Drinking the Dew and Tree-cycling

What will be the next great cabin design of the future? We can only speculate how the cabin, the iconic symbol of resident camps, will continue to evolve in the future. I recently read an article that reminded me that sometimes the simplest inspirations give birth to the solutions of tomorrow.

In this article, Italian industrial designer Arturo Vittori proposed a new solution to providing potable water. Inspired by the wild fig tree, the warka, Vittori applies the principle of condensation to literally “pull clean drinking water out of thin air.” The “skin” of the structure is constructed of a nylon or polypropylene mesh that collects water droplets as they condense from cold night air. In areas such as Ethiopia, with a day-to-night temperature variation range of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, Vittori’s design could produce up to 25 gallons of clean drinking water per day. From Vittori’s website:

Photo Credit: Warka Water

The design consists of 10 components, all of which can be constructed with basic hand tools. Materials include bamboo, mesh, polyester rope, and hemp wires. The top of the structure is equipped with rotating mirrors which deter birds by reflecting light. Next comes the structure which consists of a bamboo frame. Moving down the structure is the canopy. This references the inspiration of the warka tree, and provides shade to create a community gathering space. Ropes are used to ground the freestanding structure. The Warka Water 3.1 uses both fog harvesting and dew harvesting to collect water. The mesh captures water droplets from fog harvesting while the water collector captures water from dew harvesting. The water then moves through a funnel filtration system before it reaches the 260 gallon water tank. The water tank is raised from the ground to allow the supply system to use gravity to distribute the collected water. The Warka structures is built on a base of natural stone.

Vittori’s approach is surprisingly simple. “His solution, the WarkaWater tower, is as elegantly low-tech as a handwoven basket. Using only the basic principle of condensation, it could be the key to providing potable water to an entire continent,” writes Nicholas Derenzo in Hemisphere Magazine.

Photo credit: WholeTrees

Photo credit: Whole Trees

In the age of the “back to nature” movement, it seems a given that the future of cabin design will be inspired by nature. Clearly inspired by nature, are the structures constructed by WholeTrees, a Wisconsin-based company. WholeTrees specializes in using small-diameter round timber for structural elements in place of steel. This use of unmilled lumber in a new context offers multiple benefits. The entire tree is used in the building process, and one can certainly see how this idea and aesthetic would fit within the world of summer camp, bringing the natural beauty of the forest indoors.

Perhaps one day our cabins will be pulling water out of thin air, and structured around round timber from local forests. We will just have to wait and see what nature will inspire next.

Summer Camp in the Digital Age

“Unplugging” kids at camp is a hot topic in today’s summer camp conversation. The research is clear: The amount of time kids spend in front of computer and television screens is higher than ever, with few signs of decreasing. What does this mean for kids at camp?

There seems to be two schools of thought on how technology effects summer camp. One side makes the argument to completely “unplug” kids while at camp -- banning cell phones, digital cameras, tablets, and any other technological devices in order to create stronger communities. As technology is now a critical component of our daily routines, this has become a more daunting task than ever before. In a recent Apple promotional film, the Apple Watch is presented as an intimate extension of the wearer, and as seamlessly integrating technology into everyday life.

While many feel that technology at summer camp undermines the foundations, of camping traditions, other camps embrace technology as part of the camper’s world. Many camps allow some technology while banning others (such as not using wi-fi enabled devices) as a happy medium. Representing this school of thought on this matter, Jason Miller, in his article “Time to Rethink Technology at Summer Camp?” suggests:

"We would be fooling ourselves to believe that technology can be totally barred from camp. In the second decade of the 21st century, electronic gadgets are everywhere. As time goes on, however, a completely screen-free summer may be unavoidable. Striking a healthy balance will be a recipe for success.”

While technology use at camp has certainly increased, this is merely a portion of a long-standing discourse on the importance of "getting away" from society to gain some perspective on one's own life and the surrounding world. In the epilogue to her 2006 book, A Manufactured Wilderness, Van Slyck illustrates this interaction between the conceptual intentions of camp and modern life:

“Summer camps may have positioned themselves in opposition to the fast pace and artificiality of modern life, but the cultural landscape reveals that these manufactured versions of the wilderness implicitly worked to support and maintain modern culture.”

Perhaps the same can be said for the argument of assimilating technology at summer camp. As a built environment, the summer camp landscape will continue to grow and change in response to today’s world. What does this mean for the future designs of summer camps? It seems that they will continue to grow and change in order to adapt to campers' needs in the digital world. In order to be successful, summer camps must integrate the realities of today’s world into the camp landscape and experience.

Sustainable Camp Sites: Energy Efficiency

Not only are sustainable green practices good for the environment, but it can help your camp save on energy costs too.  Here's 12 simple things you can implement into your camp to help save energy:


Lighting:

1. Design with natural light.  Consider window & skylight placement; use suntubes and light shelves.
2. Utilize motion-activated lighting, which is only on when people are present. 
3. Switch to compact fluorescents or LED lights, which last longer.

Heating & Cooling: 

1. Use instant, tank-less hot water heaters. 
2. Incorporate geothermal heating/cooling.  Build part of your structure underground or store your water pumps underground. 
3. Tint windows to help block sun and cool interiors.

Ventilation: 

1. Use natural ventilation! Put in operable windows. 
2. Space buildings far enough apart to allow for air flow.
3. Orient buildings to the prevailing winds 

Use “Green” Energy Sources:

1. Solar (solar panels and photovoltaic cells)
2. Hydro (water mills and turbines, dams, and tidal power)
3. Wind (windmills, turbines, and spires)

With these methods put into practice, you'll soon start seeing energy savings at your camp!

