All about camping

As we know, camping is a stay away from home for a change in daily lifestyle to have a relaxing experience. Camping can be pursued anywhere outdoors; like in the woods or in a place surrounded by the beauty of nature.

But there is a lot more to it. Besides being a recreational activity, camping is a rapid departure from your regular life without costing a fortune. Hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting and kayaking are some of the common activities that are done while camping. Alongside, it brings some real health benefits with fun and adventure. Let us know why camping is important to us.

• Socialization – In the community that we live in, hard work is quintessential. As a result, more time is spent at our place of employment rather than at home. Camping provides time away from daily stresses and allows time for us and our family to socialize without distractions. According to The American Journal of Public Health, socializing can delay memory problems and add more days to our lives.
• Fitness – Immobilizing across various amenities while camping kseeps our body under constant exercise. It not only burns extra calories but also makes our organs active. As per various research, many people around the world have experienced improved cardiovascular and respiratory systems through extensive camping.
• Relief from depression and anxiety – Stress, depression and anxiety are the source of all mental diseases. Therefore, it is of vital importance to get rid of them all. Here is where camping plays its magic. It help us to remove ourselves from the stresses of our daily lives. As a matter of fact, research has shown that green spaces can decrease depression by up to 71%.
• Brings our close ones closer – Due to our daily tedious lives we hardly can manage time to spend quality time with our close ones. Be it our family or our friends, camping is the best way where we can have our own share of time with the ones we love and care for. For this reason, the camping venues are designed by keeping in mind about all age groups of participants.

Many take camping as to “rough it out” in the wilderness. But camping does not always have to be intense. If you want to camp, but do not want a bumpy experience, we have a variety of accommodations that can accommodate everyone. Our campgrounds are placed in a natural setting, giving you all the real benefits of camping without any discomfort.

WILDERNESS PRESIDENTIAL RESORT – The perfect campsite for every family

Located in Fredericksburg / Spotsylvania Virginia, just about an hour drive from Washington DC, the Wilderness Presidential Resort gives you the perfect camping experience with your family. The entire area rests on over 600 acres of beautiful woodland and waterways. And most importantly, you may plan your outing anytime of the year as it remains open 365 days a year. Whether a wilderness owner or not, enjoy all the lovely recreation amenities, built for every age group member of your family. This place is also rich in history dating back to the Civil war as it is situated in the heart of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania.

You get to choose among various types of luxurious suits in the wilderness, classified according to your requirement:

Log Cabins – Rated Silver Crown by RCI, these log cabins give you the perfect blend of peace and happiness. Away from the vociferous streets of your city, the cabins are close to Hazel Grove Lake and ideal for fishing, swimming and other various water activities. So if you need a spot where you want to be undisturbed with or without your family, one of these log cabins is all you require.

RVs – Now taking your pet along with you while camping is easy. All thanks to these park model RVs. These pet-friendly RVs are also an exquisite choice for your family. These units are located all over the resort with pools, playgrounds, activities and both Cool Spring and Hazel Grove Lake just around the corner. Thus making it ideal for people who do not want to spend much time, travelling. RVs come in two different sizes and designs: The Cobra model which is 28 by 12 ft., and the Quailridge model which is 38 by 12 ft.

Camp cottages – The all new camp cottages are the latest built units of the resort. These lakefront models of the resort makes them more attractive to the guests. People who love nature would have a pleasing experience overall in these cottages. Situated on the water in Glen 27, these cottages give you a beautiful view of the nature around.

In addition to these deluxe accommodations, get 3 outdoor Pavilions with a seating arrangement which is customized for having picnics, birthday parties, reunions and lot more. For bigger occasions like wedding, get access to the Clubhouse of the resort. The mesmerizing field camp adjacent to the Pavilion is ideal for scouts, family retreats, outdoor games and much more.

The Wilderness Presidential Resort, makes your vacation elementary by offering budget-friendly accommodations. On top of that, enjoy discounted rates during special periods at rental specials. So make your stay beautiful and pleasant at the Wilderness Presidential Resort.

For more details, visit – www.wpresort.com

FOOLPROOF CAMPING TIPS: WHAT TO DO, WHAT NOT TO DO

Yes, camping is great. And, whether you go camping in the conventional way or in fully accomodated and comfortable RVs and cabins like ours, there are certain things you’ve got to keep in mind. Even little things, if gone wrong, could ruin the whole experience. And there are a great number of things, starting from choosing the right camping gear, spots (whether to rough it out or go glamping comfortably), campground, fire building, food, etc. that could go wrong. So, without further ado, let us get down to business. What to do, what not to do, while planning for, as well as when you are on, a camping trip, hopefully in our Wilderness Presidential Resort’s cool and fun Camp Cottages or RVs.

