Adi L

Should You Join Boy Scouts? Here Are 5 Compelling Reasons

18Dec

By Adi LNo Comments

The Scouting Trail

Should You Join Boy Scouts? Here Are 5 Compelling Reasons

Should you join Boy Scouts? Scouting has long been hailed as a phenomenal program that turns young boys into men and develops skills for a lifetime of success, stretching back over 100 years and holding many public figures to its name. However, whether you're wary of Scouting's state of purgatory, or simply unsure of whether Boy Scouts of America is the right fit for you or your child, joining the BSA is no small endeavor. But never fear! We're here to assure you that joining Boy Scouts is an opportunity to grow that no other program can offer! Not convinced? Read on to get 5 reasons why you should join Scouting. Should You Join Boy Scouts? 1. You get to appreciate and enjoy the outdoors. As Scouts, you could imagine that we spend much of our time in the outdoors. It's unfortunat...

10 Ways to Keep Animals out of Your Campsite

26Nov

By Adi LNo Comments

Safety, Outdoors, Survival

10 Ways to Keep Animals out of Your Campsite

We don't hold "exclusive rights" to nature; we share it with countless other critters, big and small. Animals are often best viewed from afar, but when they get too close to you, especially in your campsite, bad things start to happen. That's why it's crucial to learn how to keep animals out of your campsite. There are many animals you can encounter in the wild, but we will go over how to keep out the most common ones you will see. Note: Be sure to check with the park agency for information regarding animals usually seen in your area. Common animals you will find in the wild include: Bears RaccoonsRodentsSnakesWolves/Coyotes Luckily, you can use the following preventive methods for all the animals listed here. Use bear canisters or bear boxes to keep your ...

How to Identify Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac

17Oct

By Adi LNo Comments

Safety, Outdoors

How to Identify Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac

Our perception of “living off the land” has been romanticized; we imagine using our outdoor know-how to masterfully concoct meals from our natural surroundings (and maybe impress our friends too). But throwing caution to wind in situations like this isn’t going to end well. Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac have quietly permeated nearly all of America's wilderness. Their effects can cause quite the unpleasant surprise. Would you like to pass out? Maybe vomit? How about some painful rashes? We didn’t think so. Read on to make sure any of this doesn’t happen to you. Learn how to identify poison ivy, oak, and sumac Many types of poisonous plants occur throughout the United States, and they vary by region. We will go through the plants you will most likely see: poision ivy, poison oak, and poison...

What Is The Difference Between Tinder and Kindling?

12Sep

By Adi LNo Comments

Outdoors, Other Skills, Survival

What Is The Difference Between Tinder and Kindling?

Tinder and Kindling are both of the two elements needed in order to start a fire. (Fuel, in general, is one of the three components of the fire triangle). But what exactly are these three fuels for a campfire, how much should we use, and what do they do? And most importantly, what is the difference between tinder and kindling? Learning the Difference Between Tinder, Kindling, and Fuel Learning the difference between tinder and kindling, as well as the types of firewood to use is one of four steps You Need To Take Before Starting a Fire. Tinder Tinder is the first step in starting a fire (more info on starting a fire here). Any small, dry, and natural material is considered to be tinder. It is the quickest and easiest to set on fire, and should be the first one you light. ...

How to Put Out a Fire With Safety and Care

27Aug

By Adi LNo Comments

Outdoors, Safety, Survival

How to Put Out a Fire With Safety and Care

Now that you've started a fire with How to Build and Start a Fire and enjoy it safely with Managing a Campfire, it's time for the fun to end. By this, that means we need to put out the fire. Putting out a fire can be very simple, but is important to know nevertheless the proper technique; you don't want to be the cause of a forest fire or worse! Step 1: Let the Fire Burn Out It is highly recommended that you follow this step and only put out the flame once it is dosed; it is much safer this way. This also makes your life easier, as it takes less effort to actually clean up. It also doesn't waste your wood. Step 2: Spread Out the Remains of the Fire Spreading out the fuel ensures no ember is left smoldering after you douse the fire, and saves water and time. Step 3: Dou...

