If there is a good stream where you are going, you can even get the kids into a bit of "gold panning". A plastic gold pan, cheap black plastic but works well, is only about $8. Doesn’t matter if there is gold or not just the "treasure hunting" idea will get the kids fired up for it.

Any ideas on how to prevent it from tearing?

Stitch in a "reinforcing" layer of canvas; on the INSIDE if you don’t want it to show.

Scotland has taken its place as the new Mecca for white water
rafting and extreme sports enthusiasts. With over 120 activity
centres around the country you can do it all here – from jumping
off cliffs, sliding through canyons and rolling down hills in
plastic balls, to more traditional activities such as white
water rafting, quad biking and clay pigeon shooting.

The rugged landscape is perfect for hair-raising outdoor
pursuits. As Mark Turner of specialist outdoor sports website
adrenalinePASS.com says, “We are especially looking forward to
the rafting season on the River Tummel. This is undoubtedly the
best white water rafting available in the country over the
summer.”

The Tummel is dam-release, guaranteeing water levels every
weekend from June to September. It is a narrow, technical and
exciting river, offering almost continuous rapids to Grade IV,
culminating in the descent of a double-drop waterfall!

“An alternative waterfall descent”, Mark continues, “is on one
of our canyoning trips. This time there’s no boat involved,
instead participants are lowered down on a rope in a controlled
abseil.” Canyoning descents also involve scrambling, jumps into
plunge pools, natural water flumes and slides.

A wide range of clients enjoy adventures with
adrenalinePASS.com. Individuals and families on day visits or
holidays, through to a range of groups, from stag and hen
parties to corporate outings. Their philosophy of professional
delivery, from experienced but also highly enthusiastic
instructors, has produced a winning formula.

So, if you’re looking to do something a little bit different
this summer and fancy some excitement in your life, go to
www.adrenalinepass.com and choose your ideal adventure.

Blair Thorne
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/scotland-the-new-white-water-rafting-capital-of-europe-2667.html

After you have acquired your boots and skates, your thoughts will turn naturally to the clothes you will wear for your first appearance. Make no mistake about it; a smart costume on the ice is half the battle. If you are a man, you will probably decide to do your first skating in long trousers plus an ordinary coat or sweater, and that is all right. If you are a woman and an absolute beginner and expect to do a certain amount of rail clinging for a while, you will probably think you will be less conspicuous in a long skirt, a sort of modified street costume. There you are wrong.

For a woman the traditional costume is as set for the ice rink as it is for the tennis court or the ski slope. A long skirt will make any woman stand out like a sore thumb on any ice surface, just as a long black skirt would make her an object of special attention on any tennis court. So remember this when you buy your costume: if you want your first few wobbly strokes to go as unnoticed as possible, be sure to dress in the accepted mode. If you dress like a reasonably expert skater (whether you are or not), you’ll find that people are much too preoccupied with their own edges to pay any attention to yours.

The accepted style for skating skirts and dresses has a full circular, gored, or pleated skirt which flares from the hipline. Plenty of stores now have the most chic, correct, and practical costumes imaginable – and at very small cost. In fact it is because the stores are putting out such attractive and becoming figure skating outfits that lots of young girls are taking up the sport!

As for the rest of the costume, good sense and a certain amount of fashion should dictate. Sweaters with skirts are always good, but if you are going to an indoor rink, don’t make the mistake, as one of my friends did, of wearing a heavy sweater, a stocking cap, and fur-lined mitts. Most rinks are heated nowadays, so it is well to inquire first. On the other hand, trim windbreakers, parkas, and turtleneck sweaters are perfect for pond skating. Big hats are out of place on the ice. The closer fitting the cap, the trimmer the appearance. Streamlining is as suitable to the skating figure as it is to an automobile chassis.

Anything that doesn’t contribute to an impression of speed and freedom of movement is undesirable. That is why the bodices of skating dresses should be molded to the figure. That is why trunks should never be large and bulky – but, contrary-wise the too tight, too high little panty that some good skaters are now affecting is ugly, too. Trunks should as a general rule match the skirt and be as inconspicuous as possible. Excellent nylon tights are available at most stores, while wool and nylon tights may also be procured. The latter are fine for outdoor skating in cold climates.

Jimmy Cox
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/choosing-clothing-for-iceskating-119801.html

Cave exploring, also known as caving, is becoming an increasingly popular sport. People explore caves not only for physical fitness but also for purposes of scientific study. While most caves in developed countries such as the United States are already well-explored and no longer dangerous, the use of the right gear is still important in preventing injury and ensuring an enjoyable experience during cave exploring.

Helmets A helmet is one of the most important pieces of equipment in cave exploring. Not only does it protect your head from falling objects and knocking against the top of the cave (or against objects suspended from the top of the cave), but it is also a good place to have a light source. Having a helmet light keeps the light near your eyes, where you need it most, and leaves your hands free. Be sure to bring extra batteries for your helmet light and to bring a backup light source to use in case your helmet light fails.

Gloves Gloves are also an important piece of equipment. They help keep you warm in cold caves, and they protect your fingers and palms from cuts or scratches, as well as from insect bites.

Knee pads and elbow pads Knee pads and elbow pads are optional because not all caves require you to crawl. Even in caves where you stay upright the whole time, knee pads and elbow pads can help protect your joints from scrapes, scratches, cuts, and other injuries.

Ropes Ropes are required for descent and ascent in pitches, or vertical spaces within caves, as well as for protection of the members of a cave exploring team. Be sure you know how to work properly with ropes before you explore a cave with pitches.

Appropriate clothing You should be dressed correctly for the kind of cave you’re exploring. If you’re exploring a cave in a cold area, you should be wearing several layers of clothing, with a bottom layer that will provide insulation even if it gets wet, and a top layer that is waterproof and hard-wearing. If you’re exploring a cave in a warm area, you should wear clothing that is sturdy but light enough to help you stay cool. If you’re exploring a wet cave, you should wear rubber boots and neoprene socks to keep your feet dry. If you’re exploring a dry cave, you should wear hiking boots that will give your feet adequate protection.

Cave exploring can be very rewarding. Remember, you need to be properly prepared and equipped to make the most of your cave exploring experiences.

Jiro Sosh
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/things-to-bring-on-your-next-cave-exploring-trip-756694.html