Camping Activity of the Month:
Pinecone Birdfeeder

A pinecone birdfeeder is a fun in-the-woods or at-home craft that can be done easily with just a few items. It makes for a good scout craft or group activity for ages toddler and up and it can be immediately enjoyed as you hang it on a branch and watch its first feathered visitors.

Check out this birdfeeder craft page for the supplies and simple steps to help you make this for your group.

Camping Tip of the Month:
Multi-task your Gear!

As you pack for a backpacking or camping trip, you’re going to want to minimize what it is that you have to haul in and out of the woods. Some tools, like camping shovels are handy to have…but are they worth their weight? When looking at your tools, see if some things can pull double duty. For example, a military-style shovel (e-tool) are usually beefy enough to drive in tent stakes and can be used to douse your campfire with soil (instead of wasting drinking water!). Here are some other examples of how to get the most mileage out of the camping items that you pack:

• Hooded sweatshirts make great pillows…fold them up into the hood and you’ll have a nice cushion to sleep on…and it leaves one less bulky item to pack!
• Choose paper over plastic. Those paper grocery bags make for a nice fire starter. Cardboard packaging is also a nice campfire kindling. This will reduce the trash at your site and help you with the fire, too! Packaging with plastic should never be burned.
• Speaking of trash bags…why not use one to keep your sleeping bag and gear dry. Once you’re at the campsite and the tent’s up, this waterproof layer can be used for its intended purpose and hung as a trash bag. I prefer the thicker trash bags as they are more reliable and easier to throw over a tree branch (i.e. bear bag)…without breaking?!
• A good backpack is an invaluable tool to the camper and hiker. What if it served as your canteen, too? There are some outstanding hydration backpacks on the market today. I hiked 30 miles on the Appalachian Trail with the CamelBak MULE and it served me well as both a great way to carry gear and a day’s worth of water!

Try these ideas and others to get the most out of your camping gear.

Happy Camping!
- Mike