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Get The Most From It!
Fun Time!
We can all take lessons on how to get the “Most” from your Outdoor Recreation Equipment. There is not a lot of science involved, just a whole lot of common sense. As your parents used to say “never put yourself in a corner” or “close that door”, but stay on your feet and remain in control of your mental well-being.
- Bye Quality Gear – Don’t confuse(quality) with purchase price. Ask friends/experts and research the product through appropriate consumer advocates. Look for the best quality considering what’s available and the price you can pay.
- Get What You Need – There’s a fine line between need and want. However, it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it! Put some thought into it; in most places, you’ll always want your rain gear with you but might not need it.
- Take Care of It – One of the most important considerations. If you don’t religiously take care of it , it might fail when most needed. Depending on the circumstances, this could be the difference between a good/bad experience or worse yet – life/death. Folks, it’s not a game, so don’t play around with it.
- Storage – Organize and if possible get it up off the floor. Pre-storage should include a serviceability check. Get rid of those things that can’t be fixed and/or don’t work properly.
Being able to go on a camping trip/outdoor activity knowing that you have the recreation gear needed, and that it’s in good working order will set the tone for the entire trip. It will not only give participants peace of mind, but a care-free confidence that everything is going to be fine and fun filled.
Hand-held Outdoor GPS!
Hand Held GPS!
I have never been an advocate of having a Global Positioning System (GPS) as the primary source for outdoor/cross-country navigation. However, if working, I do think a GPS would be nice as a secondary confirmation, and reinforcement that you were using good sound Map Reading/Land Navigation skills.
Buying a GPS is like buying a car – you normally get what you pay for. But, before purchase, a person must know what’s available versus what your needs are. A GPS receiver can be purchased that will give you everything a topographical map, compass, and good Map Reading/Land Navigational skills will; but, it must be working, and it may be cost prohibitive.
A small, gray scale GPS receiver with no or limited mapping and other functions will cost $100+, while a top-of-the-line color receiver with topographic mapping, a touch screen display, and other advance procedures could cost as-much-as $600+. However, there are good GPS receivers that offer a good mix of these extremes for about $300; but, you must know WHAT YOU WANT!
Treasure Hunting!
The Unknown!
When I was growing up, my big fantasy was being a pirate. Nothing intrigued me more than going treasurer hunting. Of course we did not have a metal detector but that did not keep us from overturning every rock in the south forty. This fantasy included the mystique of the far-away places, the black triangular hat, and of course the patch over the eye. As I recall, we didn’t find a lot of treasure other than broken Indian pottery and arrow heads.
But, today, treasure hunting continues. It is a little more sophisticated and a whole lot more productive. Metal items are unearthed on a regular basis using metal detectors. Most of the valuable objects are in the form of ancient coins and artifacts. If not for someone’s dreams or fantasies, they would have been lost forever. Never, be afraid or ashamed to risk adventure!
Shopping On-line!
Convenient!
We have a tendency to shy-away from things that are unknown or we don’t understand. I for one went into the electronic age dragging my feet and screaming/hollering all the way. But, the more I got into it, the more I realized its true merits. This includes researching and shopping for things on the Internet. If your intent is to purchase a quality item at the lowest price, you should do your research on the Internet.
There are many Internet search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) that will help to simplify the buying process. They will assist in developing the data needed to determine product quality, as-well-as the information required for cost analysis. It has been my experience that prices on-line are normally a little cheaper than like items bought at the corner retail store. If it is a high dollar item you‘re purchasing, the tax savings alone could save you a bundle.
One of the nice things about shopping on-line is that the items are normally sent to your front door. Shopping for things like camping gear can be both fun and educational. If you are a show-me person, many times there will be video tapes/subject experts showing and further explaining the product.
Camping Gear Replacement Items!
Perfect!
I’m in the process of doing my end-of-season camping gear inventory. Inventory reflects that there are several items that need to be replaced. This includes a tent (4-5 person), a couple battery operated lanterns, and possibly a new 4-burner stove (propane). Total cost of these items will be several hundred dollars. However, being a prudent shopper, I want both quality and savings.
