Outdoor Living

If you are holding class outdoors more, go camping, host a day camp, or need to clean up in the backyard, you may be in need of an outdoor handwashing station. Here are a few options to consider:

• Solar shower bag with hose • Insulated water jugs • Water carriers • Hose hooked up to an outdoor sink, fish cleaning station, or camp sink • Tippy tap – a homemade system that allows for no contact with the apparatus while washing hands • Squeeze bottles with soap • Gallon jug with a hole at the bottom and a golf tee on a string • Old laundry detergent container with spout • Portable sink, stainless steel bowl, or washtub • ½ gallon Mason jar with holes in the lid

Things to consider:

• Use biodegradable soap, like Castille soap or camp soap, in a selfserving container. • Fill the jug with hot/warm water early in the day to have it stay warm for several hours if needed. Wrap it with insulation or keep it in a greenhouse until used. • Transport needed water and handwashing supplies via an outdoor cart to your location. • Have a way to dry hands. Consider separate washcloths/hand towels for each person hung on individual clips or on their own backpacks. • Make handwashing outdoors a habit before eating and other sensitive activities. Wash hands more frequently during the age of COVID. • Be aware of the gray water which is runoff from washing hands or dishes. Consider having a shallow ditch, a platform, or a rock bed to

drain the water.

An outdoor sink makes for easy cleanup.

An insulated water jug can be a simple outdoor washing station.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends regular handwashing to prevent the spread of germs and disease. Wash hands before and after certain activities to remove germs and prevent sickness. While these handwashing options may work well as we shift more activities outside during COVID, they can also be a great addition any time we go camping or are spending time outside. We have been washing hands in an outdoor setting for several years. With a little preplanning and getting used to outdoor handwashing routines, we can successfully wash our hands outside.

Dr. Carla Gull blogs at www.insideoutsidemichiana.com and podcasts as Loose Parts Nature Play. She is often seen with her four tag-along explorers in the greater Michiana area.