Camp Gear Goes Green!

As your young adventurer prepares for playtime in the wild, remember that not buying anything is really the best thing you can do to help the environment. Packing old clothes (because, let’s face it, the outdoors get grungy) or borrowing friends’ gear is the greenest way to go. That said, if you’ve exhausted all your “Reduce-Reuse-Recycle” options, or it’s time again to stock up on stuff like sunscreen and bug repellant, these new eco-friendly options, better for the planet and healthier for campers too, are worth checking out.

FREEPLAY™ FLASHLIGHTS
Here’s a bright idea! A kid-powered flashlight that spares the Earth spent batteries and bulbs. Here’s how it works: Kids crank the flashlight’s handle to generate the energy for their flashlight. The Kito Eco-Charge Lantern and XRay LED Flashlight by Freeplay™ yield thirty minutes or a full hour of bright light, depending on the model. The more your child winds, the more energy is created, and you never have to mess with spare bulbs or batteries—ever! It really is fun and the design is super kid-friendly. The Freeplay Foundation also provides clean, self-powered and eco-friendly technology (including lighting and radios) to impoverished communities in Africa, meaning your purchase makes a positive impact both locally and globally. Available at your nearest REI store or FreePlayEnergy.com.

MELANSOL® SUNSCREEN
From itching to skin damage, burns are a drag—and so are some of the harsh chemicals in certain sunscreens. Fear not: this anti-oxidant rich lotion will appease your green conscience! Created by a skin cancer survivor, MelanSol Sunscreen is gentle enough for children’s sensitive skin, and it’s biodegradable. It’s made from 100% natural ingredients, including date palm extract, green tea and vitamin E to protect against sun and UV-induced damage without polluting our rivers, lakes and ocean waters. Available locally at Elliot’s Natural Foods in Citrus Heights: 726-3033 or online at PureSunScreen.com.

BUG BAND™ INSECT REPELLENT
Say “buh-bye, bugs” without slathering on questionable chemicals. Bug Band™ insect repellant uses a geranium oil extract to safely shield even small kids and pets from buzzing biters. We love their practically spill-proof, easy-to-pack, and simple-to-apply forms, including towelettes, sprays and glow-in-the-dark wristbands (with breakaway strap, just in case) that last up to 120 hours and come with a reusable plastic “pod” for storage in-between uses. It’s pesticide-free protection that’s sensitive to kids’ skin. Available locally at Lazy Dog BBQ in Rancho Cordova: 635-1440, or online at BugBand.net.

LEADER® PRESCRIPTION SWIM GOGGLES
Okay, so these prescription swim goggles aren’t particularly green, but how cool are they? When kids pack these, not only do they get to see what their fellow campers see at the lake or poolside, but they’re also packing protection against harsh chemicals and harmful UV rays (which can be magnified by the water’s reflective surface). They’re available for short-sighted and far-sighted swimmers (-5.0 to +8.0). We found them kind of tricky to assemble, but once you get the hang of it, you can swap out the cool-colored frames and change prescriptions too. Now kids have no excuse not to play safe, and no reason to miss out on any of summer’s fun! Available at ACLens.com.