Important Beginner’s Guide to Stand-Up Paddleboarding! 4 Essential Thoughts

16Aug

By Adi LNo Comments

Outdoors, Adventure, Travel

Important Beginner’s Guide to Stand-Up Paddleboarding! 4 Essential Thoughts

Whether you're stuck in quarantine looking for some social distancing activities or on vacation exploring some relaxing excursions, don't count out Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP. For those who don't know what it is, think of it as surfing with a paddle. One stands upon a surfboard-esque board and uses a very long one-sided oar to move and turn. Sounds interesting? Join me and I'll tell you everything you need to know in this first-timer's guide to stand-up paddleboarding, including the type, lessons, pricing, and more! Why Paddleboarding? Fun activity Adheres to social distancing rules Relaxing activity Good exercise Great opportunity for sightseeing Socialize while enjoying activity You hooked? Time to get all the info! A Foreword On The Type of Stand-U...

The Ultimate Yellowstone National Park Travel Guide for Lodging, Restaurants, and More!

4Aug

By Adi LNo Comments

Travel, Outdoors

The Ultimate Yellowstone National Park Travel Guide for Lodging, Restaurants, and More!

NOTE: This article is written in first-person as one of our writers' experiences in Yellowstone National Park. This will include everything you need to know about Yellowstone National Park, including excursions and sightseeing, lodging/camping, weather and times to go, food, and other park facilities. AN OVERVIEW OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, the biggest attraction in the park Lodging: 4 out of 5 ★★★★ My family stayed at Canyon Village Campground, while the rest of our party stayed at Canyon Lodge. Campsite The campsite is very well kept. There is plenty of space to set up your tent, as well as ample privacy with the trees situated around your campsite. The bathrooms are amazingly clean. It’s prob...

What are the Components of The Fire Triangle?

1Aug

By Adi LNo Comments

Outdoors, Survival

What are the Components of The Fire Triangle?

The fire triangle, simply put, includes everything a fire needs in order to be successful. It helps us visualize what elements a fire should balance in the form of a triangle. The essential ingredients are oxygen, heat, and fuel. But what does it mean? And why do the components of the fire triangle matter? Let's find out! The fire triangle. Oxygen Oxygen is self-explanatory; you simply need to let air in. Fires need to take in oxygen—it is essentially another form of fuel. But this is by far the most forgotten aspect of fire-starting. Amateur fire-builders end up placing the tinder, kindling, and firewood so close together that they clump up and block any such airflow, limiting the fire's ability to fuel itself. You can do to allow air to flow throughout your fire lay by using t...

What to Do Before Starting A Campfire: The Best 4-Step Checklist

26Jul

By Adi LNo Comments

Outdoors, Safety, Survival

What to Do Before Starting A Campfire: The Best 4-Step Checklist

Learn about what to do before starting a campfire. Gone are the days when we would ignorantly throw a pile of wood on the ground, pour a liter of oil on top, and light a fire ablaze. One, that isn't safe or environmentally friendly, and two, that is inefficient. We now have a responsibility to take care of nature and our loved ones by using safe and sustainable methods of fire-starting. But don't worry; we've assembled a simple four-step procedure for what to do before starting a campfire, for safety, convenience, and effectiveness. What to do Before Starting a Campfire: Step 1: Check your area. Be sure to pay attention to where you are camping to mitigate potential forest fires and to be considerate to nature. Any flammable materials of some sort should be as far away as p...

23Jul

By Adi LNo Comments

Outdoors, Other Skills, Survival

How to Start a Fire Easily

Learning how to start a fire is one of the most fundamental skills of camping. But chances are you're doing it wrong! Understanding how to start a fire is essential, whether doing leisure camping or trying to survive in the backwoods, mastery of fire-starting is one of the best skills you can add to your outdoor skills toolkit. How to Start a Fire: Basic Information The most important concept you need to know in order to learn how to start a fire, no matter the lay or shape, is the fire triangle. The fire triangle is a helpful visual to show us the 3 essential "ingredients" of fire: fuel, oxygen, and heat. For more information about the fire triangle and what you need to know about how to start a fire, read What are the Components of The Fire Triangle? What is the Fire Triangle?. ...