US Service Life May - June 2014 | страница 23

FAMILY FUN The Lure Of The Wild And Camping Tips For Your Next Trip By Wendy Miller Camping is one of the best outdoor activities are all very similar; they have a long blade serrated on that summer has to offer, but a lot goes into one side and a hollow handle. Inside the handle you can carry fishing line, hooks, a compass, and matchpreparing for a trip into the wild. es as a small survival kit. You don’t have to be a boy scout to be prepared, if you plan to go camping. One of the first rules is to be sure to tell somebody where you will be. If there isn’t an exact location to give, then give a general idea of major roads nearby or even GPS coordinates if you know them and give a timeframe of when you plan to return. When you are planning a camping adventure, make sure you pack the appropriate clothing for your trip. Check the weather forecast and bring a variety of clothing that will be needed on your trip. If it is going to be cold, make sure you have the appropriate coats, gloves, and shoes. Remember to also pack a rain poncho no matter what the weather forecast predicts. While you are camping, if the temperature starts to rise significantly, move coolers into the shade to help preserve their temperature for longer. It will also help to keep them covered with some type of tarp. Bring your cell phone with you when you go camping. Even if you are serious about roughing it, cell phones are still very useful in emergencies and should not be left at home. A cell phone is no longer a hobby, and when you go camping it can help you reach police and emergency personnel--bring it. While camping, cook easy dinners like “hobo stew”. Simply bring potatoes, ground meat, and veggies. Cut the veggies and potatoes at your campsite. Using tinfoil like a bowl, put the ingredients inside and fold the foil over until the food is covered. Place foil on hot rocks or the coals of the campfire, and eventually you will have a tasty stew. Bring a first aid kit. Camping is fun. It can also be a bit dangerous. Always be prepared. Small scrapes and rashes can be especially common out in nature. Bring along an emergency first aid kit full of anything you might need. You’ll be happy you did if something goes wrong. When it is time for you to go to sleep, it is a good idea to put the coolers that you brought along into your vehicle. Bears will be attracted to the food at your campsite. If you are going backcountry camping, you should always carry a snakebite kit in your gear. The best snake bite kits are the ones that use suction. Some kits have scalpels and blood flow constrictors included. However, scalpels can actually cut the poison into the blood stream faster, and constrictors can be deadly if not used properly. When you are camping, a survival knife is a necessity. This is the most important part of your camping gear. Buy a high quality survival knife, not just the cheapest you can find, your life may depend on it. These knives Camping often sounds like a great deal of fun, and it is. However, it does require some special preparation. Before going camping for the first time, make sure you have done some research on tents, food, and wildlife survival. It can make the difference between a great trip and a dangerous one. Hopefully, this article has provided you with a lot of great knowledge about how to get the most out of your camping experience. It’s good to know that you have the option to enjoy yourself with a nice camping experience when you want to dedicate the time to do so, so get out there and do it. 23