It’s the season for camping! That means marshmallows by the fire, sleeping under the stars, and enjoying the great outdoors. When we’re away for a nice camping getaway, the last thing we need is a sunburn to ruin the trip. Over time, overexposure to the sun can even cause skin cancer. So how can you stay protected while enjoying the outdoors? Here’s everything you need to know about summer camp sun protection.
Apply Sunscreen
Sunscreen is essential when out camping. Make sure to wear one that’s broad-spectrum with an SPF of at least 30. Since you’ll probably be engaging in different outdoor activities, find one that’s specially formulated for sports and is sweat and water resistant. Remember, your skin can still get damaged by UV rays on cloudy days, so make sure to apply it even when the sun’s not out.
Other than sunscreen, the clothing you wear can also help protect you from the sun’s rays. First off, make sure to wear a broad-brimmed hat, which will help protect your face, head, ears, and neck. Depending on the material, your clothing may not block UV rays as well as you may think. That’s why we recommend UV protective clothing. These clothes contain a UPF (Ultraviolet Protective Factor) rating, which tells you how well the material blocks UV rays. A UPF of 50 or more is advised since it blocks 98% of the sun’s rays. If you’re camping by a lake or plan to play in the water, you can also consider getting UPF swimwear.
Wear Sunglasses
Besides your skin, your eyes can also be damaged by UV rays. It’s important to protect your eyes and the tender skin around them by wearing sunglasses. When choosing a pair of sunglasses, make sure to look for ones that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays, or offer UV absorption of up to 400nm.
Seek Shade
When you’re spending time outside, it’s still important to give your skin a bit of a break from the sun. The best way is to take breaks throughout the day and find shade. Thankfully, you’ve got a lot of different options when out camping. Find a campsite that’s well shaded. If you’re bringing a camping trailer, take breaks inside to get away from the sun’s rays. When you’re out hiking, make sure to take breaks underneath shady trees.
Use Sun Index for camp sun protection
Sun Index is a sun safety technology that’s specially designed to help you stay safe under the sun while camping. The wearable device tracks your sun exposure to let you know how long you can stay outside before you need more protection, perfect for camp sun protection. It also connects with a free smartphone app (iOS or Android), which gives personalized sun safety recommendations. For instance, it can tell you when the sun’s rays are harshest during the day so that you can plan your activities around it. It can also remind you to reapply your sunscreen. You can order your Sun Index now right here.
