Camping Books

This books covers a wide range of subjects associated with boondocking in an RV. Am quite impressed with it, especially the parts about batteries and electrical systems. Most stock RVs are not designed for being "off the grid" for very long at all (without running a noisy and $$ generator) and it really helps you design improvements in boondocking capability. At least, it'll let you speak the language of electrical systems if you go to professional to have improvements made. There are books that offer more detail in the subjects covered, but that means buying several books. This one will get you started and then some. All the info in the book is useful, researched and concisely written. Have fun and we'll see you on the road.

This book has it all! Written by a couple who have been "living the life" for many years, every word has the feel of authenticity and experience-based knowledge. A lot of the material might be found in other sources but we needed a guidebook to read AND have on the shelf for reference. My wife and I have been "fulltimers" for 11 years, but have spent little time dry-camping, or "boondocking." We wanted more information on solar panels and water maintenance and we found it all here. I found no negatives about this book.

This is a well written book, but geared toward people with large RVs. There is an extended section on Boondocking electricity, monitoring batteries and engine alternators. Then a chapter on solar and wind power, which is all very nice, but not what we were looking for and not what a large majority of people can afford. We have an 18 foot super light-weight trailer and use a Honda generator. I guess we thought this book would be more about places to go that were interesting. The list of "Selected" Boondocking sites was very limited. If You are looking for a better choice try the FREE Campgrounds book by Don Wright, either the Western or Eastern edition. Lots of great sites listed in this book.
The bottom line is that the Complete Book of Boondocking will go on our next garage sale.

I like easy recipes when I'm camping and that's exactly what this book offers. The book features recipes from a variety of cuisines, so you don't get bored with the typical casseroles and repetitive fare offered by many camping cookbooks.
The extensive supply and equipment list is very helpful. I tailored a personal list based on the author's suggestions, and now I don't forget important items.
I didn't think I would use the substitution list, but it's been handy when camping as well as in my kitchen at home.

I was looking for more basic recipes with a minimum of supplies. The basic shopping list/supplies/cooking utensils she uses consists of 5 pages alone. Not a good book for simple weekend campers, who have minimum space/time to cook. Many recipes were based on an oven in an RV, which wasn't what I was looking for.

The Happy Camper's Gourmet Cookbook, besides being a great cookbook, also offers loads of practical camping advice. Joyce Ryan has drawn on her experience as cook and traveler to address the concerns of the traveling gourmet.

Selecting Your Equipment: Joyce considers the pantry to be a "personal affair". The utensils and items one uses depends on individual cooking habits and techniques. Her checklist is an ideal master item list for stocking most any pantry.

Loading Your Camper: You'll find advice on placement of supplies, how to choose storage containers, and how to label them.

Coping with Problems: Cooking in the extremes of desert dryness, rainforest wetness, and mountain altitudes are all covered with helpful tips and suggestions.

And 248 Recipes: recipes for everything: appetizers, beverages, breads, main dishes, side dishes, and desserts. My wife and I tried several over the holidays and we enjoyed everything we tried. Two which we especially liked were Baked Chicken Pecan and Pecan Rice.

I highly recommend this book be added to your camping checklist.

This book was an excellent resource for the hiking trails around Kauai. The detail was excellent.

Leaves something to be desired as compared to other hiking books on Kauai.

This book really helped me discover Kauai! Easy to use, clear, complete--an excellent resource.

I was not happy to find this was not a facsimile edition but a text only version. I am sure the original illustrations would have greatly improved the book. A very small book but it is worth reading if you are interested in 19th century camping not a book for modern camping advice. The price is a bit high for what you get. A far better book if you can find it is the Horace Kephart Camping and Woodcraft, it dates form a few years later but has a lot more in it. Not like I am going to send it back but if I had looked at it in a store I would not have purchased.

