It’s summertime, and it’s a foregone conclusion that all of us will spend more time out of doors. Is it in our genes to be outside in nature? Certainly, it’s in our culture, since for millennia, summer is when humans are outside cultivating the land or, further back in history, hunting and gathering. Even the well-to-do throughout history — people rich enough to own manors and castles — spent as much time outside as possible during the summer. We human beings like to feel the sun on our faces, the wind in our hair, the grass under our feet, the trees over and around us, and a cloudless sky above us. We like the sound of bird song and running water and crashing surf.
So, what better subject for this mid-summer issue of
Well Now than camping, and its physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits? Start with a short article on how and why modern camping began, and move on to an article detailing its benefits. Then read about something you may not have heard of — “forest bathing.”
We’re even including a camping-themed humor section with light-hearted camping stories, brainteasers, and more.
As an agency that’s focused on wellness of many kinds, and completely unrelated to camping (we hope!) we ask you to think about the benefits of purchasing accident insurance. Our insurance products support our members’ physical and financial well-being.
We hope that the last part of summer offers you a chance for camping or vacationing in some other way, but no matter how you while away the remaining weeks, may the beauty of the great outdoors relax and inspire you this season.
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Have you or anyone in your family ever been in a car accident, slipped and fallen, had a bike or ski accident, or hurt yourself playing a sport? Did you suddenly find yourself with extra costs not covered by your insurance policies?
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Human beings have been “camping” since the beginning of the species. First, we lived outside or in caves. Then we built crude huts or lived in tents. As we developed agriculture, we built better structures to house ourselves and as shelter for our animals, but even then, we were still mostly outside “in nature.” It was only with industrialization and the growth of cities that people began to live much of the time inside and apart from nature.
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Compensating for modern urban life
The value of camping and outdoor living
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You may be surprised at how extensive the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of camping in the outdoors are. We offer you a list that might make you want to head to a mountain or lake or wilderness area, pitch your tent, unroll your sleeping bag, hike wooded trails, build a fire, light up your
camping stove, eat food that tastes so much better in the open air, and then sit in your camp chair watching your flickering campfire or gazing up into the night sky. Read on — and see if it doesn’t have that effect.
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Shinrin-yoku is a Japanese word that means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” It is a kind of nature therapy that is practiced in Japan, is spreading to other Asian countries, and is being picked up here in the U.S.
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Phoebe and Zoe went on on a camping trip with Collin, Calvin, and Marcus. Each camper brought their own sleeping bag from home, each a different color: blue, red, orange, green, and yellow. When they arrived at their campsite, they had to decide who would do which chore: one person was needed to start the fire; two people were needed to pitch the tents; and two people were needed to prepare the meal.
After dark the five friends tried to out out-scare each other with frighteningly scary ghost stories. Each person told one story about either a vampire bat, Bigfoot, a monster, a ghost, or Captain Hook.
Your job as an observer to their camping trip is to figure out which person brought which sleeping bag, did what chore, and told which story. Good luck!
Hints
Phoebe and Zoe rode in their own car while the others drove a truck with all the camping supplies in the back. The truck arrived at the campsite first, so by the time the car arrived, the tents were already pitched. Collin was frantically searching for the matches to light the fire but couldn't find any.
“Leave it to them to forget the matches,” Phoebe whispered to Zoe, and took a lighter out of her pocket and quickly got it started.
Marcus told Phoebe and Zoe that he had put the red and yellow sleeping bags into their tent.
Collin’s stomach started growling and he exclaimed, "What are we
going to eat? I’m starving!"
Calvin replied, “I’ve got it all under control. We’re having burgers that are already on the grill.”
After dinner the five sat around the campfire and told their ghost stories. Phoebe got so scared at Marcus’ Captain Hook story that she hid her head under Collin’s blue sleeping bag.
Phoebe believed her story about Bigfoot to be true, and told it with great pride. One of the campers whose sleeping bag was orange, loved scaring everyone with his tale of a monster that roamed the woods and preyed on unsuspecting campers. Another camper who had helped with the meal, told a horrible story of vampire bats, while the camper who helped get the fire started fell asleep in a yellow sleeping bag. The owner of the green bag was so tired after having pitched all the tents that he fell asleep as well, right in the middle of Collin’s ghost story. Despite all the scary stories, the five campers all fell soundly asleep from their hard day of work and fun and being outdoors.
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A Simple Answer
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal, they lay down for the night and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend. Holmes said: “Watson, look up and tell me what you see”.
Watson said, “I see a fantastic panorama of countless stars”.
Holmes replied, “And what does that tell you?”
Watson pondered for a moment and then answered, “Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you, Holmes?”
Holmes was silent for a moment then spoke: “It tells me that someone has stolen our tent.”
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For your long-term care needs
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Brethren Insurance Services offers Long-Term Care Insurance all through the year.
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If you're interested in purchasing coverage, you should know that eligibility for benefits is determined by the inability to meet at least two of these six activities of daily living
—
bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, continence, or transferring. Cognitive impairment can also trigger benefits.
It's difficult to think about the fact that a debilitating condition or a disabling injury might leave you unable to care for yourself, or that when you reach your twilight years, the time will come when you will need some extra care. Long-term care insurance makes sure that you will get the care you need. It helps assure that the cost of your custodial care will not eat up your savings. Finally, and this is one of the best things about LTCI, it can help protect your children and other relatives from having to use their resources to care for you.
Brethren Insurance Services offers Long-Term Care Insurance for all members and employees of the Church of the Brethren and their family and friends; and also for employees of Church of the Brethren-affiliated agencies, organizations, colleges, and retirement communities and their families and friends.
If you are interested in obtaining this coverage, contact Brethren Insurance Services at
insurance@cobbt.org
or 800-746-1505 for a free, no-obligation proposal.
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Church of the Brethren Insurance Services provides the following products - dental, vision, basic life and accidental death & dismemberment, supplemental life and AD&D, dependent life and AD&D, long-term disability, short-term disability, accident insurance, and Medicare supplement for eligible Church of the Brethren employees.
Dental, vision, and Medicare supplement coverage may also be available for eligible retired Church of the Brethren employees.
For eligibility information, call Connie Sandman at 800-746-1505, ext. 3366, or contact your human resources representative.
Medical and ancillary plans (named above) may be available to Brethren-affiliated employer groups.
Long-Term Care Insurance is available for all members of the Church of the Brethren, their family and friends, and employees of Church of the Brethren-affiliated agencies, organizations, colleges, and retirement communities.
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A not-for-profit ministry of
Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust Inc.
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Contact Us
1505 Dundee Ave
Elgin, IL 60120
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