Have A Good Summer! :^)

How to Prepare for a Beach Trip

Have you ever wanted to go on a beach trip, but just don't know how to pack for it? This should help.

Preparing for Your Own Beach Trip:
1. Prior to going to the beach, you may want to get highlights in your hair, buy a new swimsuit,new flip flops and get a light tan to make you look your best at the beach.

2. Figure out how much stuff you plan on bringing with you to the beach. This will determine the size of your beach bag; as you don't want a big bag to carry around, but have small stuff in there and you don't want a small purse when you have a lot of stuff to carry. Cheap beach bags can be found at Target and Wal-Mart.

3. Pick out an extra set of clothes and your beach clothes. Pick out airy and light colored swimsuits to avoid absorbing the sun's rays or surf shorts that fit comfortably. You may elect to leave your extra clothes in your car or hotel room (if applicable). Some beaches have public pavilions, which include restrooms, lockers, and showers. Leaving it in the car helps so that you won't get more clothes covered in sand. Flip flops or slippers are great for walking in, but when you get to the sand, take them off to avoid flinging sand at others. *H.A.G.S. TIP* if you are planning to walk along the shoreline, go barefoot to avoid additional and unnecessary water splashing.

4. Use beach protection every time you go there. Bring chapstick with SPF to prevent your lips from burning and chapping. Also, bring a bottle of sunscreen to avoid sunburn. Bring an umbrella and bury the bottom handle in the sand to prevent it from flying away. Most hotels along the beach have umbrellas and beach chairs, sometimes limiting them to the hotel guests. Sunglasses are useful if you don't want the sun in your eyes.

5. Carry a straw mat or beach chair if you don't wish to sit on the sand. Towels are another option, but please have beach etiquette and shake any sand off from it away from people or wait until you get into the parking lot.

6. Bring a lunch or snack and other things to keep you occupied. If you are bringing music, please also bring head or earphones for everyone's convenience. It may help to bring a cooler and pack it with water and other sorts of drinks. If you are in the sun all day, you will be surprised how dehydrated you get. Make sure to constantly drink all day.

****Additional Tips***
-Be careful not to get sand on your electronics; sand can get inside them and ruin them.
-If you have kids, bring something for them to do - pack a bucket and a shovel so they can play in the sand, or a ball to kick around.
-Always swim with a buddy!
-Bring water shoes for the kids so they won't cut their feet on the shells and other sharp objects.
-Watch out for riptides
-Have fun!
-Watch out for jellyfish and stingrays!

******Warnings********
-Be careful in the water at the beach. Watch out for jellyfish and sharks if you are at the ocean. And watch out for any warnings.
-Obey beach rules.
-Do not step on crabs or jellies - they hurt!


H.A.G.S.!
~rev.