Welcome to Take It Outside
By Bob Ryan
This column will bring you tips and ideas for enjoying the great outdoors. In today’s busy world full of responsibility and deadlines, spending time outdoors is a great way to get away from it all. Whether you only have a few hours for a short hike or are going on a week long backpacking adventure, Take It Outside will help you get more enjoyment out of your time.
In archive editions of Take It Outside you will find information about choosing gear, such as tents, packs and fleece, and how to get the most out of your new gear. Ready for a hike, you will learn what ten essentials you should have with you on every hike. Looking for adventure, you can read about the two newest State Parks in North Carolina, Elk Knob and Grandfather Mountain. You may even learn why leaves change color and just what a Whistle Pig really is. You will learn that with proper planning and the correct gear your time outdoors will be enhanced. Now, just like your Mother used to tell you, “Go outside and play”.
What better way to spend some time outdoors with family or friends than camping. Camping brings us all back to the simple times. What could be more back-to-nature than sleeping outside and cooking over a campfire? If you have never tried camping before, a good place to start would be in your own backyard. I think you?ll be surprised to know what has been going on in your own backyard when you have been asleep. Backyard camping is a great way to introduce children to nature, and maybe a lifetime of outdoor activity.
As with any successful activity planning is the key. Before the big campout, plan activities with the kids. Get a bird watching book and see how many backyard birds you can identify. Search the night sky for constellations. With a star map and a basic set of binoculars, you can identify some far away stars. Make a scavenger hunt for your own backyard. See if you can find acorns or maybe animal tracks. Or just lie on your back and watch the clouds roll by, the possibilities are endless. A great way to build a kid’s interest in the campout is to get them involved in the planning.
Now that you have your activities planned, it’s time to make sure that you have the correct gear for your campout. The following is a basic checklist that you can use to begin your planning.
___ Tent
___ Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Pad. During the warmer months, a sheet and blanket will work just fine.
___ Bottle of water for each person
___ Stove with fuel or propane
___ Lighter or Matches
___ Pots and Pans with lids
___ Plates and eating utensils for each person. Plastic or metal are the best choice since they don’t break.
___ Biodegradable toiletries
___ Rain Gear
___ Sun Screen
___ Food
___ Camera
___ Trash Bags
___ Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
___ First Aid Kit
This list is just a basic starting point, you can take into account your own special needs when planning your campout. Over the next few weeks, you’ll find tips on how to choose the correct tent, sleeping bag and other camping gear.
Next step is to choose the campsite in your backyard. The most important thing is to choose a level and shaded site to set up your tent. The site should also have good drainage, just in case of wet weather. Decide on where to cook and eat your meals, and how to dispose of your garbage. It may also be a good idea to practice setting up your tent before the big campout. Weather is unavoidable, so have a back up plan in case a storm hits.
The most important part of any campout, is to create memories. Have a camera with plenty of extra film (or cards) for pictures. Have the kids keep a notebook of the things that they found in their own backyard. After mastering your own backyard, the world awaits.