Outdoor Social

Couple camping in the desert using Stanley's Bowl+Spork Compact Cook Set.
Camping Season is Back: Time to Celebrate with Stanley
Backpacking. Car camping. Canoe camping. Bike camping. Glamping. RVing. Or just setting up a tent in your backyard. However you like to experience the great outdoors, Stanley’s got the insulated, stainless-steel equipment you need. All built tough for wherever you roam. Now that the weather is starting to warm up, there’s never been a better time to pick up some durable, new Stanley gear to celebrate the return of camping season. GREAT COOK SETS FOR GREAT MEALS Powdered eggs and instant noodles have their place. But you can’t beat fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon for breakfast, or a hot and hearty stew for dinner. All it takes is a little planning and the right tools—namely, stainless-steel cookware from Stanley’s Adventure Series: The Full Kitchen Base Camp Cook Set gives you everything you need to prep, cook, serve, and clean up. All 21 pieces nest together into a compact, convenient bundle. The Even-Heat Camp Pro Cook Set includes a stock pot, saucepan, and frying pan for cooking up a storm. Three-ply construction means your food heats evenly. The All-in-One Fry Pan Set is the perfect choice when French toast, omelets, burgers, and stir-fry are on the menu. The Bowl + Spork Compact Cook Set is a real space-saver, featuring a cook pot, serving bowl, spork and lid that nest together. RISE AND SHINE WITH FRESHLY BREWED COFFEE There’s nothing like sipping a hot cup of your favorite coffee while watching the sun come up. Check out these favorites: The Perfect-Brew Pour Over Set includes a matching, 12-oz, vacuum-insulated Camp Mug. The stainless-steel filter means no paper filters are needed, making this a sustainable option. The Cool Grip Camp Percolator (1.1 qt) brews up to 6 cups of delicious coffee in less than 10 minutes. There’s also a removable, silicone grip, so you can safely take the percolator off the heat. The Stay-Hot French Press (48 oz) makes 6–8 cups at a time, and then keeps your brew nice and hot for 4 hours. HAPPY HOUR UNDER THE STARS Toast the great outdoors with go-anywhere barware. The super-strong, super-light Titanium Multi Cup (10 oz) is the perfect one-can cooler. The next morning, it turns into a coffee cup. For crafting cocktails, don’t leave home without these stainless-steel bartending essentials: The Easy Fill Wide Mouth Flask (8 oz) with its never-lose cap and The Happy Hour Cocktail Shaker Set—complete with a removable reamer, strainer lid, jigger cap, and two stainless-steel rocks glasses. KEEP THE CHILL GOING FOR HOURS Unless you’re backpacking, a dependable cooler is a must-have for camping—not to mention road trips, backyard parties, and picnics. Stanley’s Adventure Series gives you plenty of options, from The Easy Carry Lunch Cooler (7 qt) to The Easy Carry Outdoor Cooler (16 qt). All with double-wall foam, rugged latches, and leak-resistant gaskets. Last but not least is The Fast Flow Water Jug (2 gallons). Ideal for staying hydrated around the campsite, the double-wall foam insulation keeps water cold for 13 hours (or iced for two days). This jug also makes a great handwashing station. And when the camping trip is over, you can use it at your next BBQ or kids’ softball game.   CAMP WITH CARE A few more tips for a fun, safe, and memorable adventure: plan ahead, be prepared, leave no trace, leave wildlife alone, and don’t forget the first aid kit. To learn more, check out these 10 Outdoor Safety Tips To Protect Yourself, Others & The Environment.
