Passport to Texas

Primitive camping site

Recreation/Safety: Keeping Kids Safe While Camping Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

If given a chance, children—even those enamored with electronic devices—will crave time outdoors.

07— Once they’re out and having a good time, then they just don’t want to stop. And they don’t even miss the electronics. They don’t. They don’t miss the electronics at all.

With Father’s Day coming up, Robert Ramirez — an education and outreach training specialist with TPW — says it’s an opportunity for dad to take the family on a weekend camping trip. He says: plan for success and safety.

33— You know, I have a laundry list of items that –as far as the planning goes — part of it is to educate them about the campsite, about the water facility. What they can do. What they cannot do. Where they can go. What to use. If they’re going to need a PFD [personal flotation device], or if they’re going to just go hiking to wear a whistle all the time. My kids always wear a whistle when they’re out and about at the parks. It’s very important to educate them about their surroundings — what to look for and what to stay away from.

No, never have. But, it’s so tempting for them; it’s hard to not use it just to see what happens with dad…where dad comes running from.

Are you new to overnight camping? Enroll in a Texas Outdoor Family workshop where your tribe will learn the basics of fun and safety in the outdoors. Locate workshops on the TPW website.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Family camping trip at Bastrop State Park

Recreation: Camping with Dad Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Camping offers parents an opportunity to bond with their children, and the kiddos a chance to connect with nature.

15— Kids love camping, and to get them outdoors is so important. Especially nowadays even more so with all the electronics that are out there. They are tomorrow’s leaders, and we want them to be conservation leaders. So it’s very important to get them outside and to have a good time with them.

Robert Ramirez is an education and outreach training specialist, and takes his kids camping whenever he can. With Father’s Day coming up, he encourages dads (and moms) to plan a camping trip with the kids. It doesn’t have to cost a lot.

16— You can find a lot of secondhand items at yard sales and Goodwill; my whole kitchen set is from Goodwill. It’s very inexpensive, and those are the kinds of things you’ll want outside that you can beat up or lose and won’t cost so much. And camping gear also – it’s there for you to find at yard sales and second hand stores for sure.

If you’re new to camping, consider a backyard test run.

15— Once you have your equipment and get outside in the backyard and do a test run – put up the tent and set up our little camp site and cook outside. That way you’re going to have an idea of what you’re going to need. Make a check-list of everything. And, educate your campers; that’s extremely important to do.

Find camping and safety information on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

That’s our show for today. .. Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

New State Park Tent Plate

Conservation: New Conservation License Plate Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Before long you’ll be able to express your driving passion for Texas state parks with the latest addition to the conservation license plate lineup.

11— For the first time in about a decade, we are releasing a new plate; and it’s a beautiful yellow tent – the iconic boy scout-looking tent – with a campfire and stars in the sky at night.

Janis Johnson is with the Texas Parks and Wildlife marketing Group. She says the new design evokes a sense of nostalgia and fun with family and friends at state parks.

06—Yes, we are looking to create that nostalgic feeling: taking fun memories home with you – even if it’s putting them on the back of your car.

The Camping plate joins the Bluebonnet design, both of which benefit operational activities and visitor programs at state parks. Available online, the plates, themselves, cost $30 each, not including the registration fee; $22 of cost of the plate supports parks.

15— One common misconception is that you have to wait until your renewal date comes up for your license plate – and, in fact you don’t! So, you can just go online and order the plate – fill out some information – and they will mail it to you, or you can pick it up at your local tax assessor office.

Find the camping plate and other conservation license plate designs at conservation plate dot org.

That’s our show for today… Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Camping at Inks Lake

Nature: Outdoor Resolutions for the New Year Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Don’t you love the start of a new year? It‘s totally fresh and filled with possibilities. So, take a few minutes to consider how you’re going to make this year better for you and your family.

One way would be to get outside more, because—as we like to say: life’s better outside.

Spending time in the natural world has a way of resetting the brain and giving you a fresh perspective. Researchers have discovered that children who spend time in nature do better on exams, and are less disruptive in the classroom.

Bring a pair of walking shoes to the office, and during your lunch hour, stroll outdoors in the fresh air. Even if you’re in a city, you can still observe the varied wildlife and plant life you see along the way. It’s amazing how much nature you can actually find in a concrete jungle.

Spend time with friends or family at one of our many state parks. Most folks are within 90 minutes of a state park or natural area; many are much closer. Take a nature hike, ride a bike. Pitch a tent and sleep under the stars, or find a park with cabins and rough it indoors.

Commit to learning something new about Texas history by visiting one of the state’s incredible historic sites.

There’s a world of wonder out there, and once you spend more time outdoors, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

That’s our show…Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Geocaching in a state park.

Camping: Maximizing the Experience Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It’s fall camping season, and Robert Owen with the Texas Outdoor Family program says if you keep the following suggestions in mind, you’ll have a great time on your next campout.

57—Plan ahead for your activities. Make sure you have a good pair of comfortable shoes to go along with your weekend; while you’re spending time on the trail you’ll want to keep your feet comfortable. Bring some water and sunscreen along regardless of the season. I like to bring along a GPS unit when I camp because I do enjoy Geocaching as a sport. Bring along that fishing equipment – the fish always tend to bite better in the cooler months. And also [bring some] binoculars – the winter months provide great opportunities for bird watching at Texas State Parks, and wildlife watching as well. Would you say that going to www.texasstateparks.org is a good place for people to begin their camping trip? Absolutely. It’s broken down into a map view, so you can find a park that’s nearby home or if you’re looking for a reason to get out and explore someplace new. It will tell you all about what the park has to offer; you can check out the park map there, and get a feel for what each campsite may offer. And, there may be a schedule of interpretive activities as well.

Thanks, Robert.

Go to texasstateparks.org to plan your next campout… because Life’s Better Outside.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.