To Do’s –

• Pack compact: Relax and carry as compactly as you can, because, at our resort you get fully stocked and facilitated cabins and RVs for rent. But, do remember your essentials, for instance, Camping emergency kit (self-assembled or store bought), proper linens and clothes, packaged food, flashlights, RV toilet papers, toolkit, trashbags, ropes, etc.
• Be Tech-savvy: If and when you take any kind of electronic devices, be sure to learn its proper use.
• Proper training: Before you can embark upon your camping/glamping trip, it is absolutely non-negotiable that you acquire the proper drills and trainings required. Fire build up and management, waste management, food (though, with us, you may quit worrying about it), proper clothes selection, safety management, pest control, survival training, etc. are few of the most important points to keep in mind before you even say the word ‘camping’.
• Cleanliness: Be empathetic. Always clean up beforen you leave a site. Especially when you are in an RV, cleanliness is even more required than you woud think, since, in a compact space like that, you won’t like messy and dirty things around you, at all.

Not To Do’s –

• Set up late at night: You need to respect Nature as well other campers when you are out there. Check in to your site, cabin or RV, and set up your camp while the sun, as well as your fellow campers, are still out. For one, it easier for you. For another, there is nothing more irritating when a fellow camper/ camping group creates a ruckus involving set up, when everyone is resting after a hectic, albeit fun, day at camping.
• Get drunk: DO NOT get drunk while camping. You may feel relaxed and lightweight, but be sure that others will definitely not be able to relax with a drunken presence amongst or even next to them.
• Bring pets: Everyone believes their pets are the best in the world. And why not! But, while you may love your pet dearly, other campers might not feel so. So, it’s always better to keep in mind the pet policy of the place you are going to, along with other people’s comforts, before you bring any of your beloved pets along with you.
• Disturb others: Ethically, morally, and even legally, you are obligated to never breach other people’s privacy, comfort and patience limits, while camping. DO NOT ignore quiet-hour rules (with music, too loud voices and laughter, etc.), or litter your used products and waste behind, or lose control over the situation if you have kids or pets with you, etc.

Basically, be smart. Be smart and ready in your action plan, prep trainings and, overall management. This way, you get to have the perfect camping experience, as well as avoid being a menace to others on the spot. Camping in cabins or vintage RVs can be as glorious as you want, but only when you commit to all the necessary protocols too. Happy Camping!

GLAMPING

What is Glamping – Concept and Beginning

Love to camp but hate to struggle in the wild? Not to worry, you have Glamping to your rescue! Glamping is the wonderful merge between all the funs of camping in nature and all the comforts of modern luxury. In fact, the term ‘glamping’ is actually the shortened form for ‘Glamorous Camping’. This way, you are able to camp in style. You have to admit that, while camping, in its traditional sense, can be a truly cleansing, purifying experience, amidst the lap of nature, it also can be tiresome, difficult and downright problematic for people who are willing to camp but are either physically or habitually, unable to survive in the wild. Here, glamping gives you the opportunity to experience all the thrill and fun and escapism of traditional camping without having to let go of your creature comforts. It has become exceptionally trendy nowadays.

If the concept sounds all new and unheard to you, think about the tour of African Safari. One could say the initial concept of ‘modern’ glamping began roughly from there. Starting from well-equipped places to stay, to folding baths, electric generators and even cases of champagne, tourists and travelers were given almost all kinds of domestic comfort, while on tour. Glamping, in its full style and effect, evolved gradually after this.

Types of Glamping

There are numerous ways and options of glamping, all over the world. It’s not just providing one with a fancy tent and good food. There are places and spots so incredibly glamorous; each spot presenting such exquisite and unique advantages, one would have a hard time digesting the fact that it’s all a part of camping. From cabins and farm-houses, to yachts and caves, to villas, tipis and tree houses, glamping offers you with not only a panoramic view of the nature surrounding you but with extremely luxurious stay with nature close at your reach.

Charms of Glamping

Many may argue that, a modern luxurious and comfortable stay might take away the main essence of traditional camping. That the idea of ‘being one with nature’ gets lost amidst the glamorous comfort. On the other hand, people who have experienced glamping in all its glory, have claimed that not only their ‘camping’ experience was great, but, because of all the material comfort, the overall experience was fascinating, relaxing and, in a sense, complete. Because they did not have to worry about food-scavenging or sleeping requirements, their hiking, trekking and all other forms of enjoying nature were much more enhanced.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack a bag today, and go ‘glamping’!

