Photo: RichardBH, Flickr

There are just a few more weeks left of summer, and more and more folks are finding that there are correspondingly few dollars left in their wallets. Fortunately, there are campgrounds all over the country that let you get away for far less than a pricey hotel or resort, and you can bring your bike along for a workout to boot!

Active.com lists seven fantastic bike-friendly campgrounds in coastal areas (though, of course, there are probably many, many more -- we'd love to hear about your favorite in the comments). And you might be surprised at some of the locations!

For example, did you know that there's mountain biking available in South Florida, just minutes from downtown Miami? Or that one state park in East Islip, New York, can provide you with both road and mountain biking opportunities of all lengths -- even century rides? Some, like the Astoria/Seaside KOA in Hammond, Oregon (about 100 miles from Portland), rent bikes, so you don't even have to worry about packing your own.

If biking's just not your thing, don't worry -- there are still loads of ways to get in a workout while camping out. Hiking, trail running, swimming, kayaking -- the list goes on and on. Share your favorite campsites and campground workouts with us in the comments!

Source

Photo: JelleS/Flickr

There's nothing like a summer camping trip -- long, hot days spent hiking or swimming in the lake and cool nights around a campfire. When packing up all the gear for your next camping trip, remember to pack health and nutrition, too. Campfire cooking isn't limited to hot dogs and s'mores. With a little planning and creativity, you can have some delicious and tasty meals that are in keeping with your healthy eating goals:

• Breakfast. Scrambled eggs are a natural on the campfire. Just pack a cast iron skillet and a spatula. Also bring healthy mix-ins like green pepper, onion and mushrooms. Or bake these flaxseed-loaded Morning Glory Muffins ahead of time. Granola also makes a healthy breakfast as well as a handy trail snack. Fruit is also handy and healthy.
  
• Lunch. Bring a softside cooler that's easy to take with you while hiking, boating or touring the local towns. Pack fruits, vegetables, healthful sandwiches on whole wheat and other nutritious foods.
• Dinner. There are plenty of healthy, filling and delicious foods you can cook on your campfire. Try beef kebobs, roasted vegetable fajitas, even baked pears for dessert.

Remember to incorporate lots of physical activity into your camping trips, too. Water skiing, hiking, swimming, volleyball, biking, and other activities are obvious choices. But be sure to check for opportunities that are unique to the area as well, such as climbing sand dunes or going parasailing. Your camping trip won't only be an escape from the every day... it will also be a chance to get fit and healthy.

Source

You can fish for trout, and then have a chef prepare it for you. You can hike through the woods and then have a masseuse work out all the knots in your muscles. You can kayak, swim, and play volleyball by day and relax in your pre-pitched "tent" complete with amenities like furniture and running water at night.

If you like the idea of camping, but don't like the idea of roughing it, then glamping may be the retreat for you. Glamping is a mix of traditional camping with modern conveniences and luxuries.

The whole idea just seems a bit strange to me. After all, is it really camping if your tent doesn't leak when it rains and you don't burn your dinner over a campfire? How about you? Would a little bit of pampering be a welcome addition to your next camping trip?

Source

Do you have people in your life who just aren't satisfied with a jog around the neighborhood? You can foster your loved ones' adventurous spirits with holiday gifts that are as rugged as they are.

You can find adventure sport gear or accessories that fit any budget. Do keep in mind that certain items -- especially wearables such as helmets -- require a certain fit, so be sure to purchase items that can be easily exchanged if they don't fit correctly. Check out the gallery for some ideas.

For some people, the snow-covered ground is a reason to stay inside under a warm blanket. But for others, the white stuff is an invitation to be active and adventurous. If you like to backcountry ski, snow shoe, hike over a wintry trail, or go backwoods camping during winter, packing for your active adventure can be a challenge. Outside Online has some tips from the pros:

• Chris Figenshau is a photographer, but you won't find him in a comfy studio. Instead, Figenshau spends more than 100 days a year following elite skiers. Some of the things you'll find in his backpack are dark shades with side hoods, a pole with an ice ax to help when walking on icy snow, and he swears by the light and easy to maneuver Obsethed skis by K2.
• Victoria Jealouse, snowboarder, brings a quality thermos filled with hot tea or soup, lip balm with sunscreen, a first aid and repair kit, and a satellite phone. Though it may not be something most want to discuss, she also brings the Freshette, which allows her to go to the bathroom without exposing everything to the icy-cold wind.

