Thursday, November 15, 2018

DIY Series: Wine Box Handwashing Bag

In a group camping/backpacking situation handwashing is one of the most important ways we can keep from getting sick (or from spreading germs to others). It can be difficult though when you have to get some extra water and take the water/soap 200ft away from water sources. Making it easy and accessible makes people much more likely to wash their hands more often and help keep your group healthy and happy.

Wilderness Volunteers Leader Karen Peters recently brought a handwashing bag she made herself on a service project in the Superstition Mountains. We were so impressed with her bag that we asked her to share her technique with everyone!

"I love having hand washing bags set up near the kitchen and near the latrine and have had success with this DIY bag.

STEP 1: Drink a large box of wine. (Or have friends help you drink a large box of wine.)
Remove the bag. Snip off the corner opposite the spigot.


STEP 2. Use duct tape to secure the inner liner to the outer plastic bag.


STEP 3. Purchase 16 inches of nylon or other sturdy, quick dry fabric. The fabric I bought was wide enough for two bags. First use a zig zag stitch to reinforce the opening that you will use for the spigot. Next sew the edges to make an envelope to hold the bag.


STEP 4. Sew a casing for the string that you will use to hang it up on the corner opposite the spigot hole. I used a light line that I also use for hanging laundry.


STEP 5. Your completed bag should look like this


STEP 6. Stuff the plastic wine bladder into the bag. Secure the plastic with a binder clip.


STEP 7. Poke the wine spigot through the hole you created in the nylon bag. I like the twist knobs, rather than the plunger, as I think they are easier to use with wet hands.


STEP 8. Hang your completed bag on a tree, fence post.


I also like to teach people to wash their hands to a song, happy birthday or jeopardy. One recent participant told me that the jeopardy song is really long when the air is only 30 degrees!"

Karen Peters
Wilderness Volunteers Leader

Friday, November 02, 2018

Announcing the 2018 Photo Contest

The 2018 season is nearly over and it's time again to celebrate all of the great work our trip participants helped WV accomplish this year by awarding some great prizes for a few fantastic photos!

A few of our great entries from last year:













Enter your favorite WV project photos by clicking on the following links and uploading your selections to the WV SmugMug gallery in these categories:
Please be sure to add your name and the project name to the file name of each photo before uploading them. (eg. NorthcuttLyeBrook.jpg)

To view entries so far go to: https://wildernessvolunteers.smugmug.com/Annual-Photo-Contest/2018-Photo-Contest and click on the desired category.

One winner will be selected for each category as well as a grand prize winner for best photo.

Grand Prize:
  • A gift certificate for a free Wilderness Volunteers project good for the 2019 project season
Best Landscape:
  • Patagonia Provisions Sampler donated by Patagonia
  • Coupon for 23% off one REI Co-op Brand Item or REI Putdoor School Class donated by REI  
  • REI Gift Certificate for $10 donated by Liz Lemon
  • Miir 16 oz vacuum insulated stainless steel food canister donated by Patagonia Provisions   
Best Wildlife:
  • Backpacker's Pantry Sampler donated by Backpacker's Pantry 
  • Coupon for 23% off one REI Co-op Brand Item or REI Putdoor School Class donated by REI
  • REI Gift Certificate for $10 donated by Liz Lemon
  • Open Country 12-cup aluminum Camp Perk

Best On the Trail:
  • Patagonia Provisions Sampler donated by Patagonia
  • Coupon for 23% off one REI Co-op Brand Item or REI Putdoor School Class donated by REI
  • REI Gift Certificate for $10 donated by Liz Lemon
  • Wilderness Volunteers Klean Kanteen    

Best Hard At Work:
  • Backpacker's Pantry Sampler donated by Backpacker's Pantry 
  • Coupon for 23% off one REI Co-op Brand Item or REI Putdoor School Class donated by REI  
  • REI Gift Certificate for $10 donated by Liz Lemon
  • Open Country 12-cup aluminum Camp Perk

You can enter as many photos as you like, just be sure to do so before the deadline on December 15th! 

A huge thank you to this year's photo contest sponsors:



 



Official Contest Rules:
  • All photos must be taken on a 2018 Wilderness Volunteers Project and subject matter must comply with Leave No Trace ethics & principles.
  • Each entry must include the photographer's name and the project it was taken on.
  • The same photo cannot be entered in more than one category. Judges reserve the right to switch images to other categories.
  • The contest is open to all 2018 WV project participants and leaders, except for Wilderness Volunteers staff, contest judges and their families. WV reserves the right to verify, in its sole judgment, entrant eligibility. 
  • Photographs will be judged on originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact and artistic merit. Awards will be selected by a panel of judges, and all decisions are final.  
  • Entries must be submitted to the Wilderness Volunteers photo gallery no later than 11:59pm UTC on by Saturday, December 15th, 2018 to be eligible.
  • Judges may exclude entries that do not meet the above criteria.
  • Winners will be notified by email. Wilderness Volunteers is not responsible for lost or damaged prizes.