Safety in numbers?
Photo by: Phanuphong Paothong (Stock Exchange)

Welcome, one and all, to the AllCampgrounds.com blog! Today we’ll be talking about one of the most important parts of getting by at all campsites: managing your presence.

We’ll look at a few of the keys to making sure you and your fellow campers leave nature as you found it.

Consider this a review for old hands and a great way for newcomers to camping to learn the ropes.

“Leave No Trace”: Learn It, Live It, Love It

The old dictum has actually been expanded into a pretty useful website on environmental ethics courtesy of The Leave No Trace Center. Of course, it’s not really possible to leave NO trace at all; humans and animals are bound to leave footprints and small signs of passing that no one can control. For everything else, there are a few simple rules that anyone can master …

A Checklist for “Doing Right” by Mother Nature

Know your stuff about foodstuff. Just ask any resident of New York City what happens when an animal species becomes all too familiar with humans and their food: they get surly, demanding, and eventually, aggressive. One of the easiest and most common ways to provoke a negative encounter with wildlife is with improper cooking and storage of foodstuffs.

If you’re cooking in an area where larger animals are known to roam, do it a reasonable distance downwind from your camp. Leftovers and waste should be safely stored in a tamper-proof container that seals tight to prevent scents from attracting animals. Don’t forget that small animals, such as raccoons, can be just as persistent as larger ones about getting into your dinner! Never bury food waste, as many animals can still smell it.

Most importantly, never, ever feed any wild animal.

Be extra vigilant of your dog. The number of camp grounds that allow domestic animals such as dogs and cats is on the rise, and virtually all campsites welcome service animals. But be aware that, no matter how well trained, your dog can agitate the local wildlife if left unchecked. In the wild, your dog answering the “call of nature” could be interpreted as a hostile scent marker, so remove all waste as soon as you can. Likewise, if your animal gets loose, he or she can lead other creatures right back to your campsite, so be sure to leash like you would in any public space.

Don’t disturb or remove anything: It’s fun to observe nature, but if nature is observing you back, you might be too close. Don’t succumb to the temptation to interfere with the local habitat. Even simple parts of the ecosystem like plants, berries, pine cones, and logs have plenty of significance to the creatures that use them for food or nesting. If activities like bird-watching are on your agenda, bring equipment like binoculars and cameras that will allow you to keep a safe distance. Fishing enthusiasts, consider catch-and-release.

Don’t leave anything behind. Be especially sure to double and triple-check your doused fires, ensuring there are no live embers left behind. Smother flames completely with water, sand, or dirt to be completely sure. Take away everything you bring in, and dispose of waste at approved dump sites. Anything that is left behind could act as “signposts” for curious animals, making camp grounds less secure in the future.

At all campsites, awareness and respect are the keys to getting along with nature. Make a little extra effort to know the land, and you might find a second home in the wild that will be “just the way you found it” for years to come.

Tent Camping
Photo by: K Rayker (Stock Exchange)

Once upon a time the most important advice a camper could adhere to was don’t pitch your tent facing into the wind, and dig a trench to avoid flooding. While it is still a good idea not to pitch your tent into the wind, digging holes or trenches could get you thrown out of some campgrounds today. So what can you do to ensure a safe and comfortable campsite?

Choosing a Spot to Set Up Your Tent

1. Lay down a tarp or plastic sheeting where you will be setting up your tent. This will help keep the floor of the tent dry if it rains. Turn the edges of the tarp or plastic under, and don’t let it extend further then the edge of the bottom of the tent.
2. Set up the tent so that the door faces South or South East. This way wind and rain won’t blow in if there is bad weather.
3. Start by stacking the corners of the tent first, then set up the poles.
4. Put sleeping bags and personal gear into the tent. Be sure to avoid putting anything up against the walls of the tent since moisture often condenses on tent walls.

Setting Up the Cooking Area

1. If you are in an area that allows it, gather dead wood for the campfire. Make sure you check ahead of time to see if this allowed at your campground. If it is not, be sure to bring an adequate supply of firewood and a hatchet with you. Stack the wood near the fire pit, but not where it will be tripped over in the dark.
2. Most campsites have picnic tables. Position the table so that it is not in line with the smoke from the campfire.
3. Place coolers and food items near the cooking area. Try to keep them in the shade. Add fresh ice every couple of days to keep food from spoiling. Unless you have animal proof containers you might want to store them in your vehicle overnight. This may seem like a real pain, but so is having to drive to the nearest store after a skunk or raccoon has raided your supplies.
4. Place a bucket or jug of water near the campfire in case of emergency.
5. Have a garbage bag nearby for use during the day. Remember to dispose of it before going to sleep, or at least put in your vehicle to avoid attracting wild animals.
6. Set up a lantern near the table so it is ready when you need it. If you have children a battery operated lantern is probably a better option than one that runs on fuel.
7. Arrange some type of seating around the campfire area, but not to close. There are some great folding camping chairs available, some even have shades and cup holders. Just because your roughing it doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable.
8. If it is allowed-set up a cloths line between two trees. I stress the if it is allowed. Some State Parks frown upon this incase it damages the trees. Make sure you check first. Always read the rules of the campground to avoid being asked to leave.

This may seem like a lot of work, but if everyone pitches in it will go quickly and doing it all in the beginning will give you more time to relax later.

By Sandra M. Webster