Mosquito Heaven
I failed to pass on this valuable piece of advice I learned this summer. I posted it on my personal blog but hadn’t yet here at Nature For Kids.
Overall I learned that a tent next to the river, with a small opening in the door equals mosquito heaven. Unfortunately my son Corbin was the topic of conversation at the mosquito dinner table the night we slept by the Colorado River in mid June.
He and his friends slept in their own tent and after several potty breaks didn’t close their tent completely. The result was a thanksgiving feast for any mosquito that made it in. Corbin woke up looking like he was in junior high school going through puberty at the ripe age of 5.
Although it was somewhat humorous it also brought to my attention how easily he could have gotten very sick, specifically speaking of the Westnile Virus.
Luckily the bites quickly turned into small scabs and he didn’t show any signs of the virus.
- Back pain
- Abdominal Pain
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Headache
- Lack of appetite
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
Although the West Nile virus is somewhat rare it still occurs. Here are the statistical results for the West Nile virus thus far in 2009. These results were posted September 1st for the United States.
Overall, I would hope that you learn from my mistake. I would hate to hear of any small child getting severely sick from accidently creating a mosquito heaven by leaving the tent door open during the night.
nature for kids, mosquitoes, West Nile virus, West Nile, camping
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Filed under Camping, Education | Comments (4)Get Organized With A Labeler
Here at Nature For Kids we realize it’s sometimes challenging to keep things organized when it comes to outdoor gear, especially when you have a family.
I’ve found something that helps…a simple labeler. I strived to keep things in order by trying to make my own labels.
They consisted of clear tape and construction paper. Needless to say the tape didn’t last long, collecting a lot of dirt and the writing faded fast.
I’ve been using a real labeler lately, the Brother P-Touch 1280. It’s label cartridges consist of laminated tape that is:
- UV resistant
- Perfect for outdoor use
- Water resistant
- Abrasion resistant
I used it this spring when planting seeds in our garden box.
I’ve also used it to label our recreation gear totes in the garage.
It’s been great to read the labels and know what’s inside without having to pull it off the shelf and take the lid off.
I’ve also used it to put our name and phone number on rakes, brooms and shovels for when we do service projects with large groups. It’s come in handy to also use on dishes I use for large get togethers as well.
Overall I’ve really enjoyed having the labeler around. It’s very easy and quick to use and to tell you the truth somewhat addicting. I found myself walking around the house trying to find something that needed labeled. Don’t worry the dog escaped me. 
If you enjoyed this Nature For Kids post you may also like:
nature for kids, outdoor gear, labeler, outdoors
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Filed under Camping, Equipment, Uncategorized | Comment (0)SylvanSport ‘Go’ Trailer
There is a lot of equipment rolling around out there in the outdoor industry, but every once in a while one comes along that shines brighter than the rest. As outdoor recreation evolves with each generation the equipment used also needs to evolve. The SylvanSport ‘Go’ camping and travel trailer provides that evolution for the outdoor players of today. It’s the result of outdoor gear heads, engineers and thinkers from the RV industry teaming up.
I first heard about the ‘Go’ at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City a few years back. It’s been called a “backpack on wheels”. My husband and I have hit the point with our family (3 small children) that backpacking isn’t a common occurence for us. Tent camping with a side dish of rock climbing, biking or boating is however. So we’ve hung up our ultra light gear and want to pursue something a little more comfy for our evolving family!
My favorite bits of the ‘Go’:
- Being only 800 lbs. it can easily be hauled by small vehicles (cars and minivans)
- It doesn’t just haul quads and motorbikes. It also doubles as a hauler for tree branches, grass clippings and anything else that needs hauling.
- Up above it carries bikes, boats and etc. with its equipment rack that’s compatible with Thule, Yakima and other brands.
- The trailer’s tent is constructed by Kelty. They’re not making this thing of cheap stuff.
I found this picture very comical. Check out the SylvanSport parked next to this old school trailer at the gas pump. My we’ve come a long way.
nature for kids, SylvanSport, camping, tent trailer, outdoor recreation
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Filed under Camping, Equipment | Comments (3)How To Build A Snow Fort
Today Nature For Kids is going to share with you how to build a killer snow fort! This specific type of snow fort we’ll be talking about is called a Quinzee. It’s not an igloo, which is made up of blocks of snow piled on top of each other in a circular pattern, and it’s not a snow cave, a naturally formed mound of snow that’s dug out, but it is a combination of the two.
Let’s go through the steps of how to build a quinzee together. Remember Boy Scout and survival expert credentials not needed, but you must be a kid …or a kid at heart to take part in this family outing. P.S. please excuse the graphics. I only know how to draw in 2D not 3D, but hopefully you get the picture.
- Mark a circle in the snow that’s about 10 to 12 feet in diameter
- Using a shovel pile the snow inside the circle, making a nice shaped dome, until the center reaches about 6 feet tall.
