This post is sponsored by OFF!®, all opinions are my own.
The summer season provides a great opportunity to experience outdoors: swimming, hiking, nature walking, camping, riding bicycles, beach sports, etc. But summer plans, especially those outdoors, not only require all-day enthusiastic energy but also protection from nature’s elements (think: sun) and residents (insects or bugs, anyone?).
According to a recent survey by OFF!®, Americans believe bugs are the number one reason they stay inside, and the number one thing that spoils their time outside. The national survey conducted by OFF!® shows that nearly all Americans (97 percent) think it’s important to spend time outside, but two-thirds (67 percent) don’t think they get enough of it.
How can we get back out there?
My family lives mostly in a perpetual state of summer since we reside in sunny Florida. Outdoor living is a way of life in the Sunshine State. Just like the rest of the country during summertime, we face the same bugs that interfere with everyday living (except year-round). We need insect repellents to enjoy simple activities like gardening, yard work, sitting on the patio or going to an outdoor concert. Thankfully, the experts at OFF!® have a few recommendations: know the peak mosquito biting hours are from dusk to dawn, avoid fruity and floral fragrances and skip scented soaps, lotions, perfumes and hair products, if heading outside. Also, stay protected when participating in outdoor sports and activities because carbon dioxide, which everyone releases when breathing, attracts mosquitos.
It is truly a necessity to have effective protection and OFF!® provides a full line of products that offer long-lasting protection, including the OFF!® Clip-On™ Mosquito Repellent and OFF!® Mosquito Lamp.
The OFF!® Clip-On™ Mosquito Repellent is convenient and easy to use because it provides protection you don’t spray on. A quiet, battery-powered fan circulates odorless repellent to create head-to-toe protection for up to 12 hours.
The redesigned OFF!® Clip-On™ easily fastens to your belt or chair; you can also set it next to you for spray-free protection. We found it not only worked very well when we worked around the house, but was easy to clip onto any pants or shorts and never fell off when we worked around the yard. Since there isn’t any spraying involved there was no need for reapplying – and no mess!
Having fun outdoors is a part of the summer experience. Regardless if it’s swimming, camping, making s’mores, or just sitting outside, it’s a time to be enjoyed with family and friends. The OFF!® Mosquito Lamp is a must-have for outdoor gatherings because it gives scentless mosquito protection and protects an area up to 10 times larger than the leading citronella candle. Simply activate the diffuser by lighting the candle and you can be sure your get-together is enjoyable for up to six hours.
After a day of outdoor work, it was great to be able to enjoy our handiwork bug-free. The OFF!® Mosquito Lamp provided protection and comfort so we were able to sit outside and relax.
Want to spend more quality time with your family this summer? The following is a list of affordable (or free) outdoor summer activities:
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The YMCA has summer camps, exercise and swimming lessons for the entire family. Information about the YMCA and summer camps at http://www.ymca.net/ and http://www.ymca.net/camp/. The YMCA also provides military outreach initiative and respite child care at http://www.ymca.net/military-outreach/.
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Little Leagues offer a wonderful opportunity for children to be part of an organized sport, be active and learn sportsmanship. Local leagues can be found at http://www.littleleague.org/Little_League_Online.htm.
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Summer Camps, whether day or extended, offer the opportunity for fun outdoor experience, educational venues, and structured play. A directory of summer camps can be found at http://www.summercamps.com/ and http://www.acacamps.org/.
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U.S. State Parks have camping specials for families during the summer, including free entrance days in the national parks. Information is available at http://www.nps.gov/index.htm, http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm and http://camping.about.com/. All active duty military can receive a free annual pass to National Parks and sites.
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Going to the beach is a family favorite summer pastime. Find more information about local, national and worldwide beaches at http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/googleearthmap.htm, http://www.tripadvisor.com/Inspiration-g1-c1-World.html, http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/beach-cities-photos/, Florida’s best beach town, Best beaches, 51 great American beaches and 10 best Southern beaches.
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Theme parks and water parks have special summer hours and discounts for families to enjoy a day at the park. Locate local amusement parks at http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/themeparks/locator/index.php, http://www.themeparkcity.com/USA_index.htm and http://themeparks.about.com/.
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Petting Zoos and Pick Your Own Farms are a fun family outing that provides access to animals, fruits and vegetables. Find local petting zoos and pick your own farms at http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/index.php and http://www.pickyourown.org/.
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Zoos and Aquariums offer special hours, discounts and children activities during the summer. Find local zoos and aquariums at http://www.officialusa.com/stateguides/zoos, http://www.aza.org/ and http://www.americanzoos.info/.
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Volunteer Match has a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities that are age appropriate at http://www.volunteermatch.com.
Check out OFF.com, getbackoutthere.off.com, facebook.com/OFF and instagram.com/offoutdoors for more information about the entire OFF!® Insect Repellent line of products. OFF!® products are also available in the insect repellents, lawn and garden and sporting good sections of food, drug, do-it-yourself and mass-merchandise stores such as Target, Walmart and CVS.
Happy Summer and Get Back Out There!
Disclosure: This a sponsored post on behalf of the major insect repellent brand, OFF!®, however, opinions expressed here are clearly our own.
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Joscelyn, Owner of Mami of Multiples & Mami Innovative Media
Joscelyn Ramos Campbell has more than a decade of experience as an award-winning former federal government public relations executive under the Bush and Obama administrations.
The “super-connected power mom“ was recently named by Latina Magazine as one of “The 10 Best Latina Mommy Bloggers on the Web“; by CBS News as one of the “Top Bloggers in the Business“; by NBC Latino Work-Life Balance series as a “Top Latina Mom Blogger“; an Empowering Latina in the Marketing Field; by CNBC.com as a Top Latino Social Media Stars and Leading Hispanic Bloggers.
She is the owner of Mami Innovative Media and founder of Mami of Multiples, one of the nation’s leading Latina American parenting and lifestyle sites offering resources and helpful tips for families. She is a nationally syndicated Parenting Columnist and co-hosts a Talk Radio Show.
Joscelyn is a public speaker, military wife and mother to a teen son and identical twin boys. Connect with Joscelyn at @JoscelynRC & @InnovativeTalk.
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