Sunday, December 28, 2008
climbing, mountaineering, rock climbing
Rock climbing, rappelling, ice climbing, and mountaineering are technical and unique ways to experience America's public land. Our parks, forests, and wilderness areas offer experiences that cater to every ability level from beginner to expert.
Take a guided climb or simply hone your skills and have fun at a climbing wall. Climbing fees and seasonal restrictions may vary from site to site.
Practice Good Stewardship of our Public Lands:
You can help to take good care of our public lands so that others may enjoy these areas for years to come by practicing some of the following actions:
Don't Litter... take along a trash bag or other receptacle for collecting your trash so that you can deposit it in the proper trash receptacle.
Make sure that you are using the correct type of climbing equipment permitted in that area. Check with your destination ahead of time to check for seasonal restrictions that may be in place.
Don't climb or rappel in areas where it is not permitted. These areas have been declared "off limits" to climbers to protect wildlife, vegetation, or for your safety.
Safety While Climbing:
- Wear the proper safety equipment, such as: helmets, harnesses, gloves, and other climbing safety gear
- If you are new to climbing, find a buddy to climb with
- Do not climb in unauthorized areas
- Bring along extra safety items such as water, flashlights, maps, and a cellphone or radio
Posted by Futurecamping
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Safety Principles For Food While Camping & Boating
Monday, December 22, 2008
What Foods to Bring?
If you are backpacking for more than a day, the food situation gets a little more complicated. You can still bring cold foods for the first day, but you'll have to pack shelf-stable items for the next day. Canned goods are safe, but heavy, so plan your menu carefully. Advances in food technology have produced relatively lightweight staples that don't need refrigeration or careful packaging.
For example:
- peanut butter in plastic jars;
- concentrated juice boxes;
- canned tuna, ham, chicken, and beef;.
- dried noodles and soups;
- beef jerky and other dried meats;
- dehydrated foods;
- dried fruits and nuts; and
- powdered milk and fruit drinks.
After you have decided on a menu, you need to plan how you will prepare the food. You'll to take as few pots as possible (they're heavy!). Camping supply stores sell lightweight cooking gear that nest together, but you can also use aluminum foil wrap and pans for cooking.
Posted by Futurecamping
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Thursday, December 18, 2008
boating as:
motor boating, jet boating, motorized rafting, canoe trips, sailing, kayaking, paddle sports, scenic floats, tubing, whitewater rafting, drift boats, dory trips
Your public parks, lakes, and rivers provide excellent boating opportunities. Boating is a great way to enjoy America's coastal and river-front scenery. It can be as easy as relaxing in a boat or as rigorous as paddling the Arkansas River in a kayak. If you do not own a boat, there are many opportunities to rent one. Licensing, fees and seasonal restrictions may vary from site to site.
Practice Good Stewardship of our Waterways:
You can help to take good care of our lakes, rivers, and other waterways so that others may enjoy these areas for years to come by practicing some of the following actions:
Don't Litter... take along a trash bag or other receptacle for collecting your trash so that you can deposit it in the proper trash receptacle. Always use proper dumping stations.
Make sure that you operate the correct type of watercraft permitted in that area. Check with your destination ahead of time to make ensure that the boat, canoe, or other watercraft you plan to use is allowed.
Pay attention to local procedures and cautions for cleaning your watercraft after you leave the water so that you don't facilitate the spread of nuisance species such as the Zebra Mussel to the next body of water you may visit with your boat.
Don't operate a boat or watercraft in areas where they are not permitted. These areas have been declared "off limits" to watercraft to protect wildlife, vegetation, or for your safety.
Safety While Boating:
- Wear your personal floatation device (pfd) and make sure that your passengers wear theirs, too !
- If operating a houseboat, be careful of carbon monoxide build-up around the boat
- Obey the posted speedlimits and wake warnings
- Do not operate your watercraft on unauthorized waterways
- Never consume alcohol while operating a watercraft
- Bring along extra safety items such as water, flashlights, maps, and a cellphone or radio
Posted by Futurecamping
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Space Station Clothing
International Space Station crewmembers choose the shirts, shorts and pants they will wear in space months before they are scheduled to launch. In fact, their clothes often arrive at the space station before they do, via a Progress resupply vehicle or a space shuttle.
Space station crews can choose from either Russian or U.S. clothing supplies. They also have the option of ordering two versions of Russian coveralls heavy or light-duty to work in aboard the space station.
