The 9/11 Memorial Museum opens this week under the site of the new World Trade Center. Veronica Rueckert and Rob Ferrett find out about what’s inside. They also discuss the diminishing number of family farms in Wisconsin and how to increase interest in farming, and in this week’s Teach Me What You Know segment, they learn the ins-and-outs of camping, from pitching a tent to building the perfect fire.
Featured in this Show
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Wilderness Expert Suggest How To Gear Up For Camping Season
Camping season has returned to Wisconsin, a time to move life outside and explore the great outdoors.
If you’re a seasoned pro, you’ve probably got the art of camping down. If not, some expert advice is never a bad way to start out.
Evan Rice, a veteran camper and Boy Scout leader, said one of the first things to know about camping is this: You’ve got options.
“In the Midwest,” he said, “we have just about every kind of experience you can imagine.”
In Wisconsin alone, there are county parks, state parks, backpacking and even rustic cabins to choose from. For beginners, Rice said he’s a fan of the park camping, that way campers have support and amenities like toilets, water and maybe even hot showers.
These days, said Rice, most parks have online reservations systems so prospective campers can go online and get a good idea of the place they’ll be camping.
Knowing what to pack before striking out is key to having a safe and smooth camping experience. Rice puts it in the context of parenting.
“Eat, sleep, play, poop,” he said.
People will need to take all four into considerations to be a happy camper. That means a tent that keeps people dry even in a driving rain, food, soap, sleeping bags, games and a plan for sanitation.
As far as the tent itself goes, Rice recommends two styles in the low-to-medium price range: the Eurkea Tetragon series and the Gander Mountain Guide Series, which he calls a “good entry-level” tent.
In addition, Rice suggests picking a tent with a rain flap that comes nearly to the ground. That way, people should wake up dry instead of in a pool of water.
Safely is another factor that Rice always has in mind as a scout leader. Rice recommends making sure someone knows campers’ itinerary at all times, where they’re supposed to be and when they’re supposed to be there. That way, if the worst happens, and people don’t show up, someone will notice and arrange for the necessary help.
“Always have an agenda,” Rice said.
Another must? Make sure belongings are kept well away from the fire pit, especially a tent.
For camping newbies, urbanites or the easily bored, the perfectly reasonable question remains: What do you do when you’re camping?
As for Rice, relaxing by the fire is enough for contentment. But, keep in mind, nature can be a playground. There are often activities like swimming, mountain biking, hiking, cooking, sharing stories and songs and just plain chilling out.
As for Rice, “I’m just happy to … sit and watch a stick burn.”
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Inside The 9/11 Memorial Museum
A writer goes into the new 9/11 Memorial Museum, and describes the experience of being there.
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What We Can Do To Increase Interest In Farming In Wisconsin
Recent agricultural census data shows that Wisconsin is losing small- and medium-sized farms, and while farm acreage is fairly stable nationwide, it’s fallen in Wisconsin. A guest from the Wisconsin Farms Union discusses why this trend is happening and what we can do to increase interest in farming in Wisconsin.
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Teach Me What You Know: How To Camp
The weather is finally starting to warm up a little bit in Wisconsin, just in time for Memorial Day–prime camping time. An outdoor enthusiast teaches us how to camp in this week’s Teach Me What You Know.
Episode Credits
- Rob Ferrett Host
- Veronica Rueckert Host
- Evan Rice Guest
- Justin Davidson Guest
- Kara O'Connor Guest
- Chris Malina Producer
- Amanda Magnus Producer
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
