Uncategorized

Yes, you probably saw it on the Melanated Campout schedule for the camping event in June that there would be tubing on Saturday and you’re probably wondering just what the hell tubing is? Despair not, everything will be explained in this post. Tubing is an activity (usually recreational) where people ride an inner tube on water, snow or air. Since we’ll be talking about the tubing you’ll be doing at this camping event, you can forget about tubing in snow and in the air (kite tubing). Our camp is located in Helen, GA in June, so getting your bathing suits out and let’s hit the river! Tubing in Helen, GA, is more than just a recreational activity, it is the perfect mix of adventure, activity, and relaxation; which is why tubing is a key part of the Melanated camping event in June. This is an activity adventurous black people can’t afford to miss out on. How to tube? Step 1. Get Tube. Step 2. Float down the river. Note: Life jackets are available for those who want one. Where to get the tubes? On the Melanated Campout trip, the tubes will be furnished by the tubing company.  You are welcome to bring your own tube, but it’s not necessary. Outside of this trip, you should probably call your tubing company to ask if they are provided before you go to ensure the actual tube is either included in the price or available to rent. When to tube? On the Melanated Campout trip, we will go on Saturday, assuming water levels are sufficient. Outside of this trip, you should probably call your tubing company to ask if the water levels are too low. If they are low, you may not be allowed to tube. Here’s a few tips on how to make your tubing trip a success. Buy straps and sticks After getting a tube, don’t forget to buy and take along a stick and strap. The strap is important if you’re riding down the river with your crew. This allows you to tie your tubes together. You’ll need the stick to navigate over and around the boulders and in shallow water. You will get wet Be prepared to get wet so wear a swim suit. Don’t forget to wear water shoes and don’t try going barefooted because at some point, you may need to get out of the tube and you have no idea what’s in the river. No stopping along the way Once you’ve started tubing down the river, you can’t stop until you get back to the designated stopping area. Therefore, you should probably use the toilet before getting into your tube. Guard your property To avoid losing your property or getting your cell or electronics wet, buy a waterproof pouch. They come in all sizes, everything from cell phone size that hang around your neck to large bags. Grab your plastic water bottle Each tuber is allowed to take one 32 oz. plastic bottle on the river. No alcohol.

Typically, most RVs have a bathroom, sleeping facilities and a kitchen, however, there are also luxurious RVs that have A/Cs, heaters, satellite receptors and so on. Although, most people live temporarily in RVs while traveling, some people living in areas where living expenses are quite expensive have been known to maintain a main residence in an RV and live there full-time. Different types of RVs include: RV Camping vs. Tent Camping Cost RVs are far more expensive than tents.  Even after the initial investment, RVs still require money for maintenance, gas or diesel for movement, repairs and storage unlike tents which are much more cost-effective. Comfort Tents can be easily built and are much less expensive than RVs, However, you can’t get the comfort that an RV can give you with tent camping ….unless, of course, you decide to go Glamping. Traditional tents usually have less space than an RV and don’t have many of the modern conveniences of an RV.  With the introduction of Glamping, more modern tent set-ups rival many hotel room) because the include some of the dance amenitiea but have the added benefit of sleeping under the stars. Adventure For adventure, black campers have been known to hike through trails that RVs cannot possibly hope to drive through. RVs are at a disadvantage  because they can’t get everywhere that someone on foot can get. Mobility It is pretty impossible for a tent to move itself from state to state except it is repacked and moved by black people camping, however, an RV gives black campers  the opportunity to camp and still move from place to place making it a desirable option. Connecting with Nature Many campers have been known to go camping to unplug from modern conveniences and distance themselves from the stress of city life to allow them to connect with nature.  RV camping allows flexibility to travel and set up almost anywhere. Where to rent an RV in Helen, GA? There are many RV rental services. To save yourself unnecessary hassle, it is advised to ask the rental company to deliver the rented RV to the campgrounds (i.e. your campsite for the Melanated Campout) When renting a RV, it would be wise to  clarify the following items: Here are some RV rental service providers in Helen, GA: RVShare.com Outdoorsy.com After you find the best rental deal, you can then ask them to deliver your RV to the Melanated Campout near Helen, GA. So now that you are convinced you don’t need a cabin to camp, check out why you should go camping. Of course, at Melanated Campout, we are on a campground. So you will have access to both hot showers and clean restroom facilities. Haven’t heard of Melanated Campout yet? Well, check it out, it’s an African American camping event full of adventure, relaxation, and activities. In fact, it’s the largest Campout East of the Mississippi!

