When you think of living off grid, what first comes to mind? If it’s RV camping, then get a load of these fun off-grid ideas for your motorhome. They’ll have you traveling cheaply and living on the road more sustainably.

1. Solar Power Kits for RV Camping

The most obvious way to get off grid with your motorhome and start saving money is to install a solar power system. These come in a variety of sizes and styles, most of which can be mounted directly to the roof of your RV (some remain on as you drive, others are removed before going on the road).

2. Portable Solar for your RV Gadgets

Another great way to introduce renewable energy to your RVing adventures is to purchase a portable solar kit for powering things like your laptop, cell phones, GPS devices, and even your television (depending on the size). These give you freedom to camp wherever you like, whether there are power outlets or not.

3. Wind Turbines for RV Camping

Another great way to produce your own electricity while on the road is to use a wind turbine. Today, there are a number of fun and inexpensive wind power options for motorhomes. They may be small, but they pack a punch. Be sure to lower your turbine before heading out on the road again!

4. Handytank Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Take this Handytank Rainwater Harvesting System by RST on your next outdoor adventure to collect rainwater on the go. This 120 gallon rain water storage tank has a PVC bladder that fits over a coated steel frame – all of which can be collapsed into a black mesh cover. You’ll never be without water to wash your dishes or flush the toilet again with one of these!

5. Composting Toilets for your Motorhome

Forget about having to empty your black water system by choosing a composting toilet instead! It’s a green way to deal with your human waste while minimizing the need for stops (and the mess of emptying your sewage system).

Thankfully, there are some nicely sized portable composting toilet options now on the market that make it easier than ever to use these type of toilet system in your RV. This Nature’s Head Dry Composting Toilet, for instance, is easy to use, easy to install, and great for RVs, campers, and motor homes.

6. Solar-Powered Refrigerator Fan

Your fridge is one of the biggest energy hogs in your RV camping, but you can extend the life of your batteries and reduce the number of charges required by hooking up a solar-powered RV fridge fan.

These are mounted into your refrigerator’s compartment to boost your fridge’s efficiency by up to 40%. It works by cooling the condenser and absorber coils so that your fridge can run efficiently, even in hot weather.

7. Solar LED Awning Lights for RV Camping

Add warmth and uniqueness to your RV’s exterior with solar-powered awning lights. By employing LED bulbs rather than traditional energy-wasting bulbs, these renewably-powered strings of lights will help you light up the night without using electricity. Now that’s good for your pocketbook!

8. Portable Solar Lighting

If you’re the kind of person who likes to make your RV feel just like home, then this solar RV product is for you! It combines the friendliness of a welcome mat with the practicality of outdoor lighting so that you and your guests can find your spot after dark.

If you’re planning an outdoor camping trip this summer, you’d better be sure you have all of the camping gear you need for the getaway. Camping sleeping bags are one of the most important tools you’ll need, and if you’re looking for eco-friendly, we’ve got it. Check out these 8 innovative sleeping bags that’ll have you going green in the great outdoors.

1.Skinny Fish by Big Agnes

Big Agnes, The Mother of Comfort company, has a new Skinny Fish sleeping bag that’s made of 96% recycled fibers. The shell itself is 100% recycled material, the insulation is 100% recycled synthetic fibers, and things like the cord, mesh storage sack, and liner loops are also made of recycled materials (some are even composed of corn starch plastic).

Plus, it’s made with an integrated pad sleeve so that you’ll never roll off of your pad again. Other features include no-draft collar seals, wedge insulation, zipper tube insulation, and more.

2.Climasheild

As sleeping bags used by the military, you can be sure that the CLIMASHIELD products will be both functional and durable for outdoor camping. These camping sleeping bags are made with between 40% and 100% recycled polyester filaments and boast of excellent loft.

3.Deja Vu 20 by Sierra Designs

The Sierra Designs Deja Vu 20 sleeping bag boasts a material unique to their company: Cocona. This material is made from recycled coconut shells and is used in the Deja Vu’s all-natural liner fabric.

These camping sleeping bags are also made with EcoPET which is a post-consumer recycled insulation.

Other features include tuck stitching, pillow pocket, and offset layer construction. Plus, this bag is Green Effect compliant.

4.Eco Pro 40 by Marmot

Grab hold of this Marmot Eco Pro 40 sleeping bag for another green sleeping bag option. This one is made from recycled plastic water bottles and synthetic insulation, which increases its ability to stay warm even when dry.

It also has two-way zippers that are snag-proof and a stash pocket for storing small items while you sleep.

