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What has happened to the compass? Where has the most simple, yet needed, survival tool gone? This last week a friend of mine said they didn’t know how to use a compass. At first I was surprised, but soon realized I was a part of a dying breed. The compass has fallen down the nostalgic dark hole that the Red Ryder B.B. Gun and Cracker Jack went into a decade back. People my age just do not know how to use a compass, and I would go as far to say that youth in the generations after mine would not even be able to recognize one.

I can’t even count the amount of times I have asked for simple directions and been told turn at the big sign, or ‘it’s a bit down from the McDonald’s.’ People have honestly lost all knowledge of north to south and east to west.

We have completely lost our sense of direction. It’s not that we have become stupid. I believe the compass has just been pushed to the wayside by new technologies like mapquest, fancy GPS-enabled phones, hand-held mapping systems, and navigation systems. With all of theses electronics, why would people need to know how to use a compass or even a map?

My first adventure memories are with my dad on the open road in the big brown Suburban, riding copilot. I would sit perched in my booster seat with the map unfolded in my lap, navigating my dad the directions.

Now, it should be known that I have a genetic predisposition to having the latest and greatest gadget or new technology. I do own and use a variety of direction-guiding tools. Whether it be my Garmin handheld mapping system, my internet-ready and GPS enabled blackberry that I can’t leave home without, or my wristwatch the size of the landing pad at Cape Canaveral that tells me air temperature, altitude, and coordinates with directions, and even predicts the weather. I am just as guilty as the next person when it comes to phasing out the simple manual compass.

But I ask you this, what will you do when your watch goes on the fritz, your cell phone can’t get service, and your fancy GPS loses the tower to link its location? You are going to be lost!

We need to rally around the trusty compass. It could be the newest comeback kid. We need to take a few steps back and start taking gear advice from the old greats like Lewis and Clark and rock-climbing pioneer Royal Robbins. I guarantee these adventurers definitely didn’t rely on the latest GPS tracker. We can’t always count on technology, but we can count on ourselves! Get a compass, use it, like it, love it!!!

Girl vs. Wild, Jacquelyn Farris

With the most exciting weekend of summer just a few days away I have been dreaming of a summer bbq. Now I know that bbqing is not usually action packed with adventure. But hey Girl vs. Wild needs a break to simply relax every once in a while, right?

So it’s time to get my grill going and hone my bbq skills. While I am at it I thought I would share a few simple tricks to make a backyard bbq an adventure for everyone and maybe even mix in a little Girl vs. Wild adventure too.

When I can’t get out to a local state park for a night filled with songs and smores around a campfire there is no better substitute than an evening with friends around the fire pit. These are safe and easy to control simply in your backyard. The most important part is that your not likely to burn your house down and they are perfect for making smores. Remember Smokey the Bear would be very disappointed if you didn’t practice fire safety.

I like to invited a few friends and suggest BYOM, bring your own meat. Meat is expensive and this way everyone gets to be involved in the grilling and have exactly what they like. Plus you know you have those friends that think they make the best bbq ever. This way everyone gets to show off their talents and have a finger lickin good time. Its a win win situation.

Of course your guest will come with festive beverages in tow, but I like to offer a fun drink to share with all. Usually something mixed with fresh fruit. No matter the recipe you pick I suggest making it a day ahead of time. This way all the great juices get to mix together and it’s one less thing to worry about on your day of fun. A fruity fun drink always livens the party.

Since I have not been blessed with the gift of music and am no Dave Matthews its always fun to encourage a few friends who play guitar to bring them along for a sing along. A little guitar sing along around the fire is the best way to finish a night of bbqing with friends.

Once the night gets going and the songs start playing there is not much more fun than sing alongs, smores, and great bbq with friends to create the ideal adventurous fun filled bbq weekend Girl vs. Wild style.