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OUTDOOR LIVING Barb DeVisscher Bruce County, Home Economist Picture yourself strolling along in the shade oftow- uring trees on a beautiful sunny day. A clear creek‘s hubbnng and the sigh of the breeze in the trees is in- terrupted only by the call of the birds and the sound ol‘ your footfall. Or perhaps you enjoy the outdoors most when lis- ‘cning to the patter ofrain on the tent over your head. Or the companionship of a gathering around a .impfire. Or the challenge of canoeing a racing river. Or scaling a jagged cliff. Or backpacking along a trail. Or observing the hundreds of plants and creatures 1 the pasture behind the barn. All of these things and more are joys of outdoor ivm . TEhis summer, over 600 4-H Homemaking Club members and leaders in Bruce County discovered or ;-discovered the pleasure and beauty which is all round us. “Outdoor Living." a new summer 4-H Club. operâ€" ated as a “pilot project" in one county this year before being available to all the counties and districts in Onâ€" tario next summer. ‘ The first meeting covers general points of considerâ€" llllOEl such as good conservation practices. equipment and physical fitness. You have heard the expression “an army marches on its stomach"? Well. so do hikers. lmpr0vised cook- Ing methods were used for outdoor cooking~from an open fire. to barbecues to cooking in a tin can over a salmon can of paraffin. Using your ingenuity was stressedidid you know bacon and eggs can be cooked in a paper bag over hot coals? Safety and first aid are important considerations. Many clubs asked qualified local people to show them how to handle simple injuries and emergency situ- ations. Water safety was briefly discussed as was hik- ing hazards (such as storms). Each member made a first aid kit to take on outings, Each club went on an outing during this project Many spent time on the Bruce Trail. in local Con- servation Areas or Provincial Parks. and still others decided to become more Familiar with what is in their own “back forty”. Rain, mosquitoes. marauding ra- coons and other challenges seemed to only increase the pleasure and sense of accomplishment derived from their adventures. The atmosphere of “Outdoor Living" is informal. This means that the members and leaders get to know each other on a more personal basis. One member told her leader “I did not know you were so human and as much fun!" So. not only has “Outdoor Living" created an ap- preciation of the outdoors for Bruce County‘s 4-H Homemaking members and leaders. but it has facil- itated a warm and enriched club spirit. '1 ' 3': I ,. Club Presentationâ€"Comments with a difference. 13