CAMPING MANTRA

Camping is a purely subjective and personal experience. While for some, it provides an escape from the busy schedule of mundane life, for others it might represent the “holy grail” – the utmost passion in life, while few would argue that camping is a way to explore your fascination and admiration for Mother Nature. But everyone would agree on one single point, that is, camping is fun. Whether you are out on your own for a wild camping experience or a part of an entourage from school or college, or on a family camping trip, the ultimate aim is the same: to have fun. With warm and crackling campfire, story-telling, delicious s’mores and the fun of sleeping under the stars (mostly, inside a tent, but still, it counts!), camping has an all-encompassing experience of peace, laughter, connect to nature and satisfaction of the soul.

Of course, every coin has two sides. A camping trip gone wrong is exactly that side of a coin one never wishes to see or experience. A single matter can end up ruining the whole trip. It can be sudden rain or hailstorm, a bad choice of place to set up the tent, inefficient hiking plan – there are so many variables that may go wrong. But when everything goes according to plan, the trip becomes a life changing experience.

Do the right thing…

Coming down to the basics, there are a few sure shot steps to follow while planning out a camping trip. For one, you need to have a clear and crisp plan, starting from choosing the campsite, to the route for hiking, etc. A lot depends on the location. Mountainside, lake, river, forest – whichever spot you choose, the beauty, silence and the magnificence of it all is bound to mesmerize you. Camping not only makes you appreciate Nature’s beauty, it also has a cleansing effect on your soul. Secondly, you have to pack as compactly as possible. There is nothing worse than having to carry multiple heavy backpacks and other luggage. Rely on Nature for things like food, water, etc. After all, you are going camping to experience Nature at its best, so, you HAVE to come to terms with the fact that material comfort is not absolutely necessary during this time. Another step to ensure that your camping trip is a success is to always respect your surroundings. Be a part of the Nature around you. That way, you will feel completely at home even in the middle of nowhere.

Being one with Nature…

Personally speaking, I use this time to stay away from technology as much as possible. Being that close to nature, alone or with friends or family, one automatically learns to appreciate oneself as well as others. The hard work from hiking all day, and then spending the night in front of warm campfire with loved ones in laughter and fun, truly makes you feel alive. So, anytime you feel the need to get back to Nature and get in touch with your unburdened and true self, plan a camping trip to your favorite locale.

It’s hard to believe August is already here and the kids are getting ready to head back to school.

Prior to everyone getting back into the hustle and bustle of athletics, band and other extracurricular activities, take some time to reconnect with nature by going camping with your family.

 Wilderness Presidential Resort is located in the middle of several historic battlefields; 40 miles south of Washington D.C., between Culpeper and Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Come and experience the magic of camping in one of our beautiful log cabins, vintage RVs, tent camping sites, or bring your own RV.  We provide an extensive array of amenities on property to make your stay more enjoyable.  Call one of our reservation experts today to make the most of your summer at Wilderness Presidential Resort – 

“Because You and Your Family Deserve the Best!“

Pool Myths and Urban Legends

I’m going to switch things up a bit and start with some fun, did you know? Tid-bits!: Did you know that in 45minutes of swimming you can swallow 1-2.5 tablespoons of pool water? In that pool water contains: 10million microbes of hair, 8million microbes of saliva (in just one drop), 140+ BILLION microbes from nose, skin, mouth and fecal matter. YUM-OO!

I’m sure there are a lot myths that you’ve heard or even told someone else about swimming pools or swimming in general. Well I’m here to hit that piñata and watch all the facts spill everywhere!

MYTH #1: I think this is the most popular urban legend: “IF YOU PEE IN THE POOL THERE’S A CHEMICAL THAT WILL TURN IT BLUE!”

Not only is this very false it’s just silly. I can understand the reasoning that someone came up with this – peeing in the pool is gross! So someone wanted to try and stop them from doing it by scaring them into thinking everyone would see you pee in the pool. But have no fear—there’s no such chemical!! You can safely pee in the pool with no chemical dye to rat you out………however is it really safe to do so? Find out next….