Source

My son has attended the same summer camp for two years now. Throughout the summer there are specialty camps kids can opt to attend. Last summer he signed up for an intense biking camp. At the beginning of the week, there were more than 30 kids signed up. By day three, the numbers had dropped to about 12. By the end of the week, only 6 kids remained.

On the first day of camp, the kids and their counselors rode a total of 10 miles. But the rides were short and they stopped at several fun locations to play and rest in between rides. Still, my very fit and athletic son needed to take a bath that night to relax his muscles.

The second day, the kids rode about the same distance, but with only one, longer break in between. It was a hard day, evidenced by the fact that more than half of the kids dropped out after day two. My son mentioned that he thought maybe he'd like to quit, too. But day three was too intriguing for him to give up.

Source

This weekend my son and I are going on a vacation. While we're staying in a cabin, we'll be spending most of our time outdoors -- at the beach, sand dunes, nature trails, and hiking paths. Both my son and I love to explore and check out what nature has to offer. A new web portal, Andy Camper, is all about outdoor adventures for kids.

The site offers dozens of how-to videos for kids; from geocaching to watching the stars. The site aims to get kids excited about the outdoors and to reconnect them with nature through fun, engaging ideas and activities.

My son is really into bugs right now (except spiders... they freak him out). Tonight, we're going to make this cool water viewer to help us look for bugs and other critters in the lake this weekend. Check it out! You're sure to find fun activities for you and your kids whether you're heading out on a special outdoor adventure, or just want to do some exploring in your own backyard.

Source

"How am I going to survive without TV and the Wii?" proclaimed our friend's young son as we began a short camping trip with four other families and their kids aged eight through one year this past Sunday. Not only did he survive two nights sleeping in a tent, he thrived.

Most of the time I saw him perched in a tree ... or fishing ... or clambering ahead on a 2.5-mile/1,000 ft in elevation gain hike. My favorite part of this entire multi-family camping trip was quietly observing the kids getting filthy, swimming in the lake, catching baby frogs, scrambling billy goat-style up and down a tough trail and then digging deep near the hike's end even as their legs felt like jelly. How often do kids' legs feel that tired these days?

When we returned to camp for dinner, the kids didn't have a couch to climb upon or a remote to click. Instead they headed to the trees, the tents for imaginary play, the 'secret trail' for a new adventure. If you have the opportunity to go camping this summer, do. If not, unplug your children and head outside your front door. Check out Jennifer Ward's new book, I Love Dirt!: 52 Activities to Help You & Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature.

Parents need a plan when pulling that plug.

Source

Camping -- especially when you hike into back country -- is not only a fun summer activity, it's health-promoting as well. Cooking when you're in the back country can be a bit of an adventure. You need to have food that's easily portable, prepared with minimal tools, has only waste that can be easily carried out with you, and is energizing. On top of all that, you don't want to sacrifice flavor.

The American Hiking Society is searching for your best camping recipes. Submit your recipes with a photo and a short story about how you created the recipe. If your recipe is selected, it will be used in a Volunteer Vacation cookbook. Submissions are being accepted through July 31st.

[via SmarterFitter blog]

Source

I'm an outdoor girl with granola in her pockets. I get excited over a good pair of Merrell hiking boots, not a pair of Enzo flats. A camping vacation is truly a vacation to me. My husband and I spent nearly a month camping and backpacking on our honeymoon. Yes, we're a tad odd.

But what I've realized over the years is not everyone loves camping. Some people hate it. I know people who will intestinally blow-up before pooping in the woods. Yet this does not mean they don't love the stars, fresh air, a crackling campfire and even the chilling call of a coyote in the middle of the night. They'd be willing to camp if their Home Sweet Home porcelain perch was nearby.

Voila -- a solution to this intestinal barrier! Join the festivities this Saturday in the National Wildlife Federation's 4th annual Great American Backyard Campout. You can set-up the tent right in your backyard or hook-up with other close-to-home camping enthusiasts via their campout finder. Over 22,000 are gathering their gear for backyard fun this weekend. I'll be camping, too. We're heading up to Devil's Lake, Wisconsin to camp and rock climb sans kids with the Chicago Mountaineering Club -- our virgin outing with this influential group. See you under the Big Dipper.

