Cheerful Valley Campground

Come Camping in New York’s Finger Lakes Region

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

Homemade Insect Repellant

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herbal insect repellentCamping trips, patio drinks, beach parties, and BBQs will expose you and your guests to numerous insects in the area. Most insects carry germs that could infect you during such occasions. That is why you need to have the right insect repellents to get rid of these unwanted pests. Most over-the-counter insect repellents are made of strong chemicals that are not good for your health and well-being over time. That’s why you need to make use of homemade insect repellents to get rid of these insects.
Essential oils are the most effective when it comes to repelling insects. Tea tree oil is great against ticks, deer flies, and chiggers. Lemon and eucalyptus are great against mosquitoes and black flies. Geranium and peppermint oil blended together is also an effective mosquito repellent.

You should not apply a full-strength essential oil directly on your skin. It should always be mixed with a carrier oil before rubbing on the skin. It is better to use one essential oil at a time when preparing the homemade insect repellent.

But if you plan to mix the scents, you should mix oils within the same scent family. For example, lemon and lemongrass go together while eucalyptus and lavender could be mixed together. Tea tree and clove oil should be used on their own. Lavender oil could also be mixed with rosemary and peppermint to make an insect repellent. These are very important things to consider when making your own homemade insect repellent.

We’ve seen an increase in the use of non-toxic oils for insect repellent lately and thought you’d like to give it a try.

Your Fur Kids Love Camping With You

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Pets at the campgroundEach year we see more and more campers bringing their beloved pets along with them on their camping vacation. It makes sense that they are members of the family and will get just as much enjoyment out of camping as you do. There are a couple of things you can do to help them navigate their way around an unfamiliar campground for the first time.

Keep them near you – They may be a little nervous when they see all the unfamiliar people and smell unfamiliar smells. If you keep them near you and try not to leave them alone on the campsite, they have a better chance of quickly becoming comfortable in their new surroundings.

Bring prescriptions – Make sure you bring plenty of their medications, both over the counter and prescriptions. Have a few days extra on hand just in case you decide you’d like to extend your stay or take your time going home. Having an extra few days worth will come in handy.

Food, Beds, and Toys – Bring as many of their familiar favorites from home as you can. It can be quite comforting for a pet who is nervous over their new surroundings to be able to snuggle into their own bed with their own toys.

These small things should help you get the most out of your camping trip for you and for your pets. We look forward to seeing you here this year.

Camping Hacks You’ll Find Useful

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We all appreciate tips that make our favorite things to do even more fun. These 10 camping hacks are tips that you may not have thought of, but you’ll find yourself using all the time!

  1. Make an inexpensive lantern or reading light by filling a gallon jug with water. Invert a head lamp so it’s facing the water and secure it to the gallon jug with the strap. The kids will think it’s cool and you can make it up in just a few minutes.
  1. Pre-scramble eggs for breakfast and pour them in a bottle (an orange juice bottle works brilliantly). No more hauling eggs in a carton to the campsite, and worrying about or dealing with breakage and waste! When you’re ready to make breakfast, you just pour out the scrambled eggs and cook them as you usually would.
  1. If you’re not using a blowup mattress for sleeping, bring foam floor tiles. Sleeping with only a sleeping bag just got a LOT more comfortable! The tiles will keep you protected from the cool ground as well.
  1. Forgot to take your keys out of your pocket when you went swimming? Prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the lake by attaching a wine bottle cork to your key chain.
  1. Make your own port-a-potty with a five gallon bucket, camping toilet seat, trash bag and kitty litter.
  1. Who doesn’t love pancakes for breakfast? Mix up your pancake batter and store it in disposable cake icing bags, clipping them at the ends—when you’re ready to cook, snip off the end to create a tidy dispenser!
  1. Create a mini medicine cabinet with a pill box; simply clip the paper labels from the packaging of every day OTC medicines, affix them to the lids of each compartment and take a few of everything with you.
  1. Recycle Tic-Tac containers to hold spices for cooking.
  1. Recycle a pill bottle by filling it with a cotton ball, band-aids, alcohol swabs, and individual antibiotic cream packets.
  1. Don’t want to use tons of matches? Coat a cotton ball with Vaseline and wrap in a square of tinfoil. When needed, cut an ‘X’ in the foil, pull out a bit of the cotton, twist it into a wick and light. It lasts long enough to get your kindling started.

Grilling Fruit & Veggies at the Campsite

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Juicy steaks, chicken, burgers, and hotdogs are great on the grill but you can make some delicious taste treats by grilling your fruits & veggies, too. They are a fresh option to add to a meal and it’s a good way to get the kids to get their fiber while they are here.

You can grill pineapple rings or peach halves and then serve them with cool and creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The heat from the grill will caramelize the fruit and make it even sweeter. You can grill them as is or, as is done in the video below, you can add balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, black pepper, vanilla, and apricot preserves. Doesn’t that sound delicious?

