First…I apologize for the hiatus from the Newsletter scene. With the end to camping season came back-to-school and coaching fall sports and I fell behind on my website (sorry). But now on to the good stuff…

Camping Activity of the Month:
Knot Tying

If you’re looking for a good scout craft or rainy day activity for the off-season, try knot tying! My boys have enjoyed the practical application and usefulness of different knots. From lineman loops to bowlines, there are a few useful knots that can capture even the most impatient adolescent.

Start by getting some short lengths of rope (18-30 inches). These are long enough to demonstrate with, but too short to make a whip or a noose (Sorry…I’m a father of 4 boys…their actions force me think about these things ;-).

Check out the knot tying page and try the knots a few times yourself. Once you’re able to do it, you’ll be able to help others a lot better. It always looks easier in the pictures than it is – but keep trying – read the descriptions as you go, and you’ll become a pro before you know it.

Once you learn a few knots, you’re be amazed at the camping and household applications you start using them in every day!

Camping Tip of the Month:
Share your Plan

This may sound simple, as if I were grasping for ideas for this month’s tip…but hear me out. In order to share your plan (itinerary), it means that you have a plan. And not having a plan is what gets many campers and hikers in a pickle each year. Know where you’re going, the direction you’re heading, points of contact, check in times, landmarks (i.e. “We’ll be camping along the west bank of the river which runs NW to SE”).

When you share your plan, the details you give could save your life. Let’s say that you’re going on a 3-day hike and you tell someone where is you plan to start and end and they start searching for you on Day 4. Now imagine that you had told someone the areas off the trail that you had planned to make camp each night – those details you very well help your potential rescuer. Not something that we want to think about…until we need help.

Another hidden benefit to sharing our plan, is that we tend to uncover more details when we anticipate another set of eyes looking at what we intend to do. You may discover some additional terrain details or weather tips that help you pack for your trip. Or it may be that when you show someone the area on the map where you’re camping that you notice the surrounding landmarks for the first time.

No one ever goes in the woods with the intention on getting lost. Plan ahead. Know what to expect. Get to know the area around you before you leave. You’ll likely find that the biggest beneficiary of the plan will likely be the planner itself.

GPS units are so small now-a-days that it makes more sense to pack one than not. The Garmin Rino combines the best of compact GPS units, with a long-range radio that sends and receives location information. I’ve had the 1st generation Rino (110) for over 7 years now and have enjoyed it on camping, hunting, and hiking trips all over the map.

The Rino units are especially fun when others in your group also have one. For example, when hunting with my Dad I can see his location on my map after calling him on the radio (& vice versa)…what a cool feature! I can also use the “go to” button and walk to his position as the digital compass guides me and counts down the remaining distance on the odometer! Check out the full Garmin Rino Product Review for more information. Also, for more camping gift ideas, be sure to check out the Gifts for Campers.

That's all for this month. I hope that you & your families have a safe and fun-filled holiday season!!

Happy Camping!
- Mike