Youth Activities

When Kids Enter Weekends Exit

Sleeping late during Saturdays probably belongs to the past if you have recently experienced the thrills of parenthood. Friends' visits are not anymore possible just after a phone-call and the latest movie or new cultural exhibit are not things you can now enjoy at the moment you thought about them. In addition, accepting a last minute party invitation or winding down with a long, leisurely brunch on Sunday after shopping is an activity you no longer have the pleasure of enjoying. These examples constitute some of the sacrifices you have to make since you have decided to become a parent, but the pleasure and feeling of accomplishment associated with the fact that you now have a child cannot be diminished because you have to adapt to the new circumstances and altering your weekend activities. Even if you may never get back that sleeping-in part, and staying late at your friends' birthday party, new opportunities are now revealed and you can explore them with your new family members; your kids.

Family weekends can be as noteworthy as those from your pre-kid days if you decide to invest some time to do a little bit of planning. In fact, a good weekend is distinguished from a bad one, if you know what you and your kids are going to do and arranging beforehand the kids' time and your schedule to find the free time you can both enjoy each others company. Parents that have decided to do the necessary planning state that the whole family has something to look forward to and discuss long after its completion. Traveling through the country side, purchasing tickets to go to the theater, visiting the local museums and landmarks, or taking a day trip to another town or neighborhood, are some of the fun ways you can alter your usual weekend time and invest some time to get to know each other instead of letting your kids play video-games or watch TV all day long.

On the other hand, it is best if you do not prearrange every minute of the weekend. Over-scheduling your weekend can make you feel exhausted instead of relaxed on Monday morning. Thus, even if you decide to do nothing out of the ordinary and just hang out in your pajamas with the kids on a weekend morning can be a valuable relaxation and bonding time. Unplug the TV, have a nutritional breakfast, teach your kids to read the news and laugh while playing board games of by reading comic stories and dressing up pretending to be a famous signer or actor.

Finally, you should not forget to schedule an adult activity over the weekend for you and your adult partner so as to receive the necessary dosage of socializing. Arrange to go out with friends if your parents or a babysitter can take care of the kids while you are away and always try to organize small but fun moments for you and your beloved ones when you feel the need of spending some quality time with your husband or wife. Having kids does not have to throw weekend fun out the door. Becoming a parent can actually open up the window to new possibilities and help you invest in yourself and the people you love the most.

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Autor: k_buchanan32

Should You Take Bear Spray On Your Camping Trip?

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It is always best to come prepared for anything and everything that life has to offer. Of course, the same idea applies to camping trips where, if you are lucky enough, you may get the best experience of your life (and not encounter any grizzlies).

Of course, it has also been said that luck is actually preparation getting to meet that ever elusive opportunity. So when out on a camping trip, how could you attract luck to your side without ever having to catch the attention of bears that may be gazing and grazing around the camp area.

1. Bear spray your way to safety

This may or may not be a good idea. Carrying a bear spray with you may be an effective way to feel safe and secure, however it is always not the best idea to bear spray the tent you are in as well as any of the areas near or surrounding you. It is also better if you do not bear spray any items that you regularly may be using.

2. Why bear sprays may be unsafe too

Believe it or not, it has been proven that bears are attracted to those items that have already been sprayed with bear spray. So even though a bear spray may come in handy when that moment comes (God forbid) that a grizzly bear happens to wander in your camp premises, spraying one before a bear does arrive may actually be calling them prematurely.

3. The best way to stay away from bears

The most convenient and logical way to stay a bit far away from any bears is to stay in a camping area that has no obvious and clear evidence of any forms or signs of bear activity. These signs include bear tracks, any forms of bear diggings as well as scat.

4. The best way to ward off bears

Fortunately, it is now a federal rule and regulation in camping trips that those campers who bring food must now suspend the food they bring on trees or that they should use boxes that are bear-proof.

Bears have been known to be very much attracted to odors that come from food. Therefore foods that are very odorous must best be not brought during camping or even cooked outdoors.