Like what the hell do we do on a camping trip? I remember my first camping trip, I’d been forced to go with my grandmother. It seemed like a silly thing to do, especially when I’d just planned to stay home watching my favorite series.  I just couldn’t understand the fun thing that we could do while camping. After that camping trip, I went on many other camping trips because I had so much fun I wondered why I hadn’t considered going camping earlier. And you’re much more lucky than I am if you’re going for the Melanated Campout event in June because there are so many fun things to do. Here are some of the fun things you can get up to at Melanated Campout: Meet new people There is going to be a meet and greet on the first day that is the best time to meet fellow campers and find people with whom you would have fun for the rest of the big camping event. So go to the meet and greet, mingle with people, make friends and just have fun. At the Icebreaker activity, you can also meet more people and familiarize yourself with people you met at the meet and greet while learning the camp rules. Party! Party! Party! For those that love partying, there are going to be lots of parties. For the Hip Hop glow party, you get to wear neon and even glow in the dark face paint. This is a perfect opportunity to show off your dancing skills as well. The Soca Fete on Saturday is a great time to jump around to power soca tunes and shake your body to groovy soca.  There is also going to be an old school hip hop/ R&B outfit party that you can’t afford to miss. The Midnight Spades Tournament There is nothing that can compare to a nice game of spades. At Melanated campout, you get to enjoy the pleasure of participating in a Midnight Spades Tournament or just watching. In this spades tournament, all you need is a little luck, a competitive adventurous spirit, the ability to read people and the desire to have fun. Of course, at Melanated Campout, we are on a campground. So you will have access to both hot showers and clean restroom facilities. Tubing Tubing is a great recreational activity where you get to ride an inner tube on water, snow or air. Since the big camping events will be in Helen, GA, you get to ride down the Chattahoochee or the 1000 feet river in Helen. Read our Tubing blog post. The Comedy Show One of my favorite things to do is laugh.  So you know we had to add in a comedian. Get ready to laugh or at least giggle. There are many other things you can do while camping at Melanated Campout, you can decide to go hiking, go lake dipping, participate in the freaky feud and game shows and have as much fun as possible. This camping trip is sure to be an adventure you will never forget. Haven’t heard of Melanated Campout yet? Well, check it out, it’s an African American camping event full of adventure, relaxation, and activities. In fact, it’s the largest Campout East of the Mississippi!

