How to Have a Great Father

Ah, summer and Father's Day. A great time to get outside with good ol' Dad. Plan ahead on this one, and have an adventure fit for the both of you.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Dress Pa in a plaid shirt, jeans and poncho, then head out to his favorite outfitters store - the one with all the camping gear.

2. Consider purchasing a gift certificate. But he's your dad, after all, so get specific - you should know what he doesn't have. Look for a Coleman lantern, a good day pack or a set of binoculars.

3. Get a little fancier (and way cool) by purchasing a handheld GPS locator.

4. Sign him up on an ecotour, which can be found through groups like the National Audubon Society and the Sierra Club, or through local museums.

5. Pack a take-out lunch from his favorite restaurant, load it into a canoe, paddle out to a lake or river island (or use a sea kayak for coastal excursions) and munch in the solitude of nature.

Tips & Warnings

• Package gifts like the lantern and binoculars (or small doodads like a water bottle, compass, waterproof matches, a Swiss army knife, and flint and steel) in a nice pack. Give your dad the GPS system, a map and coordinates, and spend the day hiking into the bush with him in search of his hidden presents.
• Include some mosquito repellent in the binocular case. But figure Dad can apply it himself.