Holiday Buying Guide for Your Outdoorsy People

As we move through the holiday season, Nevada Outdoor School is counting every blessing!  We deeply appreciate the support we have received from our community.  It is a gift to get to serve and connect kids ages 0 - 99 with our natural world.  

Getting outside and exploring is a gift you can give yourself no matter the season!  However, the holiday season is an excellent opportunity to give the outdoorsy people in your life the gift of being prepared for any outdoor adventure they might take. 

The first principle of Leave No Trace is “Plan Ahead and Be Prepared”, making sure you are equipped with the right information and supplies to have a fun, safe and minimal impact outdoor adventure before you ever leave your house.  The 10 Essentials, formalized by the Mountaineers, outlines 10 essential systems needed for a successful and safe outdoor adventure whether you’re hiking 1 mile or 50 miles. It also serves as an excellent holiday shopping guide for the outdoor enthusiasts in your life!

You can easily remember the The Mountaineers Ten Essentials list with this fun limerick by Steve McClune:

To navigate, head for the sun
With first aid and knife on the run
Bring fire and shelter
Extra food is a helper
But water and clothes weigh a ton 

Still wondering what specific gifts might do the trick?  Here are some ideas:

1.       Navigation- Tech savvy electronic devices like GPS units and smart phones offer knowledge to the unskilled navigator, however, failure and non-connectivity rates are high.  For this reason, purchasing non-electronic tools like maps and compasses for your outdoor adventurer adds a level of safety. 

2.       Headlamp (Light) - Sometimes an adventure takes longer than planned.  A light source like a headlamp or a flashlight allows your loved one to find their way back to the trailhead even after sunset.  Reusable batteries and a battery charger to keep these light sources charged and working throughout the year is also a great gift idea.

3.       Sun protection- Even in winter the sun is harsh.  Sunscreen is a great stocking-stuffer.  Fun, cool, and functional hats, sunglasses and UV protective clothes are usually a hit with outdoor enthusiasts.  

4.       First Aid - Allergic reactions, bee stings, and minor scrapes and falls are common occurrences.  It’s important to be prepared to treat these ailments if you spend a lot of time in nature.  Foot care products to help prevent blisters like moleskin, insect repellent and small First Aid kits are great stocking stuffers.

5.       Knife (and Repair Kits) – A knife is a helpful for first aid, food preparation and repairs. Even the best equipment eventually fails.  Zippers break, chipmunks eat holes in your backpack, and pants rip.  A small multi-tool or roll of duct tape are perfect for this!

6.       Fire - Having a plan to start a fire in the case of an emergency is key.  A lighter or other fire starter is a great gift idea.  Looking for something a little bigger?  Consider a camp stove or lightweight jet boil. 

7.       Shelter - The most common mistake people make is assuming they will be back as planned.  Being prepared to bivouac (stay) through a storm or even overnight by having an emergency blanket or large plastic contractor bag is a good idea and could save a life.    

8.       Extra Food (Nutrition) – Dense calorie rich foods like energy bars or even candy bars are good stocking stuffers for your outdoor enthusiast to stick in their pack during their next trip outdoors.  Does your love one venture into bear country?  Maybe consider a bear-proof food storage container.

9.       Extra Water (Hydration) - Adults need a half liter of water per hour of nonstrenuous activity in regular conditions.  A water bottle or bladder-system helps with this need.  Another alternative is a water filter, assuming there is water available in the area. 

10.   Extra Clothes - Weather conditions can change over time, and sometimes quickly!  The proper clothing and the availability of waterproof, windproof and insulating layers in a backpack can help your loved one adapt and continue having fun in any condition.

Wondering where to purchase these supplies?  There are many reputable stores in our local area that stock these outdoor essentials.  If the supply you desire is not available locally or you choose to shop online instead, consider using an online shopping platform such as goodshop.com, givingassistant.org, or smile.amazon.com to support non-profits.  When you sign-up for any of these online charity programs you can select your charity of choice.  If you do not have another local favorite, Nevada Outdoor School will happily accept your donation via shopping.  Gear up and get outside, it is good for humans everywhere.

Let the Sun Shine In

 The sun is a magnificent ball of plasma that provides the earth with the energy that is required for most life.  The sun is 93 million miles from our planet, yet we feel its heat and benefit from the ultraviolet radiation daily.  Over the years, exposure to the sun has been given a bad rap, causing people to fear sun exposure, but in reality, without consistent exposure to the sun you may not be living your best life, so let the sun shine in!

