GONE CAMPING
4 Things to Keep in Mind 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.
It’s Time for a Change
We Have a New Office!
We are moving! We’re growing and need more office space. So this summer, we’re moving the whopping distance of a few doors away!
You will still be able to find our office at 9200 Montgomery Road. However, we are no longer occupying office 5A. We will now be in 7B! Everything should be moved in by the beginning of August. While we’re in the same building, this is still somewhat of a big move for us. Like with any change, there is some resistance. Moving is hard and requires a lot of work, but this kind of change is often a necessary one. To be perfectly transparent, I have procrastinated this move for a while. There is a saying that goes,“Procrastination is the enemy of success.”Dale Carnegie summed up this idea well when he said, “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” Many people are afraid of taking a chance, and part of this fear comes from the risk involved. Your mind may race with questions like these:“What if something goes wrong?” or“What if I end up spending more money than I expected?”And you can spiral into asking what-if after what-if. This sentiment applies to many of the folks I work with. Some people are afraid of taking the plunge and finally calling a tax or accounting specialist. There are many reasons why people don’t make that call or why they procrastinate for as long as possible, and much of this boils down to fear regarding tax issues — especially the fear that they will end up owing more. While the IRS can be an imposing force, finally taking action and pushing past the fear can be the first step toward turning your tax situation around. When you make that call, it does breed confidence and courage.
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.
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