Stay Hydrated At Summer Festivals With Stanley
Stay Hydrated At Summer Festivals With Stanley
06.09.22 You’ve assembled your group. You’ve purchased your passes. Now that summer festival season has arrived, a little thoughtful prep can make all the difference in creating a weekend to remember! Before you pull on your wristband and get swept away in the music, we’ve got some tips to keep you hydrated without sacrificing festival flair. Most festivals have water refilling stations. PICK THE RIGHT GEAR Bring your own water bottle. There’s nothing worse than missing the headliner because you ran out of steam before sunset. Staying hydrated is crucial to maintaining your energy and mood the whole day. Bringing your own water bottle reduces waste and most venues have refilling stations for use. Be sure to check the event policy first if you plan on bringing your own bottle and any outside food or beverage. Buy a keepsake water bottle. If you forget your own bottle — or just want to commemorate the event — purchase a reusable bottle as a collectible. It will be well worth the investment once you factor in steep pricing on concessions water. Stanley Everyday Tumbler in use at a festival. Stay cool at the campsite. Keep food and refreshment cool. Before you even enter the gates, plan to keep food and drinks at the car or campsite chilled to an enjoyable (and safe!) temperature. A properly packed cooler can keep items cold and safe from spoilage for days. Stanley's top festival hydration essentials: Always have your beverage handy with the IceFlow Flip Straw Water Bottle Never worry about spills with the Quick Flip GO Bottle Hydrate your way — by sip or by straw — with our famous Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler Keep the whole group hydrated with the Adventure Fast Flow Water Jug Pack the right essentials. PICK THE RIGHT GEAR Most festivals have water refilling stations. Bring your own water bottle. There’s nothing worse than missing the headliner because you ran out of steam before sunset. Staying hydrated is crucial to maintaining your energy and mood the whole day. Bringing your own water bottle reduces waste and most venues have refilling stations for use. Be sure to check the event policy first if you plan on bringing your own bottle and any outside food or beverage. Stanley Everyday Tumbler in use at a festival. Buy a keepsake water bottle. If you forget your own bottle — or just want to commemorate the event — purchase a reusable bottle as a collectible. It will be well worth the investment once you factor in steep pricing on concessions water. Stay cool at the campsite. Keep food and refreshment cool. Before you even enter the gates, plan to keep food and drinks at the car or campsite chilled to an enjoyable (and safe!) temperature. A properly packed cooler can keep items cold and safe from spoilage for days. Pack the right essentials. Stanley's top festival hydration essentials: Always have your beverage handy with the IceFlow Flip Straw Water Bottle Never worry about spills with the Quick Flip GO Bottle Hydrate your way — by sip or by straw — with our famous Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler Keep the whole group hydrated with the Adventure Fast Flow Water Jug MAKE YOUR BOTTLE A MEMENTO Cover every inch with a memory. Collect stickers and decals. Give your bumper a break and save the vinyl stickers for your gear. Most merch booths sell decals and die cut stickers to decorate your bottle or cooler. Added benefit: It makes a great conversation starter with fellow concert goers. Custom stickers created by Elyse Breanne Design. Grab the limited editions. Going to a special event or reunion show? Turn your bottle into a passport to display the dates and locations of all the great shows you’ve hit. Bonus points for artist collaborations, like this collection created by Elyse Breanne Design️. SHOW YOUR PERSONAL STYLE The Quencher in a range of colors. Coordinate your festival look. Festivals are now known to be exhibitions of creativity and personal style. If you’re going all out with your outfit, there’s no reason for your gear to clash. Stanley offers more colors of its hydration gear than ever or you can simply switch your tabs to match. Quencher bling by TaylorMade Bling. Take your outfit to the next level. Why limit your vision to color alone? Add texture and glitz to your look with rhinestone embellishments on your gear and accessories, like this bedazzled Quencher created by TaylorMade Bling for country music star Carrie Underwood, timed with the artist’s Denim & Rhinestones album release at The Denim & Rhinestones Experience at The Bell Tower. Teneka Moore of TaylorMade Bling. Bling your own bottle. Are you brave enough to try your hand at bling-it-yourself? Check out the tools and techniques used by Teneka Moore whose designs have appeared in Super Bowl commercials and the