Uncategorized | Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Door County in Sturgeon Bay WI

Popular Camping Cookware

November 3, 2018 by Door County Jellystone

Every camper has their favorite kind of cookware for making the perfect camping meals. Some have had theirs for generations and other people look to their camping friends for a recommendations. Some of the tips that are offered when deciding what kind of cookware is that it be durable and can withstand the high heat, irregular heat of a campfire.

Durable – Cast iron is often suggested as the most durable cookware for camping. It is solid and can take the heat. The disadvantage to cast iron is the weight of it. It can be very heavy and that can be a problem for packing, storing, and transporting in the RV. [Read more…]

Portable Grills for Camping and More

October 27, 2018 by Door County Jellystone

Nothing says summer quite like grilled food. It’s something we all look forward to, and there are so many things you can make with a grill (even pizza!) that it’s worth it to have a portable grill to take along for any occasion from camping to tailgating to days at the beach. The two most common types of portable grills are propane gas and charcoal fired, and there are many to choose from. In this article, we’ll explore three of them.

Propane Gas Grills

The Coleman Road Trip XLE:
At 44 lbs., this grill is heavy. It has a very sturdy frame and interchangeable grill and griddle plates (sold separately), making it a nice choice for traditional, family style camping and cooking breakfast in a snap. The cooking surface is the largest of all portable models, and can cook food for 8 people at a time easily. The fact that it is collapsible with wheels and features a rolling luggage type handle makes it easy to transport once unloaded from a vehicle. Set up can be tricky and takes getting used to, but once you have it down the grill goes up quickly. Small propane gas tanks that can be found in most big box store in the sporting goods area fuel this grill. Temperature control is excellent.

The Weber Q1000:
Weighing in at 27 lbs., this table top grill is sturdy, with a heavy, well-fitting lid. The drip tray is light weight and disposable, which is great if it isn’t windy. Cooking enough food for four people at once, this grill doesn’t get as hot as the Coleman RoadTrip XLE, and will take longer to cook your food. This grill prices out at $169, which is expensive for a table top model, but it’s durability makes up for the pricing.

Charcoal Grills

Cuisinart CCG-100 Grate Lifter Portable Charcoal Grill:
Retailing for $149.99 (less on Amazon), this high-end table top charcoal grill gives you what you pay for. A stabilized base and super sturdy construction, a built-in temperature gauge, bun warming compartment and grate lifting system that lets you access the coals directly without touching the grill plate itself make this worth the money for a grill that can cook for four people at a time. The ashbin is removable for easy emptying as well. If you like to grill with charcoal and don’t want a big set up, this is the way to go.

Camping With Babies and Toddlers

October 20, 2018 by Door County Jellystone

It’s great to get them started as early as possible and there are so many products available now to make things easier for you. There will be some alterations to think about such as where the baby will sleep or how to feed your toddler at the picnic table. We found some items that may help answer those questions and get you easily on your way to camping with your little one. [Read more…]

How to Make an Easy, Portable Outdoor Movie Screen

October 13, 2018 by Door County Jellystone

Drive-in movie theaters are so much fun, and these days they’re few and far between. Take all the fun of a drive-in movie to your campsite with this easy to make DIY outdoor movie screen! Relax around the bonfire and watch your favorite dvds, add some campfire popped popcorn and candy from the camp store and you have the makings for a fun and memorable summer evening. This project costs around $50, so it’s perfect for the budget minded camper.

Image Source: The Shabby Creek Cottage

For this project, you’ll need:

4 – ten ft long pieces of 1 1/2 inch pvc pipe

2 – 45% elbows (that fit 1 1/2 inch pipe)

4 – T fittings (that fit 1 1/2 inch pipe)

8 – 10 inch spikes (found in nail section)

1 full size white sheet

6 pieces of 3/4 grosgrain ribbon, 18 inches long each

You’ll also need:

sewing machine

compound miter saw (or handsaw to cut pipe)

Start by cutting the PVC pipe in these measurements:

Cut the first two pieces so you get a 7 ft piece and then a 3 ft piece

Cut the second two so you have a 6 ft piece and two 2 ft pieces

NOTE: If you use less than 1 1/2 inch it will not be very stable. I tried multiple types, but this kind will hold the weight and be stable enough to hold up well over and over again.

