Camp Needs

There are little things that Camp is always in need of that most of us don't think of on a regular basis. These are usually little things that are used often (or at least every summer) and sometimes we just don't have enough.

Ideas for items needed:
Tents (with a rain fly)
Wire hangers
Craft supplies
Candle wax (I'm saving all of mine from my Scentsy warmer was it loses its scent)
Paint (and paint supplies)
Sleeping bags

This is in no way a comprehensive list, just a few ideas. We do need items that are in good, usable condition. However if you just bought a new, bigger tent; we would gladly take an older, smaller tent for our campers on campouts.

If you are interested in donating any items, please feel free to contact us at director (at) monakiwa (dot) org (we are trying to avoid spammers!). We good also use some bigger items and also welcome monetary donations. All donations are tax deductible.

When Dogs Roll In.....

This has happened to me more than once when I took my dog to camp with me and I know its happened to others. The last time my dog did this, it was as we were packing to head home. It was awful. So, I found this and I though I would repost it because it is great for all of us pet owners.

Reposted from Natural Pet Care Blog

Why do some dogs just love to roll in filthy rotting things like dead toads or fish, manure, swamp water or anything that simply smells revolting? They think it’s great while we think it’s obnoxious. We have to take the time to bath them or get them groomed by a professional. Sometimes the bath will not get rid of the smell.

So why do dogs love to smell so bad? Experts believe that dogs may do this in an effort to disguise their own smell. They are not sure why dogs would want to do this though. Perhaps it goes back to the days when they had to hunt for their own food. They would have a much better chance of capturing whatever they were stalking for dinner if their prey couldn’t smell them. Makes sense I guess.

Another theory is that they may be trying to hide their scent from predators who may be stalking them for dinner. Then again, maybe dogs just love the feel of rolling in something obnoxious. Nobody knows for sure and until our dogs learn to talk, I guess we never will.

So what to do? Well apart from keeping them away from any source of smell and that may not be easy if you live near a forest or a river etc, the quickest and easiest way is to simply give them a good bath. Make sure you use a shampoo that is designed for dogs.

Natural oils can be stripped from the dog’s coat, potentially causing infections and rashes, if you use shampoos that are made for humans. Essential oils can be really beneficial in restoring natural oils to their coat and if you use the right oils they can clear up any rashes and infections.

If after bathing your dog you can still smell the odor try spraying him with a blend of essential oils. Here’s one you might like to try, put 10 drops of geranium, 10 drops of lavender and 6 drops of lemon into a 1oz (approx 30ml) spray bottle then fill with water. Spray this over him making sure you hold the bottle around 10 inches (25.4cm) from his coat avoiding his head and eyes. He’ll smell gorgeous.

If your dog keeps rolling in stinky things it might be a good idea to take him to a pet groomer and have his coat clipped so that it will at least be easier to bath him and quicker for him to dry. Your dog will be happier in the summer months with a shorter coat anyway.

Tracey Peapell is a believer in the power of Aromatherapy for humans and animals alike. She is the author of Aromatherapy For Dogs. To find out more about the benefits of using Aromatherapy for your dogs health and happiness visit http://www.aromatherapy4dogs.com

Monakiwa is Turning 50

Just a reminder, Monakiwa will turn 50 this summer! We are busy planning a fun-filled reunion weekend. Keep an eye out for updates and reminders. We are in the process of updating our website and getting ready for the coming summer. Mark your calendars for the last weekend in July! July 29th - Aug 1st. Hope to see everyone there!

Winter Gear

It is cold here in Colorado today. I wasn't ready for this yet! I still want to take Kili for walks in Palmer Park. I'm still trying to get up to Barr Camp. I'm not ready to stop! Well, I don't think I will. I found a list of cold weather gear to help me keep going. I don't think I want to try snowshoeing and I'm not planning on doing any serious backpacking, but here are some good tips for us all.

