GONE CAMPING 4 THINGS TO KEEP INMIND ON YOUR NEXT FAMILY CAMPING TRIP
While summer is winding down, families are looking to go on a few end-of-season adventures, camping trips included. Before you head out into the wilderness with your family, it’s important to be prepared. In fact, “be prepared” is the best piece of advice when it comes to braving the great outdoors. But what does being prepared entail? Here are four key tips. HAVE A FIRST-AID KIT NEARBY. A good rule of thumb is to keep one in your car at all times. You never know when you’ll need it. Kids may get a few bumps and scrapes while out hiking, or you might encounter poisonous plants, such as poison ivy or poison oak. Having quick access to cold water, soap, antiseptics (hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol), and calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can keep infections at bay. TEACH FIRE SAFETY. When you build a fire, especially with kids, teach them about fire safety. This includes building the fire itself. Pick a spot away from brush and overhanging branches and create a pit surrounded by rocks. Before lighting a fire, have a bucket of water and
a shovel nearby so you can quickly extinguish it when ready. Finally, remember to only build a fire as big as you need. A larger fire can be difficult to manage and keep under control. KEEP AN EYE ON THE SKY. Weather can change at a moment’s notice, and sometimes, it doesn’t give notice at all. Keep a close eye on the sky and monitor the weather on a radio. If a storm appears, seek shelter immediately and stay out of low-lying areas. When you’re in mountainous or hilly terrain, a little rain is all it takes for flash floods to occur. If you’re in a ravine when it starts raining, get out immediately. ALWAYS STICK TOGETHER. It’s a good idea to hike with a buddy and keep a whistle around your neck or in your pack. You never know what you might encounter or when you’ll need help. Hiking with kids is also a great time to teach them to recognize landmarks and be aware of their surroundings. If you have a digital camera or smartphone, show kids how to create a trail of digital breadcrumbs or pictures to help them find their way back to camp.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: AMBER A PERSONAL TOUCH WITH EVERY PATIENT
Amber has been with Marshall Orthodontics for over a year now, and we couldn’t ask for a more dedicated, caring, and friendly orthodontic assistant. She graduated from Greenville Technical College in 2017, so she’s pretty new to the field of orthodontics. Luckily, she’s a quick study. In fact, Amber holds the office record for the fastest digital scan of Dr. Marshall’s teeth! She set the record during a fun contest for our orthodontic assistants. We challenged them to up the speed of their scans using Dr. Marshall as a guinea pig. Clocking in at about 4 minutes and 30 seconds, Amber took the crown. Though she excels in orthodontics, Amber says growing up in Virginia she dreamed of being a marine biologist. She was fascinated by sea life documentaries like “Blue Planet,” and read every book about the ocean she could get her hands on. At Hillcrest High School, she took her first class in marine biology and went on to study
biology and chemistry in college. It wasn’t until her last year of general classes that her focus changed to the dental field. Amber credits her mom, who works in a dentist’s office, for inspiring her to make the switch. She spent enough time in her mom’s office growing up that it felt like a home away from home, and that comfort combined with the stability of the industry made it an attractive option for her. Working at Marshall Orthodontics also lets Amber stay close to home and spend time with her parents and brother. Of course, she still heads to the beach whenever she can and loves paddleboarding and kayaking. At the office, Amber’s favorite part of her job is working one-on-one with her patients. She sees more than a dozen people every day and says it’s an honor to watch their smiles transform over the course of a few years. The difference can be incredible, and she loves sharing in the pure joy of each final visit. Next time you come in, be sure to say hello!
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