Camping tips

•  Recycle empty detergent jugs (don’t rinse them out) by filling them with water and use to wash hands.

2. Cotton Balls Soaked in Nail Polish Remover

Soak three or four cotton balls in nail polish remover before going camping. Store them in a zip lock bag. They take up little to no room and are excellent for starting a fire.

Nail polish remover is very flammable and is easy to ignite even in high winds or rain. The nail polish remover also keeps the cotton ball from burning up in seconds. It will last for minutes before extinguishing. You only need one cotton ball to build a big, warm campfire to roast hotdogs and s'mores on, so you won't need a lot when planning your camping trip.

When you are ready to start a fire, simply place the cotton ball in the fire pit with some dry grass or twigs and light it. It should take off, lighting your kindling on fire.

TIP: If you don't have nail polish remover on hand, you can pick it up at your local dollar store for under a dollar. Also, you can pack the cotton balls and the finger nail polish remover separately if you are so inclined, and then just use them as you need them.

3.Scrambled Eggs on a Camping Trip

This one comes in handy on those mornings after a long night around the campfire. Crack eggs into a used plastic water bottle that has been cleaned. Depending on the number of people, the amount of eggs will vary. For a big family or group camping trip, use a 20oz or 32oz bottle and fill it with as many eggs as possible. Shake them up for scrambled eggs.

In the morning, grab a skillet and pour out the desired amount of eggs. Enjoy your easy and delicious breakfast.

4.  Easy  new smores

Instead of graham crackers use 2 chocolate type cookies such as Oreos or the chocolate type shortbread cookies.  Toast marshmallow, then place in between 2 cookies.

5. Keep Bugs Out of Your Tent

This simple tip will help keep pesky flies and mosquitos from hanging out in your tent. Pitch your tent so that the entry is facing the wind or breeze. Bugs will hide on the back side of the tent because they don't want to get blown away. This keeps them out of the tent, and away from sleeping equipment

doesn't include deet. Simply mix together Castile soap, water and essential oils such as lavender or lemon balm.

6. Camping Game for the Kids

Get a couple lunch size paper bags. Print out a list of nature items for the kids to look for and staple it to the bag. Create a points system or a reward system for finding different items. It's fun and it gives kids a little outdoor education.

Some possible items to include on your list might be:

•A pinecone

•A flat skipping rock

•2-3 Different kinds of flowers

•A Leaf

•Something colorful

•A multicolor rock

•A feather

•A good stick for roasting marshmallows

6.  Put Glowsticks in Water Bottles for Night Light

Keep a few water bottles full of water in the tent. Next to them, have a bag full of small glowsticks. When it's dark and you need to go outside or even look for something, crack a glowstick and shake it and then drop it in the bottle of water and recap.

The light refracts in the water and it will glow just like a night light. Not to bright, colorful for the kids, and easy to use.

10. Keep Food Dry in the Cooler

Pack all drink products and ice on the bottom of the cooler. Try to make it as level as possible. Put a small grill grate over the top of the ice and drinks. You might need to use two to cover the all of the bottom stuff. Place dry goods on top. They will stay cold, won't go bad, but they also won't be soggy or ruined when you go to use them.