Nothing beats an adventure in the great outdoors. Whether you spend your time hiking in the mountains, splashing in the water, or going on scavenger hunts for flowers and bugs in your backyard, it is important that you properly plan for the outdoors. With every adventure you run the risk of danger whether it be from the sun a scraped knee or maybe a growling stomach, whatever the case it’s best to have a plan in place so you can spend more time having fun. But what is the best way to go about adventure planning?
Pack Your Gear
Being prepared is the single most important step in any outdoor activity and that usually starts with packing. There are the typical go-to's: sunscreen, insect repellent, hats, and sunglasses. Depending on what your outdoor activity is, you may want to consider packing things like chairs, blankets, umbrellas, and flashlights. Navigation tools are also a fantastic idea, especially if you are planning on going somewhere where you’re cellphone doesn’t get a signal.
It’s important to dress for your outdoor adventure and what the expected weather will be. We recommend that you dress in layers, especially in spring and fall months when the weather can easily turn one way or another. The right footwear could make or break your experience. For hiking, you’ll want good supportive shoes that don’t leave blisters, or for a day at the beach or on the lake you’ll flip flops or other easy-to-slip-off shoes to make getting into the water all the easier.
Pack The Right Snacks + Picnic
Whatever outdoor adventure you are going on, it’s important to bring water and snacks, not just to keep your thirst and hunger at bay but also to keep you safe and healthy. Hydration should be your number one priority during any outdoor activity. Snacks also can help keep headaches from developing and can be necessary for people with medical problems such as low blood pressure and diabetes.
So what should you pack? If your activity involves a lot of moving around like hiking, we suggest granola bars, trail mix, nuts, and dried fruit. They are light, easy to pack, and easy to munch on on the move. For more leisure activities, consider packing a picnic. Sandwiches and chips are one of the easiest packed lunches but pasta salad, meatballs, and veggies and dips are also great additions to any picnic. One last pro tip is to consider bringing a fly repellent to help keep pests away while you are eating.
Safety Kit + Emergency Plan
When outdoor planning, it is important to have a safety plan in place. Being outside comes with risk whether it be from wildlife, natural disasters, or accidents. It’s important that you and your children are aware of these risks. Remind kids not to approach wild animals, point out what poison ivy and poison oak look like, and make sure they are wearing life vests. While it can be scary to think about these things, it’s always better to talk about them than to be caught unprepared with no idea how to handle these situations.
Make sure you always have a first aid kit with you that is regularly restocked. First aid kits are mainly used to treat minor bumps and bruises. Other helpful tools to have are flashlights and pocket knives.
Have a Back-Up Plan
The weather has a way of unexpectedly taking a turn for the worse. Rather than letting a rainy day ruin your adventure have a rain plan for outdoors. If the weather isn’t too bad, consider embracing it—go swimming in the rain, go for a walk instead of a hike with a rain jacket or umbrella. But if it’s raining too hard for that, there are several great indoor activities you can do. Start by looking at what’s in your local area. Are there any museums? Libraries? These can be great day trips for you and your family, a chance to learn more about your community.
Another great option is to have a staycation. Build a pillow fort and then pile up for a movie night. Have a game marathon to see who among you will be the victor. Or bake some homemade cookies. Activities like these are great bonding moments and are sure to get you smiling in no time.
Don't let your outdoor adventure stress you out! Planning for outdoor adventures, packing the right gear and supplies, and having a plan for weather concerns in advance can help make sure nothing ruins your day. And while you're out there, choosing to use an effective, natural bug spray like Lemongrass Farm bug spray is a great way to keep unwanted pests away without harsh chemicals. So go outside and explore the world around you—with a bit of preparation and Lemongrass Farm bug spray, the possibilities are endless!
