Campsite SelectionCampsite Selection

OP 110OP 110

The Low-Impact CampsiteThe Low-Impact Campsite

1.1. Established campsites vs. pristine campsites.Established campsites vs. pristine campsites.Consider the following:Consider the following:a)a) Selecting a campsite that has never been used Selecting a campsite that has never been used

before provides a more genuine wilderness before provides a more genuine wilderness experience.experience.

b)b) Having participants select a pristine campsite takes Having participants select a pristine campsite takes a higher level of decision making, thereby providing a higher level of decision making, thereby providing another opportunity to develop leadership skills.another opportunity to develop leadership skills.

c)c) Using an established campsite is perhaps a better Using an established campsite is perhaps a better choice for campers who may not have the choice for campers who may not have the knowledge or skills to select a pristine site.knowledge or skills to select a pristine site.

d)d) Using an established campsite is required when Using an established campsite is required when safety or environmental considerations dictate its safety or environmental considerations dictate its use.use.

e)e) Selecting a pristine site requires that it be at least Selecting a pristine site requires that it be at least 200 feet (65 meters) from water, trails, and other 200 feet (65 meters) from water, trails, and other campsites.campsites.

The Low-Impact CampsiteThe Low-Impact Campsite

2. Aesthetics: The group should camp out of 2. Aesthetics: The group should camp out of sight and sound of trails, shorelines, and sight and sound of trails, shorelines, and other groups because:other groups because:

a.a. It provides a higher quality experience for It provides a higher quality experience for others if they don’t see evidence of others if they don’t see evidence of another group camped there and increases another group camped there and increases the carrying capacity of the area.the carrying capacity of the area.

b.b. It is illegal to camp within these areas in It is illegal to camp within these areas in most regions, unless the local agency has most regions, unless the local agency has designated campsites within these limits.designated campsites within these limits.

The Low-Impact CampsiteThe Low-Impact Campsite

3. Water: Can the group camp at the selected location 3. Water: Can the group camp at the selected location and protect the quality of the water source?and protect the quality of the water source?

4. Ground Cover: 4. Ground Cover: a.a. Can the ground cover on the selected site Can the ground cover on the selected site

withstand the impact it will likely receive during withstand the impact it will likely receive during the intended length of stay?the intended length of stay?

b.b. Can tents be pitched and a campsite established Can tents be pitched and a campsite established without disturbing the existing cover. (i.e., without disturbing the existing cover. (i.e., moving rocks or logs, pulling up vegetation, etc.)? moving rocks or logs, pulling up vegetation, etc.)? This is especially critical when canoe camping This is especially critical when canoe camping since it is very easy to destroy vegetation along since it is very easy to destroy vegetation along the shore when hauling canoes and packs out of the shore when hauling canoes and packs out of the water.the water.

c.c. Will participants conscientiously “walk lightly”, Will participants conscientiously “walk lightly”, watching where they walk to avoid trampling watching where they walk to avoid trampling ferns, flowers, and other delicate flora?ferns, flowers, and other delicate flora?

The Low-Impact CampsiteThe Low-Impact Campsite

5. Wildlife: Will use of the site have an 5. Wildlife: Will use of the site have an adverse effect on wildlife and their adverse effect on wildlife and their habits?habits?

6. Slope: Will the group subject the site 6. Slope: Will the group subject the site to erosion?to erosion?

7. Wood: Can wood for fires be used 7. Wood: Can wood for fires be used without having an adverse impact on without having an adverse impact on the area’s fuel supply?the area’s fuel supply?

Safety and ComfortSafety and Comfort

► Some critical consideration based on liability and Some critical consideration based on liability and the group’s emotional well being.the group’s emotional well being.

1.1. Weather: Is the site reasonable protected from Weather: Is the site reasonable protected from the elements of wind, precipitation, lightning, and the elements of wind, precipitation, lightning, and flash floods?flash floods?

2.2. Water: Is a suitable water source within a Water: Is a suitable water source within a reasonable distance?reasonable distance?

