Photo: JelleS/Flickr

There's nothing like a summer camping trip -- long, hot days spent hiking or swimming in the lake and cool nights around a campfire. When packing up all the gear for your next camping trip, remember to pack health and nutrition, too. Campfire cooking isn't limited to hot dogs and s'mores. With a little planning and creativity, you can have some delicious and tasty meals that are in keeping with your healthy eating goals:

• Breakfast. Scrambled eggs are a natural on the campfire. Just pack a cast iron skillet and a spatula. Also bring healthy mix-ins like green pepper, onion and mushrooms. Or bake these flaxseed-loaded Morning Glory Muffins ahead of time. Granola also makes a healthy breakfast as well as a handy trail snack. Fruit is also handy and healthy.
  
• Lunch. Bring a softside cooler that's easy to take with you while hiking, boating or touring the local towns. Pack fruits, vegetables, healthful sandwiches on whole wheat and other nutritious foods.
• Dinner. There are plenty of healthy, filling and delicious foods you can cook on your campfire. Try beef kebobs, roasted vegetable fajitas, even baked pears for dessert.

Remember to incorporate lots of physical activity into your camping trips, too. Water skiing, hiking, swimming, volleyball, biking, and other activities are obvious choices. But be sure to check for opportunities that are unique to the area as well, such as climbing sand dunes or going parasailing. Your camping trip won't only be an escape from the every day... it will also be a chance to get fit and healthy.

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You can fish for trout, and then have a chef prepare it for you. You can hike through the woods and then have a masseuse work out all the knots in your muscles. You can kayak, swim, and play volleyball by day and relax in your pre-pitched "tent" complete with amenities like furniture and running water at night.

If you like the idea of camping, but don't like the idea of roughing it, then glamping may be the retreat for you. Glamping is a mix of traditional camping with modern conveniences and luxuries.

The whole idea just seems a bit strange to me. After all, is it really camping if your tent doesn't leak when it rains and you don't burn your dinner over a campfire? How about you? Would a little bit of pampering be a welcome addition to your next camping trip?

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Do you have people in your life who just aren't satisfied with a jog around the neighborhood? You can foster your loved ones' adventurous spirits with holiday gifts that are as rugged as they are.

You can find adventure sport gear or accessories that fit any budget. Do keep in mind that certain items -- especially wearables such as helmets -- require a certain fit, so be sure to purchase items that can be easily exchanged if they don't fit correctly. Check out the gallery for some ideas.

For some people, the snow-covered ground is a reason to stay inside under a warm blanket. But for others, the white stuff is an invitation to be active and adventurous. If you like to backcountry ski, snow shoe, hike over a wintry trail, or go backwoods camping during winter, packing for your active adventure can be a challenge. Outside Online has some tips from the pros:

• Chris Figenshau is a photographer, but you won't find him in a comfy studio. Instead, Figenshau spends more than 100 days a year following elite skiers. Some of the things you'll find in his backpack are dark shades with side hoods, a pole with an ice ax to help when walking on icy snow, and he swears by the light and easy to maneuver Obsethed skis by K2.
• Victoria Jealouse, snowboarder, brings a quality thermos filled with hot tea or soup, lip balm with sunscreen, a first aid and repair kit, and a satellite phone. Though it may not be something most want to discuss, she also brings the Freshette, which allows her to go to the bathroom without exposing everything to the icy-cold wind.

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My son has attended the same summer camp for two years now. Throughout the summer there are specialty camps kids can opt to attend. Last summer he signed up for an intense biking camp. At the beginning of the week, there were more than 30 kids signed up. By day three, the numbers had dropped to about 12. By the end of the week, only 6 kids remained.

On the first day of camp, the kids and their counselors rode a total of 10 miles. But the rides were short and they stopped at several fun locations to play and rest in between rides. Still, my very fit and athletic son needed to take a bath that night to relax his muscles.

The second day, the kids rode about the same distance, but with only one, longer break in between. It was a hard day, evidenced by the fact that more than half of the kids dropped out after day two. My son mentioned that he thought maybe he'd like to quit, too. But day three was too intriguing for him to give up.