Source

Summer may be right around the corner, but the camping season for some is already well underway. Time to take the tent out of the depths of the garage, dust off the sleeping bag, and head out into the great outdoors for an escape from everything and everyone.

Except for the several million species of animals and insects that will be joining you on your trip, that is.

I don't really have much advice for how to protect against a bear attack, but I can suggest that you wear long pants to help prevent against ticks. You should also be aware of what a tick looks like in case you find some creepy crawly thing on your skin. Deer ticks, which can carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, are of particular concern for campers and hikers. These tear-shaped suckers are extremely small; that is, until they've taken up residence on your body and have fed on your blood for quite some time -- at which point they can grow to be almost the size of a dime.

For a comprehensive look at the different types of ticks, as well as some tips on how to best steer clear of them, visit the Tick Encounter Resource Center website by clicking here.

Source

When we checked into a campground last week for a week-long vacation, the owner told me, "You'll like it here, we don't have any bugs." I laughed out loud, because camping and mosquitoes go together like bread and butter, right? I was happily surprised to find out he was telling the truth; the sandy soil meant there was no standing water for mosquitoes to breed. With the exception of a stray fly or bee, the entire week was happily bug free.

After reading this, I'm grateful. The West Nile virus, which has been pretty quiet the last few seasons, has flared this year and this season looks to be as bad or worse than 2003, when West Nile sickened 2,866 people. Though the virus can be found anywhere, it seems to be the worst in central and western states, probably due to the species of mosquitoes that live there. In addition, irrigation water is popular with the bug, and farmers are exposed to bites during long days in the fields.

There have been 42 reported cases so far this year and whether the trend continues depends mostly on the weather. Hot weather helps the virus grow inside of the mosquitoes, and late summer and fall that are cool in temperature may slow the spread of the disease. The best way to prevent West Nile is to prevent mosquito bites. Take a look at these suggestions to keep yourself and your family safe.

Source

The growing number of overweight children has fostered a small but vigorous burst of summer weight-loss camps opening across the country. And while I endorse these programs for children who have been 20-30 pounds overweight for the past year or more ... I'd love to see more parents encouraging activity before such drastic measures are needed .

Today, kids can choose among adrenaline-pumping, action-packed camps that teach rock-climbing, surfing, and white-water rafting. They can master basketball or tennis with world-class college coaches, or they can bike their way up and down mountains in Montana -- at these camps, children improve their fitness levels while learning skills, gaining confidence, and making friends -- they don't even realize they are exercising. And, really isn't that what you want for your kids? I feel that promoting an active lifestyle is much more beneficial than sending kids off to weight-loss camps (unless it's the only option.)

Summer camps are suppose to be fun, and sadly, weight-loss camps -- while needed -- are more often a reminder to kids of their bigger issues and when they leave, they have the added pressure to sustain their weight loss at home.

So, to help your children get in shape -- before they get out of it -- I've found a list of camps at Adventure-camp.com that will help you to find the perfect place for your child.

Source

If you've got some camping trips planned this summer, like maybe for the 4th of July holiday coming up, it's very possible you (or a loved one or a pet) will come across some poison ivy on your hikes in the forest or hunts for firewood. Every year between 25 and 40 million Americans suffer the famous itchiness and rash caused by the oil from the poison ivy plant -- to stumble on a patch is one of the oldest camping mishaps in the book.

Dealing with it if you are unlucky enough to need to is mostly about soothing the symptoms and not making them worse. See this article for a list of helpful tips, like washing the affected area with cool water as soon as possible and refraining from itching.

Source

As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

The great family camping vacation: think hiking and fresh air and sitting around a campfire... it sounds wonderful! Camping can be a healthy, fun family vacation, but there's also plenty of dangers involved and some are more obvious than others. Before you and your family head out into the wilderness this summer (or even just take the RV to the lake) get informed with these blogs:

Love the Outdoors and All About Camping are two great places to start learning ways to make your camping trip a safe and healthy one.

Joy of Camping even has a bear safety video, in addition to other safety videos and general camping tips.