Kebabs are a way to grill your veggies and the kids love eating them off a stick. It’s just more fun that way. This recipe nice, fat mushrooms, sections of corn on the cob, and a variety of other veggies. Add some garlic, lemon, and lots of fresh herbs. It will be wonderful.

Fresh fruits and veggies will balance the other favorites on your camping menu and they are so easy to prepare and serve. We hope you’ll give them a try and we’re looking forward to seeing you here again soon.

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.

 

Easy Energy Bars for Camping Treats

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camping energy barsHave you recently been to a grocery store and priced out a box of energy bars? If you are outraged at the high price that is required for a few energy bars then you may want to consider making your own energy bars at home. In fact, not only will this save you money but it will be a great opportunity to spend some time with your children as they help you put together a variety of energy bar recipes.

One energy bar recipe that your kids will truly love is a peanut energy bar. A peanut energy bar is delicious and nutritious because it is packed full of seeds, nuts, fruit, and peanuts. It is a great grab-and-go breakfast alternative for parents and children who are on a busy schedule. The recipe requires peanuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, rolled oats, rice cereal, and wheat germ.

Another no bake energy bar that has delicious wholesome ingredients is the Mediterranean no bake energy bar. This energy bar is made with almonds, dried dates, spicy cinnamon, and flaxseeds. All you need for this amazing treat is a food processor. After you have mixed all of the ingredients in a food processor you can pour the mixture into a pan of your choice that is lined with wax paper. Press the mixture down into the pan, cover it with Saran wrap, and chill in the refrigerator until the mixture is hard.

A unique energy bar that will be a big sensation in your home is the pear and ginger energy bar. This energy bar requires one pear, fresh ginger, flour, dried dates, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and ground flaxseed. Once again you will need only a food processor. Do the same process as you would with the Mediterranean no bake energy bar. All of the above recipes can be made easily at home but you can also make an energy bar of your own design by simply using your imagination.

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.

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.

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.

Camping With The Family

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family-campingCamping is possibly one of the most effective means for families to take pleasure in each other’s company, away from the schedules of every day life. It does require some planning and preparation, but every minute you invest with your family members will be worth the effort. If you keep it simple and bring along the basics, you’ll have a wonderful time outdoors and you will not miss out on any of the activity at home. You and your family can enjoy a memorable experience of camping together while everyone is still living at home and hasn’t gone off to college or started families of their own.

Some tips to help you make it the best camping trip ever:

Depending on whether you are planning on camping in a tent, an RV, or a cabin, your camping list will be unique. Take each person’s preferences into consideration when you make your decision. Modern dome-style tents can easily accommodate 3 to 4 people, with bigger ones being able to fit as many as 8. Due to the fact that you only have to connect a couple of pieces, dome camping tents can be set up very quickly and then you’re off to play in the campground. If you do utilize a tent make sure you spray it with some rain-resistant spray to stop leaking in the event it rains. A tarp underneath the tent provides additional security from moisture and sticks or stones.

RVs and cabins provide more comfort and protection from the weather. They are roomier but come with their own set of work to maintain. You can sleep in a soft bed, it’s easier to cook inside, and there is room to store supplies. You’ll probably have a fridge and a heater as well. Some people prefer them while others would rather camp in a tent. Camping is a very individual issue depending on people’s preferences and experiences.

Pack lighter than you may think necessary. A four-day trip, for instance, requires just a few sets of garments. You’ll most likely need just a jacket, a sweatshirt, 3 or 4 shirts, a set of trousers as well as shorts, socks, underclothing, and also an extra pair of shoes or sandals. Bring along a pair of trekking boots if you intend on hiking any trails. You’ll be packing for every member of the family so keeping a list of what has been packed and what is still needed will help keep you organized.

Prepare your food. Obviously you can bring coolers along but we recommend bringing foods like nuts, bread, and cookies, anything that does not need refrigeration. Kids will want to eat all the treats at once so stretching them out over your trip will keep them from getting a tummy ache. Keep your food choices simple. Hamburgers and hotdogs are camping favorites. Much of what you plan to bring can be prepared ahead of time and placed in food-safe containers. It will save you time for more play and less work while you are here.

It’s a great time to bring out the board games, a deck of cards, or lawn games you know the kids might like. Pack any favorite toys, especially the ones your kids like to sleep with. It will help comfort them at night if they feel a little anxious when the lights go out. Add extra batteries to your list and more flashlights than you think you’ll need. They tend to get lost or used for fun after dark. It’s good to have a schedule but be prepared for that schedule to go out the window from time to time. Kids may sleep later than you expect or want to swim longer than you’d planned. You can zig when they zag and enjoy the lack of a planned schedule for the day.

Either way, the best part is being together. Your kids will be talking about the trip many years from now when they consider camping with their own little ones. Let yourself enjoy the chaos and take lots of photos. There is plenty of time to get back to a normal routine once you are home. We hope your trip is memorable and that you come back to camp with us many times over the coming years. We look forward to seeing you and watching you have an absolutely wonderful time camping with your family.