15 Things To Do While Camping

Have you ever walked into a room and stood there wondering why you walked in there? Sometimes

with camping, a similar thing happens. 

Sometimes we get to our picturesque and secluded area, set up, lay back, and then get bored

within seconds. I know I’ve twiddled my thumbs unsure of how to enjoy the journey before, and it's not

fun to feel like you're wasting time with no solution to have some laughs. Few things are worse than

planning and packing for a trip, getting there, and then realizing it's the last place you want to be.

To avoid this, here are 15 things to do on your camping trip that don’t include your phone. 

1. Scramblin’

My personal favorite and thus number one on this list is the joy of scrambling around on rocks, boulders, hills and the like. Cave exploring is similar to boulder exploring so I left it out, but if you find a cave, you should try that too. See how far up you can climb, but beware that it might be trickier to get down. Tumblin’ is fun too though. 

2. Swimming

Hopefully your site has a body of water because swimming in nature is not like your average chlorine

pumped swimming pool. Make sure it’s safe of course, but then jump on in! If you forget your swimsuit,

it’s no problem because you’re in the middle of nowhere. 

3. Meditate

Just ten minutes of meditation is great for your mind and may help you make wiser decisions with more

clarity of thought. The peaceful sounds of nature are a great background noise, and it may help you feel

more connected to the earth. Plus, sometimes when there is nothing but quiet, our minds come up with

great ways to entertain us.

4. Reading 

Peaceful environment and this can be done from the comfort of your sleeping bag. 

5. Drawing or writing in a notepad

Practicing doodling or using a notepad to journal are productive time usages that you can always look

back on.

6. Photography 

Brush up on your photography skills by capturing the best sides of all the foliage and wildlife at your

disposal. 

7. Cooking 

When camping, you have all the time in the world to make some gourmet level foods. Just beware of

bears. 

8. Skip Stones

Chew a leaf and have your main character moment with this one. It’s all in the flick of the wrist.

9. Chopping Wood 

You won’t believe how meditative this can be. It’s a free rage room! All you need to bring is an ax.

10. Make a Rope Swing 

I admit that I haven't tried this one yet, but I can't imagine it'd be too difficult. Finding rope and tying a

couple knots to a plank of wood is really all there is to it.

11. Scream to the void

On the same note as the chopping wood, this will just leave your soul feeling a bit more free. We all

struggle with the stress of life, and it’s no good coming back from a trip feeling more tired than when

you left. If life is beating you down at the moment, go give the sky a piece of your mind and rest up

champ. 

12. Play music

Not digital music, but with a guitar or harmonica or ukulele. Even if you don’t know how to play,

whipping up a catchy tune with a couple of string picks will sound lovely with the natural backdrop. 

13. Whittle

It's a whittle mushroom :) Get it? Bring bandaids for this one and good luck to you. 

14. Search for bugs

I find this activity grotesquely fascinating and therefore fun. They’re under logs, in the trees, and

buzzing around. If bugs scare you, this might actually be a great activity to get more familiar with

who you’re sharing the space with. 

15. Stargaze 

Last and not least, the activity that brings most of us out of the city in the first place is watching the

stars come out at night. It really reminds us of how little we are on this planet and gets us thinking

about our life purposes and the beauty of existence. It’s important to have a reality check every now

and then. 

Only a few of these are more than enough to entertain myself for a weekend, so I hope it helps you formulate some ideas the next time you’re out. When in nature, it’s important to be in the moment and not on a device.

Hope these helped,

Happy Trails!

Images from Go Hike Virgina and Life Away From The Office Chair

Be Prepared: Your First Campout

 Be prepared: This isn't just the title of one of Disney's best villains songs, it's also one of the best maxims to carry throughout life. 

From the innumerable camping experiences I've been on since I could begin walking, I'll confidently tell you that preparation makes or breaks a trip.  

Many of us struggle with this though, I know I have. 

From not checking the safety of the area I was visiting and crossing paths with territorial crack heads, not checking the weather and having to evacuate 32 boy scouts from a lightning zone with an equally panicked coworker, and from simply forgetting to pack the hummus- leaving my friends and I in a truly miserable dry pita bread dinner kind of night that they will never let me forget-, the consequences of poor planning span from pathetic meals to life threatening situations.

(I want to add that proper planning is also essential for the safety of the environment as well as yourselves. Don't treat the earth like dirt!) 

Failed venturing stories are for another day though. To avoid disappointing your hummus lovin' besties for your first real camping trip, here is a list of the basic things you need for a successful campout: 

1. Research Your Campsite 

Pick a cool place you like, and start googling. 

According to this article from American Scouting, tips include to...