cupholders of celebrities. A little embellishment may be just the thing to create the hydration accessory of your dreams. Are you ready to create summer music festival memories? Let Stanley come along for the fun and don’t forget to tag @stanley_brand on Instagram in your festival photos! The Quencher in a range of colors. SHOW YOUR PERSONAL STYLE Coordinate your festival look. Festivals are now known to be exhibitions of creativity and personal style. If you’re going all out with your outfit, there’s no reason for your gear to clash. Stanley offers more colors of its hydration gear than ever or you can simply switch your tabs to match. Take your outfit to the next level. Why limit your vision to color alone? Add texture and glitz to your look with rhinestone embellishments on your gear and accessories, like this bedazzled Quencher created by TaylorMade Bling for country music star Carrie Underwood, timed with the artist’s Denim & Rhinestones album release at The Denim & Rhinestones Experience at The Bell Tower. Quencher bling by TaylorMade Bling. Teneka Moore of TaylorMade Bling. Bling your own bottle. Are you brave enough to try your hand at bling-it-yourself? Check out the tools and techniques used by Teneka Moore whose designs have appeared in Super Bowl commercials and the cupholders of celebrities. A little embellishment may be just the thing to create the hydration accessory of your dreams. Are you ready to create summer music festival memories? Let Stanley come along for the fun and don’t forget to tag @stanley_brand on Instagram in your festival photos!
14 Helpful Camping Safety Tips for Families With Children
14 Helpful Camping Safety Tips for Families With Children
Spending time outdoors is beneficial to children in numerous ways, including improving health and sensory skills, increasing attention span, and advancing cognitive, social, and emotional development. Outdoor experience can also help kids understand the importance of following camping best practices. The good news is that as long as your kids are old enough to speak, you can establish ground rules and familiarize them with the safety basics — before heading out into the wilderness — by camping in your car or backyard. Here are a few important points you’ll want to be sure to cover. STAY TOGETHER Under normal circumstances, your kids should remain together with you and any other direct family members camping with you, including pets. But if an emergency occurs and an adult is hurt, you can instruct them to run to the nearest campsite and summon help. Keep in mind that if you frequently camp in more remote locations, children should also understand how to use technology (e.g., satellite phones or the emergency signal on most smartphones) in the event of an emergency. AVOID WATER Even if your children know how to swim, outdoor environments present a greater risk than a controlled environment like a neighborhood pool. Dangers include: Slippery surfaces; Debris from trees and other plant matter; Swift currents that can sweep children off their feet. To help prevent accidents, let your kids know that, when camping, they should never approach any bodies of water without an adult directly nearby. Another good idea is to wear a life jacket as a backup in case they fall or are swept into the water. WEAR SUNSCREEN Exposure to UV radiation is the leading cause of the most common forms of skin cancer. Professionals recommend applying sunscreen to your child’s skin at least 15 to 30 minutes before going outside and then every two hours afterward. Keep in mind that this number can decrease significantly if your kids are sweating or swimming. KEEP A WHISTLE In nature, it’s easy for a curious child to become lost, trapped, or otherwise find themselves in danger. To help protect in instances like these, it’s ideal for your kids to carry a whistle. While just about any whistle and lanyard will do, some camping-specific models are available with features like extra loud designs, metal construction, compasses, and belt hooks to help ensure your kids never lose theirs. KNOW HOW TO IDENTIFY POISONOUS PLANTS Depending on where you live, poisonous plants you might encounter when camping with your kids include poison ivy, oak, sumac, stinging nettle, giant hogweed, and wild parsnip. While some of these might only cause itchiness, others, such as the giant hogweed, can cause permanent scarring. Before heading out, make sure your children know which types of poisonous plants they might encounter and how they can identify and avoid them. You can accomplish this by showing them pictures, helping them learn related songs, and even drawing or making these plants out of construction paper. DON'T WANDER DURING TWILIGHT OR NIGHTTIME Twilight and nighttime are when many animals feed, including badgers, coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, raccoons, and skunks, none