Outdoor Recreation: Games, Leisure, and Health Benefits

Outdoor recreation offers immense physical, social, and emotional benefits, from beach ball games to competitive cheerleading conditioning. Master the rules of speedball, kickball, and mini-golf, and discover the best spots in Maryland and North Carolina for finding sea glass.

Young couple sitting at edge of pool at night

Safe pH Levels for Swimming

Published Jul,08 2011 | By Rob Harris

Keeping your pool safe for swimming means consistent monitoring of chemicals and levels such as the water's pH. This is a measure of the water's acidity, and different levels of pH can have harmful effects on your pool as well as your body if you try to swim when the levels aren't ideal.

While studying journalism in the Army and at the University of Missouri, Rob Harris developed a lifelong love of physical fitness and nutrition, contributing often to a dairy industry newsletter. He has also worked with and created blogs for several family businesses including a professional dog kennel and a flower shop, where he used his experience as an avid gardener to grow plants for sale.