Be Prepared for Your Summer Camping Trip

Summer is a prime season for camping. The weather is warm, birds are singing, trees are green, and there is so much fun to be had outdoors. Of course, if you want to have a safe and enjoyable camping trip, you do need to be prepared. Here are some key tips to help you get ready for your upcoming adventure.

1. Check campground amenities before you leave.

Every campground is different. So, before you leave, you want to check what amenities the campground offers so that you can pack and plan accordingly.

Are there picnic tables? If not, you may want to pack your own portable, collapsible table. Does the campground have electric hook-ups, or will you need to bring a propane generator? Also check to see what recreational options are available. If there are basketball courts, you may want to pack a ball to play with. If there’s a pool, bring your bathing suit. If you are bringing kids, find out if they have swings, slides, climbers or other playground equipment.

2. Bring propane and other cooking gear.

Yes, you can always cook over the camp fire. However, campfire cooking can be a bit challenging, so you may not want to rely on it every night. If you also pack a propane gas tank and a gas grill, then you can grill food some nights.

Make sure you also pack other cooking essentials like tongs, basic seasonings, and oil. If you have a high-quality cooler, it should be able to keep food cold for two or three days, as long as you pack it well with ice.

3. Pack a first aid and toiletries kit.

You’ll want to plan a visit to your local pharmacy before you leave for your camping trip. Make sure you have a full first aid kit, stocked with band aids, antibiotic cream, gauze, iodine, and other essentials. You’ll also need some bug spray and sunscreen to keep your skin safe and protected.

4. Make laundry plans for your return.

Camping creates a lot of laundry. So, you may want to schedule a laundry pick-up service to stop by the day after you return. Items like tents and fly covers may need to go to your nearest dry cleaner. Check their tags for cleaning instructions.

Camping is a perfect way to get outside and enjoy the summer with friends and family members. With a good first aid kit, cooking equipment, laundry plans, and other essentials, you can relax and stay safe.

My Favorite Playgrounds in Natick, Massachusetts

If you are new to Natick or nearby areas, and wondering where the best playgrounds are to take your kids, there are a lot of obvious but also hidden gems when it comes to fun play areas or maybe even playgrounds that would be fantastic for holding birthday parties. Chances are you are also looking to meet new folks and striking up a conversation with a fellow parent can be a low-pressure interaction at a playground when you know everyone’s just there to hang out and have fun.

John J. Lane Playground, Natick, MA — John J. Lane Playground. Source: natickma.gov

My kids love the play structures at Loker Park situated at the corner of Walnut and Bacon Streets. The main play structure has a very prominent rainbow color tunnel slide coming off of it which is how Loker Park became known in our house as the Tunnel Playground! There are also climbing walls that go up to the main play structure that has a little bridge and another cute tunnel tube for younger kids to hide in. This playground also has a basketball court off to the side for older kids and a fabulous hill that gradually slopes down to a large field. In the summer when the grass is thick and soft, my kids will often roll down the slope. It’s great fun and if they happen to be wearing lighter color clothes and get grass stains on them, it’s nothing that a trip to the dry cleaner can’t fix! The summer months are so short, I’ll often indulge them a bit.

Another playground we love is the Hannah Williams Playground! We love this playground for its convenience to Starbucks, Einstein Bros Bagels and a few other eateries right near the intersection. You could easily pick up some lunch and then head to the gazebo within the park to eat in the shade. The kids can roam around the playground after lunch. One of the neat things about this playground is that you’ll often see old ridables and dump trucks that families have donated for reuse. It’s a great way to reduce plastic waste and the kids love them!

The John J. Lane playground is in our top 3 for a reason! It has a wide variety of spaces for all kinds of activities. What you’ll see when you first walk into the park is the huge boulder and spider web-like climbing structures. Then off to the right, you’ll see the slides and swing set. From here the paved circular walkway leads off and is great for little kids to ride their bikes or even roller skate. Instead of continuing on the circular walkway back to the play structures, go towards the woods and you’ll see a few outdoor fitness equipment situated at the entrance of the nature walk. The nature walk and play area in the back of the park is closer to the woods and lake and is quite shady so you’ll definitely want to be prepared with bug spray. However, what we love best are the sand volleyball courts! It’s so fun to practice setting and bumping and pretend we’re playing beach volleyball at the summer Olympics! The best part is that there’s even a covered pavilion with picnic tables that’s terrific for holding birthday parties. Simply order pizza for delivery there or bring your own food, cake, and fly some helium balloons to create a festive mood. Party stores usually provide helium for balloons. You can get your balloons filled there.

What’s in Auburndale, MA?

In case you haven’t heard of Auburndale, MA, it is one of the thirteen villages that comprise Newton. Situated in the West part of Newton, it borders Wellesley on the West and Waltham in the North. It is conveniently situated at the intersection of the Mass Pike (Interstate 90) and Route 128 (Interstate 95). It is home to Lasell University and Woodland Golf Club. Auburndale Park has play & picnic areas, trails, tennis courts & a ball field in a tranquil location by the river. The playground equipment includes slides and climbing nets that blend in well with the natural surroundings.

Auburndale Plaza is a shopping center conveniently located on the main thoroughfare, Commonwealth Avenue. It is anchored by the supermarket chain Star Market. There is also a dry cleaner, Utopia Cleaners, a Bank of America, Supercuts and Bruegger’s Bagels.

Utopia Cleaners provides green dry cleaning services, as well as wash and fold laundry service. It’s open Monday through Saturday. As part of a dry cleaning company with 5 stores in Greater Boston, Utopia Cleaners processes clients’ dry cleaning and laundry at its own facility in Arlington. Through its free laundry drop off, dry cleaning pickup and delivery service, it serves neighbors not only in Newton, but also Wellesley and Waltham. If you need your clothing cleaned at the last minute, which happens when you are too busy and forget, then you can depend on Utopia Cleaners’ same day dry cleaning service.

Also, just one block away from Auburndale Plaza is the local pharmacy, Keyes Drug. This popular drug store provides prescription refills and delivery, vitamins & supplements, vaccines, orthopedic braces, home health products like walkers, incontinence aids, and diabetic supplies, as well as general health and beauty products for eye care, dental care, hair care, skin care and much more.

Keyes Drug is also a compounding pharmacy that provides compounded medications for various conditions including Autism, Dermatology, Diet restrictions/allergies, GI/digestion, Hormone balancing for men and women, Mitochondrial and metabolic diseases, Pain management, Pediatric and Veterinary needs.

Auburndale is a safe and beautiful community that is well-equipped with all your lifestyle needs and many more good things to offer!