There is no doubt that the messaging about sun exposure can be confusing. It seems everyone recommends something different and there is fear associated with diseases associated with sun exposure, such as skin cancer.  The good news is that over the past several decades more and more epidemiologic studies are providing a clearer picture of the benefits and risks of sun exposure.  As with many things, the moderate or middle-ground approach appears to be healthier than any extreme.

In a comprehensive and easily readable review published in Environmental Health Perspectives, titled “Benefits of Sunlight: A Bright Spot for Human Health” author M. Nathaniel Mead summarizes a vast amount of research data available on the health impacts associated with exposure to the sun.  From cancer to multiple sclerosis, the association and impact of ultraviolet radiation on human health cannot be denied. 

One of the more familiar positive health impacts associated with ultraviolet radiation is the production of vitamin D.  Vitamins are “vital amines”.  Vitamins are organic molecules that are essential micronutrients, meaning they are required for life in small quantities.  However, vitamins cannot be made by the human body, or cannot be made in the necessary amount, therefore they must be obtained from the diet or in the case of vitamin D, from environmental exposure to the sun.

As humans moved inside and began to cover up with clothes, the amount of daily sun exposure decreased dramatically and there was an increase in diseases such as rickets and tuberculosis (TB).  In the late 1800’s, it was estimated in northern European cities that over 90% of children suffered from rickets, a disease characterized by growth retardation and skeletal deformities.  Likewise, there was an increased use of “sun exposure” to successfully treat active TB.   This correlation to sun exposure and health lead to the widespread acceptance and understanding of the “healthy tan”.

Research over the years has unlocked many mysteries associated with health and disease, and it is now believed that there are over 1,000 genes, which govern every tissue in the body, that are regulated or impacted by the active form of vitamin D.  Like many compounds in the human body, at any given moment the compound may be found in a variety of phases or stages, each impacting a variety of metabolic pathways from the metabolism of calcium to immune system functioning. 

In the 1930’s the U.S. Public Health Service began issuing warnings about sun exposure and in the 1970’s the World Health Organization established the UV Index to help frame sun protection messages to assist with the healthy exposure to the sun.  Skin cancer is possible, but without exposure to the sun other major health impacts will be experienced.

There is evidence of varying degrees supporting a link between vitamin D insufficiency to multiple sclerosis, type 1 and 2 diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and cardiovascular disease.  In addition, infectious diseases caused by virus appear to have a seasonality that correlates to ultraviolet exposure.  Therefore, the health impacts stretch far beyond ultraviolet light and vitamin D, alone.  Other health impacts independent of vitamin D include prevention of autoimmune diseases, the repairing of DNA damage, improving the treatment of skin disorders such as psoriasis, and increasing endorphin production. 

Getting outside and opening your blinds are natural ways to easily experience the health benefits of the sun.  When outside, being wise to manage your exposure is smart, using sunscreen, hats, and clothing can help you have a healthy exposure for which your body and mind will thank you.  As our days are becoming shorter here in northern Nevada during this time of year, you may need to be more considerate of getting outside and absorbing some of those ultraviolet waves.  A quick sunrise or sunset stroll or lunchtime walk will provide you many health benefits.  Consider it a prescription for natural health, get outside!

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Your Calendars for #GivingTuesday - November 30, 2021!

 Save the Date for #GivingTuesday - November 30, 2021!

GivingTuesday is an international day of generosity that happens on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving.  It is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past 9 years, this idea has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

#GivingTuesday is an opportunity for people around the world to stand together in unity⁠⁠—to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and heal.

People can show their generosity in a variety of ways during GivingTuesday⁠⁠—whether it’s helping a neighbor, advocating for an issue, sharing a skill, or giving to causes, everyone has something to give and every act of generosity counts.

At a time when we are all experiencing the pandemic, generosity is what brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together across the globe. Generosity gives everyone the power to make a positive change in the lives of others and is a fundamental value anyone can act on.

GivingTuesday emphasizes opportunities to give back to communities and causes in safe ways that allow for social connection and kindness even while practicing physical distancing. 

We all have gifts to give, and with social media, online giving, delivery, mail, and phones, there are limitless ways to use your generosity to support others.  

 

This year on #GivingTuesday, we hope that you will consider making a donation to support Nevada Outdoor School.

You can donate here or volunteer to be a fundraiser for NOS here:
https://app.mobilecause.com/e/PWvXsw?vid=n3eok

Thank you!