Because it's expensive to take supplies into space and there's no washing machine aboard the space station in order to save water station crews don't change clothes as often as people do on Earth. Of course, since they don't go outside, except in a spacesuit, they don't get as dirty as people living on Earth. They're also able to bathe every day and after exercising. The Expedition Six commander, Ken Bowersox, did find a way to wash his favorite pair of shorts, however (see the video section at right).
On average, station crewmembers get one pair of shorts and a T-shirt for every three days of exercising. Their work shirts and pants/shorts are changed, on average, once every 10 days. Crewmembers generally get a new T-shirt to wear under their work shirts every 10 days. Underwear and socks are changed every other day, but PolartecTM socks, which are worn if a crewmember's feet get cold, must last a month. They also get two sweaters.
In addition, each crewmember gets a pair of running shoes to use on the station's treadmill and another pair of shoes to wear when using the station's exercise bicycle.
When a piece of clothing has been worn as many times as possible, it's placed in a bag for disposal. Very little clothing is brought home by space station crewmembers. Most of it is eventually placed in the Progress resupply vehicle before it undocks from the space station. The dirty clothing and other garbage then burns up with the Progress when it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere.
Space Shuttle Clothing
Like space station crewmembers, shuttle astronauts choose their clothing months before their launch, often selecting tops that have their mission's logo sewn on them. Unlike space station crewmembers, however, shuttle astronauts bring a change of clothes for every day of their mission.
Space shuttle crewmembers can choose to wear pants or shorts depending on what they're doing aboard the shuttle and the temperature inside the spacecraft. They also have the option of wearing long- or short-sleeve polo shirts or rugby shirts, as well as sweaters and pullovers.
Like space station crews, shuttle astronauts wear shorts and T-shirts when they exercise. The pants they wear are covered with plenty of pockets and velcro. The pockets and velcro help them keep everything they're working with near them. Without gravity, anything a person lets go of will float away - to be found later on the filtering screen of the shuttle's air circulation system. This screen is the shuttle's version of the Lost and Found section. Station crewmembers also report finding their lost items on the screens of the space station's air circulation system.
Launch and Landing
During launch and entry aboard a space shuttle, crew members use the orange Launch and Entry Suits you see astronauts wearing as they walk out to the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
In the event of a pressure leak in the space shuttle's flight cabin, the suits would maintain a positive air pressure around the astronaut. This provides enough air pressure for the astronaut to survive the return to Earth during an emergency landing. Should an astronaut be forced to bail out over cold water, the pressurized suit would also provide thermal protection.
The LES, as it is called, provides an emergency oxygen system; parachute harness; parachute pack with automatic opener, pilot chute, drogue chute and main canopy; a life raft; two liters of emergency drinking water; flotation devices; and survival vest pockets containing a radio/beacon, signal mirror, shroud cutter, pen gun flare kit, sea dye marker, smoke flare and beacon. The attached parachute can be opened automatically or manually.
If the crew is using a Russian Soyuz spacecraft for launch and landing, they will wear the Russian Sokol suit, which functions like the U.S. Launch and Entry Suit.
Posted by Futurecamping
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Camping With HIV/AIDS Children To Build Self-Esteem
Sunday, December 14, 2008
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: During 1996 and 1997, AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc., created Camp Hope, a weekend HIV+ children's camp, and Camp Hug, a weekend HIV+ family camp. Both camping experiences provided a safe and beneficial life experiences for children with HIV and their caregivers. In 1998, Camp Hope will begin a six day summer camp program for approximately 60 HIV+ children, ages 6-16.
Posted by Futurecamping
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Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Knowing how and what types of first aid to use can prevent a more serious injury. Keep a Red Cross First Aid Manual with the First Aid Kit.
