Speaking of which, I must ask my fellow scout, have you yet had squirrel for a meal while out camping. You get the oddest looks from people walking by.

No, I cannot say I have, our cooking isn't that bad (or good, I guess). Although my run of 38 straight summer camp meals involving a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich is still going strong.

Ah yes, the PB&J.
But what of the other "staples" of camping meals? Hot dogs, and beans, as well as the ever popular over-cooked Mac, and cheese
On the tree dwelling rodents, I believe I am tempted to bring one along next summer camp, (if I bag one that is). I wonder just how many scouts would venture for a taste
As for camping out, I am hoping some will venture into the cold this year for our troop's annual winter camp. We actuall had some hardy souls last year, along with some daring adults.

Camping. Ugh. Give me a B&B and a comfortable bed any day. The first and last time I went camping was in the Cub Scouts 40 years ago. The only thing I can remember about it was throwing up over my sleeping bag at 4 am.

If I wanted to be cold, damp and uncomfortable, I'd sleep in my garden shed.

Oh my! King_Erlian, you remind me of a fellow weblos when I was but a young pollywog. He made the errore of over eating before turning in,and had the same mis-hap right next to me. I would urge you to not surrender getting out though. Even if it means only the occasional hike.

King_Erlian's story reminds me of a time we went to the Boundary Waters. One of the younger members of our group ate too many M&Ms before bed and well...

The weather really does make a difference in how much I enjoy camping. Cool rain or drizzle or wind-driven sleet doesn't do much for me in the outdoors; I guess I've gotten wimpy in my old age. I want it to be pleasant, dry, and clear! Perhaps that's one reason why several of my trips each year come in the off-season (during the school year) when the campgrounds are less crowded; then I can go on the spur of the moment if the weather's nice, and get a spot without having to make a reservation a year in advance.

I really don't want it to be too hot but not too cold either (though as a polar bear my definition of cold is probably a bit strange!)

With cold and snow approaching I may not get another trip in this autumn, but I do hope to get out this weekend for another evening campfire/stargazing session at least.

I was hoping for another sitting at the fire this weekend, but alas I am schedualed for some O.T. and require some bed rest. But as the youngster is home this weekend he shall be out enjoying the flames with some of the younger crowd. Though I have reminded him of keeping the festivities down to a dull roar so I can get some shut-eye.

Well then,Puddleglum, I'm sure you missed this...

In our troop, when the smoke blows at you, you must tell a story about bunnies for it to go away. It must have a happy ending and the bunny can't die. Maybe it works or maybe we are just to content with ourselves for being so weird.

But what is a campfire without the smell of the smoke lingering on your cloths for a few days?

Indeed stargazer, the bones seem less forgiving in their response to the weather as we age. But my stubborness overrules common sense, (as well as aches, and pains I tell myself), and I carry on. In this case, I am determined to have a fire this coming weekend. I will then sit in the wig-wam, and sup on hot coco as I defrost.

Starting to approach that time of year when people enjoy getting out, and sleeping in some flimsy canvas, or nylon shelter, after being bitten by mosquitose, ticks, and an occasional wild fur bearing creature, (thus learning that they should not try to feed by hand).
Anyway. I myself will be joining some fellow rendezvous enthusiasts in a little over a month for some outdoor carrying on, and generally enjoying God's creation.
So. Is there anyone else planning on any great excursions this season?

Disclaimer. Given the current weather, no I do not plan on sleeping in an igloo

There'll probably still be snow on the ground, Puddleglum.

Memorial Day weekend (May 25-27 this year) usually marks my first camping trip of the season (due to weather and allergy considerations) - as opposed to autumn trips which can extend into late October if the weather holds. Our trip this year will be to Sibley State Park in west-central Minnesota.

camping is defiantly not my thing. Maybe on a hot night(sometime in the australian summer) it would be alright but it doesn't really appeal to me.

I enjoy camping, especially when I don't have to do all the work. I have two tents, a basic A-frame and a little square one which needs a replacement pole so I can use it again.

My last experience of camping was a quick and easy getaway, the day after Christmas, and 3 days after the third lot of wet silt (liquefaction) covered my garden following a round of earthquakes on 23 Dec 2011.
My friend and I went up to a lovely camping ground near a river, in the foothills of the mountains, and we relaxed. It was great!

Ilovefauns. Truly you are missing a grand adventure. Or at least a chance at one. If ever the urge hits you I would say go with it.
Earthquake? I can definetly say I have never gone out after one of those coracle. Though there have been many a wet campsite I have had to set up in.
I more than once having to break camp due to weather. once having a tree branch come down just between the van, and the tent.
Then there was the neighboring site that had just moved their truck, only to have a tree collapse onto the very spot where it had been parked.

Anyone else have close calls?

Mountain camping, Auntie? Sounds wonderful. Some of my favorite trips have been to mountains. Especially the Tetons, when our campsite overlooked Jackson Lake and we could see Mount Moran out the window...

Speaking of close calls and falling trees, the closest one I've had is a giant oak tree that fell onto my car one evening back in the mid-90s, crushing it quite effectively. The irony is that this happened on the residential streets of Minneapolis rather than in a campground. It also damaged a city bus, so it happens that my crushed car made the news (a brief blurb during the weather segment) - though I didn't know this until my insurance agent commented, "Oh, that's the car I saw on the news!"

So now, when I'm occasionally asked if I'm worried about trees falling on me while camping I just say, "Not really; I go to Minneapolis for that." *rimshot*

Seriously, however, we've been caught in some pretty spectacular storms in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The soil is so shallow there, and the ground so rocky, that trees have shallow roots and often can blow down.

However, we missed the legendary 1999 derecho which leveled millions of trees over 370,000 acres of land. We weren't far away, however - near the North Shore of Lake Superior, so the storm passed fairly close by and we had lots of flooding as all that water had to go somewhere.

Now close calls with humans - I could tell you stories. Like the guys who had had a little too much to drink and were exploding those portable propane tanks in their fire. Yikes!

Looking at taking off for a day-camp with the Scouts tomorrow. Just a few hours of teaching boys how to start fire. No worries, parents will be present, with a bucket of water.
I am hoping the weather isn't too windy. Even with the rain it looks a bit dry in some places.
If all goes well I hope they get a good lesson on the different methods they can use. I will be starting with modern lighters, and matches. I plan on finishing with a bow, but I honestly have yet to succeed with this method.
The goal of course is so that if they ever have an emergency where they need fire they can make one with what they have on hand.