The (Even Greater) Outdoors: Get Out There!

­­­In an age where we spend our days hooked up to Bluetoo­t­hs, broadband and Blackberries, spending a little time in Nature is even more impo­rtan­t to our sanity.Slowing down to enjoy the sound of birdsong or run­ning stream, or a few ghost stories around a campfire not only provides some soothing stress relief for a 21st century life – it can also provide great summer memories.

You don’t have to be an Eagle Scout to enjoy camping: whether you choose to commune with Mother Nature via an RV, or hike into the wild with a simple pack, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your camping experience.Don’t forget the S’mores!

Food is the main thing on every camping trip – and keeping perishables cool is critical.On trips of more than a couple of days, use separate coolers for drinks, food and frozen items.Keep them in the shade and open only when necessary. Empty out the water daily to help make the ice last longer and to prevent any blood from meats from contaminating other items.Dry ice is one option for items that you want to keep hard-frozen, but be careful handling it – it can cause frostbite in a few seconds.

At night, store your coolers inside:bears have learned that they contain goodies!

Prevent pests and other critter intrusions by being vigilant over all food-related issues:

·Keep food spills cleaned up and open boxes and canisters stored in plastic totes.

·Don’t dump bacon grease, bones, peelings, etc. on the ground or bury food scraps: burn them in your fire pit. Pick up dropped food like potato chips or cookie crumbs.

·Rinse out food scraps from empty cans before putting in trash and try to burn any flammable trash as you use it.

Even the most experienced camper knows that Nature can be unpredictable, so always be prepared.A small axe and a good knife—like the classic Swiss Army Knife -- will prove invaluable in many situations.Other essentials for any camping trip include:

·Extra food and water.

·Extra clothing.

·Map.

·Compass [make sure you know how to read it before you leave home!]

·Flashlight with Extra Batteries and Bulb.

·Sunglasses and sunscreen.

·Matches in a waterproof container.

·Fire starter or candle.

·First-aid kit.

Remember too to practice fire safety with your campfires – make sure they’re safely banked at night and fully extinguished before you leave the site.Leave the campsite better than when you encountered it (meaning, hike out your trash!).But most i­mportantly, take the time to enjoy the slower pace and awesome beauty of the natural world!