The Red Cross suggests that the kit include:
- Poison First Aid Kit with syrup of Ipecac and charcoal
- Sterile first aid dressings in sealed envelope ( 2"x2" for small wounds, 4"x4" for larger wounds and for compress to stop bleeding)
- Tongue blades
- Bandage scissors
- Tweezers
- Eye wash solution
- Thermometer
- Safety pins
- Ace bandage
- "Band-aids"
- Roller bandage 1"x 5 yds. (for finger)
- Roller bandage 2"x 5 yds. to hold dressings in place
- Adhesive tape
- Triangular bandages for a sling or as a covering over a larger dressing
- Cotton balls for cleaning wounds or applying medication
- Splints 1/4" thick. 1/2" wide, 12-15" long for splinting broken arms and legs
- 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and tincture green soap in a covered container for cleaning
- Ice packs (chemical ice bags) to use to reduce swelling
- Insect bite kit
- Several pairs of disposable gloves
- Waterless hand wash
Posted by Futurecamping
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Things To Be Taken While Camping In Forest
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
* waterproof tent, poles and pegs
* blade or screw-style pegs and mallet
* fuel stove, fuel supply and waterproof matches
* bags for rubbish and storage
* drinking water
* sufficient non-perishable food and other supplies
* cooking utensils
* sleeping bag and mat, or a swag or other bedding
* suitable clothing and sturdy shoes
* wet weather gear (e.g. raincoat or waterproof jacket)
* insect repellent
* hat and sunscreen
* suitable first-aid kit
* binoculars and camera
* map, brochure and compass
* torch for walking at night
* broadcast radio (for weather forecasts) and spare batteries
* two-way radio and extra fuel (if camping in remote places)
It's a good idea to pack a gas or liquid fuel stove for camping trips. Open fires are prohibited in some parks. Where fires are allowed, firewood may not be supplied. Collecting firewood from the bush is not allowed.
In parks where campfires are allowed, make sure you completely extinguish all fires (with water, not sand or dirt) before leaving an area or going to bed. Even a few glowing embers can start a wildfire. Heavy fines may apply if campfires or other unshielded flames are left unattended.
Posted by Futurecamping
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Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Be sure your kids' vaccinations are up-to-date. Ask their doctor or nurse what vaccines are recommended for summer camp.
Children should get 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. To help prevent injury, pack protective gear, such as helmets and life jackets, if the camp will not be providing them. Tell your kids not to swim if they are alone or if they have diarrhea.
Explain to your kids that the human body needs fluids on a regular basis. They shouldn't wait until they feel thirsty to drink water. Encourage your kids to drink plenty of non-carbonated, sugar-free fluids throughout the day.
Teach kids that animals can carry diseases that are dangerous to people. Encourage them to enjoy watching them from a safe distance in their natural surroundings.
Be sure your kids have plenty of insect repellent and sunscreen to wear to protect themselves from mosquitoes, ticks, and the sun. Pack layers of light-weight, light-colored clothes for hot days and blankets and warm clothes for cool nights.
Make sure your kids are prepared. Teach them what to do in an emergency. Use this packing checklist to help start them out on the camp.
- Adequate bedding/sleeping bag and extra blankets
- Tent and plastic ground cloth
- Light-weight, light-colored clothing, including long sleeves and pants
- Insect repellent containing DEET
- Permethrin insect repellent for clothing
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen and lipscreen with SPF 15 or higher
- Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Healthy on-the-go snacks and other food.Water and other alcohol-free and sugar-free fluids
- Insulated cooler
- Life jacket, helmet, and other protective gear
- First-aid kit
- Compass or GPS
- Map
- Water and other alcohol-free and sugar-free fluids
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Extra set of clothes
- Sturdy shoes
- Medical record, including vaccinations; insect, food, plant, and other allergies; diseases and conditions; medicines, dosing schedules, and storage instructions; emergency contacts; and activities your doctor or nurse says to avoid
Posted by Futurecamping
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The major thrust of organized camping has focused on the development of recreational skills and the comradeship of group living. While the value of these activities is not denied, the true potential of camping should be realized in an attempt to change and improve the value system in our society. Future trends in camping will be (1) increased specialization in camp activities by individual camps to cater to particular segments of the child population, (2) review of camping activities as to their purpose and effect, (3) increased programs of extensive travel, and (4) intensive study of resident campsites and the surrounding community with regard to ecology and community makeup. Camp counselors will be taking part in more extensive training programs, but the need for counselors with a missionary zeal will remain of prime importance. For camping to reach its fullest potential, the activities and training must be dedicated to development of an appreciation of, and responsibility for, our natural resources and life. This may be termed a "land ethic," and its development should be the major focus of present and future camping activities.
Posted by Futurecamping
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Virginia State Parks offer children of all ages some of the best camping the state has to offer. Camping with children can be a great way to introduce young ones to the wonders of nature. By planning successful, enjoyable camping trips when they're young, you'll set your children on the path to a lifetime of outdoor adventures.
Virginia State Parks are designed to offer a full range of outdoor family activities in a safe and natural setting. Activities include fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling and more. Of the 35 Virginia State Parks spread from one corner of the state to the other, 22 offer camping. Campgrounds range from primitive, with pit toilets and no hook-ups or hot water to fully developed ones with water, electric and sewer hookups and full service bathhouses and restrooms. Whether your family members are seasoned campers or experiencing a night under the stars for the first time, Virginia State Parks can offer them a rewarding and safe camping experience.