5.Yellowstone Light Eco by Lafuma

Yet another eco-friendly innovative solution to your outdoor sleeping needs, the Yellowstone Light Eco from Lafuma is made from some unique materials. The lining is 50% soy and 50% cotton, and the insulation is 100% recycled polyester.

The shells of these camping sleeping bags are water repellent and will keep you dry and warm even down to 45 degrees.

6.Diversion Insulated Air Core sleeping pad by Big Agnes

Stay comfortable in outdoor camping with this eco-friendly sleeping pad. The Big Agnes Diversion Insulated Air Core Recycled sleeping pad is made with 100% recycled synthetic insulation and durable 100% recycled polyester rip-stop shell fabric.

It also is constructed with a recycled aluminum valve with plastic coated EZ-Flate mouthpiece. The I-Beam construction helps to reduce cold spots which can be further boosted with the addition of a closed-cell foam pad. Rolls up for easy storage.

7.Eco Thermo 6 Sleeping Pad by Pacific Outdoor

Get an even better night’s sleep with the Pacific Outdoor Eco Thermo 6 Sleeping Pad. This air-core designed, lightweight sleeping pad is easy to pack and rolls up into a small stuff pack.

These pads have a zero carbon footprint and are made from bamboo fiber fill and undyed bamboo fabrics.  It’s even received the Backpacker Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Green award.

8.PrimaLoft Eco in North Face

PrimaLoft Eco is a technology used by this company to make more eco-friendly camping sleeping bags (they also create many other green outdoor products). This material is made from 50% recycled material and is lightweight.

The insulation is used in The North Face’s pinnacle Dark Star sleeping bag, which is suitable for subzero conditions (below 40 degrees). It can be found in many other branded products.

The concept of Leave No Trace camping has been developed by the nonprofit organization of the same name.

Their goal is to educate and encourage individuals to responsibly enjoy and actively steward outdoor environment throughout the world so that wild spaces can be preserved for many generations to come.

As such, they’ve developed some highly practical guidelines that will make your camping trip safer and more enjoyable for all involved.

1. Don’t Leave Litter Behind

( Photo by johnnyalive )

One of the first rules of Leave No Trace (LNT) camping is to pack out what you pack in, which means essentially: don’t be a litterbug! Not only does littered trash take a long time to decompose in the wild, it also creates hazards for wildlife — and an unsightly mess for the next camper to boot!

So plan to either minimize the quantity of packaging and waste you take in (wrappers, cans, bags, and toilet paper) by taking reusable containers, etc, and/or be careful to inspect your campsite before you leave to remove any offending stuff.

2. Don’t Steal the Wild Things

( Photo by mikebaird )

Whether you find a nifty flower or spot a beautiful pictograph on camping trip, leave it where you found it so that the next person can enjoy it.

Not only does this make for a more universally enjoyable outdoor experience, in the case of flora and fauna, it helps to preserve the delicate balance of the local ecology. When in doubt, hands off! Look with your eyes only.

3. Don’t Use the Outdoors As Your Toilet

( Photo by inhisgrace )

As natural as it might seem, human waste left out in the open can create hazards for you and for wildlife alike.

Excrement can spread disease and pollute local streams, rivers, and lakes and thereby harming wildlife, and it can also attract animals to your campsite. To protect yourself, create a LNT toilet for yourself or pack out your own waste (yup, you heard us right!).

4. Don’t Leave Coals Burning

( Photo by Genista )

Practicing safe fire habits while outdoors is also important. Be sure to keep fires small and contain them in fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.

Then, don’t forget to make sure that all wood is burned to ash and cooled completely before you leave. Then scatter the ashes to minimize the scar you leave behind.

5. Don’t Feed the Wildlife

( Photo by Genista )

As fun as it might seem to you to try to get close to wildlife by offering them a morsel of your lunch, you’re doing them a disservice in the long run.

Offering human food to wild animals while on camping trip can harm their health and create negative patterns of behavior in them that may cause harm in future. Observe wildlife from a distance and protect your food by keeping it in secure containers.

6. Don’t Let Your Pets Run Wild

( Photo by dionhinchcliffe )

It’s a great idea to take your pets with you while camping, but be sure to maintain order and control so that they don’t harm wildlife or damage the local ecosystem.

Keep them close and leashed when possible to avoid any negative outdoor interactions between them and the local inhabitants. You don’t want either to be harmed!

7. Don’t Wash Dishes in the River

( Photo by Mike Burns )

Washing your dishes, clothes, and bodies in local waterways (rivers, streams, and lakes) can pollute these water systems, causing harm to wildlife.