of which you want to encounter during an otherwise pleasant camping trip. Even if your children avoid these animals, it will be difficult for them to see during these times, making it easier to become lost. Bottom line: to remain as safe as possible while camping, it’s essential that you emphasize to your children the importance of not wandering around during twilight or the nighttime. RESPECT TOOLS A prepared camper brings all the right tools they need to set up camp, including a sharp ax for cutting firewood, equipment to start fires, multi-tools, hand saws, and hammers. If you’re hunting, you can add firearms to this list, as well as any vehicles you used to drive in. While many of these items are necessities, they could also look like shiny playthings to your children. Let your kids know how dangerous these items can be, lock what you can away, and emphasize that they must ask for permission to handle any tools or other potential hazards. RESPECT WILDLIFE Whether day or night, it’s likely that your kids will encounter some wildlife during their camping trip. After all, that’s one of the biggest reasons to sleep outside! However, you need to advise your children that no matter how tempting, they should never approach wildlife, and the best way to appreciate whatever they encounter is from a distance. If possible, they could even carry a children’s camera that encourages them to capture the moment from afar. DON'T EAT ANYTHING YOU FIND OUTSIDE While there are many edible plants in nature, many of them don’t taste good to humans. Many of them can make children very ill or even cause death if help isn’t found within a short time. For these reasons, children must understand they should never eat anything they find while camping — including seemingly safe options like berries or mushrooms. Instead, if they find something they think is edible, they need to leave it where it is and find an adult. HYDRATE Under normal circumstances, children should consume the same number of eight-ounce cups of water as their age, up to 64 ounces. So, if your child is five, they should drink a total of 40 ounces of water daily. However, during camping trips where kids will likely play and explore, they might need extra water to remain adequately hydrated. An excellent way to accomplish this is with specialized mugs or cups including the IceFlow Flip Straw Mug and Legacy QuadVac Thermal Bottle, hydration bottles around the camp, or a water pack they can wear as they move around in nature. DON'T LEAVE FOOD LYING AROUND Animals of all types will find it hard to pass up a free meal, which is why it’s essential to avoid leaving food lying around. This applies not just to areas next to your tent but also places where you eat, such as picnic tables and around fire pits. To ensure this doesn’t happen, it’s a good idea to keep food locked away where prying hands (whether human or animal) can’t get to it. When your little one eats, make sure they remain in one spot and clean up after themselves. STAY ON MARKED TRAILS Groups of volunteers usually handle trail maintenance and work hard to ensure everything is reasonably safe and well-marked. However, none of this applies once your children exit the trail, where it’s much easier to get lost or injured. Instead, emphasize to your children the importance of remaining on the trail (including how to read markers), not just to avoid dangers, but also to help preserve the environment for the campers who follow. DON'T PLAY WITH FIRE Fire is a meaningful part of the camping experience since you’ll use it for light, heat, cooking, and simply enjoying the sound of crackling wood. Unlike a fire pit at home, though, campfires usually aren’t covered, making it easy for children to fall in and burn themselves. This is why it’s a good idea to set fire-related ground rules at home, such as remaining a certain distance from the flames at all times and never playing with it (e.g., throwing items into the fire or burning sticks and pulling them out to watch them smoke). If possible, pack a screen cover with you. WEAR APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR Whether you’re a child or adult, walking around barefoot and digging your toes into the dirt can be an incredible sensation. However, outside of the essentials like tools and a place to sleep, proper footwear is perhaps the most important facet of camping, especially if you and your children plan to hike at all. Even if you don’t hike, wearing footwear in and around the campsite can help prevent injuries and even certain types of infections. If you have a toddler, a great way to get them to wear their shoes is by wearing yours without making it a big deal. Children learn by mimicking adults, so they might keep their shoes on just to be one of the grown-ups.
Three hikers hanging out in the tailgate of a station wagon while a fourth hiker looks on.
