Here is a concise guide to having the safest campsite you can in either public or wilderness grounds. Use these guideline recommendations as you see fit, and feel free to print them out.
Safe Camping
By: Scott Davenport
ECBR Safety Committee
Choosing A Site
- Look for a site that has trees or shrubs on the side of the prevailing winds. This will help block the wind if it should gust or get quite strong.
- Plan your trip so that you arrive at your actual campsite with enough daylight left to check over the entire campsite and to set-up camp.
- Look for a level site with enough room to spread out all your camping gear.
- Check the area for poison ivy and stinging insect nests.
- Be sure to check the site thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches that could fall or are hung low.
- Check the contour of the land and look for potential trouble due to rain. Check for areas that could flood or become extremely muddy and cause problems.
Camping Tips
- Keep warm.
- Dress in layers.
- Keep your head covered.
- Use a cold weather sleeping bag & foam mat.
- Keep dry & bring extra clothing.
- Wear mittens instead of gloves.
- Eat foods high in protein, carbohydrates and fats.
- Do not drink alcohol - it lowers core body temperature.
Basic Tips
- Test all your camping gear before you start out.<
- Wear layers of clothing instead of one heavy piece. You'll be warmer.
- Remember to give yourself about an hour of daylight to set up camp and eat dinner.
- Boil water with a lid on your pot to save fuel.
- Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Campfires & Cooking
- Fire is of prime concern at the campsite.
- When ever a fire is lit at the campsite, be sure that someone is assigned to watch it at all times.
- Use existing fire pits where possible.
- Be sure you have an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally or vertically.
- When you're building a fire, remember that "small is all" - keeping water nearby in case of emergency.
- Be sure that when you put the fire out you use water and soil and be certain that the fire is completely out, cool to the touch. Embers buried within the pile of ashes have a tendency to reignite later.
- Cooking with camp stoves is best for the environment. A lot of animals depend on dead wood for food and shelter.
Be Green
- Try to use an existing campsite instead of making a new one.
- Try to reduce camp food packaging. Leave unnecessary plastic, foil, and paper at home.
- Throw away the trash you do have, or take it with you to dispose of properly.
- Don't forget your good recycling habits on vacation. They are just as important camping as they are at home.
- Don't pick flowers and leaves. Take pictures instead.
- Return the campsite to its original condition for the next camper if you disturb it in any way.
Don't Forget.
- Take along a Swiss army type knife
- Make a pillow by stuffing extra clothes in a pillowcase at night.
- Pack extra socks.
RV Tips
- RV campers should be extremely careful to travel on proper roads within the site so as not to get stuck.
- Not all roads within the site are made for an R.V.
- Check your R.V. before leaving home, on route, at the campsite upon arrival and before departure for any damage, repairs or maintenance problems.
- Make sure everyone in the R.V. is using seat belts whenever possible. That includes passengers as well.
- Your holding tanks should be using non-toxic chemicals at all times