• Check weather and normal temperature conditions (day & night)
• Check if open fires are allowed or if you'll need a camp stove
• Any regulations, restrictions, or private land boundaries (no dogs, permit required, etc.) 

2. Food & Water 

You can get away on a short trip without cooking by preparing easy to pack and smush-friendly Pita PB&J's, jerky, tuna, salads, or pre-cooked meats. If you're not afraid of the heat, you can pack lightweight, ultra simple one-pot meals. 

Bring more drinking water than needed OR arrange a way to purify water from natural source, such as helpful gadgets that are tested are proved to work. Emphasis on more than you think you'll need. 

I highly recommend making an Excel sheet for your meals (3 meals each day of trip, + snacks). This way you're sure to have all the utensils, pots/pans, mugs, cups, plates, bowls, and condiments (salt & pepper, butter, hummus.) necessary. 

You can also practice cooking in your backyard or at a park before your trip. Make it fun! 

3. Packing

Essentials 

1. Knife
2. Rain gear 
3. Fire Starter 
4. Extra clothing (socks!) 
5. First Aid Kit 
6. Flashlight or Headlamp
7. Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen) 
8. Tent or shelter 
9. It's important to also have a map and compass, but these can sometimes be hard to obtain in our digital age. Don't rely on your cellphone though. 

Optional Essentials 

1. Camera 
2. Bug spray 
3. 
   Sleeping pad 
4. Sleeping bag 
5. Blankets
6. Portable battery 
7. Games or a deck of cards 
8. Folding chair (prepare to be mocked though)
9. A nice cold beer (21+ of course) 

Don't get your toothbrush or mouthwash, bar soap, deodorant, and toilet paper. Use soap that's safe for environment and pack out your toilet paper. 

If you're like me and this list is starting to get overwhelming, check out REI's essentials checklist. 

Another helpful resource that we gave to scouts for summer camp is on the right. 

5. Once you get there...

• Identify nearby police or fire stations and hospitals in case of emergencies. 
• Steer clear of areas susceptible to flash floods or along ridgetops vulnerable to lightning activity (Flash floods are too often deadly, and I learned the lightning one the hard way).
• Set up on flat ground before dark
• Check the sky- don't pitch up under a questionable tree
• Sun and Shade considerations 
• Consider privacy and safety, and respect other camper's experience. 
• Do not respond to the call of nature near a water source, else it will be contaminated

6. Leave No Trace

Pack in, pack out. Whatever you bring, you take with you when you leave. 

Avoid bringing plastic by packing food in Ziplocs or containers beforehand. If you must, bring trash bags and dispose of them once you return to civilization. 

A good rule of thumb is to leave the campsite looking better than you found it. 

That's all I can think of! If I've missed anything please leave it below.  

    You shouldn't spend your campouts getting frantically exasperated in attempts to solve problems that could've easily been avoided with proper planning. Time in nature should be spent relaxing, giving yourself plenty of time to goof around in the great outdoors, and solving realer issues that deserve your time. 

For any questions, please ask away and I might be able to provide helpful links or otherwise advice. 

Until next time, happy trails!

Image used from Fresh off the Grid 

Venturing 101: Getting into the Mindset

    When was the last time you challenged yourself to do something daring? 
Before you begin planning your next trip, let's make sure your mind is in the right place.

    Venturing is all about stepping out of your comfort zone in search of something.

 

    What you are searching for can be determined by yourself beforehand, and changed at any time. Are you looking for a cool local secret spot to chill with your friends on the weekend? Are you scoping out nearby trails to revisit for your weekly exercise routine? Are you pining for the answers to your life purpose on the Appalachian trail? You decide! 

    Even if you’re unsure, or if you have endless objects of fascination, you aren’t getting sweaty and working up for nothing.

 

When I had free time during my first few camping trips, I would go exploring for wild animals or weird bugs. We all start somewhere. Now on my most recent trip to Antelope Valley, I noticed cool

rock features and went scrambling up them to find myself looking out at a beautifully scenic view. 

From my personal experience, I can tell you that we often find the answers we search for, but we can leave with greater treasures than what we first had in mind. These treasures don’t fall
into our laps though, we have to put in some amount of work.

We must challenge ourselves in order to gain. Doing something that is daring should look different
for everyone though, so assess where you might fall on this spectrum. Are you an avid backpacker
who can set up her hammock and a one person tent, plus cook up a delicious three course trail
dinner within 30 minutes after having just submitted a 4,000ft peak? If you are, you should start
looking at summiting the roughest Rocky Mountains' peak pretty soon. However, if you’ve never
camped before and you couldn’t tell the difference between a camp stove and a bear can (don’t
let the gadgets intimidate you), then try venturing on a smaller scale first. Have you ever wondered
where that weird road in your hometown leads? Or maybe where the nicest nearby sunset spot
might be? Challenge yourself to spend time outdoors, and follow your gut and your curiosity. 

