Why do I camp? I've mentioned lots of the things I like about camping before. The peace and quiet, the sounds of nature, the smells of the wild, the smell of the canvas tent, seeing wildlife at night, just being close to nature, experiencing the wild.
Lots of people camp and many camp for the reasons I describe above. But we still like a few 'home comforts' don't we? Even the wildest camper amongst us. I take solar powered lights and string solar fairy lights around the tent. I like a comfy mattress, I love Twitter (no really?) so i need my phone and like to charge that. It's nice to read after dark when we camp in the Autumn (or, shiver, winter!) so lamps. I take a camp stove to cook food, etc etc
We draw the line at EHU (Electric Hook Up) though. No TVs, no heaters. But how to power things? what if you do want to have a slightly more technology orientated trip but you want it to be as 'green' as possible?
Well I have just been told about an amazing Eco Tent, a rather fab idea!
E.ON has teamed up with The Scout Association to create the ‘Tent of the
Future’ which showcases modern technology and features a range of
gadgets to help future campers. Key features include:
• Vertical wind turbines that catch the wind and convert it into power;
• Solar panels on the tent’s surface that harness sunlight and turn it into electricity;
•
Solar powered baseball caps with built in torches for bedtime reading and late night trips;
• A portable battery that campers can pre-charge and use to charge gadgets and devices whilst camping;
• An intelligent sleeping bag which regulates body temperature.
The E.ON Tent of the Future is currently on display at an international
scouting Jamboree in Essex where 11,000 Scouts will be able to see how
camping could be in years to come.
Apparently over a third (36%) of children won’t camp because they can’t charge gadgets! I found that quite shocking, because I'll be honest, while I love twitter I'd rather camp with no twitter than not camp at all!
So some of these ideas might really appeal!
Research also found that adults are hardier than youngsters when it
comes to sleeping in the great outdoors. Some 40% of children said they
were put off camping as it could be cold, compared to just one in five
(22%) adults. Over a third of the younger generation were also put off
by the idea of being close to creepy crawlies (36%) and sleeping in an
uncomfortable tent (39%), compared to just one in six (18%) and 29% of
adults respectively.(They need better sleeping bags is all I shall say!)
Despite the rain-soaked British summer and the reluctance of younger
generations to get involved in camping, a quarter (26%) of UK adults
will go camping this year.
The top five reasons for going on a camping break1 are:
1. Cheap way to have a holiday – 54%
2. Enjoy being outdoors – 50%
3. Enjoy simple pleasures – 40%
4. Get away from the pressures of modern life – 31%
5. Brings the family together – 26%
Speaking about the findings and the E.ON Tent of the Future, Fiona
Stark, E.ON’s Director of Corporate Affairs, said: “The UK has had a
long love affair with camping, but we’ve found that this love is
diminishing when it comes to the younger generation. As with most
things, camping needs to move with the times and adapt to modern needs.
“Our Tent of the Future combines the benefits of traditional camping
with a modern twist. In years to come, energy-generating mini wind
turbines and solar power generating tent material could well be
commonplace in campsites across the UK, allowing campers to enjoy the
great outdoors, while still being able to charge their gadgets.”
Simon Carter from the Scouts Association added: “The Tent of the Future
is really striking, especially compared to some of the more traditional
tents at the Essex International Jamboree. While we continue to teach
the Scouts core camping and survival skills, we can definitely see huge
benefits from the technology and innovations in the future.”
As energy partner to The Scout Association, E.ON is sponsoring the
Scouts’ Global Conservation Badge and has produced an educational kit
for Scout Leaders and Scouts, available at
scouts.org.uk/eon.
The kit helps Scouts attain their badge and also provides a variety of
fun and engaging energy-related activities to help young people
understand energy. For more information on E.ON visit
www.eonenergy.com.
But you neededn't wait for the future because right now I have 2, yes 2, Solar caps to giveaway! They are rather cunning (and I was tempted to keep one for myself). You wear the hat during the day and the peak soaks up that sun, and then lets you use it at night to read your book! (or hunt for creepy crawlies)
The caps are a campers dream, not only will they protect adults or children
from the sun, they turn into a head torch at night! They have a solar
panel installed into the peak which provides one hour of light for every
one hour spent outside during the day. It doesn’t have to be sunny to
charge the solar panel. There is a switch on the underside of the peak
that campers can use so they make maximum use of the torchlight during
the evening.
The caps are a practical and environmentally friendly way for campers to generate their own light.
And to be in with a chance to win one all you need to do is enter using the Rafflecopter thingy. Thanks
a Rafflecopter giveaway
So, I am de-cluttering. mainly I am getting rid of books that I will not want to reread, you know the sort - where the writing is average at best and it's all about the plot. They are great fun but once read they sit in the library at home gathering dust...so today(actually in 4 days time) I shall give away - yes for free! - I shall give away (that means I'm paying postage too!! ) GIVE AWAY for FREE the ten Sookie Stackhouse Novels (which were later filmed as TrueBlood) so Vampire and trashy sex novel fans be cheered!! you could soon read all 10 books! Fill your mind with thoughts of Alcide ...... polite pause while you do.... and lay in bed with him in your arms...well the book with him in anyway.