Complete instructions with pictures, along with a recommendation for an affordable projector can be found at: The Shabby Creek Cottage

Don’t want to make your own screen? You can buy one here:

Camp Chef

Excelvan

How to Clean Fish

October 6, 2018 by Door County Jellystone

There are many activities that make life enjoyable, and for many families, camping is at the top of the list. When you go camping with your family, it can really form bonds that will last for a lifetime and create memories that will never be forgotten. That is especially true as far as the activities are concerned, and fishing is one that should not be left out of the mix.

Many campgrounds offer easy access to areas where you can fish, sometimes even without the need for a fishing license. They may stock those local streams and lakes, making it easier for you to catch fish. Once you catch them, you will need to learn how to clean them. After all, there is nothing quite like eating a fish you just caught at your campsite.

The first step is to gut the fish. A fillet knife or other sharp knife can be inserted in the belly of the fish near the tail. Pull the knife up toward the head, splitting the fish at that point until you get to the base of the gills.

Once the belly of the fish has been cut open, you can spread the two sides with your fingers and clean out the innards. The cavity should then be rinsed thoroughly, either with a hose at the cleaning location or perhaps in the stream if another source of water is not available. The head can be removed at that point.

You can then flip the fish over to fillet it and remove the meat from the bone and/or skin it by running the sharp edge of the knife between the meat and the skin. At this point, the fish will be ready to cook and all you have to do from that point forward is enjoy a tasty meal.

Crockpot Uses For Camping

September 29, 2018 by Door County Jellystone

As long as you’re camping on a site with electricity, your crockpot uses abound and can make meal preparation a very simple affair. Crockpots are not the first thing that comes to mind for camp cooking for many families, as they are used to campfires, grills, and even small stoves, and yet these food-warming devices can make things very simple.

For starters, Crockpots can mean having access to menus and meals that aren’t so easily done over a fire, grill, or stove, or just ones that would take longer to do. Crockpot meals can sit quietly for hours warming up until it’s time for dinner, and then there can be one main dish everyone gets portions out of the pot. Add some fresh fruit or veggies to everyone’s plate and they’ve got a simple feast to replenish the fuel they burned all day long, having fun and working up an appetite.

Crockpots make camping meals easy because the ingredients can often be prepared, sorted, and stored in plastic containers, either hard or baggies, and then just poured into the pot when it’s time to start cooking. Stews and soups are obviously easy choices, but the internet has thousands of recipes possible.

Since an electric outlet is all that is necessary, crockpots can be used at the campsite, in the RV, or from the cabin or park model you’re renting.

Cooking as much as you can in one pot also makes cleanup easier, since there’s only really the one dish to clean out. The liquids are sealed in the crock so it rarely has anything caked on that needs serious scrubbing to get clean.

Natural Recipes For Sunscreen

September 22, 2018 by Door County Jellystone

Although sunburn can be harmful, commercial sunscreen is not the only way to prevent the condition. More and more it seems that consumers are seeking natural solutions to sun protection. There are many options online though you can make your own with little effort.

You need to choose the right ingredients to prepare your natural sunscreen. The ingredients you choose should have a natural sun protection factor or SPF. Here are some of the most effective ingredients that you need to include in the natural sunscreen.

. Almond oil has an SPF of around 5
. Carrot seed oil – an SPF of 35-40
. Coconut oil – an SPF of 4-6
. Red Raspberry seed oil – an SPF of 25-50
. Shea butter – an SPF of 4-6
. Zinc oxide – an SPF of 2-20
You can mix some of these ingredients to prepare an effective natural sunscreen with the correct SPF you require. In fact, you can add different amounts of zinc oxide depending on the SPF you need. The zinc oxide should be a certain percentage of the weight of the ingredients you have chosen for the sunscreen. Here are the zinc oxide percentages that you need to use to make sunscreens with different SPFs.