Trailgate in Style
Although the hike is the main event, trailgating can definitely amp up the fun factor of your adventure. It’s just like tailgating—except the great outdoors become your football stadium. Before your hike, get powered up and hydrated with a party at the trailhead. And then reward yourself for your elevation accomplishment with a post-hike celebration. BUT BEFORE YOU GO Keep an eye on the weather: If things look iffy, you might want to take a raincheck on the hike. Know the conditions: Avoid disappointment and check reports for trail conditions and closures. Gear up: Even a short afternoon hike calls for some must-have items. The National Park Service offers a list of 10 essentials to pack. Plan the menu: If you’re hiking with friends, decide on who’s bringing what. (Read on for some tasty recipes.) Get comfortable: Pack some folding chairs and maybe a table so you can spread out while you nibble and sip. Chill in advance: Give your Stanley cooler a head start by pre-cooling it with an ice block or bag of ice. NOW, ON TO THE RECIPES Trail mix and protein bars are all well and good during your hike. But we think a trailgate gathering calls for something a little more interesting.  CRICKET PROTEIN SMOOTHIE Cricket powder has a mild flavor and is packed with protein. 12 grams chocolate protein powder 6 grams cricket protein powder 2 tbsp peanut butter 1/4 cup coconut chips 1 cup frozen spinach 1 cup frozen fruit of choice: bananas, blueberries, cherries, mango, or pineapple 2 cups cold water 10 ice cubes  Blend until smooth and pour into our The IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler or Adventure Stainless Steel Vacuum Bottle.  HIBISCUS + HERB REFRESHER Chill with this super-cool kombucha recipe.  ½ cupkombucha  ½ small lemon, juiced (about 2 tsp) Handful of blueberries (about 8 berries) 3 mint leaves 3 basil leaves Ice Fill the Adventure Happy Hour Cocktail Shaker halfway with ice. Add ingredients and shake for 10 seconds. Serve without straining (include ice cubes). Top with more kombucha.   STANLEY'S SIGNATURE BACON GUACAMOLEAvocado and bacon. Two of our favorite ingredients. Ingredients:  2 large peeled and pitted avocados, mashed 1 lime, juiced ½ tsp ground cumin Salt and pepper to taste 4 strips fried bacon, chopped 1 medium tomato, diced 1 jalapeno, minced ¼ cup red onion, minced 1 tbsp cilantro, chopped Instructions: In a medium size bowl, mix together avocado, lime juice, cumin, and salt and pepper. Fold in the remaining ingredients and chill for 1 hour. Transfer dip to the Adventure Stainless Steel All-In-One Food Jar for transporting and serving. (The food jar will keep the dip cold for 12 hours.) Serve with chips, pita or veggies.   EASY CAMP TACOS You can make these ahead or whip them up at the trailhead.  Ingredients:  Ground meat of your choice Packet of taco seasoning Cooking oil 1 yellow onion, chopped 1 red pepper, diced Tortillas (corn, flour, or you can do a lettuce wrap to cut down on carbs) Lettuce, shredded 1 tomato, diced Salsa Guacamole Instructions:  Season your ground meat with taco seasoning. Add cooking oil to the stock pot from the Adventure Even-Heat Camp Pro Cook Set and cook the ground meat until browned. In the cook set’s frying pan, sauté the onion and pepper. Add to the ground meat in the stock pot and stir. Use the frying pan to warm the tortillas (optional). In each tortilla, place a scoop of the ground meat mixture. Garnish with lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, and guacamole.  If making ahead, you can transport the ground meat mixture in the Adventure Stay-Hot Camp Crock.  
Five friends gathered at a table outside, raising their Adventure Beer Pints in a toast.