Fieldwork Technology

Perfect for fieldwork! Keep a tight grip on your technology when you're on the move. Our camp planners all want one: the X-Band for iPad.

http://tko-solutions.com/cowbell/

Rainwater Harvesting

Many of us have heard about the importance of conserving water. Rain barrels are a great way to begin collecting storm water. The barrels can be placed under downspouts where there are gutters on camp buildings and then the collected water can be used around the property. For camps, collecting water can be useful if there are farms or gardens at camp or they could be used for supplemental irrigation if there are systems in place. 
Have you considered teaching kids how to make rain barrels at camp? This could be a fun way to teach them about the environment, learn a craft skill and have the knowledge to take home to share with their families.

The cost of making a rain barrel is estimated to be around $120 versus $266 of store bought barrels. These barrels that are made can be used around the camp or donated to the local community as a community outreach program. They could also be part of a fundraising event for camp to raise money for future programs.

The camp may also want to hold a rain barrel making workshop for their community. This way, the community is able to learn from the campers and benefit from having rain barrels for use around their homes. This not only this will promote the camp but it encourages the community to better their environment as well. Many communities have resources in this area; your camp could be the resource in your community by hosting events such as this!

In addition to saving money and reducing risks on local watersheds and storm sewers, many municipalities are offering tax breaks and rebates for the installation of rainwater harvesting systems. Another benefit of rainwater collection is lessening the dependence on utility companies or on-site wells; it reduces the strain on the aquifer.

Although the water looks clean and pure it is often not. The collected rain water can consist of bird and animal droppings, insects and other impurities. Make sure there is a sign on the barrel that says “Do Not Drink”, to keep everyone safe.

Here is a link to a video that shows us you to make our own rain barrel, www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGFDlkJOdaM.

Whether you have a heavy rain season or experience dry seasons, the best way to capitalize on gathering the rain you do have is a rain barrel. Harvesting it is a sensible way to ensure that there can be sufficient amounts of water for landscapes even in the hot summer months. By making rain barrels you can collect rainwater, teach kids about the environment, protect the environment, and even save money at the same time.

Sun Tubes, Solar Pipes and Skylights . . . Oh My!!

With so many products available and numerous manufacturers that can help, they all have one thing in common, adding natural daylight to any space on any project.  For anyone who has experienced these products firsthand, I’m sure you will agree 100% that the light produced by such a small opening is greater than anyone can really imagine, especially in spaces with no windows.  From sun up to sun down the product is letting in natural sunlight.  While all uses of these products are successful, the focus of this blog will be on the Sun Tubes.

Sun tubes are used for transporting or distributing natural light.  Unlike skylights that are placed directly on the roofs surface emitting light straight into the space, sun tubes use a tubing system that can deliver light over 50’ and can include 90 degree angles within the tubing.  Most sun tubes are applied to the roof’s surface and then a flexible or metal tubing system is put in place in order to channel the light into the appropriate space.  Exhaust fans, dimming controls and diffusers are just a few features that most products offer as add-ons.  From commercial warehouses, to residential spaces and camp facilities, these products can be used one at a time or several at once.  In some areas, you might be able to claim a federal tax credit and various state and local incentives (www.dsireusa.org/).  Sun tubes can also be used towards achieving LEED points on any project (www.solatube.com/commercial/daylighting/solatube-leed/index.php). 


How can sun tubes be used at camp? 

• Troop Houses
• Shower Houses
• Dining Halls
• Cabins
• Health Centers
• Or any structure with a roof!!   

What are the benefits of using sun tubes?

• Cost-Effective, reducing the cost in energy consumption
• Day lighting any space in nearly any climate
• Minimal Roof Structure Impact
• Leak-Proof Design
• Endless possibilities with a highly flexible, modular system

A brand-name solar tube costs around $700, including installation, assuming the structures roof is a standard composite shingle roof.  Various add-on’s similar to those mentioned above will increase the price of each kit.  However, a sun tube lights your space with the natural light of the sun 365 days out of the year, therefore allowing you to avoid using as much artificial light.

Does your camp use sun tubes?  If so, share your experience.

Astronomy At Camp

Astronomy should be taught at summer camps because it piques children’s interests in the areas of math and science. These are two school subjects that children often struggle with. By keeping children interested in these subjects and introducing them to children in a fun way it may be less challenging for them to learn these subjects as they grow older. Astronomy is an excellent way of teaching basic principles of scientific knowledge since nature is ruled by reasonable laws.

There are online astronomy courses at http://www.kidsastronomy.com/. Classes are free and there are two courses to accommodate the younger as well as older campers. The class target ages range from 7-11 and 12-18. These lessons along with various portions of the website can be utilized by camp counselors, volunteers and parents that are interested in teaching the campers about astronomy.

Having an astronomy program at camp encourages children to participate in something fun and it also stimulates their minds. Take the challenge of printing out a map of the night sky with the visible constellations; finding them in the sky is much more difficult than you might think. If you have the technology, there are various applications for the iPad that have a layout of the night sky and point you in the right direction to constellations and planets. 

Children are fascinated with the night sky and the stars and studying astronomy is the perfect way to motivate children to become interested in sciences. Not only will astronomy benefit children with math and science skills, but incorporating astronomy lessons along with the star gazing can enhance their writing and reading aptitude as well.