Greening Up a Summer Camping Trip

A couple days ago over on my personal blog I discussed the likelihood that I would be taking at least one camping trip in my lifetime and it was very possible that trip would take place this summer. When considering all of the things that could be enjoyable while camping, I wondered how I could do so and still be kind to the Earth.

Our trip will involve some friends with babies and a dog as well as Matt and myself, and activities will include hiking, cooking, showering, sleeping, hanging out and reading, making ‘smores, drinking and of course eating campfire cooked food. What I found is there are ways to be kind to the Earth, still be somewhat light on our feet and have an enjoyable time while doing it.

One of the things that nerves me about camping is the pitch black of outdoors when walking to the bathroom at night. Well with the crank flashlight we have that should not be a problem! There is a handle on one side that pulls out and can be cranked repeatedly to juice the light. No batteries and no electricity required. The one we have is residing in my car trunk emergency kit right now. The light lasts for a few minutes and when it goes out simply crank it up again. It is a powerful light for illuminating a trail.

Perhaps however I want to do something a little lengthier that involves light at night. No problem! Countless companies sell lanterns with led lights but the K-Light from PiSAT Solar enjoys up to twenty hours of run time and takes nothing more than the sun to power it. The K-Light is water resistant (Both the unit and the solar panel) and the website boasts that it weighs about the same as a can of soda.

As the sun begins to set the bugs are drawn into the wondrous lantern light and because I am not one for bugs I will definitely be picking up some Badger Anti-Bug balm from my local REI. It is made from all Earth friendly ingredients and contains no DEET. With lemongrass and rosemary it will even smell nice, but don’t worry guys, it is not girly.

Sitting around the campfire is probably the activity I look most forward to while camping because of two things -- drinking beers and ‘smores.

By going for organic beer and wine it will be a nice way to thank the dirt beneath me as well as enjoy some yummy libations. Doing a quick Google search provided me with links to all kinds of local, organic beers.

Then it was on to the components of a great ‘smore -- chocolate, graham cracker and marshmallow. Sweet and Sara carries a vegan marshmallow (found in a bunch of Whole Food’s locations across the United States) and New Morning makes an organic honey graham but the most important topper of all, a bar of chocolate can be beneficial in a few ways. We received for the holidays last year Endangered Species Chocolate bars. The ones we got are dark (certified Vegan and Kosher!) but this innovative company (who donates 10% of all net profits to endangered species and their habitats) also carries a milk chocolate version of their 1.4 oz and 3 oz. bars as well.

This summer we campers will be well fed, safe and relaxed knowing we can keep the bugs away and the laughs over beers coming all while having little to no negative impact.

Next up, to find environmentally responsible tents, sleeping bags and athletic equipment to further enhance our eco-camping experience!

Spooky Night of Fun

Recently I posted the start of a comprehensive guide on how to have an eco-holiday season and last night officially kicked off the fun!


Our twin nephews are just about to turn six, the youngest is just over two, and they all are big lovers of Halloween. The youngest is just starting to learn what it is all about but ran around all night proclaiming “Happy Halloween!” and “Trick or Treat! Smell my feet!” with an enormous smile. The older boys each have their own attraction to the holiday -- for the first born it is all about the dressing up, locating that perfect costume, for the younger twin it is all about the candy.

Before Matt got home from work yesterday I got ready to go in, what would surely be warm, khaki cargo pants and a fuzzy baby blue sweater. When I pulled out some earrings and put them on they were far too glam to go preppy so at the last minute I decided to throw together a costume. The earrings were screaming rock star so I rifled through the closet and came up with this completely free costume. The shirt is a silk, leopard print, halter that I have had for about eleven years and I carried the drum sticks all night.

When Matt got home and saw that I was dressed he knew the joke of dressing up as an out of work banker was about to come to fruition. He too pulled the closet apart to locate his most wrinkled shirt, pants that were too small, dirty shoes (from pounding the pavement of course) and a tie that he quickly threw on. The disheveled hair was just a lucky bonus that he had not been to get a cut in far too long. I told him to look distraught and he did not disappoint. Another free costume, score!

Because there are some crazy individuals out there I never share the names or faces of my nephews on any blog so the helmet on the Astronaut is an add-on that I used to conceal his identity. Captain Hook concealed his own through his goofy expression and the Little Pirate luckily has a head down. Some notable green facts about their costumes:

The astronaut costume is recycled from last year although the paper mâché helmet did not make it.
The jacket on Captain Hook is mom’s coat, the belt is Dad’s.
The shoes are their rain boots.

We walked the neighborhood with a rechargeable LED lantern to guide our way and even though it was cold (and we all thought the parents following their children in cars were warmer), we were certainly greener and getting our exercise to boot. Speaking of, it was at that moment I was wishing my boots did not have a three inch heel. Oh the price those rockers pay for fashion.

The end of our night became evident when the haunted house set up near the end of the cul-de-sac freaked the older boys out so much that screaming and crying ensued. They managed to hold it together long enough to walk down to their friend’s house and then it was back inside to a nice warm kitchen where the adults sifted through the candy, making sure everything was sealed, over a nice glass of fall home brew. A wonderful night indeed.