I picked up a first edition of this book many years ago, and its condition is evidence of how many times it has been read. (I had hoped to find reprints available that I could give as gifts, but I guess I'm out of luck. Rats!) Mr. Gould provides the prospective camper with valuable advice covering the logistical, psychological, and social aspects of camping. One of my favorite pages is a list of necessities (which, the author cautions, "is by no means exhaustive") that includes first-aid supplies, shingles (to be used as plates), beeswax, a bean-pot, and even a Bible! In a reflection of his military experience, he devotes part of the text to the importance of the division of labor in the camping party and the requirements of leadership in the person chosen as group captain. This is not merely an instruction manual for learning how to pitch a tent and build a fire (although it is certainly that), but also an eloquent treatise on the need for everyone to pull his own weight as part of a group that's living in somewhat spartan circumstances. It is also a primer on etiquette and civil behavior: there is a moving admonishment to the reader concerning the treatment of farmers: "Do not be saucy to the farmers, nor treat them as 'country greenhorns.' There is not a class of people in the country of more importance to you in your travels; and you are honor bound to be respectful to them. Avoid stealing their apples, or disturbing any thing; and when you wish to camp near a house, or on cultivated land, obtain permission from the owner, and do not make any unreasonable request, such as asking to camp in a man's front-yard, or to make a fire in dry grass within a hundred yards of his buildings...When you break camp in the morning, be sure to put out the fires wherever you are...see that the fences and gates are as you found them, and do not leave a mass of rubbish behind for the farmer to clear up." (Important rules even in the 21st century!) The author also advocates keeping a diary to remember the pleasures of the camping trip long after it has come to an end. In the same way, Mr. Gould's camping guide serves as a reminder of the attraction of "roughing it" in the 19th century. Even if you're not a camper, if you can find a copy, you'll get vicarious pleasure from this splendid book.

"How to Camp Out" (HTCO) was written by my great-great-grandfather John M. Gould in 1877. I doubt there are very many, if any, books written by Americans and the subject of how to camp out before that date.

Several things make HTCO special. First, it gives excellent insight into how people camped out over a century ago. I show that people were quite capable of enjoying the outdoors without the benefit of Coleman stoves and lanterns, the L.L. Bean Catalog, an EMS store at the shopping mall or any modern conviences. HTCO helps us understand that people adapted to their environment and could endure the rigors of the simple life because the rewards were far greater.

Another thing which makes HTCO special is that it contains practical camping advice which is still pertainent to this day. This ranges from "Don't waste your money buying every new invention." to "Wear what you please if it be comfortable and durable: do not mind what people say. When you are camping you have the right to be independent."

There are numerous other worthwhile quotes in the book. These may be found at the John M. Gould website.

Another feature is that HTCO gives the reader valuable insite into getting to know its author. John M. Gould served as an officer with theUnion Army for 4 years during the civil war and served on occupation duty in South Carolina for a year after. He was a man who was practical, judgemental and kindhearted. From the book we see his reverence for Creation and his desire to share the best life had to offer with his friends and family. We also see some of his eccentricity when he devotes a full five pages on how it keep a diary. This habit stood him in good stead as his war diaries have been recently published.

Regardless of whether you are a novice camper, a Civil War re-enactor, a nostagia buff or a professional historian you will find a rich and rewarding experience by reading "How to Camp Out".

I was disappointed that this book was not for a 4 year old. My 3.5 year old daughter's name is Ellie and she loves all things princess. I tried reading this to her but could not keep her attention because there are no real pictures (just a few sketches). I guess I'll try again when she gets a couple years older.

The Princess Ellie books have two things that make them wonderful. First, they are pure escape. Ellie has no connection to reality as she is a princess having everything handed to her and her greatest struggle is having a life for herself. Next, the stories are light and fun with lots of silly plot twists. The King and Queen are completely obtuse and it is always Ellie that saves the day.

My 7 year old daughter found this series while we were in London this June. Naturally they were a hit since horses and princesses are two of her favorite things. It also helps that there is a little mystery thrown in. She reads them from cover to cover in one sitting. And she often re-reads them when she is finished. The stories are appropriate and interesting and the characters are loveable.

I have made quite a few of the recipes out of this book, and they were all great! More than just recipes, the book inspires you to think creatively about what food you can actually take and make while camping.

The most valuable part of the book is the product reviews; the recipes, however, have little or nothing to do with the products or with "baking on boat and trail." I mean, I don't know about you, but I don't need a recipe that makes 3 loaves of bread when I'm camping. The product reviews are available on line; save your money.