- Find some sticks and break them so each stick is about 1 foot in length. Poke them through the top and sides of the mound of snow until just above the surface. Be sure they are evenly distributed.
- Let your huge mound of snow settle for an hour or two. (Hot chocolate and marshmallows are advised)
- Grab your shovel again and dig your entrance to the snow cave. You want it to be only big enough for you to crawl in. The entrance should also sit a bit lower than the floor of the quinzee. This helps trap warm air inside the quinzee and keep wind out.
- Start hollowing out your quinzee. Once you reach the outer edges dig carefully, looking for the sticks you poked into the dome. Once you reach the sticks STOP! You want the walls and roof to be the width of the sticks (about 1 foot). This allows it to be thick enough to support itself but in the case of a collapse it’s easier to get out of. Just use caution by having adult supervision and not digging alone.
Now, just so your quinzee doesn’t look like any other on the block consider building a chair, bed, table or mailbox out of snow. Now you’re ready to spend the night in your own winter wonderland. Grab some candles and light inside for a soft snowy glow. Then grab a sleeping pad and sleeping bag. It will be warmer than you think!
Hint: Fill a nalgene with boiling water and hot cocoa. Sleep with it in your sleeping bag to keep super warm. In the morning you’ll have a yummy drink that’s the perfect temperature and you won’t even have to leave your quinzee to get it.
Quinzees allow for some fun winter camping and cover during snowball fights. Let’s hope for at least one more big snowstorm this winter so we can all practice our quinzee making skills. If you’ve already made a quinzee and have pictures of it send them in and we’ll post them at Nature For Kids!
Other points of Interest:
nature for kids, family outing, winter, snow fort, quinzee, how to, igloo, snow cave, winter camping
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Filed under Camping, Snow | Comments (5)Lightload Towels Review
Here at Nature For Kids I thought I’d do a review on an outdoor product I recently used, Lightload Towels.
I think the three biggest things Lightload Towels have going for them is the small compact size, its multiuse ability and it’s biodegradable.
The lightload towel comes very compact (1 3/4 inch diameter), about the size of a head on a spoon. It’s very lightweight (.5 oz) and comes shrink-wrapped. To open it you just moisten it up with water and unfold it, which could possibly be a problem if there is no access to water. It feels like you could rip the towel if you open it without water… also a bummer if you want to use a dry towel initially rather than a wet one. After it’s unfolded it won’t go back to the initial size, of course. Opened it measures 12 in. X 24 In., a pretty good size to do about anything you normally would with a towel.
Since I opened my lightload towel I’ve used it to clean little faces and hands, wash off a table and even a few dishes, probably the same ways I’d be using it at a campsite during a family outing. It seemed pretty absorbent, more so than your average paper towel. I could also see myself using the lightload towel as a fire starter, filter or first aid supplement, potholder or headband (also ideal uses around the campsite).
I threw it in the washing machine and even the dryer. But I wouldn’t recommend the later. Being biodegradable it kind of stretched and thinned out in the dryer. It should be washed delicately and then left to air-dry.
Keeping all this in mind I believe Lightload Towels would be useful for:
- Backpacking trips
- 72 hour or survival kits
- Camping trips
- Put inside your vehicle glove box
The lightload towels are $5.50 for a package of three. I think it’s a fair price, especially since the towels will be reused several times before disposing of. Lightload towels also have a product that is bigger, a beach towel size (60 in. X 36 in.) and costs $7.50 for one.
Overall I give the lightload towel a rating of 4 out of 5 and plan to place these little guys strategically throughout my recreation equipment for every family outing!
To purchase Lightload Towels follow the links below to REI.com
This beach towel’s unique packaging compresses it to the size of a hockey puck! Keep a spare towel in your glove box or backpack.
Space saving beyond belief, this trio of hand towels slips easily into a shirt pocket, unique packaging compress towels to an incredibly small size.
* To get a chance to win a free lightload towel leave a comment on this post . A winner will be randomly drawn here at Nature For Kids Feb. 28th, 2009.
nature for kids, family outing, product review, Lightload Towels, camping, backpack, backpacking, survival
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Filed under Camping, Equipment | Comments (4)Take It Outside In 2009
Nature For Kids would like to share our outdoor adventures of 2008 with you. Take a look at the video we created below…
As you prepare for the New Year, we here at Nature For Kids hope you have a new found desire to take it outside in 2009. Resolve to take a family outing each week. As always, Nature For Kids will be here throughout 2009 to give you encouragement and ideas for wholesome outdoor recreation with your family! Enjoy!
nature for kids, family outing, outside, 2009, outdoor recreation, kids, family, new year, outdoor adventure
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Filed under Biking, Camping, Hiking, Rock climbing, Snow, Water | Comments (4)How To Color A Campfire
Want to put a spin on your campfire traditions? Nature For Kids has an idea…try adding some color! Your kids will love it!
