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Mason Crest
, an Imprint of National Highlights
| Toll-Free 866.627.2665 | Fax 610.543.3878
THE GREAT OUTDOORS!
Put down the screen! Turn off the TV! Unplug . . . and
experience the joy of THE GREAT OUTDOORS! In each
book in this series, readers will be inspired to try a new
that young people spend more time looking at a screen
than enjoying outdoor adventures. Find out the gear you
should bring on a backpacking trip or how you can start
flyfishing.
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See what the land looks like from the other direction. Knowing where
youcame fromalwaysgivesyouabetter feel forwhereyou’regoingand
preparesyou for the return trip.
Always think foryourself.Even ifyou’re in themiddleorat theendof
a lineofhikers,payattention towhereyou’regoing.
Trail Maps
henyou’rehiking inanunfamiliarplace,youneedamap that
shows the trails.Youcangoonline,downloadamapandprint
itout,useaparkor trailsapponyourphone,orpickupapa-
per map at a park or ranger station. Some park maps are very simple
and show only the trails themselves, roads, and some features such as
the visitor center and picnic
areas. More detailed hiking
mapsshow trailheads,creeks
and rivers, elevations, and
distancesbetweenpoints.
Key to reading a map is
the scale, which shows how
many inches represent a
mile. If one inch equals one
mile on a paper map, and it’s
about three inches from the
trailhead toyourdestination,
you’re lookingata three-mile
hike. Also check the map’s leg-
end,which tellsyouwhat the
symbols on the map mean.
The symbol for a camp-
ground might be a tent; for a
ranger station, a little cabin
witha flagon top.
Whoneedsapps?A topographicmapanda
compassare the “old-fashioned”way.
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ModernGPSdevices,apps,andonline
maps canprovidegreat information.
Fun On and Off the Trail
ustbeingout innaturewithyour friendscanbe fun,butsome
things make a good hike great—like water. Swim, splash, or
justcoolyour feet ina lakeor stream.
For some hikers, the best thing about being out in nature is seeing
animalsand interestingplantsand trees.Askpark rangers topointout
places where you’re likely to spot wildlife while you’re on your hike.
Youcanalso try tospotevidenceofanimals,suchas footprints,scratch-
eson treebark,nests,hair,andmore.
The plants you see can inspire ideas, too. See how many different
typesof flowersyou can spotonyourhike,orhowmany typesof trees
you find.Are thereanyyou’venever seenbefore?
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activity that they can’t do with a smartphone. Studies show
Actual Text Size
areas. More detailed hiking
maps show trailheads, creeks
and rivers, elevations, and
distances between points.
Key to reading a map is
the scale, which shows how
many inches represent a
mile. If one inch equals one
about three inches from the
CHECK OUT THE EXCITEMENT OF
MOUNTAIN BIKING OR THE CALMING
MOOD OF NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY. TRY
OUT WATER-SKIING OR SNOWBOARDING.
EXPERT AUTHORS OFFER INSIDER
TIPS FOR READERS. THIS SERIES WILL
PROVIDE STARTING POINTS, EXPERT
ADVICE, AND IDEAS FOR SUCCESS IN THE
GREAT OUTDOORS.