Teen Program Offers Advice for Safe Fun in the Sun
Lake Toxaway, NC (PRWEB) July 08, 2013 -- Coinciding with Americans’ love for the sun, the National Cancer Institute reports an estimated 2,000,000 new cases of skin cancer in 2012! Trails Carolina, a therapeutic wilderness program for struggling adolescents and youth, encourages safety in the outdoors by joining the American Academy of Ophthalmology in promoting July as National UV Safety Month.
The safety and well-being of its students is Trails Carolina’s highest priority. With a staff team comprised of outdoor enthusiasts, Trails understands that in order to fully enjoy the benefits of an active, outdoor lifestyle, it is necessary to first care for one’s health and safety, which includes protection from the damaging effects of the sun.
“Summer is a beautiful time to enjoy all the outdoors have to offer, but it doesn’t come without its hazards,” cautions avid cyclist and Trails Carolina therapeutic wilderness program Field Director, Nick Pearl. “That’s why we dedicate time each week to training our Wilderness Field Instructors on Trails’ safety protocols, including required use of sunscreen for all students.”
In addition to regular applications of sunscreen, Trails equips its students with technical clothing such as pants and long-sleeve shirts that are light, breathable, and protect against exposure to UV rays.
Sunbathing and tanning are popular pastimes for many teenagers and thanks to tanning salons, it is no longer confined to the summer months. However, over-exposure to the sun’s rays can have lasting and damaging effects on the skin, ranging from wrinkles to skin cancer. Since many people accumulate the majority of their sun exposure before the age of 18, it is important to teach children and teens how to have fun in the sun—safely. The American Cancer Society provides these helpful suggestions:
- Stay in the shade! It is the simplest and most effective protection against UV light.
- If you’re going to be in the sun, remember the catch phrase, “Slip! Slop! Slap! And Wrap”
o Slip on a shirt and other clothing that will protect you from the sun
o Slop on sunscreen. Use a higher SPF, apply regularly, and be generous with it!
o Slap on a hat with a brim all around to provide shade to areas that are particularly susceptible to skin cancer, such as the ears and neck
o Wrap on sunglasses to protect your eyes and the sensitive skin around them
For additional information on how Trails Carolina can provide your child with a safe, t herapeutic wilderness program experience, please visit our website at http://www.trailscarolina.com, or call our admissions team at 888-387-2457.
Trails Carolina (http://www.TrailsCarolina.com) uses decades of experience to serve provide teens a clinically driven, family focused therapeutic wilderness program. Trails helps teens address the problematic behaviors and as a result create lasting change in the way families interact. The Trails staff integrates research, experience, and a values-based team approach in wilderness and residential settings to help teens develop lasting coping skills. Trails offers programs for boys and girls ages 10 – 13 and 14 – 17 plus family programs. For more information about Trails Carolina, please visit our website at http://www.trailscarolina.com or call us toll free at (800) 975-7303.
Graham Shannonhouse, Trails Carolina, http://www.TrailsCarolina.com, 828.674.0416, [email protected]
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