    A common concern should be brought up: how does one walk the line of staying safe and
venturing out? It depends on person to person, but trust your gut and be prepared. Carry
whatever helps you feel safe and comfortable, such as pepper spray, a knife or even
something more heavy duty depending on where you’ll go. I have found that the more I
push myself out of my comfort zone, the safer I feel in general. As long as I stay aware of
my surroundings, have my safety equipment in an easily accessible place on my body, and
I steer clear of sketchy areas at night, I trust myself to handle what will come along. 

Everyone starts somewhere, so this isn’t about comparing yourself to the accomplishments
of others. If it is, you might want to reassess your motives for venturing. This is about your
journey and your comfortability. There is nothing to lose if done safely, and after venturing
out for your first time, you might look back and realize that there was nothing to fear at all.
Your journey will be worth your time, because even if it doesn’t quite go as planned, or gets
somewhat stressful at times, you still did it. You can say that you prepared yourself, stepped
outside of what you previously thought you could do, and learned something along the way.
If you learned that a certain area is not one that you would enjoy revisiting for as long as you
live, then you know where not to go next time. 

Take baby steps if this is new to you. If this is all old news, maybe start coming up with ways to be more creative with your ventures. We’ll get to that later though. For now, (if you want) schedule a time this week to walk around a new place, explore an interesting trail, or just wander around a neighborhood. Remember to be prepared and aware of surroundings, and challenge yourself to get out of that cushy familiar comfort zone.

Until next time, happy trails!

Images from Mindy Kantor and PostivePsychology.com

Let's Get Going

  

 As we enter the digital age of living, it becomes easier to find ourselves looking at screens more often than we look at the world. It's understandable. When we look up we notice chaos, conflict or just a lot of concrete. Although it seems easier to spend an afternoon doom-scrolling Pinterest and Instagram to see how everyone else is living their lives, it always takes away from our own. When you've closed the app and reopened it immediately, that's when you can take the hint that it's time to do something else.

 For me, taking a trip to the outdoors to clear my mind is like hitting a reset button. It might be easier for me to get up and go, though. I've had more than four years of experience in picking up and ditching the city for the views that California has to offer. 

      My adventuring lifestyle began back in 2019 when the Boy Scouts of America had announced that girls within the organization could earn the Eagle Scout Award, which is the highest rank in American Scouting. I remember scoffing at the news, and then stopping to think about how badly I wanted to learn how to camp, fish, perform first aid, travel and experience the outdoors. I told my brother that I was going to become the first female Eagle Scout to which he responded, "No, you're not". Anyone with a friendly sibling rivalry might understand how that instantly lit the fire under my as* to make my dream come true. 

Within the following four years, I led a troop of about 25 girls snowboarding down the San Bernardino mountains, canoeing around Catalina Island, rock climbing outside LA and innumerable other adventures. Additionally, I taught Lifesaving, Swimming, First Aid and boating activities for two summers at a camp next to Lake Arrowhead. I didn't end up becoming the first female Eagle Scout, because there wasn’t a first female Eagle Scout. Instead, I joined the Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts, and I can tell you that standing alongside these like-minded ladies is a much greater treasure. 

    These experiences taught me a lot of valuable skills, and if I can spread the knowledge I gained from this organization, then by all means I will. The world doesn't have to be only concrete and cityscape for the youth in San Diego. Over this past summer, I’ve realized the stark difference between 30 minutes of hiking and 30 minutes of watching Tiktoks. I still find myself escaping into my phone while waiting in line for my order instead of interacting or just taking a quiet moment to myself, but I like to remind myself that there is so much to see and not enough time to see it. 

 If this sounds interesting to you, it's time to straighten your back and start imagining your next adventure. It doesn't need to be Fiji or Spain, and in fact, if it's been a while since you've stretched those bones, then a day hike through sunny San Diego is an ideal place to start. The steps are simple, the preparation is minimal, and the rewards will astound you. 

    Lastly, in an ironic and optimistic spin, the trappings of the digital age have become tools for us to break free from the cages of targeted media and into the wonders of the natural world. We are truly lucky to be alive in a time when our apps can inform us of the weather conditions, the duration of a day hike, what a venomous snake bite looks like (although hopefully we don't need that knowledge) and anything else you may have questions about.

 Since it's never been easier than now, let's use these tools to strengthen our bodies and spirits, and get out there into the world!