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Here at That's Fit, we're forever grateful for the service, courage and sacrifice made by the heroic men and women who serve as military, law enforcement officers, and firefighters. We're so grateful, that we'd like to dedicate some features to both showing our heroes off, and learning a little bit in the process as well. If you serve your country courageously, are a veteran or know someone who does, please return this form completed to Fitz along with a photo and we'll share your story with the world.

Name: Erik J. Fritz

Age: 19

Occupation: Bulk Fuel Specialist at the Marine Corps and Navy Reserves Unit

If you're in the military...where are you? Green Bay, WI,

How often do you exercise? Almost every day

What type of exercise do you do? Running outside and on the treadmill, lifting weights, and a lot of push-ups.

What gets you to workout, even when you're feeling lazy? Knowing that I have to stay in good shape to pass my PT.

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Chronic pain is something that millions of people deal with every day of their lives. According to this article, over 30 billion dollars were spent on sore necks and backs alone in 2005. But often times doctor visits and pills don't do the trick. It can be like taking a medication lottery for pain, hoping that the next prescription will bring relief.

But what if someone could enroll in a four week "boot camp" that trains the body to mitigate the chronic pain caused by his or her body's system going haywire? It doesn't cure the pain, but it allows for the person to address its unrelenting nature and helps them combat the ever-present discomfort.

Patients of this boot camp are taught to move and exercise in ways that address biological, psychological and social elements of chronic pain. They're also seen by professionals to guide them: a physician, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a biofeedback therapist, a clinical psychologist and a movement specialist all lend their expertise. One women who partook in the program was able to take her first ballet class in over a year thanks to the regimen. It may be pricey, but some people may be willing to foot the bill if it means less pain!

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Fitzness Fiends is a section devoted to you, the reader! We all have learned so much on our path to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other! Fitzness Fiends are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect, some are not. All have health on the mind. Please send Fitz your answers to these questions with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!

Name: Jonathan Fisher

Age: 34

Occupation: Service Director for a chain of motorcycle dealerships

How often do you exercise? Six to seven days a week.

What type of exercise do you do? Swimming, running, biking, boot camp, and tennis.

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Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Brrrr Fitz! I live in the waaaaaay cold and am already starting to feel the flab. It's too cold outside to go for runs like I normally do. I can't afford the gym and don't want to look like the snowman on my lawn. What do you suggest? Rick

A. Eeeek Rick! I can't imagine. Literally. I can't imagine, because I've lived in Florida all of my life. It's about 80 degrees outside right now. I have been in the cold and snow though, Norway seems to have a lot, and I do have some recommendations. First, there are a ton of things you can do at home. Sometimes it is just too hot to train outside where I am, so I end up in the same situation you're in now (but opposite).

A treadmill would suit your running needs, but if that investment is too much...here are some ideas. Move the furniture and--jump rope, run in place, do jumping jacks, jump on a mini-trampoline, hit a heavy-bag, dance, do step aerobics, squat jumps, video training, gliding disks, free weights, pull-ups, push-ups, squats, or crunches.

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One of my favorite colleagues in the fitness industry, Tracy Benham, M.E.S.S. has just launched a spectacular program designed to keep you on track and maybe even get you fitter for the holidays. HolidayBootCamp.com offers a free e-course jam packed with the best information from degreed and experienced fitness professionals (including myself) who are dying to change your life.

You'll receive a daily Kick in the Butt via email to keep you on track, and train your brain to make the best of your body. Ready for real-deal gimmick free fitness advice? Sign up at HolidayBootCamp.com,

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I love the idea of fitness boot camp, although I'll admit that the premise scares the you-know-what out of me. It's not just the idea of getting up at 5am for an hour of grueling exercise (the bad), it's also the thought of doing it for five days a week for a full month. Can you imagine how sore you'd be every single day (the painful!)?