In general, when washing up, do so 70-80 adult steps from any fresh water sources, and use only soaps that will biodegrade rapidly (such as castile soaps). Better yet, don’t use soap at all! Then dispose of any washed water by sprinkling it well away from the water system while on camping trip.

8. Don’t Forget to Plan Ahead

( Photo by Elsie esq. )

Preparation is the key to having a safe, enjoyable time in the great outdoors.

Be sure to check weather forecasts to determine whether it’s safe to travel and to plan properly for where and when to set up camp. A hurried campsite set-up is likely to damage vegetation and create more waste.

360° Student Travel

360° Student Travel is a premier teen travel organizer with over 27 years of presence in this business. It caters to students of varied interest with main focus being providing joy in whatever journey one takes up. It encourages multicultural exposure, self development and group bonding among other activities.

All About Visiting Earth (AAVE)

AAVE is known for organizing adventure trips for teens that combine service, wilderness skills and language study among others. In business since 1976, the service has provided immense happiness to more than 10,000 students from the USA. Every trip is lead and managed by top notch professionals in this field who make summer camps a great experience in travel and study.

Academic Treks

With over 16 years of experience in the field of combining travel and education, Academic Treks believes in experiential learning in the lap of nature Community service, wilderness adventure and teamwork are given top most importance in their programs. This program adds points to your teen’s community service credit for their college.

ActionQuest

ActionQuest specializes in providing programs for those who are interested in water-based adventures. During their trips they help foster non-competitive and team work based attitude. They are adept at organizing full time sailing trips with training in scuba diving and excursions to various cultural destinations. They have a high safety rating and hence very reliable.

Adventure Treks

Though relatively new to the field, Adventure Treks has made its mark in organizing wilderness trips for teens around North America. They try to foster love for outdoors with conservation as the main focus. The groups are kept small to give more space for learning and interaction within the group. The main aim of Adventure treks is to promote face to face interactions rather than gadget based. They have a high safety rating and hence very reliable.

1. Insect Repellant Clothing

Insects and bugs are most expected in any campsite. While keeping yourself away from them is priority, the challenge is daunting. It is best to invest in a pair of insect repellant clothing. Columbia Youth Insect Blocker is one such clothing which not only keeps your little one away from bugs but also has sun protection factors with an inbuilt sunscreen.

2. Puddle Jumpers

Water sports are the most popular recreation activity during summer camping. Keeping the child safe while allowing for maximum fun is the priority of all parents. Stearns Puddle Jumpers come with a pair of arm and chest floats that keep the child comfortable and ensuring easy movement at the same time.

3. Scuba Goggles

Scuba diving is another activity that is common to beach camping holidays and Speedo Scuba Goggles are the best protection that you can give your kid’s eyes. There are a number of designs and colors to choose from including neon wonders and printed versions.

4. Natural Sunscreen

Summer camping gear must contain a sunscreen and natural sunscreens are the best bet for the sensitive skin of children. Goddess Garden is an organic brand of natural skin products which has sunscreens specially formulated for kids. The formulation is a certified SPF 30 formula that comes in the form of lotion, gel and spray.

5. Hydration Pack

Camping gear and thirsty afternoons are a common experience. CamelBak Mini Mule is a hydration pack for kids that can hold 1.5 liters of water. It can be easily carried by kids and is a great way to go hands-free while enjoying the outdoors without having to lug a ton. It also comes with a side pocket and a reflective strip as well.

6. Sleeping Bag

No camping list is complete without a sleeping bag. REI Kindercone sleeping bag for kids is a light weight sleeping bag that will keep your kid warm and cozy throughout the trip. It is water proof and layered in sufficiently for a good night’s sleep.

7. Itch Eraser

From the house of Tender Corp is an insect treatment for kids called AfterBite Itch. This cream is a must include in your kids camping list. It can soothe the child instantly when applied on an insect bite immediately after the bite. This will prevent the child from scratching away on the bite which can cause infection.

8. Insect Repellent Wipes

Natrapel insect repellant wipes are the best for kids who are camping outdoors. In addition to protecting the kid from insect bites, the wipes also are an easy way of applying it on the body. The water based formula keeps the skin from getting greasy as against the lotions. What is more it is DEET-free and gives 8 hours of nonstop protection.

9. Nap Mats

Carters Nap Mats for kids are colorful mats that are ideal to put your kid to sleep in the outdoors. It is light weight, padded and colorful and can be used both indoors and outdoors. It comes with a comforter inside.