CLOTHES

Layering is the key for snowshoeing. Chances are, you'll encounter cold air and cold wind, so you'll need to be equipped to keep all parts of the body warm, at all times. Layering is important because snowshoeing is, most of the time, highly aerobic, and you'll generate lots of body heat. You will need to (1) take off and put on garments, as required, to keep a balanced body temperature. You will also need to have waterproof / windproof garments that are very breathable (like Gore Activent-based garments) and have venting options (like pit zips, pack pockets, and two way zippers).

BASE LAYER:
You will probably want a base layer of lightweight moisture-wicking thermal underwear like Patagonia Lightweight Capilene. Also, wear a pair of lightweight capilene glove liners to keep your hands from getting cold. Generally, if the weather is mild, those liners will insulate your hands, well enough, even when wet. If the weather is particularly cold, however, cover the liners with a pair of windproof, waterproof, Goretex Gloves. I use a pair of ultralight OR "Lobster Claw Rain Mitts" (weight 1 ounce) over a pair of lightweight liners. It does the job even in very cold weather, as long as I'm active. I also carry a thicker pair of fleece gloves, just in case I need them.

MIDDLE LAYER:
For a mid-layer I carry a Patagonia windproof, microloft Puffball Vest (insulates even when wet & body heat drys it out quickly)--and it weighs only 8 ounces. In addition, I carry a Marmot windstopper, microfleece jacket with pack pockets, pit zips, and a drawstring collar. If I'm going overnight, I'll also carry a set of Patagonia Midweight Capilene underwear.

OUTER LAYER:
For the outer layer, its important to have breathable wind and rain-proof jacket and pants. For snowshoeing, I generally don't take my gore-tex gear because it doesn't breathe very well. Instead, I take my Marmot "Gore-Activent" anorak and pants. They breathe well, are windproof and water resistant (not to mention, ultralight).

WHATEVER YOU DO...DO NOT WEAR COTTON ! WET COTTON DOES NOT INSULATE ! YOU WILL GET COLDDD !

SOCKS:
Assuming you have boots appropriate for snowshoeing, your regular hiking socks should be okay for snowshoeing. Take an extra pair.

GAITERS:
Knee-high gaiters keep the snow out of your boots (I recommend OR gore-tex Crocodiles)

HAT:
I carry two hats. A wool baseball cap which will insulate my bald head even when both (my head & the hat) are wet. I also carry a very lightweight, windproof, microfleece cap which covers my ears, also.
Source: http://www.backpacking.net/winter.html#clothes

Another Work Weekend

So, this past weekend we had another work weekend. Which, I'm still not getting emails for. I keep wondering if Tara is trying to avoid having me there, but then I think "nah, everybody loves to have me around!" So, we had an incredibly long list that was organized and prioritized by Annette. And we got like 3 things checked off the list! Just kidding.

We got Discovery Lodge painted, the common room anyway. Its has been a horrible, dark, depressing brown since at least 2003 (cause those were the oldest signatures). We got tired of the dungeon and scrounged up enough paint to get it redone. So, now it is a bright off white slightly green color (there was some serious mixing of colors) and it looks great. We even redid the doors from jet black to fire engine red. Once we get the toilet installed, that place is ready to go!

We also got all the old fire barrels moved, stuff cleaned out from under the A-frames, the bunkhouse fixed up, and I'm sure Mr. Ed had a long list he got done. So, a huge thanks to everyone who helped! It was great to see you all again and Thomas it was great fun having you there, we hope you will join us again.

Plus, I want to thank our fearless leaders for all that they do.

Help

I'm still looking for any camp stories you might like to share. I would also like to get some reviews on trails, campsites, or backpacking trips.

I'm also hoping to get some t-shirt designs in soon!

If you have anything you'd like to share, please share!

Pitching Tents

Pitching Tents - How to Set Up a Camping & Hiking Tent

Setting up your perfect camp starts with Finding the Perfect Camp Location. After this, you have to determine where and how to pitch a Tent. In this section, we will give you some guidelines on pitching your Tent and how to set up a Tent during rough conditions.

