Happy Camper Radio

In Episode 75, Skip and Daniel discuss the use of paper products and good old fashion camp ware for serving food.  Learn why Skip carries both to each of his destinations, and the benefits and downside of going strictly paper plate and disposable plastic while camping. This week, long time Happy Camper Radio listener Jim Desjardins of Massachusetts joins us on Google Hangouts.

In Episode 74, Skip and Daniel discuss the importance of quality relaxation when sitting around the campfire or campsite itself.  Finding the right camping chair to accommodate your needs is something each of us need to consider.  Hear what Skip has to say about his experience with camping chairs, and why he chose to invest in gear that is sure to last many years. 

In this week's episode, Skip and Daniel go right to the heart of the campsite to discuss unique ways to light a campfire.  While many seasoned campers prefer building a fire from scratch, you may find the need for a fire starter or accelerant to bring your campfire to life.  Listen in as Skip shares some of his personal experiences, as well as important safety measures to take when lighting a fire.

Families are always looking for exciting and creative things to do during their vacation. This week, Skip & Daniel discuss Renaissance Festivals, and the historic atmosphere that draws thousands of visitors each and every year.  To highlight the discussion, Daniel's friend Todd, an experienced festival performer, joins the conversation to share his background, and what campers can expect to see when they visit a show in their area.

In this week's show, Skip reflects back on his vacation in the north Georgia mountains, including his breathtaking trip aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Hear what he has to say about his brief visit to this small community and why he is so anxious to go back. Also take time to browse through the many pictures he took, including the video shot on board the train. Check them out at: www.happycamperradio.com.

Ever wondered how soldiers in the military cope with the outdoors?  Camping in the military is definitely different from the camping lifestyle many of us are used to.  This week, Daniel welcomes friend and fellow soldier Byron Norris to the show to explain what it's like to camp while serving in the armed forces.

In this week's episode we take a look at a recent storm that devastated a popular family campground off the shores of Chesapeake Bay in Virginia.  We'll tell you what happened and what you can do to help out.  We'll also take a look at some safety tips to consider in the event bad weather strikes while camping.

This week, our friend Gary Sizer checks in to the show from the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia. After hiking more than 1,000 miles into his journey, Gary sparks an interesting discussion when he asks Skip and Daniel if they could live life on the road and camp year round.  Wait till you hear what they have to say about it.

Whether you're driving a motor home, or pulling an RV or utility trailer behind your vehicle, visibility is an important factor in parking your equipment.  If you've recently purchased your first pop-up camper or RV, learning to back-up your rig takes both time and patience.  While some campers have been doing it for years, everyone starts out somewhere.  This week, Skip and Daniel talk up their experience on the show.

Summer brings out the best in everyone, especially at camp.  When planning a camping trip around the 4th of July, many campers take in a professional fireworks display to wrap up their day of celebration.  Others, take pleasure in setting off their own fireworks.  In this week's episode we focus our attention on the importance of safety when it comes to handling fireworks, and talk about some startling statistics related to accidents and mishaps that have occurred in recent years.

Inclement weather finally made its way into Georgia on Saturday, putting a damper on our plans to participate in the Great American Backyard Campout.  The good news is, a slight break in the clouds did allow for a quick afternoon cookout just prior to recording the show.  In this week's episode, we talk about showering at camp. While most families enjoy the convenience of a hot shower at a public or private campground, people who camp in the wilderness are often deprived of running water in which to bathe.  We'll take a look at some creative options, as well as some of the neat showering products on the market.

In preparing for this year's campout, the discussion becomes entertaining as Daniel and Skip's brother-in-law Jim connect to the show through Google Hangouts. Thinking he has the studio to himself, Skip receives an unexpected visit from expert party planner and football tailgater Lori, who makes a surprising pledge to support wildlife as part of this year's event. It's a fun-filled episode you won't want to miss.

Everyone's spending habits are different when it comes to paying for goods and services while camping. Some people prefer spending cash, others enjoy the convenience of plastic. In this week's episode, we look at the issues of paying with cash, debit and credit. Is one method better than another?  We'll look at it from several angles, and provide some safety tips to help you protect your hard earned money while vacationing.

This week, Skip and Daniel take the show on the road to the campground at Stone Mountain Park, located just east of Atlanta in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Not often are we able to venture away from the studio to go camping with microphones in hand. Listen in as family and friends gather together at Skip's campsite for an open and friendly discussion.

The summer camping season brings hot temperatures and lots of outdoor activities for the family to enjoy. Many people include boating as part of their recreational fun. If you're planning to spend some time on the lake, it's important to know the rules, and to be aware of your surroundings at all times while out on the water.  This week, we take a look at some basic safety measures that can help keep you and your family safe while boating.

Preparing a budget for a camping trip may seem like an easy task.  Besides fuel costs and campground fees, food expenses will eat up most of your budget. In Episode 60, we'll take a look at some other expenses you might want to factor into your travel plans. Gary checks in again from the Apalachian Trail. Find out how far along he is in his journey. This week, we visit the state of Montana for our featured campground of the week.

In this week's episode we talk about preparing for the long road ahead. If your camping destination requires more than a day of travel time, it's important to keep your kids as comfortable as possible. We'll take a look at some of the things you can do to prepare for your venture. Gary Sizer calls the studio while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Hear what he has to say and find out how far he is along the path.

Spring and summer months bring lots of enjoyment and activities in the camping world. Along with the fun are many uninvited guest, including mosquitoes, wasps, hornets, ticks, ants and bees. You can either roll out the red carpet or keep them at bay by properly protecting yourself and your family. In this week's episode, we discuss some things you can do to help keep the bugs away.

With several months of spring and summer weather to look forward to, now is the time to prepare for some outdoor cooking, and that awesome taste of food that is cooked on the grill.  Campers everywhere can agree that you can't beat the aroma and flavor of food that is prepared at a campsite. In this episode, Skip and Daniel talk about their outdoor grilling experiences, along with some safety tips to share.

Today marks the first anniversary of Happy Camper Radio.  In Episode 56, Skip and Daniel take time out to reflect back on some of their most memorable moments of this past year.