Breast Cancer Awareness Month

What is the month of October known for? I bet your first guess was Halloween. Well that’s right AND another important thing October is known for is breast cancer awareness month. Pink ribbons everywhere bring awareness to the cause. Activists have reclaimed October and renamed it national breast cancer industry month to bring attention to the important need for preventative care and check-ups and the urgency to find a cure. So where did the pink ribbon come from?

Ribbon symbolism started in 1979 when Penny Laingen, the wife of a soldier taken hostage in Iran, tied yellow ribbons around trees as a signal of her hope for her husband to return. In 1990, AIDS activists debut their looped red ribbons on the Tony Awards.

In early 1992 a story came out about 68 year old Charlotte Haley making peach colored ribbons in her home, to raise money for her daughter, sister, and grandmother who all had breast cancer. 

“Haley was strictly grassroots, handing the cards out at the local supermarket and writing prominent women, everyone from former First Ladies to Dear Abby. Her message spread by word of mouth. By the time Liz Smith printed her phone number, Haley had distributed thousands.” ~ Sandy M. Fernandez of BreastCancer Action 

 

 As the word spread quickly Estée lauder and SelfMagazine contacted Haley and asked to use her ribbon and she refused. She wanted nothing to do with them, so after consulting with lawyers they opted to choose the color pink, which they say was feminine, soothing, comforting and healing.

“In fall 1992, Estée Lauder makeup counters handed out 1.5 million ribbons, each accompanied by a laminated card describing a proper breast self-exam. They collected over 200,000 pink ribbon petitions urging the White House to push for increased funding for research.” ~ Sandy M. Fernandez

Now ribbons and the color pink are used everywhere to help bring breast cancer awareness. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer deaths have decreased 34% since 1990. A few years ago we stared raising money here at the campground to donate to the cause because it is close to our hearts. We’ve had survivors work and reside here; and close friends and family battle the disease as well.  On October 5 we had about 25 participants in our annual walk. We are also selling t-shirts in the front office for $18 each. They are super cute and we’ve already sold over 80. We still have limited sizes available. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

So come on in or come on down and help support this great cause. We’ll be doing it again next October too! And as always if you have any ideas as to how we may improve or come up with ways to raise money, we love to hear your feedback so please feel free to leave comments or email us at piratelandmarketing@gmail.com.

Submitted by Crew Members Ebony Delong and Vickie Carmody

*Information in article obtained from thinkbeforeyoupink.org.

Top Five Grilling Must Tries

Ever get tired of eating the same old things when on a camping trip? And what's the fun in going out to eat or ordering fast food when camping? Its NO FUN at all. Well its time to try something new, exciting, and fun for the whole family!  I’m sure dad won’t mind breaking out the grill.

1. First thing on the list to try is campfire pizza...Yes Campfire Pizza! Using pre-made crust in a tube is a great way to get started and just add all your favorite toppings. In as little as thirty minutes you will have a meal that was fun to make for the whole family. Also you can find many recipes and directions online.  

2. Toasted starburst. Sounds crazy enough to want to try right? Well we get tired of roasting marshmallows all the time. So put a little twist on things and roast a few starbursts and see how the gooey, warm, flavors take over your taste buds and leave you in a happy bliss. And I’m sure the kids will love them as well!

3. Crescent rolls over a campfire. You can't go wrong with crescent rolls. Especially if you fill them with your favorite things and then place over the fire to create that warm yumminess! Try wrapping the crescent roll around a hot dog then place on the fire. Pure heaven I tell you!

 4. Bacon wrapped hotdogs. Not only will this satisfy some taste buds but it’s a fun and fast meal!

 5. Bacon wrapped corn on the cob. Love that corn on a cob - it’s not a camping meal without it. That savory sweet salty mixture of bacon and corn will satisfy you beyond craving.

Now most of these ideas can be found on the web easily through a search engine. Most of the supplies you will need can be found in our camp store. If you’re not sure of where something is just ask Carol, the camp store manager.

We at PirateLand would love your feedback on these simple yet yummy grilling ideas so submit all comments or questions underneath this blog and send us pictures of you trying these out with the family! Also please share some of your own grilling ideas! Send pics of your own grill creations to piratelandmarketing@gmail.com . We can't wait to hear from you!!

Submitted by PirateLand Crew Member Ebony Delong

Bike and Scooter Summer Safety Tips

We’re at the height of the summer and the campground is hopping! If you’ve stayed here in the summer you can visualize the motorists, the bikes, the pedestrians, oh the traffic! Here are some tips for scooter and bicycle riders to help reduce your accident risk and traffic headaches:

Know the rules of the road. Traffic laws apply to bicycles and scooters as well as cars so make sure the kiddos know what to do when they reach these signs: 

      Know the rules of the campground. My mama always said “we have rules in this house for a reason”. Same goes here. All guests, parents, children, and even toto too should be aware of all park rules. A complete copy can be found by clicking here. Only two wheeled electric scooters with a handle bar higher than 36 inches, and no seat or a single seat, are allowed in the campground. Scooters and bikes riding at night must have lights. Quiet hours are from 11pm to 7am during which all guests should be back on their sites. 

     

      Secure you bikes/scooters when not in use. Bring locks and bike chains to lock up your equipment when you have it parked in a common area and on your campsite.

      Wear a helmet. This may greatly reduce the risk of a serious injury. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in “Less than two percent of motor vehicle crash deaths are bicyclists. The most serious injuries among a majority of those killed are to the head, highlighting the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet. Eighty-nine percent of bicycle deaths are persons 16 and older, so helmet laws should include adults.”

      Try to stay off the main roads and away from heavy traffic areas. This may be difficult depending on your site’s location. The main roads in the campground are heavily traveled by vehicles, campers, and golf carts in the summer. The highest traffic areas are highlighted in orange on the map below.

There are many local bike trails; one is off Kings Hwy, just across from the campground entrance. This is a great route for a family trip around the area. Here’s a link to more info­­­­­­­­­­­­ for Myrtle Beach bike trails: http://www.mapmyride.com/us/myrtle-beach-sc/

For more campground safety tips click here to check out our “Know Before You Go” Safety video!

Campground Celebrates “Read Across America” and Dr. Seuss’s Birthday with Pate Elementary

In early March we finished up our third annual classroom book drive! Thanks to our residents, guests, and crew we collected almost 40 new children’s books for Patch, our Pirate Mascot, to deliver to Ms. Lauren Kuykendall’s first grade classroom at Pate Elementary in Darling County.  

“We started this program three years ago with classrooms in our area and this year we’ve reached out a little farther,” said Hollis Watts, our Recreation Director. “The welcoming response from Pate’s faculty, staff, and students was so heartwarming!”

We were so lucky this year because Pate Elementary purchased a Dr. Seuss book for every classroom and allowed Patch to deliver it to the kids. Their smiling faces, high fives, and hugs were so sweet! What a great group!

Patch and Mary Gibbs, Pate's Librarian

Patch with Ms. Kuykendall and her First Graders

Patch with students and their new books

Teacher Lauren Kuykendall has deep roots in PirateLand. She worked for several summers in our Recreation Department and spent many family vacations here.  Thank you Lauren for all you do!  We also want to thank everyone at Pate Elementary for their participation and hospitality, especially librarian Mary Gibbs. And a special thank you to Patch the Pirate!

“Our crew and guests are passionate about education,” said Todd Leary, our General Manager. “We’re honored to take part in promoting literacy and hope to continue the program for many years.”

We will collect new books at our office throughout the year in preparation for our 2014 classroom book drive. Stay tuned to our facebook page for more details!

For more information please call (843) 477-8005 or email plandactivities@yahoo.com