layers for clothing so plan on a lightweight shirt per person per day with a sweatshirt or jacket to go over the top if it’s chilly out. Bring plenty of extra socks and an extra pair of pants. Roll the clothing as you pack to make it more compact.

2. Easy Prepare Foods

Instead of planning on tons of foods, plan on easy meals. If you’re not going to go the fast food route, plan on easy to prepare one dish meals. Many bring along box meals that you only have to add water and a meat product to in order to keep food preparation at a minimum. It also reduces dishes if you only use one pan meals and add a small salad.

3. Practice

If you’re going to be setting up a tent, practice before hand and get good at it. This way, you can roll the tent very compactly and you won’t have to stress about packing it in an awkward shape.

4. Use Nooks And Crannies

When you’re loading up the car, use the nooks and crannies for smaller items. The emergency kit should fit underneath of the front passenger seat, smaller items can fit into seat pockets and in the trunk amongst other things to fill in the gaps. Think of it as a jigsaw puzzle and you’ll easily fit things in.

5. Be Creative

You’re camping, you don’t need to take all of the electronics and the like. Plan to have family fun and enjoy the time without so much “stuff” from home.

This will help you to pack lighter and enjoy your trip. The more you camp, the more you can decide what’s really necessary and what isn’t. Then you can make a camping checklist of things to remember and pretty soon you’ve got it licked. You can pack and be on your way to camp in a flash, ready to have fun and get camping.

Choosing A Screened Dining Tent

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screened tentHaving a screened tent available when your camping can be a real advantage at times. Sometimes you just want to be out of the sun or maybe it’s started raining and you don’t want to go in. The screened tent can keep the mosquitoes at bay and provide shelter for the babies bed when they take their afternoon nap.

If you’re in the market for a screened dining tent, there are a few things that you’ll want to consider before you buy. Here are a few things to consider.

1. Will I be moving the tent from one place to another?

Many people buy a screened dining tent for use at home. This is an ideal opportunity to purchase a larger sized dining tent that is won’t be moved often. Select a large enough tent for the area that you’ll be using it in and go for as high of quality as possible. Zippered sides will be ideal for a dining tent that isn’t going to be moved often.

2. Portability if you’re going to be using it on camping trips is a must.

If you’re planning to take your dining tent with you on camping trips you’re going to want to consider portability. You’ll want something that breaks down and sets up easily. Consider velcro straps to secure the sides and things that won’t break easily. Poles should completely collapse in order to pack it in the travel case.

3. Always purchase the best tent that you can afford.

You’ll want to consider quality when you’re purchasing a dining tent. The higher quality that you can afford, the better. You get what you pay for. You’ll want to ensure that the seams are secure and that nothing is unraveling. Many screened dining tents also have a flooring just as a regular tent. This is very helpful when you’re in an area that doesn’t have soft grass or sand. Consider a top that is opaque in lieu of a mesh top so that you won’ thave so much of the weather bearing down on you.

Following these easy tips will help you to find the best possible screened dining tent for your specific needs.