You can buy packets of a variety of chemicals called Mystical Fire. You simply sprinkle it over the campfire. Go here to buy Mystical Fire. It’s about $57 for 50 packets.
If you’re not thrilled about spending that much, head over to About.com . There are specific instructions there on how to color a campfire by using pinecones and simple store-bought supplies. They tell you how to get colors anywhere from green to violet!
Here’s a short video that’s a great example of how different elements can change the color of fire.
This is a great activity for kids. Have a great time! Oh and I would recommend not cooking any food over the campfire when doing this…you never know what could be going in there!
campfire, campfire, kids, activities for kids, kids activity
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Filed under Camping, Crafts For Kids, Education | Comments (3)Slackline
Slacklining…have you heard of it?
Every time we take our kids camping or climbing we seem to come across a slackline party. It’s where you take a long piece of webbing and stretch it between two trees about 2 to 3 feet off the ground. You walk the slackline like a circus performer. It’s a great way for kids to increase their balancing skills and coordination.
I came across a unique website, Natural Fatherhood, that lays out exactly how to create your own slackline. He explains what items are needed and provides a video to see exactly how it’s set up.
This next video gives some great ideas for beginners! The best tip that stood out to me was the additional line up above the slackline that can help provide something to hold on too.
This girl is eight years old! Check it out!
This would be fun to set up at a campsite, giving you and the kids something to do during some down time. It would also be fun to have in the back yard. I mean every kid is going to try balancing some type of line…better being a slackline barely off the ground than the peak of a barn roof, right.
Have you or your kids had any slackline experience? If so leave a comment here at Nature For Kids.
camping, climbing, balance, coordination, slacklining
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Filed under Camping, Education, Equipment, Rock climbing | Comments (2)Recharge Your Batteries
Does this sound familiar to any of you? …
“Turn that game off and go outside to play”
“Come inside I don’t want you playing in the front yard by yourself”
I think our youth of today are confused. “Out or in Mom?”
The dangers are on both sides of our front door these days. Violent crimes on our streets and on game consoles is just one example. We as parents have to go to greater lengths to provide safe well rounded recreation time for our kids. That means sometimes preparing an activity, accompanying them on the activity and doing the clean up afterwards. It takes a lot of effort.
The process can become a struggle at times. That’s why it’s important to remind yourselves as a parent why you do it. Why go to the effort of taking your young kids on outdoor trips?
To remind yourself I encourage you to go on an outdoor adventure without your kids. It’s sure to rekindle your love for exploration. Leaving behind the car seats, child carriers and fruit snacks for a short time will allow you to recharge your batteries and rededicate yourself to immersing your kids in the outdoors.
Nature for parents is just as important as Nature For Kids.
My husband and I recently took an outdoor trip, just the two of us. Thanks to loving and supportive family members we were able to leave our three kids in good hands. It was my goal to wander our beautiful state of Utah with every piece of recreation equipment we had. By the end of three days I felt full, content and was bubbling with excitement. Once again I was ready to expose my children to the things we saw and experienced outside.
We rode a single track in the rain, looked over a canyon from the top of a climb, camped near a bubbling brook, relaxed in a hot pot, and stood under a freezing waterfall. Every sense was stimulated and recharged. Who wouldn’t want their kids to experience this?
What have you done as a parent to recharge your batteries? Share your experience by leaving a comment here at Nature For Kids.
outdoor adventure, outside, play, recreation, activities for kids, outdoors
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Filed under Biking, Camping, Education, Rock climbing, Water | Comment (0)Tent Camping Alternatives
Sick of tent camping yet this summer? But still ready for an outdoor adventure
Here at Nature For Kids I thought I’d throw out some tent camping alternatives. Still have the joy of waking up surrounded by nature but with a little twist.
In a recent post here at Nature For Kids about planning a camping trip I mentioned the website recreation.gov. It’s a great resource for reserving camp sights of all kinds. What I didn’t mention is that this Includes fire lookouts, yurts and deep-forested cabins as well.
The rates are fairly inexpensive. The prices I saw range from $20 to $80. Sure it’s not a 5 star hotel, or even a 3 star for that matter, but it’s got a view that even the Hilton clan can’t compete with.
There usually isn’t any electricity or accessible water at these sites but it’s a great way to teach your kids about early settlers and allow them to appreciate what they have…like toilets!
To search for one of these fun sites go to recreation.gov and in the “looking for” section select “cabins and lookouts”. Then select a state. The search results will also give you yurts that are available to rent. There aren’t many options on the eastern portion of the country but the western states are full of places to stay.
I hope you enjoy these tent camping alternatives and take advantage of the rest of your summer!
summer, camping, campsite, kids, nature, outdoor adventure, outdoors, adventure
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Filed under Camping, Education | Comments (2)
