Are you a lover of the great outdoors? Not only is it National Camping Month, but this year the National Park Service is celebrating its 100th birthday. These are just two good reasons to get out and explore what our local national and state parks have to offer.
Don’t forget to put your name down on the wait list for one of the library’s nature backpacks this summer, which contain free passes to all of the Virginia state parks as well as a few nature pocket guides and supplies, all of which can be checked out for three weeks at a time.
If you’re looking for some tips and tricks to keep you safe and informed while you’re out roughing it in the wilderness, check out one of these great guides:
The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping With Kids: How to Plan Memorable Family Adventures & Connect Kids to Nature by Helen Olsson – Outlines economical options for family camping vacations, sharing irreverent, anecdotal and practical guidelines for families with very young children while explaining how to select gear and address needs with a minimum of stress.
Survival Hacks: Over 200 Ways to Use Everyday Items for Wilderness Survival by Creek Stewart – Shares tips on how to use everyday items in a survival situation, including using lip balm to waterproof zippers, using duct tape to make snow goggles, and turning a can of Crisco into a candle.
Camping’s Top Secrets: A Lexicon of Expert Camping Tips by Cliff Jacobson – Goes beyond the scope of traditional camping books, revealing hundreds of field-tested tips to enhance your next outdoor adventure. With clear descriptions organized alphabetically for quick reference, this guide by a veteran camping consultant divulges the best-kept secrets of the experts.
Field & Stream Camping Guide: Camping Skills You Need by T. Edward Nickens – Provides practical tips for camping in all conditions, offering general guidelines on everything from hunting and fishing to choosing a site and roasting perfect marshmallows.
Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers’ Companion by Robert Sylvester – Forty-some volunteers from the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association team up each fall with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to compile the latest information on trail features and offerings in nearby towns.
Extreme Food: What to Eat When Your Life Depends On It by Bear Grylls – Host of the Discovery Channel’s “Man vs. Wild” draws on his experiences to discuss plants, animals, and insects that can be found in the wild and used as food, discussing how to catch, prepare, and cook the items and identify those that can be harmful.
Just want to add that anyone who is age 62 or over can get a lifetime pass for all National Parks for just $10! Go to: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm and scroll down to Senior Pass or go directly to: http://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html Have fun!