• The way you set up your Tent will of course differ from one Tent type to another so refer to your Tent's manual for exact instructions.
• As explained in our section on Camp Layout, you should pitch your Tents in a safe and sheltered place.
• Find out what the prevailing wind direction is and set your Tent up in a way that the doors and/or vents are aligned along the wind direction. This will greatly increase the ventilation in your Tent and help you in your fight against condensation.
• You will want to pitch your hiking tents evenly and secure them as good as you possibly can. A lot can change overnight so even if the conditions are great as you pitch your Tent, you should always prepare for the worst. Knowing the Weather Conditions
is a good first step.

Pitching a Tent in Windy Conditions

Windy conditions can make it very challenging to set up your Tent as the Tent cover is likely to flap and lead a life of its own. Before filling in your backpacks with some stuff, here are some tips on how to pitch a Tent in windy conditions:

• If the winds and weather conditions are very rough then you might want to wait for things to settle down a bit before you try pitching your Tent. You could look for a Natural Shelter or Create Makeshift Shelter first if the changes of your Tent being blown away are too great or if you need to seek shelter as quickly as possible.
• Find the most sheltered location and get as many teammates as possible to help and act as weights.
• Make sure to have some heavy but smooth objects at hand before you unpack your hiking tent. You can use them to weigh down the Tent sheets and keep them secured.
• Unfold your Tent sheets as close to the ground as possible and place heavy objects on them as you unfold it. Use your body if no objects are available.
• Depending on the structure and pitching method of the Tent you can now start driving in the first pegs. Fix the windward side of your Tent first! Keep all sheets flat and weighted down. When the moment arrives that you have to lift up the Tent sheets, do so as fast as possible.
• Once you are done, make sure to check all pegs. It is likely that some of them are not very securely connected in your hurry to get your Tent upright.
• Only dig drainage moats if you have a Tent without a high waterproof lower wall or if you expect extreme rains. In most cases, digging drainage moats is not needed, takes extra time, and damages the surface. Pitching your Tent at slightly elevated surfaces can prevent problems.

Pitching a Tent in Snowy Conditions

Snowy Conditions make it harder to find firm and level ground to secure your stakes in. Furthermore, there are risks of getting snowed in. Here are some guidelines:

• Choose your location well to decrease the chances of getting snowed in or, even worse, getting caught in an Avalanche. Take your binoculars and stay away from steep barren slopes. Scope out the terrain above you to ensure that if an avalanche were to occur, your camp site would not be in its path. Read our section on Avalanche Awareness for more information on preventing and surviving Avalanches.
• Take your time in selecting the camp spot and try to find the most leveled and the firmest surface you can find. The time you spend in finding a better site will probably be less than the time to level the surface and work with a soft surface.
• Level out the surface where you will pitch your Tent and perhaps even dig a site. Make sure the entrance area is dug out well to minimize the chances of the entrance getting blocked by snow.
• Use special snow pegs or snow anchors to tie down your Tent. In case of very bad surfaces, try tying down using branches, skies, snowshoes, or other things at your disposal.

Pitching a Tent in Difficult Surfaces

If the surface is too soft (sand, snow) or too hard (rock) then you will have a problem staking down your Tent. Be creative and use one or more of the following tips:

• Anticipate your Terrain Conditions and bring special pegs and stakes for surfaces such as snow, gravel, and soft sand.
• In soft surfaces, dig a hole and dig in the stake with guy line and all. For increased resistance, it might be better to tie the guy line to a big branch and dig this in instead of using the pegs.
• Look for solid bushes or trees that allow you to tie down the Tent without using stakes.
• Tie the guy lines to the middle of the stake, place them flat on the ground, and use large obstacles like rocks or logs to keep them from sliding. For increased friction, you can tie the guy lines to large branches instead of using the stakes.
• Be creative and use whatever gear or natural material is at your disposal. Use the techniques mentioned in our Makeshift Tents section.

Obviously, finding a good location comes with knowing how to set up camping tents. However, there may be times when conditions are not favorable for easy setting up of your camp. Thus, it is essential to know how to set up a Tent in different weather and ground (surface) conditions. In this way, rough conditions will not be able to stop your camping plans.

Source: http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/hiking-tents/pitching-tents.asp