I wanted to spend some time refreshing my knowledge of a compass and learning further about orienteering. I did so recently in the context of reading The Wilderness Route Finder by Calvin Rustrum. Published in 1967, Rustrum explains in detail numerous ways of determining one’s position in the wilderness at a time before the use of GPS. While the book also details navigation by sextant, radio signals, and others, I was most interested in the portions of the book related to use of the compass and general way finding. Continue reading “Orienteering Basics with The Wilderness Route Finder by Calvin Rustrum”
My First Wilderness Canoe Trip
In the summer of 1994 at the age of 13, I took my first trip to the Boundary Waters (and Quetico) with my father, younger brother, and the aforementioned Uncle Bruce. Uncle Bruce, who is actually my mom’s uncle, was an experienced canoe tripper and my father had gone with him on a trip to the Quetico once in the 80’s. The three of us relied very much on him to help us plan the trip. While my brother and I had been canoeing with our father since as long as we could remember, this was the first time that we had ever combined it with camping and over the course of multiple days.
Take your kids Camping
Take your kids camping. It brings them out of their familiar surroundings and perceived safety of home and gives them a chance to grow. I learn from my kids that they are stronger, smarter, and more resilient than I sometimes give them credit for. By taking them out of their rooms and outside, it helps them to realize for themselves that they have those qualities too. By facing the natural apprehension of the dark, night time can become not about monsters in the closet, but about hikes by moonlight and stargazing. By feeling cold and wet, the warmth of a fire and hot chocolate can be appreciated. Continue reading “Take your kids Camping”