Camp Cooking Tools: The Dutch Oven

WDIV-Detroit sent Ashlee Baracy to the Auburn Hills, Michigan, Bass Pro Shops to learn about Dutch oven cooking and other camp cooking tools such as the Marshmallow Tree, pie irons, and the Rome Hamburger Griller. The TV segment also touches on sleeping bags, cots, and tents.

Also of note is Friday's Los Angeles Times article on Dutch oven cooking.

Planning Healthy Menus

Michelle Cardel, nutrition scientist and registered dietitian at the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, University of Colorado Denver, suggests that family campers avoid traditional summertime cookout fare such as hot dogs and instead plan healthy meals—and the fixings—ahead of time.

Her recommendations include eggs, oatmeal, salad, veggie burgers, and fruit—as well as other menu options. Most interesting tip: "Pre-make ... by cooking eggs ... before you go. When ready to eat, heat in a skillet over the grill until warm."

Camping Tips: Electronics and Food Storage

Solvej Schou of the Associated Press offers a handful of tips for families that plan to go camping soon. Highlights include:

• Unplug: "You can always bring an external battery pack and angrily play Candy Crush for hours, but that really defeats the purpose of being outdoors. ... Remember that the Internet will still be there later. Play cards, eat, drink, breathe in fresh air, hike, build a campfire and enjoy the company of others -- in person instead of online."
• Stow food away: "Never leave trash, toiletries, dirty dishes, food or drinks unattended. Don't leave trash and open containers in your car or around the campsite. Keep your tent zipped up, and keep in mind that bugs and birds also enjoy nibbling on half-eaten peanut butter sandwiches, so don't give them the chance."

Thieves Steal Boy Scout Camping Trailer

Early this weekend, thieves stole a trailer containing camping equipment owned by Troop 575 in Redmond, Washington. The trailer held the troop's camping and cooking equipment, as well as patrol flags. Despite the loss, the troop still plans to go camping this summer.

Camping Memories: Appalachians and Catskills

In The Columbus Dispatch on Saturday, Jon Pugh recalls backpacking the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains with a few fellow 60 year olds. And in Florida Today, Ruth Ceike Meier recollects camping at the Beaverkill Campground in the Catskill Mountains as a child.

Safe Camping and Hiking in the Desert Southwest

In Sunday's edition of the Las Vegas Sun, Tony Nester, an instructor at wilderness training school Ancient Pathways, offers five must-haves for safe desert camping and hiking:

1. A first aid kit that includes items for treating insect stings and snake bites
2. Shelter, such as a poncho or tarp, so you can create your own shade
3. Water
4. Three fire starters: a lighter, a spark rod, and storm-proof matches
5. Something to signal with: a bright item of clothing or small mirror and a whistle

And So It Begins...

No manifesto, no grand design, no poetic call of the wild. This weekend I went camping with my family. And I can't wait to go camping again. We live in California.