10. Snack Bags

Lunchskins are new eco-friendly snack and lunch bags that will keep your kid’s lunch safe without occupying much space and getting bulky. It is easy to use and also dishwasher safe. They come with a Velcro closure to keep the food inside from spilling out.

Photo Credit: (http://www.babble.com)

Even if your partner shivers with the horror at the prospect of a week under canvas, you don’t have to rule out a camping holiday just yet. For instance, with some of the facilities that caravan parks Devon  and  Cornwall have to offer such as mobile homes and purpose built holiday lodges for rent, you can choose just how basic or how deluxe you’d like your camping holiday to be. Of course, staying in a holiday park’s accommodation will be more expensive than turning up with your tent and cooking gear in the back of your car, but it’s much cheaper than booking a private holiday cottage or apartment.

And although you might not have the same amount of privacy as with a private rental, you’ll benefit from a great range of facilities that are available for everyone on the campsite to use – usually including a fun pool, playground and evening entertainment, as well as a restaurant and bar.

The other huge benefit of staying on a holiday park is that you’ll have numerous families with children doing the same thing, so there’s plenty of potential for your kids to find new friends to play with, giving you more time to relax.

If you’re thinking about this kind of holiday in the UK, some of the caravan parks Devon and Cornwall have to offer are second to none in terms of location and access to beautiful beaches and countryside. Of course, it depends where you live and how far you want to travel, but there are some great holiday parks all over the UK.

If you’ve never tried it, don’t knock the idea of camping as a holiday option. It may turn out to be the most perfect family holiday yet!

Having developed numerous types of cold weather and outdoor gear over the last few decades like backpacks, bags, sleeping bags, clothing, even tents and accessories for camping, exploring and even working outdoors has led to some incredible innovations in Snugpak products.  One of the most popular products the Snugpak Softie has even been used by US, European and Australian military forces in every major conflict since the Falklands.

The Snugpak Response Pak is one such innovation from the brand – it’s an incredibly lightweight waist bag at 440 grams and is designed similar to smaller tactical bags so they can take a lot of use and wear.  Each response pack is made from 660D PVC Polyester Ripstop material which whilst being light is also extremely durable (the fabric is used for parachutes and hot air balloons primarily) and certain types tend to be fire and water resistant, but all ripstop used on the Response Paks will withstand most scuffs, scrapes and snags and completely stops them from becoming larger tears.

The Snugpak Response Pak comes with a fully adjustable waist belt making it fairly easy to make it fit to your size and sits comfortably around your waist.  Perhaps the most impressive and important feature of the Snugpak Pak is the numerous internal and external compartments that quite surprisingly have enough room to put your much needed kit in so you can have everything from a stove, torches, tent pegs, binoculars, a compass, first aid kit and more easily accessible at a moment’s notice so there’s no more fumbling around in the dark for a torch before you even try and find a spare tent peg or multi-tool.

Depending on your personal preference you can have a Snugpak Response Pak in either black or olive green at a number of online retailers so you never have to carry your camping gear around in numerous bags or misplace smaller items again with a Response Pak.

1. ProNest Hammock

The ProNest Hammock is a very good gift idea for those who love lazing around the campsite, whether it is a scenic beach or lush green forest. It is a light weight and extremely portable unit that can pack into the size of a small-sized melon and fits very easily into the boot of a car or top of a backpack. Made from high durability material the hammock will last a long time and will be cherished as a special gift from a thoughtful friend.

2. Skylight Tent

The Skylight tent from Black Diamond is a single wall, light weight tent most suited for avid mountaineers. Though it has a single wall, it is highly resistant to the rough weather conditions of the mountains. It is the best tent available for alpine adventures and easily accommodates up to 3 people. The best part is that its vestibule folds back to give you the advantage of gazing the sky on a star-studded night.

3. Café Latte Set

Snow Peak’s Titanium Café Press is a great addition to a car camping trip. The café set is a compact yet efficient coffee maker that makes coffee for 2 at one time. The press is crafted from light weight titanium and hence ideal for backpackers too. The set also includes a milk foamer and comes in a gift-friendly carry case.

4. Insta Start Grill

The instant grill from Coleman is a portable and compact instant heating grill which is great for campground without much facility for cooking. The grill can be fixed to a Coleman propane cylinder with the option of choosing the temperature setting. Grilling marshmallows, hotdogs and hamburgers was never this easy.

5. Tote Bag

The tote bag from the eco-friendly World Minded brand is ideal for carrying any additional items that you might add on from your trip. Made from organic cotton, the tote uses only vegetable dyes. So inspire fellow campers to adopt such products and save the earth.