As Granddad used to say, there has got to be “method too this madness. You don’t go food shopping when you’re hungry”. The same principle applies when buying camping gear. You need to first determine exactly what you want as compared with the maximum price you can afford. This preliminary research can be done by going to a local sporting-goods store or referring to the respective Manufacturer’s website.
Experience has shown that bargains in camping gear can be obtained but you need to do some leg work. Once you have determined the item wanted (can afford) by Nomenclature (name), Manufacturer, and Model Number – you can go-out with confidence and buy the item needed. Whether it be a seasonal sale at the local sporting goods store or a reputable on-line shopping site, you are prepared to make item price comparisons. Make sure the prices compared include taxes/shipping and handling.
Outdoor Activities!
Having Fun!
Loving the outdoors is a learned concept. It normally starts at a very young age; therefore, parents do play an important role in forming that life-long relationship. However, certain factors may preclude this from happening – scarcity of time , general disinterest, lack of knowledge, or even a genuine concern about safety.
These are valid reasons for non-involvement but conversely, the participative positives far out-number the negatives. Leading a healthy and balanced life-style are crucial to longevity. Outdoor activities can help by reducing daily stress and tension; it further strengthens family bonds and provides a sense of accomplishment to all who participate. Some of the most popular outdoor activities include swimming, jogging, cycling, hiking, camping in a tent, and boating activities.
Suggest you discuss this with the family at the next opportunity, but don’t be surprised if there is resistance. The first step is always the hardest, and for some that will be turning off the television. Engaging in outdoor activities has no substitute for staying healthy and enjoying nature at the same time. HAVE FUN!
Family Contentment!
Good, Wholesome Activities!
Any experienced camping father will tell you that the most important ingredient to an enjoyable camping trip is to keep the wife and kids happy. Is this task age dependent, you darn right! However, over the years, I have found that all participants are fairly easy to satisfy when they are seeing, doing, and/or learning new things.
Do not take your family out and set them up at a camp-site without some organized activities. These activities should take the age of participants into consideration and be both educationally challenging and fun-filled. This can cover the spectrum of taking toddlers out on a camp-site show and tell – to – setting up a Land Navigation Course for rambunctious teenagers. Either activity would not be soon forgotten!
During this day and age of television, computer games, i-phones/i-pads and fast everything, it is important that we do not lose touch with the basic life essentials of clean air/water and a healthy environment.
Finding a Treasure!
Un-found Treasures!
Hunting for precious metals or objects was always a past-time associated with kings, emperors, and daring treasure hunters or pirates of the past. However, with the help of a simple device called a metal detector, you too can join-in on this mysterious endeavor.
After investing in a reliable metal detector, you should research for a most likely area of operation. This, combine with membership in a local Treasure Hunting club will provide you with the where to / how to skills needed for start-up. One popular on-line reference for a list of state-by-state Treasure Hunting clubs can be found at: http://www.garren.net/treasurechronicle/cluba.html – HAPPY HUNTING!
Don’T Leave to “Chance”!
Are You Lost?
Sometimes you need to know more than just the cardinal point of travel (North, East, South, or West). Being able to navigate by map and compass are skills that require both knowledge and a lot of practice. Depending on the circumstances, the art of Map Reading can be both fun and extremely rewarding.
Map Reading proficiency will give the hunter, camper, or trekker the self-confidence needed to get off the road and behold nature not frequently seen. A small hand-held Global Positioning System should never be the only method to determine your location. These devices are not 100%, but, they are extremely good for quick reference or use during emergency situations and periods of limited visibility.
There is no substitute for the combination of a good topographical map, compass, and proficient map reading skills. Map Reading and Land Navigational courses are offered by some educational programs within the community, at colleges, or through Land Orienteering clubs. The US Orienteering Federation has a list of clubs and scheduled activities by State in the USA.
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