. SPF 2-5 – You should use 5% of zinc oxide
. SPF 6-11 – 10% of zinc oxide
. SPF 12-19 – 15% zinc oxide
. SPF >20 – 20% zinc oxide

We hope you enjoy many happy days in the summer sun and are able to protect your skin as you do.

Making A Marinade

September 12, 2018 by Door County Jellystone

You’re going to be doing a lot of cooking over the grill and choosing a flavorful marinade will be key to having a tasty meal that everyone enjoys. There are a few things to avoid when making a marinade and we thought we would highlight a few of them for you. Follow these and your meal will be spectacular.

Marinating your food for too little time means that it will not absorb as much flavor as you had hoped for. As a result, your food may not taste much different from the hum-drum, boring camping cuisine you are used to. Ideally, your meat should sit in the mixture you made for at least two hours. This will help break down the meat and ensure a more powerful flavor.

Using lots of sugar is a big no-no. The more sweetener you use, the more likely your food will be to burn. If you insist on having a marinade that has a good amount of sugar, try grilling your meat until it is nearly done, brushing on the marinade and cooking for just a bit longer. You will have all of the flavor you have been looking for without too much char.

Avoid brushing cooked food with the leftover marinade you used for raw items. This is a great way to end up in the doctor’s office stricken with food poisoning. Reserve some of the marinade early on to avoid any cross contamination. The only way you can safely use this would be to bring it to a boil. This will kill off any bacteria lingering there.

Whether you are planning to use a simple marinade containing citrus and herbs or you want to go for something with a little more kick, using the advice here will help you create a better culinary experience. Keep all of this in mind the next time you embark on a camping trip.

We want your camping meals to be enjoyable and then we want you to be able to go and have fun. Can’t wait to see you this summer!

Tricks To Making Overnight Oats

September 3, 2018 by Door County Jellystone

Overnight oats are very popular when people are at home and can work in their own kitchen but they can be great at the campsite, too. There are just a couple things to watch for in order to make them the best morning oats you’ve ever had.

The key to creating the most palatable oats would be to use enough liquid. Unlike traditional oatmeal recipes, the ratio of liquid to oats should be 2:1. While the mixture is sitting all night, all of the liquid will be absorbed. If there is not enough, you will end up with something that is very dense and pasty. On the flip side, using too much means you will end up with something that is soupy. You may need to do a little trial and error before getting things to turn out perfectly.

Add your toppings right before eating. It might seem like a time saver to throw everything in the jar when making your oats, but this is not as wise decision at all. This can throw off the balance needed to create the best texture. All you should have in the mixture is oats and milk; things like nuts and fruit can be added later. With that said, chia seeds and protein powder are two additives that can be added at the beginning of the process.

Mix your oatmeal before digging in. Some people are not very pleased when they first try this since the texture is different from typical oatmeal. If you blend all your mix-ins well, it will make it far more pleasing to eat.

The next time you go camping, give this a try. It’s nice to have pancakes or bacon and eggs but sometimes you may crave a nice bowl of oatmeal. It’s a good start to a day of fun with family and friends.

Helpful Family Packing Tips

August 25, 2018 by Door County Jellystone

You’re aware by now that packing multiplies by every member of the family that is coming along and that can get complicated. The best way to address everyone’s needs and not forget anything is to make a camping checklist. Spend some time to write down the things you’ll need and then make copies of it. You can use a fresh copy each time you go camping, checking things off as they get packed.

You’ll find some helpful lists to get you started here: Family Camping Checklist

Some extras to remember might be fishing poles if you plan to go fishing with your family. You should also remember to bring anything else that you want to do while you are out camping, including board games or whatever else you want to do with your children. Also, try to combine things so you don’t bring duplicates such as blow dryers and things of that nature.

Make sure that you pack a first aid kit. If you have children then you know that they get hurt when you are not looking or even when you are. Make sure you have your phone chargers written on your list and tell someone close to you where you will be camping.

These packing tips for family camping should get you started. Make sure you create a checklist and that you add every item that you are going to need. Then, go down the list and you should not run out of whatever you need when you are out camping.