6. Trekking Poles

Camping trips almost always involve a hiking trail. If your friend is one among those who indulge in hiking more often than not then Easton Mountain’s Trekking Poles are the best gift to give. What makes these poles better than any other in the market is that they are ultra light weight and are completely collapsible. Equipped with the latest anti-vibratory technology, the poles prevent shock and hence give a better hiking experience even in rocky terrain.

7. Heavy Duty Down Jacket

The Nitrous Down Jacket is a perfect gift for a winter camper. It is made from 800-fill goose down and is the warmest in the mid-weight category you can find. It can be folded into a compact bundle to fit in any day pack.

8. Sports Backpack

The all new Photo Sport Backpack from LowePro is an ideal accessory for outdoor photographers. The loading compartment is padded with the best material available so as to provide shock proof care to your expensive DSLR. What is more, the top compartment can fit in your other necessities for the shoot. Multistraps, loops and other features make it a very user-friendly gear to have.

9. Best Selling Non-Fiction Book

If your friend camps mainly to pursue his fishing hobby, then here is a non-fiction book that will be appreciated. Anders Halverson’s “An Entirely Synthetic Fish” is an amazing book that describes how the rainbow trout became America’s most sought after sport fish. This is going to be a great read for your friend.

10. Curious George for Young Campers

Every child in this generation loves Curious George and what better way to excite a young camper than gifting a copy of Curious George Goes Camping. Written by the legendary H.A. Rey, this is the best way to get a little one familiarize with the amazing world of camping.

1. GSI Cookware

GSI outdoors has come out with a premium cookware range exclusively for campers. This compact camping gear is perfect to cook up a storm in the forest for a regular family or a small group. The high quality cook set comes in a set of 4 cooking utensils along with 4 mugs, bowls and plates. Everything is dual purpose and the pots and pans come with a color-coded lids and interchangeable handles. Going by the size of this pack, the cook set is ideal for car camping but not backpacking.

2. Summit Packs from Arc’teryx

Arc’teryx Cierzo 25 is a summit pack that beats everything else in its genre. Summit pack is essentially a backpack tailor-made for mountaineers who are supposed to leave their heavy packs at the base before making the ascent. What makes this simple looking backpack special is the ultra light weight material which adds up to a total bag weight of no more than 15 ounces. The top pocket contains a 25 liter capacity reservoir and the rest of the bag is enough to pack in everything you would need to the peak and back.

3. Docking Station from the North Face

This office sized tent can accommodate all your camping gear and still seem roomy enough. It is made of light weight material that bundles up into a super compact size to fit easily into your car. And to top it all, it comes with the North Face tag.

4. Jetboil Stove and Pot

Deemed as one of the best and most efficient cooking equipments for campers, Jetboil has come up with its premium version. The model is as light as 8.5 ounces and gets water bubbling in less than 2 minutes. The stove comes with its own cooking vessel and a bowl too.

5. Coleman’s Grill Stove

With camping becoming a popular activity among urban population, campground facilitates are also on the decline, especially the grills. Hence it makes sense to bring your own grill stove. Now when buying one, you would want it to be small and light enough to fit into the boot of your car. Plus you want it to be maintenance friendly. Coleman’s PerfectFlow InstaStart Grill Stove is the perfect stove which fulfils all these requirements. Equipped with a built in igniter, wind screens and a drip tray, the grill is best for all needs.

This is particularly the case for tourers. If you’ve pre-booked in Spain and have done your research, then fair enough. But if you’re camping and travelling on more of a whim with looser plans as to where you’re going and when etc., then France is the better option.

You’ll probably already know this to be the case if you’ve tried to move around inland Spain on an unplanned extended camping holiday. Some of Spain’s larger inland cities’ campsites pale in comparison to those available in France – where the provision of excellent camping facilities is enshrined in law and is more of a “way of life” thing.

Overall, then, the message is clear; France is absolutely ideal for touring camping in an unplanned way – Spain far less so. If you’re ever stuck for somewhere to stay for a night or two in France, then look for the “Camping municipal” signs in French towns. Almost all communes have municipal camping facilities and they’re invariably both excellent and inexpensive.

If you’re venturing further south over the Pyrenees into Spain, then it’s wiser, on the whole, to have pre-booked your camping accommodation or to have a break from your camping endeavours and book into a cheap apartment complex with good facilities such as the Don Jorge apartments, for example. These are cheap and plentiful.

Alternatively, do your research thoroughly on Spanish campsites and pre-book. There are some excellent sites in coastal areas, in particular, though they do tend to get booked up well in advance for the peak summer months.