Give your future self something to look forward to by understanding the benefits of camping… Air full of smoke, or any of the other organic or artificial things that you can smell in the city can get quite stifling. Apart from that, the cultural  outdoor experience boosts immune systems, improves blood pressures and improves digestion due to the extra oxygen and low level of pollutants in the fresh air. Many times, you feel a sense of relief and happiness a few days after your camping trip, this is probably because the sunlight has evened out the melatonin levels in your brain, thus reducing your normal day-to-day tiredness and improving your overall mood. Even if it’s just for a number of days, camping allows you to unplug from the daily city life with fewer phone calls and urgent emails to attend to. Although Melanated Campout allows you to have access to electricity and wifi if you happen to need it, camping is your best opportunity to just unplug from your daily scheduled life.  We call it a digital detox! Camping helps to build and strengthen many relationships, familial, platonic or romantic. It is the best time to talk, walk and do things together even late into the night. As such, it strengthens many relationships. A camp of black professionals is a great way to meet to network and meet new friends. The Melanated Campout  events in June are a great place to meet and interact with other black people who have similar interests to you.  Do you have a business? Melanated Campout is a huge supporter of minority-owned businesses. Let’s network! Nothing can best s’mores made over open fire or the meat grilled over a campsite grill. Something about cooking over a campfire or grill that  makes the food much more delicious. (I don’t know about you but that has been my experience so far.) For campers who prefer chillin’ instead of grillin’, Melanated Campout offers a delicious and convenient  meal plan option. Guess what?!  Tents are really easy to set up.  Camping is a great way to learn to pitch a tent, start a campfire, cook over an open pit.  These skills are important to learn just in case there’s an apocalypse, don’t you think? If you’re looking for an adventure with other black people, big camping events like Melanated Campout is the best place to enjoy such an experience. You get to be part of the numerous activities at the Melanated Campout such as tubing down the Chattahoochee river, partying under the stars with open bars, conversations by the campfire, games and other fun activities. Imagine a weekend with no long list of things to do, no particular appointment to be early for and no urgent meetings… you get to do whatever you want to do. In short, going camping is equal to you putting less strain on yourself, mentally, emotionally and physically. It’s time to attend the largest Melanated Campout east of the Mississippi! Now what to do while camping? Read more here. Haven’t heard of Melanated Campout yet? Well, check it out, it’s an African American camping event full of adventure, relaxation, and activities. In fact, it’s the largest Campout East of the Mississippi!

5 myths of camping Myths and legends are pretty common things and are usually created from misinformation and the influence of the media. Since almost everything in the world has a myth or legend, why shouldn’t camping? Believe it or not, camping definitely has lots of myths, some are pretty silly like the one about how bananas attract mosquitoes or poison ivy is contagious. Here are five myths of camping we hope to squash: MYTH #1:  “YOU HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE FLOOR” Oh, bet you are thinking about those camping experiences in those epic movies you see all the time. The main characters are traveling through the land in search of a magical stone that will cure their village of sick people. Of course, they have to stop along the way when it gets dark and eventually after hunting down dinner and roasting it, they sleep on the bare grass. Well, I’m glad to inform you that times have changed. People today do not sleep on the ground even if they are exploring the most primitive forms of camping, after all, there are many sleeping options. There are sleeping bags, sleeping pads, hammocks, air mattresses and even normal beds.  You choose your comfort level and select your preferred sleeping option. At the Melanated Campout, you can even choose the “Glamp Me Down”package which allows you to have access to a comfortable queen bed and even air conditioning.  Essentially, you can have an upscale approach to sleeping under the stars. MYTH #2: “IT’S BORING, THERE IS NOTHING TO DO” This is certainly not the case at big camping events like Melanated Campout.  The weekend is designed to give you the option to participate in a variety of activities.  Here are the differences in activities between camping on your own versus attending the Melanated Campout. MYTH #3: “ I HAVE TO USE THE RESTROOM IN THE WOODS” Ok….I know there is this notion of every hole in the woods being a toilet for campers, but this does not have to be your truth. Many campgrounds have restrooms, with nice toilets and showers.  The Melanated Campout will have facilities and auxiliary units with nice restrooms and showers. MYTH #4: “YOU HAVE TO COOK YOUR FOOD” Some people believe that they have  go hunting, skin the animal and then cook it.   While there is something special about cooking your food on the grill or over a fire pit (i.e. bring your food in coolers and refresh your ice at a nearby store), you can opt for a meal plan at the Melanated Campout. We thought of everything, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy a great meal. MYTH #5:  “BEING OUTSIDE SUCKS” Believe it or not, some people think that camping is uncomfortable, uninteresting and can never compare to city life, but, that is not true.  Camping can be so much fun. You have a chance to reconnect with mother nature while hanging out with Melanated people. Did someone say smores? Did I read something about tubing? What about parties with energized Djs?  Oh, I think we already covered that earlier. Camping also has so many health benefits:  the fresh air provides extra oxygen that boosts your immune systems and improves your blood pressure. It’s also a great time to bond with your friends, family members and romantic partners. Don’t miss the chance to have a truly unique and unforgettable experience!  See you at the Melanated Campout! Grab your spot today!