Camping Outlook...
Be Prepared... the meaning of the motto is that a scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise.
Be Prepared... the meaning of the motto is that a scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise.
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. Safety is the most important part of having fun in the great outdoors. And when the campfire is finished, remember those famous word, "Only you can prevent forest fires..."
Focus on the essentials. Before anything else, you want to have the non-optional things. Things like a backpack, shelter, sleeping gear, stove/fuel, fire starter, clothing, food, GPS/compass, first aid, etc. It’s easy to get lost in the myriad of optional items you can bring on your journey. Things like a camp chair or radio might be fun, but these items come second.
Buy quality! If you're wanting to seriously pursue backpacking as a hobby, you want to know your gear will work well for you. And buying quality doesn’t have to break the bank.
Strive for simple and light. While you don’t have to pack like an ultralight backpacker, a lighter load makes a big difference in being able to enjoy the trek and cover more distance at a greater speed.
What you buy depends on what you’re doing? If you are only planning to go on day hikes, obviously you will not need a sleeping bag or a large supply of food.
"A sport drink performs triple duty—providing fluid, carbohydrates (sugar) to fuel your muscles and keep your brain working, and electrolytes (like sodium), which help ward off muscle cramps. "Snacking is also important, especially if you'll be exercising for an extended period of time. This prevents muscle cramps and dehydration and helps you feel more energetic throughout the day." Hikers, especially teens, often prefer the taste of powdered flavors, which encourages them to drink more.
Variety is key: Your snack bag should contain protein snacks, some instant-energy high-carb treats, and a few bulkier, fattier goodies like nuts (especially in cold weather, when you need the staying power).
Sharkies are chewable fruit candies shaped like sharks, in citrus, mixed fruit, and berry flavors. The ingredients—all organic—include fruit juice, whole grains, and carbohydrates, and are designed to offer an instant energy boost and help replace electrolytes.
While beef jerky—dried marinated beef—has long been the standard for outdoor snacks, the new ProTeam Power Sports Bites have taken the concept of dried meat to a new level.
Some of the new scientifically blended, organically produced products are excellent, but they can be pricey. So if you've still got a little space in your food bag, make a trip to your local health food co-op or natural foods section of the supermarket.
Pain: We know that pain is your body telling your brain that something is amiss. Most would-be survivors that are in pain go wrong by ignoring or incorrectly assessing the gravity of the wound or ailment. Minor wounds and maladies have a way of quickly becoming serious in survival situations. You must never assume anything when it comes to medical problems, regardless of how little it hurts or how petty the problem appears at first.
Thirst: Many people fail to realize that our bodies use water as a coolant all the time, not just during warm weather. The key to fluid replacement is quite simple: drink water, and plenty of it. Sports drinks such as Gatorade are fine for the replacement of electrolytes, but should be diluted to reduce the sugar level so that the body can easily absorb the water from the stomach—sugar slows down the absorption rate.
Fatigue: Fatigue is one of the most preventable threats to your survival. When not recognized and dealt with it can be fatal. A tired survivor swinging a hatchet to chop some firewood is more likely to injure himself than the survivor who is well rested. The exhausted survivor can not cope with the other six threats as readily as he who has been taking short "cat" naps and getting the right amount of sleep at night.
Temperature Extremes: The survivor must take temperature extremes very seriously. Not only the cold, mind you, but the heat as well. Add to that wind, humidity, and precipitation. In other words every facet of the weather has to be carefully considered in your survival plan. The part you forget will be the part that comes back to bite you. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slowed reactions, weak motor skills, lethargy, reduced ability to make decisions, irritability, and speech that has become slurred and possibly incomprehensible. It is important to quickly cool the body with water and fanning; give water if the patient is conscious; and once the body temperature is back down, keep it that way.
Hunger: It's no secret that the human body can go without food much longer than it can without water. Your survival plan should not revolve around acquiring food. Rather, it should be focused on signals, water, shelter, fire, and if necessary, first aid. Food is too easy to come by to devote a great deal of time searching for and preparing.
Fear : Fear of the unknown—the future and whether or not you have one—is the primary fear experienced by survivors. You just don't know for sure if you are going to be rescued or if you are going to find a way out of the mess you have gotten yourself into. Fear has a way of forcing you to act, and action is what survival is all about. This action includes building a quick and worthy shelter, starting and maintaining a fire in the rain, finding and preparing plants and fish for supper, fixing yourself when you are injured or sick, getting water, and setting up a signal system.
A - FLAP POCKET: Maps, fire permit, notebook, pen, fishing license, identification, guide book.
B - UPPER LEFT POCKET: Canteen, stove fuel, rain gear.
C - UPPER RIGHT POCKET: Plastic bowl, matches, plastic bags, cup, lunch, sun glasses, rubber bands, tablespoon, trail snacks, nylon cord 30 ft., toilet kit: toothbrush & paste, soap, dish cloth, toilet paper.
D - UPPER COMPARTMENT: Cook kit, pot tongs, food, stove, water bag, tent or tarp, ground cloth, sleeping pad, condiment kit: salt, pepper, milk, sugar, coffee or tea (adults only), flavorings.
E - LOWER COMPARTMENT: Cap, underwear, trousers, windbreaker, wool shirt or down jacket, socks, shirts, gloves, swim suit, bandanna, food (if not in D).
F - LOWER LEFT POCKET: Sun screen, lip balm, water purifier, bug repellent, pack & tent repair kit, extra pack pins & rings, needles, thread, buttons, flash light & batteries.
G - LOWER RIGHT POCKET: First aid kit.
H - STUFF SACK: Stuff in your sleeping bag and small pillow. Sleeping pad if not in D.