Your reading list

Careful when camping

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Published: July 27, 2010

MJR062606Canoe.JPGCamping is a favourite summer activity for many farmers. It’s an opportunity to get away from the routine, even if only for a weekend. You see some different country, commune with nature, and do a little boating or water skiing or fishing. It’s a chance to get sticky from marshmallows and get stinky from campfire smoke and/or lack of available showers.

Read Also

Grain is dumped from the bottom of a trailer at an inland terminal.

Worrisome drop in grain prices

Prices had been softening for most of the previous month, but heading into the Labour Day long weekend, the price drops were startling.

I’m not much of a camper. Once you’ve worked in a camp for many months at a time, the idea of camping for leisure loses its luster. Adding to my ambivalence are two recent news stories that could make one wonder if the simple pleasures of camping are no longer as safe as they once were.
As I write this, the fate of Marie and Lyle McCann of St. Albert, Alta. is still unknown. Their motor home was found burned near Edson, Alta., on July 16 and the McCanns themselves haven’t been seen since July 3. The longer their absence, the more worrisome it becomes, and the less likely there will be a happy outcome. Whatever their fate, it’s a cautionary tale that all campers must be taking to heart.
Today brought news from the RCMP in Qu’Appelle, Sask., about travel trailer break-ins that occurred July 23 or July 24 at the Katepwa Provincial Park. None of the occupants were around at the time of the thefts, but televisions, clothing, alcohol and electronic equipment were taken.
RCMP gave the following advice: “When at parks, please familiarize yourself with neighbouring vehicles and people. If you see anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, take a description, licence numbers and contact police.”
Seems as though even innocent activities like camping have their nasty side, but don’t let it dissuade you from enjoying some camping fun this summer. Just be careful out there!

explore

Stories from our other publications