Camp Recipes Blog » outside http://blog.camprecipes.com Camping, camping meals, camping equipment reviews Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:31:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 en hourly 1 Play Outside http://blog.camprecipes.com/play-outside/59/ http://blog.camprecipes.com/play-outside/59/#comments Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:15:38 +0000 Stu http://blog.camprecipes.com/play-outside/59/ Nothing can make an outing less enjoyable than showing up to the trailhead out of shape. Veteran hikers and backpackers know that they will need a reservoir of energy and stamina to fully enjoy the wilderness. Staying physically fit is something every hiker needs to do but often has a difficult time fitting into their busy days. But does it require a gym membership or a punishing running schedule? Happily, the answer is no. Just play outside.

Five ways to play yourself into shape.

  • Walk or jog around your neighborhood. Invite a family member or a neighbor along. Walking and jogging area great was to reduce stress and improve lung capability. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to get into the routine of a daily walk.
  • Volunteer to do the yard work. Whatever the weather, there is always something that needs done outside your home. Mowing, shoveling, and gardening all will help you build muscle and burn calories. Live in an apartment or a condo? Offer to assist an elderly neighbor with their chores.
  • Your bike can take you almost anywhere. Not only does bike riding provide great exercise and build a strong cardio system, it allows you to get out and enjoy the fresh air. But don’t forget to wear your helmet.
  • Swimming is a great way to get into and stay in shape. If you don’t already know how to swim, consider taking lessons. You never know when you might need those swimming skills in the backcountry.
  • Toss around a ball or Frisbee with someone you enjoy spending time with. Children will have fun practicing their hand eye coordination while you improve your balance and flexibility.

Make it your goal to engage in an outdoor fitness activity several times a week. So next time someone calls and asks you if you can come out and play, tell them YES.

Note: Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.

]]> http://blog.camprecipes.com/play-outside/59/feed/ 0 Stay Healthy in the Backcountry http://blog.camprecipes.com/stay-healthy-in-the-backcountry/55/ http://blog.camprecipes.com/stay-healthy-in-the-backcountry/55/#comments Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:10:35 +0000 Stu http://blog.camprecipes.com/stay-healthy-in-the-backcountry/55/ Nothing can spoil a wilderness outing quicker than illness. Failure to adequately wash your hands is a major cause of infectious diseases. You can spread germs directly to others or onto surfaces that other people touch. And before you know it, everybody around you is getting sick. The important thing to remember is that some pretty serious diseases—like hepatitis, meningitis, and infectious diarrhea—can easily be prevented if people make a habit of washing their hands.
Hand washing is one easy but often forgotten method of staying healthy while camping. Think about you and a group of 10 people living in the woods for several days enjoying a wilderness adventure. Now think about those same people fetching water, cooking meals, going to the bathroom, treating blisters, blowing their noses; all without the convenience of modern bathroom facilities. Group members can protect themselves and their fellow hikers by washing their hands often. You owe it to the group to keep your hands clean; and the group owes the same courtesy to you.

Technique

Always use biodegradable soap and never allow soap to enter a lake or stream. Make sure that you select a site at least 200 feet from shorelines or other water sources. Hands should be washed by scrubbing with soapy water for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to rub the tips of your fingers to allow soap to get under your fingernails. Rinse thoroughly and repeat the process.

You can clean your hands with an alcohol-based gel if you don’t have access to soap and water. If you are using a gel, rub the gel all over your hands and continue to rub until your hands become dry.

When should you wash your hands?

  • Before preparing or eating food
  • After going to the bathroom
  • Before and after tending to someone who is sick
  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • After handling garbage
  • Before and after treating a cut or wound
]]> http://blog.camprecipes.com/stay-healthy-in-the-backcountry/55/feed/ 1 10 Tips for Safe Kayaking http://blog.camprecipes.com/10-tips-for-safe-kayaking/52/ http://blog.camprecipes.com/10-tips-for-safe-kayaking/52/#comments Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:08:56 +0000 Stu http://blog.camprecipes.com/10-tips-for-safe-kayaking/52/ This information was written for use while in Canadian waters. But these tips are good for all who enjoy being on the water.

(NC)-A kayak might be visible from two kilometres away, but it only takes a large vessel four minutes to cover that distance. Could you paddle your kayak out of danger that fast? In choppy water, powerboat and cargo vessel operators may be unable to see anything on the water that is less than three quarters of a kilometre away. Keeping these facts in mind, here are 10 ways to kayak safely:

  1. Increase your visibility by always wearing a red, orange or yellow lifejacket and bright clothing.
  2. Paddle in a highly visible kayak.
  3. Use lights in low-visibility conditions.
  4. Use a watertight VHF radio, one of the best ways of communicating with other ships and Canadian Coast Guard stations. Cellular phones are not a good substitute.
  5. Plan your trip based on the least-qualified paddler’s skill and fitness level before you head out on the water.
  6. Learn the local tide, current and water conditions.
  7. Carry approved safety equipment for your kayak.
  8. Bring a dry change of clothes in a water-tight container.
  9. Kayak in groups of three and consider hiring a qualified guide.
  10. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.

To learn more, read the Sea Kayaking Safety Guide or visit Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety at www.boatingsafety.gc.ca.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

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No one begins a wilderness adventure expecting to get lost. Any yet, every year, a significant number of people get lost or stranded in our nation’s woods. Every hiker that enters the wilderness must know the answer to the question, “What if I get lost?”

Search and rescue professionals recommend the following tips for someone who is lost.

  • Stop walking!
  • Draw attention to yourself safely. Blow your whistle or yell back if you hear your name called. Make yourself and your camp visible from the air.
  • Keep calm. Use the survival gear in your Ten Essentials* kit to get comfortable while you wait for rescue. Stay warm, dry and visible.

Note: Rescue personnel will normally suspend search efforts during the night. But stay put. The search will resume again after the sun rises.

*Ten Essentials resource:

Adventure Medical Personal Essentials First-Aid Kit

Adventure Medical Personal Essentials First-Aid Kit

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