3.3. Widow-makers: (a dead tree or tree limb (s) that Widow-makers: (a dead tree or tree limb (s) that could potentially fall and cause injury: Are tents could potentially fall and cause injury: Are tents sites free of dangerous widow-makers?sites free of dangerous widow-makers?

4.4. Slope: Can reasonably comfortable tents sites and Slope: Can reasonably comfortable tents sites and meeting areas be found?meeting areas be found?

Safety and ComfortSafety and Comfort5. Aspects ( the direction the campsite faces): What is 5. Aspects ( the direction the campsite faces): What is

the camp’s location in relation to the sun, weather, the camp’s location in relation to the sun, weather, views, etc.?views, etc.?

6. Geology: Is the campsite safe from things such as 6. Geology: Is the campsite safe from things such as falling rocks, landslides, mudslides, etc.?falling rocks, landslides, mudslides, etc.?

7. Privacy: Is there sufficient space available to afford 7. Privacy: Is there sufficient space available to afford privacy for individuals in the group and the group as privacy for individuals in the group and the group as a whole?a whole?

8. In bear country considerations to be aware of 8. In bear country considerations to be aware of include:include:

a.a. Avoid setting up tents in areas where bears like to Avoid setting up tents in areas where bears like to inhabit. (i.e., thick woods, or brush, under deadfall, inhabit. (i.e., thick woods, or brush, under deadfall, near water, etc.)near water, etc.)

b.b. Set up tent sites away from areas where food has Set up tent sites away from areas where food has been eaten, stored, or prepared. been eaten, stored, or prepared.

c.c. Where possible, group the tents together in a line so Where possible, group the tents together in a line so bears can easily avoid the area and not become bears can easily avoid the area and not become inadvertently surrounded by tents.inadvertently surrounded by tents.

When to CampWhen to Camp

1. Before the group is overtired.1. Before the group is overtired.a.a. If the leader has to ask if the group is If the leader has to ask if the group is

ready to camp, it is probably time to do so.ready to camp, it is probably time to do so.b.b. Group members may be afraid to admit Group members may be afraid to admit

they are tired, or others may not realize they are tired, or others may not realize how tired they are.how tired they are.

c.c. The potential for accidents, injury, and The potential for accidents, injury, and environmental damage increases when the environmental damage increases when the group is tired; therefore, if in doubt, set up group is tired; therefore, if in doubt, set up camp.camp.

When to CampWhen to Camp

2. Before darkness.2. Before darkness.a)a) Few enjoy setting up camp in the dark, Few enjoy setting up camp in the dark,

especially after a hard day.especially after a hard day.b)b) The potential for physical injury and The potential for physical injury and

environmental damage increases after environmental damage increases after sunset.sunset.

c)c) Setting up camp in the early afternoon Setting up camp in the early afternoon allows the group to:allows the group to:

a)a) Enjoy the areaEnjoy the areab)b) ExploreExplorec)c) Get personal and group chores done and Get personal and group chores done and

replenish energy and enthusiasmreplenish energy and enthusiasmd)d) Get a good campsite in more crowded areas.Get a good campsite in more crowded areas.

Breaking CampBreaking Camp

1.1. Make sure that every attempt is made to Make sure that every attempt is made to minimize signs of the group’s presence. When minimize signs of the group’s presence. When breaking camp, it is the group leader’s breaking camp, it is the group leader’s responsibility to do a sweep of:responsibility to do a sweep of:

a.a. Every tent siteEvery tent siteb.b. Kitchen areasKitchen areasc.c. Meeting areasMeeting areasd.d. The latrine site (if one was used)The latrine site (if one was used)

2. Have the group restore trails and other areas to 2. Have the group restore trails and other areas to hide signs of the group’s presence. Restoring the hide signs of the group’s presence. Restoring the site should leave the area with as natural a look site should leave the area with as natural a look as possible. as possible.

3. Each small groups needs to be responsible for 3. Each small groups needs to be responsible for their camp to ensure good clean up which will their camp to ensure good clean up which will make the leader’s sweep much easier and make the leader’s sweep much easier and quicker.quicker.