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Archive for Blog – Page 6

Nature and Movement Stimulate Neurological Growth

Nature and movement stimulate growth. Not just muscular growth, but neurological growth. When we experience and move our bodies in nature, we are taking in through our senses varied stimuli, and we are moving our bodies in relation to these stimuli. We are unconsciously learning something about ourselves and developing a deeper identity.

Research on the brain and nature conducted by the University of Michigan shows that after walking in a nature environment, people have better concentration and memory than those who walk down a city street. When we are overburdened by too much information, we make more impulsive choices. Daily life devoid of the calm of nature can lead to more habitual behaviors that keep us stuck in the status quo. When our brains are quieted by nature, reduced stimuli, and more natural rhythms, there is an opportunity to make different decisions that lead to personal growth and greater life satisfaction. It is totally different from the passive experience of watching television or being overstimulated by shopping in a mall.

Giving this gift to our children on a regular basis creates an opportunity for a healthy identity to arise. The more rich and rewarding experiences a child has with her family (where she feels most safe), the more curious and capable she will become. Not just because she learned how to cook a hot dog over a fire, but also because her creative self was given the opportunity to experience and move in her own unique way. She got to attend to what was interesting to her, do something with it, and share it with others. Perhaps she finds the stream of water near the campsite intriguing, enjoys whittling a piece of wood into an arrow, likes watching the squirrels chase each other while gathering nuts, or simply tends the fire while lost in thought. Whatever her natural inclinations, camping offers a way to enrich her understanding and experiences of those interests.

Family Ritual and Routine Correlates with Lower Mental Illness in Teenagers

Numerous studies point to the benefits of family traditions. Regular family dinners were shown to be a consistent factor in the family life of Rhodes scholars. Research shows family ritual and routine correlates with lower mental illness in teenagers.

According to one of the largest federally funded studies, “Teens and Their Parents in the 21st Century: Trends in Teen Behavior and the Role of Parental Involvement,” family dinner times reduce teenagers’ risks of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, smoking, and early sexual behaviors. Routine creates predictability, which is critical for children. Ritual creates meaning and consolidates an experience into a memorable moment to identify with throughout life.

Planning the menu can be the first ritual of a family campout. Letting everyone pitch in ideas and list their favorite foods kicks off the fun. You begin to anticipate the enjoyment of the trip. Shopping, packing the car together, making a bag of snacks for the drive, and picking out the music for the road trip all increase the excitement. Then the family hops in the car, feeling free as a bird. The vacation has begun, and you have everything you need to relax into a rich and rewarding experience.

Rave Reviews of My Camp Kitchen

Overland Journal gave My Camp Kitchen rave reviews! When comparing My Camp Kitchen chuck boxes to other field kitchens, Overland Journal ranked us first in our class (kitchens with container for cooking gear as well as surface upon which to cook) in its Spring 2011 issue. See below for excerpts from the review.

Overland Journal ranks Summit at the top for versatility, convenience, and features

From lightweight to luxurious, we look at the best kits for cooking outdoors.

Photograph by Chris Marzonie for the Overland Journal

Overland Journal, “Spring Field Test”

Excerpts from the review discussing the My Camp Kitchen™ Summit:

Overland Journal Review of the SummitThe My Camp Kitchen [Summit] is a new product. Constructed entirely of Baltic birch and red oak, the Summit Traveler is a fine example of good old-fashioned woodcraft using a simple, cleverly executed, elegant design. This is a camp kitchen your grandfather might have built in his workshop and passed down as a family heirloom. I met the maker, Richard Snogren, at the International Sportsmen’s Expo in Phoenix and got the impression that his product is a labor of love. After using it in the field, it’s obvious that it’s also the result of personal experience. He’s obviously spent some culinary time in the field and knows what he is doing.

The Summit scores impeccably on volumetric efficiency, thanks to the folding base and wood panel construction…. Put together with dovetail and dado joinery, the build quality is high. Years of use will only add character and a patina of adventure.

Once set up, the Summit is a joy to use. Swing open the cabin doors and you have three compartmented areas facing the chef, with a large counter in front. Additionally, there is a voluminous area below the counter and inside the base available for food boxes or any other large items you want accessible.

The Summit scores at the top

Overland Journal Review of the SummitThe Summit scores at the top for ease of use and ergonomics…. The working height and accessibility to cutlery, tools, specs, and paper towels couldn’t be better. This kitchen is immensely comfortable to use.

If you can afford the required cargo space for this kitchen and you’re serious about having a first-class work area to prepare fine meals, the Summit Traveler is a wonderful choice. The simple set-up and takedown, coupled with proper ergonomics and high-quality construction, score high points.

My Camp Kitchen Summit ranked first in these categories:

  • System Versatility
  • Convenience
  • Features

Learn More

If you have any questions, please give Richard a ring at 303.972.4721 or contact us today.
Thanks for reading, and happy camping!

Note: the Summit was referred to in the original article as the Summit Traveler. Since printing, the name has been changed.

Thank you for your interest in My Camp Kitchen!