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Survive your summer vacation: bush parties 101 |
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Thursday, 15 April 2010 |
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By EMMA RUSSELL
Staff Writer
It's that time of year again. Summer is approaching, the weather is getting warmer and teenagers start to throw bush parties.
If you plan to attend a one, this will be your survival guide for the
night.
Bringing a flashlight, staying with a group of friends and
having a cellphone will help reduce the risk of anything bad happening,
says www.focus-alcohol.org. As well says you may be aware of the area
you are in, but being under the influence will impair your vision
leaving you lost and unaware of your surroundings.
Having a group of
friends around you that you trust is key. You want to put yourself in a
positive environment. A cellphone will help greatly if anything happens
to go wrong. Never hesitate to call someone for help.
The website
also says fires can easily get out of control. Watching the flame's
height and keeping a safe distance is important. Think before acting
around an open flame.
Drinking at a bush party will always play a big
role. If you are going to drink, you need to know your limit.
Only
drink what you can handle and don't get sucked in by peer pressure. The
site says you don't need to keep up with all your friends.
You should
always eat before you go out because drinking on an empty stomach never
ends well.
Based on the weather, dress warmly even if you are
getting heat from the campfire. And remember, says
www.focus-alcohol.org, you can pay a fine if caught underage drinking.
If you are not on private property, you could also be fined for
trespassing or drinking in a public place.
Dawn Regan, director of
public awareness for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), says to
always plan ahead.
"There are so many options. Do not drive impaired.
Camp out or get a parent to pick you up."
Regan also says after
drinking, never be a driver or passenger in a car. MADD has Campaign
911, a system that could save a life. Whenever you see an impaired
driver, call 911 and explain what you witnessed. For more information
visit the MADD website
www.madd.ca.
Teens have mixed opinions on
bush parties versus house parties and which one they would rather
attend.
Mary Wood, 18, Cambridge, Ont., would rather go to a bush
party because you can have as many people as you want and it won't get
crowded. Others say they prefer a house party because it is a safer
environment.
Michelle Taschner, 19, of Kitchener Ont., says she used
to like bush parties because there was nothing better to do in her town
of Cambridge, before she turned 19.
"Plus you can be as loud and
rowdy as you want and no one will complain."
Niagara Regional Police
Staff Sgt. Shawn Clarkson says you have to know where you are, whom you
are with and to get out of the situation if feeling unsafe.
"If you
are underage drinking, you already made a bad mistake."
A Facebook
group has been set up for bush parties. A status asks group members to
name the most-fun part of a bush party.
"The keg stands with friends
and warm fire," says a group member Josh.
Another girl, Elizabeth,
says, "Getting lost when I has to pee is my favourite."
Chrissy
comments, "Bush parties are the best kind of parties."
Most of all
have fun this summer. You don't need to put yourself in danger for a
good time. Take the advice experts give.
Plan ahead, grab your tent,
a flashlight, crack a brew with friends and have a safe time.
Don't
let your fun time end up on the front page of the newspaper.
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