Parks are also great places for first-time campers. Many parks offer Camping 101 programs. And if it's your first time camping, friendly staff and volunteers are there to get you off on the right foot.
Safety:
Park rangers with law enforcement authority remain on the park grounds 24 hours a day. In fact, many rangers and their families live right there at the park. Volunteer campground hosts at many parks provide additional security and hospitality. Emergency numbers are posted throughout the park and telephones are in or near each campground.
Education:
Through programming and educational opportunities Virginia State Parks staff and volunteers help visitors develop a better understanding and appreciation of the outdoors, as well as the history and culture of the region. Interpretive programs covering topics from wildlife habitats to farm life in the 1850s go beyond merely relaying facts. Park staff and volunteers involve visitors through imaginative presentations and hands-on activities. Many parks also have visitor centers, which serve to further educate and entertain park visitors through carefully designed exhibits, slide shows and more.
Kids Programs:
A variety of programs for children are offered at most Virginia State Parks. Evening campfires, nature hikes, evening flashlight walks, canoe tours, animal tracking, Junior Ranger programs and more. Check the park kiosk or ask one of the rangers for a schedule.
Volunteer Programs:
A great way to involve children in the outdoors and foster a sense of environmental stewardship that will last a lifetime is to volunteer at a state park. You and your family can volunteer for a specific project, adopt a trail, which you help maintain periodically, become campground hosts, which allows you to camp for free for 30 - 90 days.
- Pack some favorite books to read at the beach or before going to bed -- why not bring a book about the animals and plants you may encounter during your visit? Then you and your family can go on a nature hike and try to find some of the wildlife you read about.
- Take along plenty of bug spray and sun screen.
- Bring a pair of flip flops for the shower and beach. They are also invaluable for around the campsite. They can easily be slipped off every time your child enters the tent to prevent soil and debris from getting in your sleeping area.
- Remember hammering or tying anything to a tree is damaging to the tree and prohibited. For drying wet towels and bathing suits bring along a small collapsible clothes drying rack. A plastic table cloth for the picnic table is a good idea, too.
- Children get cold faster than adults. The key to comfortable camping is to dress them in several layers, which can be peeled off as they get warm and added on as they cool off.
- Kids love flashlights. Make sure each of yours has one to prevent any arguments. Flashlights are also handy when making trips to the restroom, for making shadow puppets on tent walls and for reading before bed.
- If there is a family game you like to play at home, bring it along. Playing it outdoors with a lantern or flashlights will add to the fun.
- Teach your kids to treat the outdoors kindly. Make sure all waste is disposed of properly when camping or hiking along the trails.
- Bring a playmate along. Two or more children will stay entertained longer than one child.
- Make your cookout a family activity. Bring along food that the whole family can participate in cooking like hotdogs on a sharpened stick or even potatoes that the kids can help peel. And don't forget the marshmallows and "s'mores."
- Most book stores, libraries and camping stores carry an assortment of books describing how to involve children in the outdoors. Check your local stores for books on hiking with children, camping with kids, backpacking with babies and small children, and more.
- Stay on the trails. Hiking off trails is unsafe, damages vegetation and causes erosion. Always plan where to meet should one of your family get separated.
- Young children should be taught to stay within eyesight and older children within earshot. Teach children to stay where they are if they discover they are lost. Instruct them to find a nearby tree and stay with it until they are found. Children over the age of four can also carry a whistle around their neck to call for help when lost. The standard distress signal is three blows to indicate "I'm lost" or "I need help."
- To avoid tick bites, stay on trails and avoid grassy, brushy areas and wear light colored clothing, so ticks can be seen. Tuck shirts into pants and pant legs into socks. Do not wear shorts on the trails. If a tick is attached to your skin, grab it with tweezers and remove it. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. If you think part of the tick has remained in the skin, or if you think the tick has been attached for longer than 48 hours, seek medical attention.
- Observe posted speed limits in the parks while driving, and watch for small children and bicyclists, especially around campgrounds.
- Protect your property. Lock your car and lock your valuables in the trunk.
- Do not attract animals to your campsite by leaving food out. Keep your campsite clean and free of food smells by disposing of all food wastes in the park trash receptacles. Lock all opened food in plastic containers or in your car.
Posted by Futurecamping
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