My findings on the Open Road of Life
by Meghan McHugh, under the advisement of Dr Lorie A. Tuma
Hi! My name is Meghan. I am a senior at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and I am getting ready to graduate. Look out world, here I come! My last year at GVSU took place around the same time that our new Recreation emphasis was approved. As such, I was fortunate enough to take a few classes in recreation and learn more about the industry’s contributions and challenges. I also had time to focus on
Baby, it’s cold outside. So, that means it’s time to cozy up inside right? Well if you would like to, that’s fine. However, just because it’s winter and your baby IS, in fact, a baby, doesn’t mean you have to. You can take your bundle of joy camping in the colder months. While taking your baby into the wilderness may seem like an intimidating idea, by taking a few simple steps to properly prepare, your whole family can enjoy winter camping.
We will start by knocking
Journey Driven tracker and journal for solo female travellers
By Erica Angel
Two years ago, shortly after my 21st birthday, I took a leap into something I would consider the single most frightening, exciting, liberating decision of my life so far, as I embarked on my first solo adventure to South East Asia.
Although my parents were initially shocked by the decision, they seemed genuinely excited and were overwhelmingly supportive throughout the entire process. Only thing was, I felt guilty from start
I want to start off with a story. Bear with me.
My first introduction to habitat destruction was when I was eight years old. The ditch at the end of our driveway was my favourite place to play in the early summer. It contained the densest population of tadpoles I have ever seen to date. Not just any tadpole either – Pacific tree frog tadpoles – my absolute favourite. I spent hours mucking around the ditch, and on rainy days, I’d stay inside and read about frogs.
Photo credit: US National Park Service
I’ve written a few pieces on bear safety for Camping for Women, but I’ve never really covered how to avoid them when you are on the trail, or what to do when you come face to face with them.
Now before I get started, I want to attempt to alleviate any bear fears you may have. In 2017 Conservation officers in my home province of British Columbia killed 373 bears because of humans encroaching into its habitat. Hundreds more were killed
Dear Natalie,
Seriously, didn’t we tell you it was dangerous out there?
Signed,
Yourself, and society – again
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Dear everyone,
So yeah, it happened.
My friend Inga and I, both aiming for a grand total of at least 52 hikes by 12/31/18, decided to go on a quick hike one Saturday in February. The sky was a bit overcast. Gray skies on our valley floor, a mere 1000 ft. in elevation, often mean snow storms
Imagine you are out for a snowshoe or a backcountry ski, and you get lost, or a storm makes travel too dangerous, or your friend gets injured. You need a shelter, and fast. Luckily for you, you are surrounded by one of nature’s most convenient building materials.
Contrary to what your instincts might tell you, snow is a excellent insulator. While a snow shelter isn’t likely to get much warmer than 0° c, it probably beats whatever winter weather you are trying
Dear Natalie,
Don’t you know it’s risky out there?
Signed,
Yourself, and society
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Dear everyone,
At first, I would have answered this question in one, easy, short, simple word: No.
I started hiking in Ohio. For my friends from outside the U.S., or those geographically challenged Americans, Ohio is flat and fairly developed. There are virtually no bears in
Being a solo traveller, and even more so, a solo hiker or backpacker can be an intimidating endeavor to undertake. I cannot emphasize enough the need to be comfortable when partaking in anything serious such as hiking or backpacking in the wilderness by yourself. The same goes for travelling as it’s just not worth it to feel overwhelmingly anxious to the extent that it outweighs the joy of travelling or trekking solo. The key is being able to mentally prepare.
I, too, have
By Andrea Willingham
Whether you grew up in an outdoorsy family, or are just now discovering the joys of outdoorsmanship, there’s a lot to know and a lot to learn about this wonderful world of exploration and adventure in the great outdoors. And despite what the media and history books might have you believe, women have always been a part of this world as well, if not perhaps in different capacities at different times. Believe you me, we have always found our own ways to take part in the fun!