Your Homegating Playbook
As we all know, the fall sports season won’t be the same this year. But there’s no reason to cancel that tailgating party. You can still capture that same spirit of game-day fun in the back yard or front porch. (Or, for an even more authentic tailgating experience, set up the pre-game party in the back end of your car or truck. Why not?) Whether football, soccer, UFC Fight Night or a sports documentary is on the roster, stay tuned for some tips on making your homegating party something to cheer about. CREATE A SAFE ZONE If you’re planning to invite a few people from outside your household, be sure to check your local government’s COVID-19 guidelines around gatherings. And make sure everyone at the party feels comfortable with the game plan: Keep the party outside Arrange chairs six feet apart for easy social distancing Set out bottles of hand sanitizer for your guests Hand out sports-themed masks for your guests to wear and take home after the party (who doesn’t love a door prize?) WAYS TO WATCH Viewing the game on a big screen from the comfort of your couch might be just the ticket. But if you’ve got guests, or you want to channel that outdoor-stadium feeling, here are a few ways you can catch the action: If you decide to wheel your TV outside, you’ll definitely need to shelter the screen from the sun’s glare. If you don’t have a shady spot, you can create one with a tent or patio umbrella. Just be sure to bring your TV back inside as soon as the party’s over to protect it from the elements. Leaving it outside could shorten its life or fry the circuitry—not to mention voiding the warranty. Another outdoor viewing option: Set up a couple of laptops and stream the game. For the ultimate in social distancing, ask guests to bring their own devices. (Of course, you’ll need a fast connection and a strong Wi-Fi signal.) If you’re a big-time homegating fan, consider investing in a projector or an outdoor TV. GAME DAY IS ALSO FOOD AND BEER DAY Even if cooking isn’t your thing, we’ve got you covered with these easy-to-make, oh-so-delicious recipes to kick off the party—and keep it in play. BBQ BEER MEATBALLS Meatball Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef ½ lb ground pork ½ lb ground bison 2 eggs, whipped 4 cloves garlic, pressed 2 tbsp chives 1½ tbsp onion powder ½ cup potato chips, finely crushed Salt and pepper to taste Deglazing Ingredients: 2 tbsp butter Splash of beer (Märzen or other malty beer) Spicy BBQ Sauce Ingredients: ½ cup ketchup 1 tbsp hot sauce 2 tbsp honey 2 tbsp white vinegar Instructions: In the 3.7-qt. pot from the Base Camp Cook Set or 4.75-qt. pot from the Even Heat Camp Pro Cook Set combine all meatball ingredients and mix thoroughly. Form meatballs, 1½ inches in diameter, and chill for at least 20 minutes before cooking. Add oil to frying pan and heat. Add meatballs and cook over medium-high heat until the internal temperature reaches 160F (about 4 minutes per side). Remove meatballs, place in the Stay Hot Camp Crock, and cover. Deglaze frying pan with butter and a splash of beer. Stir and let simmer for 1 minute. Combine BBQ sauce ingredients and add to pan. Simmer over medium-high heat until reduced by half, about 7–8 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Remove pan from heat and pour sauce over meatballs. Garnish with more chopped chives. Keep meatballs in the Stay Hot Camp Crock for easy transporting and serving. (Meatballs will stay hot for 12 hours.) STANLEY’S BOMB BEER CHEESE Ingredients: 8 oz cream cheese, softened  8 oz Cheddar cheese, shredded 8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded 1 cup beer 1 tsp garlic salt Instructions: Melt cream cheese in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in remaining ingredients. Continue stirring until melted. Pour mixture into a Stay Hot Camp Crock to keep things at the perfect temperature for 12 hours. Serve with pretzel bites, tortilla chips, bread, or sliced veggies. Options: Add caramelized onions, crispy bacon bits, salsa, or sauteed hot peppers. PORTER COFFEE Ingredients: Porter beer Cold brew coffee Instructions: In our Classic Easy-Pour Growler, combine 2 parts porter with 1 part coffee. Or go with a 1:1 ratio. Serve in Beer Pints over ice. Options: Try a flavored porter, like vanilla, chocolate, or pumpkin. You can also add a splash of cream.     ABOUT STANLEY The Stanley brand has a rich 100+ year history. Born from inventor William Stanley Jr. who forever changed the way hot drinks were consumed, in 1913 he fused vacuum insulation and the strength of steel in one portable bottle, inventing the all-steel vacuum bottle we know and love today.