MYTH #2: “I can pee in the pool because the chlorine will kill it”

Mostly everyone has done it and even Michael Phelps admitted to doing it during long practices. But 2 wrongs definitely do not make a right. Peeing in the pool can pose an even bigger threat than just “there’s now pee in the pool”. When Uric Acid, found in urine, combines with the chlorine in the pool it can create 2 byproducts: Cyanogen Chloride and Nitrogen Trichloramine, both of which are extremely hazardous for healthy swimming—they can affect many, many organs and even the central  nervous system. Plus if we have everyone peeing in the pool, then the chlorine is going to divert all of it’s time trying to kill/disinfect what is being introduced than other germs that also pose a risk to swimmers. So just by taking a leak into the pool, you’ve now introduced a potentially extremely harmful chemical combination into the pool but also unnecessary germs. Take regular restroom breaks and please don’t pee in the pool if you enjoy having healthy lungs, central nervous system and a healthy heart!

MYTH #3: “If I can smell the chlorine, the pool is clean”

I admit, before I knew anything about pools this is exactly what I thought. Even in some cases, I enjoyed ‘the smell of a pool’. If you are like me then I am about to tear your world apart. If a pool you are about to swim in has a strong chlorine odor, RUN AWAY. That pool is not clean and in fact, the chlorine is most likely very low. Urine, sweat, fecal matter, saliva, beauty products and other compounds combine in the pool with chlorine [ammonia and nitrogen] to create chloramines—which are the source of that strong “pool smell”; you’ll more likely experience this with indoor facilities. When there is a high quantity of chloramines not only is the ventilation of that area in question but also the condition of the water itself. To test for chloramines you can use DPD test kit or your nose! It isn’t that hard to find out if there a significant amount of chloramines present—you can even take a handful of water and smell (try to avoid taking any water in the nose!). Shocking the pool and having a good ventilation system are ways to remove chloramines.

MYTH #4: “My eyes are red and painful, there’s too much chlorine in the water!!”

If I had a nickel for each time I heard this while working…….it’s not true! The reason for irritated eyes and/or skin is not caused by the chlorine level but in fact, the pH level and chloramines present. Again touching on bather hygiene, it’s best for your own health but the health of others to shower before entering the pool to reduce the byproducts of disinfection that create chloramines. Safe pH levels to swim in is usually 7.2-7.8. Most will generalize and say that since 7.5 is right in the middle then that’s the most safe to swim at. That is not necessarily true. Chlorine is a lot more effective closer to 7.2 and 7.0. However most bathers will notice eye and skin irritation around 7.0. If your eyes and skin have a bad reaction after being in a swimming pool, check the chemical levels and try to smell around for a strong chlorine-like odor for chloramines—they are the culprit!

MYTH #5: “You need to wait 30min—1 hour after you eat before you can swim or else you’ll get a cramp and drown”.

It’s been theorized that all the blood needed for digestion will go straight to the stomach and deprive your limbs of proper blood flow and they will essentially stop working and you will drown. Man oh man……..just ridiculous! There’s really no research that proves that if you swim immediately after eating that it directly causes cramps that will stop your limbs from functioning. Cramps can happen at any moment during physical/recreational activity. It can however, cause some nausea. If your body hasn’t properly digested all that you took in during the adult swim break—your body will direct most of the blood to your extremities leaving you with minor stomach irritation and possible vomiting. So if you were to wait before entering the water after snacking, it’s to help calm your stomach before vigorous activity that could result in you swallowing pool water and maybe even save the facility from having to close for a biohazard contaminate in the pool.

That’s enough for now I suppose……. Keep an eye out for Volume II of Ruby’s Pool Myths and Urban Legends! And as always, thank you for reading and hopefully learning. Continue to follow me every Tuesday for more helpful tips, info and stories on how to make for a safe and fun life around water.

Cheers!

Welcome! I am so glad you’ve decided to come back and learn even more! I’ll continue to keep this as entertaining and informative as I possibly can. So to start, another fun fact about myself: I was the mascot for the Riverbend High School homecoming football game in 2011. Don’t cheat the Bears!

WHILE SUMMER MAY BE GONE…THESE TIPS APPLY YEAR ROUND FOR SAFE SUN EXPOSURE!

Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma…..OH MY!! I think you may have a hint on what we are going to discuss today. Skin Cancer. Why such a tough subject? Well as a pool manager one of my many concerns for myself, my aquatics staff AND patron is skin safety! Now, most of my expertise is geared more toward aquatics safety, water chemistry and pool equipment but that doesn’t mean I can’t lay down some facts and information on you about skin safety and cancer prevention!

There are several ways to help prevent the most common cancer in the United States. Most of which, being pool goers, you may not like so much.

#1: AVOID THE SUN LIKE THE PLAGUE! easy right? Well not quite….. Try to avoid prolonged sun exposure or cover exposed areas of the body to the sun. If avoiding the sun seems just so ridiculous to you, then you’re not alone. I have some more tips up my sleeve. Avoid the sun during peak hours usually from 10:00am—2:00pm. This is when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest. Delay your visit to the pool until it starts to cool down and your skin will thank you (and you might even avoid the capacity crowds, score!).