Camps should also be clean. Food must not be stored or cooked inside the tent, unless you want to wake up one morning with a grizzly bear staring at you.

There are now campsites that provide poles wherein food, gears used for cooking, and any articles that are scented may be suspended in place when it is not yet to be used. The same process also applies to deodorants, soap, and toiletries. Prevention and pro-activeness is always better than prevention. Packs of food must never be left unattended even for as short as a minute or so.

Bears have been known to become aggressive once they get that opportunity to obtain foods consumed by humans. They may in turn be aggressive to obtain similar types of food in the future and so they may pose a threat to the safety of humans. They may then have to be removed from the park or destroyed.

5. How to sleep well and keep food well

One hundred yards from where your food is located or hanging from is the minimum distance for one to sleep in. Of course, your sleeping area and gear must also be free from the odor of food and should also be clean. It is never a good idea to sleep in the clothes you have worn while cooking or eating. Keep these clothes inside a plastic bag and hang them in a considerable distance away from you.

6. Stay away from garbage

As much as possible, check out the area of where you will be spending the night. If there is a garbage nearby or any items of food scattered about that were left by other campers, it is highly recommended that you stay a good distance away from such an area. Double your distance at least. It would also be best that you report such an incident to the park rangers.

7. Report any bear incidents immediately

Even if your brush with bears was minor, always report them to the park ranger. The safety of other future campers, as well as your own, may depend on you. All in all, bear sprays are okay to use. But the best way to ward off bears is by being aware of how you camp and being cautious of the way you keep food and other bear-attracting items as neat and clean as possible.

Source: Free Articles

Autor: infocus

Camping Equipment For Your Trip

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There are tons of different items that could be classified as camping equipment, everything from the simplest pot or pan to the most complicated RV. Camping equipment doesnt have to seem like a chore to get together, but you should still give yourself plenty of time to make sure you have everything that you need. Never bring along equipment that you don't see yourself using, or don't expect to use for more than a short period of time.

1. Camping Equipment For Rustic Campers

Many campers are against camping equipment and follow the philosophy that they should rough it. That somehow, camping equipment goes against the very point of going camping in the first place - to get away from technology and civilization for a while. Even if you plan to live off the land, make sure you have an adequate supply of food rations on hand.

You will also want to make sure you bring along cooking utensils for over the campfire. You can get several different types of frying pans, skewers, and even bread toasters for over the campfire. If you are particularly fond of coffee in the morning, make sure to have your tin coffee pot and cups handy.

Everyone can get hurt while they are camping, and so a good to include a first aid kit with your camping equipment supplies. Keep some medications handy for any bouts you may end up having with the cold or flu. Just because you are out camping, doesnt mean you still cant be susceptible to all of the little things you are unprepared for.

Have a nice, warm, sleeping bag ready on hand for those rather brisk nights and a waterproof tent that you can take the top piece off and watch the stars. If you are really handy, youll have a radio with batteries in it, and perhaps not for the music itself, but to be informed of severe weather conditions that may be approaching.

The list of what you could use for camping equipment is endless and depends on how long you intend to camp for. Make sure you have an adequate supply of clothing on hand so you dont have to freeze to death if you fall in the lake accidentally.

2. Camping Equipment For Stylish People

Even though there is someone always present at public camping sites, it is a good idea to make sure you carry supplies with you in case of an accident. Depending on where you are camping, you could come across situations that would require medical attention. Of course, lets hope this isnt the case for anyone on your next camping trip. Its just better to be safe than sorry.

Unlike rustic camping, where it is a good idea to at have a lantern for night vision, you are pretty well set up with everything you could need to be modern. So all you need to take along are those spare items inside of your house that will make your camping trip more enjoyable. If you like to be at home more than rustic camping, you need to make sure you are prepared to make yourself comfortable.

You should always place being dry and warm as a first priority when camping. You can't do much of anything, after all, if you are suffering from hypothermia. People have done it for generations and you can do it for a few days too. It's easy to see why camping is a great activity for the whole family.