Comprehensive and easy to read, this book explains the various techniques and equipment available for camp baking, and gives wonderful recipes. The Chinese steamed dumplings were a revelation on our trip, and we *loved* the fresh bread. If you're a cook who camps, you need this book.

This book is Saturday morning mindless TV in print form!
Lost in the woods with a fake bear
and a secret agent after them the kids have a great time.
Teen romance mixed with adventure,
the girl that turns into flubber has a good time star gazing,
while any science or real education is pretty much left out.
Don't let you kid read this mindless dribble.

This is my favorite Alex Mack book! Alex plans to go on a camping trip to get away from her parents and to get closer to Scott. Unfortunately, her parents and Annie are coming along as chaperones!! This dampens her excitement a little. Now Vince and Dave are looking for the GC-161 at the same place she's at. Can Alex escape Vince's new plans?

This is one of the best Alex Mack books ever.Alex and her friends go on a trip for credit and fun with the school science club.It could be fun right?Wrong!!Alex's parents are chaporones and Vince and Dave are in the woods looking for the GC-161 kid,namely Alex.With some help Alex has fun and gets closer to her crush Scott

My 6 year old daughter loves this book and all the Turtle and Snake series books. Her reading level is just as expected for her age, not too far head or behind (according to her 1st grade teacher) and she can read these books well. The stories make her laugh, she loves these two best friends! I highly recommend them. I enjoy the illustrations just as much as she does :-)

After checking this out of the library, my 4 year old son immediately loved it. Keep in mind that it is not a book to help kids like camping. It is a fun book that can help kids start reading. My son memorized the book in just a few readings, and he now "reads" it himself. The pictures of the turtle and snake sleeping bags are great!

We are a family that likes camping so when I saw this title, I thought it would be a nice book. But the message is that camping is scary and that it is much more fun to stay home where it is safe and warm. Turtle and Snake are scared away by the hooting of an owl. This is not a message that we want to encourage in our family. My 4-year old daughter thought it was a pretty lame book.

The first time i glanced at this book I thought that i was looking at 'The Backpackers Handbook', also by Townsend. This seemed, and still seems to be, more or less a duplication of that previous guide. If you don't own the 'Handbook', then definitely check this out, I really like Chris' open-minded writing and hiking style.

The only new information in 'Advanced Backpacker' is brief; and can be found on the internet or in your library for free. But if you really want a wholesome guide to carry with you, then this should be the one.

The author's experience in long distance backpacking is obvious when he shares his knowledge in an honest and enlightening way.
The section on inspiration and reality is well worth reading. He gives a nice little description of the long trails, with his comments and experiences. His food choices and ideas alone make the book worth the price. He includes the best description of chemical purification I have seen in some time. He covers boot fitting (one of the most important items, I think, in backpacking) like no one else I have ever read. Not a rehash of what has already been written (I admit I haven't read his other books), but some critical and important original views on the subject.
This book delivers excellent information for the long-distance hiker.

Basic Camp Management covers all the basics one needs to know about the summer camp industry, plus new sections that include retreat/conference centers. It is a great resource for both the new and vetern camp director. Any one thinking about going into the camping industry should read this book. It covers everything from finances to programming. The book basically reads like a text book with review questions at the end of each chapter. I would reccomend this book as the most comprehensive resource for the summer camp industry to date. It would also be useful in a recreational sciences course.

This book is extremely comprehensive and thorough. It walks you through all the aspects of camp management. All the functions that are involved in running a camp are explored. Basic camp management gives enough information for an individual to create their own programs, with the necessary information about development according to age.

In addition, the book incorporates many sample forms into the chapters, for example, a health history form. There are also myriad samples provided- such as a sample job descriptions and risk management checklists for camp personnel. There are resources provided for the reader, including organizations and the ACA Code of Ethics.

Basic Camp Management is well thought out. It is simple to read and simple to read and serves as an excellent resource for individuals interested in Camp Administration. I found the bulleted lists and checkpoint questions very helpful. This is a great introduction or reference for someone who wants information on hand.