#2: I scream! You scream! We all scream, for SUNSCREEN! Wearing SPF 15 or higher sunscreen on a daily basis can reduce your risk of certain skin cancers by almost 50%! I like those odds, SPF 30+ even better! One bit of information I try to tell my aquatics staff that you need to apply sunscreen 20-25minutes BEFORE you expose your skin to the sun. I’ll let you soak that in (literally). When you apply sunscreen just after arriving to the pool it is quickly washed off with that first splash into the water. Giving sunscreen some time to soak into your skin will prolong it’s effectiveness and will help avoid loads of oily buildup on the waters surface. It’s a win-win! You also need to re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours (yes even if it is labeled sport or water resistant).

So parents—please please please don’t lather up your kiddos seconds before they jump into the pool…you have a chance to prevent skin cancer AND can help prevent gross sunscreen buildup in the corners of the pool. Much like the outside clothing, the buildup lowers the chlorine’s effectiveness and makes it difficult to breakdown and filter out without having to add more enzymes to the pool

SUPER TOP-SECRET STORIES AND INFORMATION FROM THE DESK OF THE POOL MANAGER THAT WE ARE NOW TELLING YOU SO THAT MAKES THEM DECLASSIFIED. . . . . . . . . AND OTHER HELPFUL TIPS

First, welcome to my first blog post! My name is Ruby and I am the Sports and Aquatics Manager at Wilderness Presidential Resort. I’ve worked with WPR since I was a junior in high school in 2010. Fun fact: it was my first job! I started in the Recreation department before moving over to Aquatics. I also manage and train the guides at the Adventure Park, so it is safe to say my job is fun! In February 2017 I was awarded the Dr. Frank Pia Lifesaving Award for a deep water rescue I had performed and sustained a life for in August of 2016. Well, enough about me, and more about outside clothing in the pool—yippee!

How many times have you packed up the car with screaming kids and you can’t wait to let them burnout all their energy at the pool, only to be told you can’t get in the water because of your t-shirt? If this has happened to you at a pool then keep reading, it will be worth it…….I hope. Unfortunately I will come off as the villain in this story because I have been that lifeguard that tells you “you can’t get in with that” but hopefully I can change your mind in just a few short paragraphs.

The “no outside clothing” rule isn’t just a rule to annoy and make your life harder. In fact, its sole role is to make life easier! Clothing that is not swimwear can cause an imbalance in water chemical levels, create a cloudy pool, transport water/airborne pathogens, and even harm pool filtration equipment, YIKES!!How is that possible you ask? Excellent question. Absorbent material can break down in the water and the fibers can clog equipment. Clothing that has been dyed like t-shirts, jeans or other apparel can bleed into the water and make the chemical levels drop. Chlorine has a tough job to disinfect and sanitize bacteria and other various wastes in the pool, so adding in dyes from clothing and fibers from broken down shirts just make for a world of trouble.

Now I know what you’re thinking, how can my t-shirt disrupt so much and destroy pool equipment when I’m only swimming for a couple of hours? It’s true, if we only had ONE person a day get in the pool with a cotton t-shirt life wouldn’t be so hard. However, it’s the dozens of people every few hours trying to get in the pool with unauthorized clothing that make things a little difficult. Don’t worry, I’ve brought proof. Below are pictures of only 1 month of filtration on a pool. What you see are those broken down fibers of absorbent clothing and denim. It took a group of 4 people 3-hours to completely clean these filters. Yes, we can’t catch all offenders of this rule however we can do our best to try and minimize and hopefully eliminate this contamination.

I’ll leave you with some helpful info so you and your friends and family know what is considered “swimwear”. Nylon and lycra are the best options for swimming in and is what most swimwear is made out of. The following items might cause a lifeguard to tell you to change or remove before swimming/are not considered approved swimwear: denim, cotton, bike or other compression and sport bottoms, leotards, male/female undergarments, sporting apparel, t-shirts, polos, regular diapers, etc. If you or someone in your group are susceptible to sunburn or has had issues with skin cancer in the past— I understand and most definitely take that into consideration. Please wear an appropriate non-absorbent t-shirt to swim in (they even make some that have SPF in them!) and please apply sunscreen every day.

Thank you for reading and hopefully learning. Continue to follow me every Tuesday for more helpful tips, info and stories on how to make for a safe and fun life around water.

Cheers!