Of course, both are likely a small price to pay when you start to see results (the good). I also think that the good outweighs the bad (and the painful) in that you've got a professional helping you get into shape every step of the way for an entire month. Plus they make sure to mix up the exercises each day so you end up doing cardio, a full range of muscle exercises, stretching and more. Finally, fitness boot camp causes you to commit for four weeks. It's easy when you're on your own to give up after a few days if you're really not feeling motivated, but when you've got a class of 10 or 15 people, plus your very own work-out drill sergeant, you've got some serious incentive to get your butt in gear.

The writer of this article tried it out and really only has positive things to say. One of the aspects I liked the best was that people of all ages, weights and fitness levels could join. And if you're really not a morning person, most companies also offer classes after work. What do you think, would you be willing to give it a try?

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My personal training client Jody, is in the middle of a two week stay at Structure House. He's been there before, and after losing 40 pounds here...I'm thrilled he's returned as he's reached a stubborn plateau in his training. More mental than anything, but I'm so happy he's off in Durham, North Carolina focusing solely on getting fit and losing some more weight.

I speak to my Jody daily and he's having a blast, having success, and making tons of friends. Usually, he puts me on the phone with one of his Structure House buddies when we speak. They've come from around the country, and all seem to be dropping pounds galore.

So. To Jody, Iris, Inna, Arthur, and everyone else at Structure House, I wish you the best. I encourage you to wake up to each new day as another awesome opportunity to take charge of your life and become the person you're desperate to be. You've all invested so much financially and emotionally to be there. Jody has bragged about what spectacular people you are, so keep making strides towards living a better and longer life!

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If you've got some camping trips planned this summer, like maybe for the 4th of July holiday coming up, it's very possible you (or a loved one or a pet) will come across some poison ivy on your hikes in the forest or hunts for firewood. Every year between 25 and 40 million Americans suffer the famous itchiness and rash caused by the oil from the poison ivy plant -- to stumble on a patch is one of the oldest camping mishaps in the book.

Dealing with it if you are unlucky enough to need to is mostly about soothing the symptoms and not making them worse. See this article for a list of helpful tips, like washing the affected area with cool water as soon as possible and refraining from itching.

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Next week, my son is going to start attending a day camp for the rest of the summer. I've checked it out thoroughly; the camp is accredited and all the counselors are well trained. His days are going to be filled with sports and swimming and crafts and long hikes. Once he gets over the initial hurdle of making friends, I think he's just going to love it there. But overnight camp would be a different story. My son, as many people's children do, has some minor health maintenance needs. Sending him away overnight would be a larger cause of concern for me. Despite my concerns, I do hope he wants to attend a week-long camp someday. I did when I was a kid, and it was a great time.

If your child is going to an overnight camp be sure they're prepared both physically and emotionally. Schedule a physical with your child's doctor weeks before your child leaves to get a clearance for all physical activity. Make sure the camp is aware of and prepared to administer any medications your child may require (Epi-pens, ADHD meds, asthma inhalers, and so forth). It's also important to talk to your child about homesickness and other things they might feel. The American Camp Association's web site has tips for camp preparation.

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While camping carries a mystique of healthy rigor about it, the very dishes we eat off of while vacationing in the wilderness may be teeming with tiny sick-making bugs. And it's our own fault.

The food blog Brownie Points pointed me toward the Science News article How to Wash Up in the Wilderness. A microbiologist, Joanna Hargreaves, conducted a study regarding dish-cleaning practices among backpackers and expedition companies and found that their methods were not removing all harmful bacteria. She hazards a guess that individual campers may have even poorer habits than the large expedition providers she followed.

The piece in Science News recalls a related 2004 study that found that 56% of backpackers studied on the Appalachian Trail developed diarrhea, and the risk was much higher among those who did not always treat their water before drinking it. But nearly half of the Appalachian hikers who did consistently treat their drinking water still got diarrhea. "So other hygiene lapses-including inadequate washing of hands, dishes, and eating utensils-are apparently major threats to health in the wilderness," concludes microbiologist Hargreaves.

I have to admit my own camp dish-washing methods pale in comparison to the three-bowl scientific approach she prescribes. If I recall our last camping trip correctly, we rinsed with boiling water...or swished...or something. Umm, maybe I'll mend my ways next time we camp thanks to this article.

[Photo by kwankwan.]

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